A few days ago, on February 20th, we celebrated World Anthropology Day! Anthropology Day is a day to celebrate the field of Anthropology and tell the general public about what we do as Anthropologists. 

Since Anthropology has such a wide variety of topics it deals with, it can be useful to many other fields of study. Here are two infographics that I made for Anthropology Day, showing how Anthropology can be applied to the Space Sciences. In my infographics, I explain some ways that an Anthropologist could assist people in planning a mission to space. I’ve copied the content of the infographics below for those with visual disabilities or others who cannot view the infographics.

Infographic #1:

So, you want to plan a mission to space…

Rocket. Check.

Rocket Scientist. Check.

Anthropologist. What?? How Could an Anthropologist help?

Read on for a few ideas…

Name Your Mission

You’ll need a name for your mission, rocket, space settlement, etc. Please make sure it doesn’t sound like something inappropriate in other cultural settings. An Anthropologist can help!

Build a Team

Many space programs involve international teams. An Anthropologist can assist with cultural sensitivity training, cross-cultural cooperation, and help mediate any cultural misunderstandings.

Food is Important

Whether your team members are floating in microgravity or sitting at a workstation on Earth, they’ll still need to eat! An Anthropologist can offer guidance in accommodating cultural food preferences.

Plan Your Community

Maybe your space community is a terrestrial analogue. Or maybe you are really out in space. Either way, you have to establish a small society. Anthropologists have learned a lot about small societies and the many ways they can operate!

Anthropology

• Anthropology can contribute to the understanding of human factors involved in the space sciences.
• Anthropology is the study of humanity…in all times, in all places, in all ways.
• Want to learn more about Anthropology? Check out the American Anthropological Association at: AmericanAnthro.org

Infographic #2:

So you want to plan a mission to space…Part 2

Rocket. Check.

Rocket Scientist. Check.

Anthropologist. What?? How could an Anthropologist help?

Read on for a few ideas…

Design a Flag

Creating a new flag can help create a sense of unity for your new space community. Please make sure any symbols used don’t mean something offensive in other cultures. An Anthropologist can help!

Language Matters

Space communities can involve people from multiple countries who speak different languages. Choosing a main language for the new community will need to be done carefully. Also, new words may need to be created for new items and experiences in space. An Anthropologist can offer guidance.

Build Habitats

The physical design and creation of buildings in space is a complex engineering task. In addition, people have cultural differences and preferences in how their habitats and communities are designed. An Anthropologist can offer guidance in accommodating these design preferences when building habitats and forming space communities.

Stay Healthy

People are going to get sick. Different cultures have different ways of describing, explaining, and treating various illnesses. An Anthropologist can assist with cultural sensitivity training, cross-cultural cooperation, and help mediate any cultural misunderstandings.

Anthropology

• Anthropology can contribute to the understanding of human factors involved in the space sciences.
• Anthropology is the study of humanity…in all times, in all places, in all ways.
• Want to learn more about Anthropology? Check out the American Anthropological Association at AmericanAnthro.org

Want to learn more about Anthropology Day?

For more information on Anthropology Day, just check out this link from the American Anthropological Association, and check out the hashtag #AnthroDay on social media!

Thanks for reading!