ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the contributions of anthropologists who have worked with populations around the world to design technologies that improve the quality of life for these groups. It describes how they integrate theory and practice, the constraints that shape their work, and how they extend their insights through collaboration on interdisciplinary teams. Ken has formed his own business working on issues of technology, conservation, and development in the nonprofit field. He had a strong background in technology design before he received his training in anthropology, so he combined the ability to conduct ethnographic research and develop technology solutions to a particular problem within a single person. Anthropologists have increasingly been involved in the research and design process for information and communication technologies (ICTs) because of unique research perspective they offer. The spread of ICTs constitutes a fundamental dimension of globalization. The proliferation of these technologies has been encouraged by private sector, resulting in increasing penetration of markets around the globe.
