Anthropology and Educational Policies: Decolonial Possibilities and Critical Interventions

Abstract (English)

How do anthropological theories shape educational policies across different countries and contexts? What are the main topics in Anthropology that influence the formulation of educational policies, and how can these be mobilized to foster more inclusive, just, and decolonial educational systems? This panel will critically examine the evolving relationship between anthropological knowledge and education policy, exploring how anthropological approaches contribute to and critique policy formation in local and national contexts.
Anthropology’s history is deeply intertwined with the development of educational policies, especially during the colonial era. Early anthropological theories—grounded in evolutionism and cultural hierarchies—played a significant role in legitimizing assimilationist policies that sought to erase Indigenous identities, languages, and knowledge systems. These policies were often embedded in universalist frameworks that ignored cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and gendered diversities. Yet, over time, anthropology has also provided vital critiques of these hegemonic systems and advocated for educational policies that honor and uplift pluralistic, Indigenous, and localized epistemologies.
This panel seeks to bring together studies that critically analyze educational policies from an anthropological perspective, with a focus on decolonial and intersectional frameworks. We invite papers that examine a range of themes, including:
The colonial legacies of educational policy and how they continue to impact Indigenous and marginalized communities.
Efforts to indigenize or decolonize educational systems and their connections to anthropological theories.
Educational policies that foreground linguistic, cultural, and gender diversity, and how anthropology contributes to shaping these policies.
The role of anthropology in policy formulation aimed at equitable access to education in socio-economically diverse communities.
Comparative analyses of educational reforms across different countries that have drawn on anthropological research or critiques.
By exploring these themes, this panel aims to illuminate the potential for anthropology to serve as a transformative lens in education policy development. In line with the WAU 2025 Congress theme of Unearthing Humanity, the discussions will emphasize the role of anthropological knowledge in fostering more inclusive, just, and reflective educational systems that respond to the complexities of the human condition.