The Interdisciplinary Engagement of Anthropology in Nepal: Prospects and Problems Abstract

Abstract (English)

Since the beginning of anthropological engagement in our country, Nepal, in the late 1950s, it has been highly praised for ethnographic exploration, holistic understanding, and interdisciplinary engagement. However, interdisciplinary engagement of anthropologists in different sectors began at a much later stage, namely, 19990s. In this backdrop, in this panel, three emerging anthropologists from Nepal, Dr. Sachin Ghimire, Prakash BK, and Obindra B. Chand will recall and reflect on their engagements and experiences in three different disciplines using an auto-ethnographic method.
Dr. Ghimire will share insights from his professional engagement in health sciences, namely public health, nursing, film studies and policy advocacy, and highlight the challenges and opportunities of engaging in interdisciplinary contexts and settings in Nepal as an medical anthropologist. While Mr. BK, drawing from his PhD research, will shed light on several social and structural determinants shaping the mental health and well-being of Dalit communities in Nepal. Additionally, he will bring his insights and experiences of engaging in advocacy for promoting the rights and leadership of Dalit communities. Finally, Mr. Chand, will bring insights and experiences of engaging in global health in general and access to health care services and facilities for the most marginalized population, i.e. people with disability in Nepal and highlight several individual, institutional, systematic, and structural factors, which have led to additional burdens as well as compromised their human rights.
All panelists, engaging in their respective fields, health sciences, mental health and global health, disability, and health equity, highlight that anthropology has enormous potential to contribute to diverse disciplines in terms of critical and comprehensive understanding of the problems and challenges. In addition to identifying the opportunities and challenges of anthropologists, these professional journeys and engagements also open avenues for collaboration and partnership to foster the interdisciplinarity of anthropology in Nepal and beyond.