Celebrating World Anthropology Day

On 19 February, the global community marks World Anthropology Day: a celebration of anthropology as a discipline and an opportunity to share its relevance with the wider world.

In today’s complex and often conflicted global landscape, anthropology plays a crucial role in helping us understand cultures, diverse perspectives, and ultimately, what it truly means to be human.

 By examining how societies function, adapt, and connect, anthropology fosters empathy and deeper cross-cultural awareness.

The University’s Department of Anthropology joined the international celebration with an event held on 18 February titled “The World in Sand: Desertification and Resilience in Pastoral Lifeworlds Across Alpine Wetlands and Grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau.” The lecture featured Professor of Ethnology Yun Tang, who explored environmental change and resilience among pastoral communities, offering valuable insights into how human societies adapt to ecological challenges.

In a reel prepared for the occasion, Ms Heather McNamara, researcher at the University of Malta, highlights the importance of anthropology in a world where societies are increasingly interconnected through digital technology. She explains how the discipline goes beyond observation, encouraging participatory engagement that leads to deeper, more meaningful understandings of communities and their lived experiences.

Anthropology helps us appreciate differences, broaden our perspectives, and recognise the shared humanity that connects us all - something especially vital in a world that can often feel divided.

🎥 Watch the reel above to learn more about the impact and importance of anthropology today.