Expanding the use of ethnographic methods
Supporting ethnographic practitioners & students
Advancing community-driven social change
Because ethnography is not meant only for the academy
The Public Ethnography Lab seeks to build interest, support, and resources for qualitative and ethnographic research in academic, government, non-profit, and other sectors. Using ethnographic approaches and orientations that illustrate the interdependence of knowledge and action, PEL promotes ethnographic praxis and collaborative action-oriented scholarship to understand and alleviate contemporary social challenges. PEL creates spaces for deep community engagement with practical research tools and skills to gather timely information on emerging problems, accompany communities in problem-solving, foster new collaborations, and inform institutional and policy changes.
Explore Lab Offerings
Everyday Inquiry: A Podcast
The Lab’s new podcast on all things applied ethnography.
Job Hub
Curated postings for job seekers with an ethnographic skillset
Resource Repository
The Lab Podcast, recommended reading, curated syllabi, and more
Events & Trainings
Virtual and in-person offerings for students, ethnographic practitioners, and organizations
Semi-Structured
The Lab’s open-access, online journal.
Coming Spring 2026.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Field schools, alternative breaks, and fellowships for students
The Public Anthropology Conference is back.
The American University Department of Anthropology is excited to announce that our annual signature event – the Public Anthropology Conference – is back. 2025’s Public Anthropology Conference will be a free-to-the-public, two-day event held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown Washington, D.C. on November 7 and 8. The event will blend traditional formats (panels, papers, and posters) with more interactive formats such as group dialogues, workshops, walking tours, performances, films, and more.
