(Dutch) text: Shirley Haasnoot | Photos: Daniëlle Roeleveld / Video: Jonathan ten Broeke
It's raining incessantly on Saturday afternoon, 18 November. Yet, about eighty anthropologists from across the country have gathered in the NU building on De Boelelaan for an alumni programme about the changing role of anthropology in society. They are updated on current developments in the field, but are also there to network and, above all, to see each other again.
'The English language led to an international classroom, with students from all over the world'
One of the first attendees, Luuk ter Horst, took the train from Hengelo that morning. He graduated in 2017, focusing on the seemingly paradoxical customs within Samoa's professional rugby culture. He spent three months in this Pacific Ocean archipelago and now works in business as a technical account manager and sales engineer. Does his Anthropology study still come in handy? 'Every day,' he says. 'But especially when I watch sports.'
The hall represents multiple generations of anthropologists. Marina de Regt, programme director since 2021, opens the meeting with a review of major changes in the field. For instance, VU's study has been offered in English for five years. This has worked well, De Regt says, leading to an 'international classroom' with students from all over the world. To reach everyone, the alumni meeting's programme is also in English.
‘It is a persistent stereotype that anthropologists have no future
De Regt talks about the mentor programme started by the department this year. Master's students are connected with alumni who have landed in interesting positions. She refutes the persistent stereotype that anthropologists have no future. 'Nowadays, we make extensive use of social media and see, for example on LinkedIn, that anthropologists end up in diverse places, such as journalism, NGOs, and government.'
The question of anthropology's importance is raised in various ways this afternoon. In a poetic lecture, university lecturer Peter Versteeg talks about his personal development, which has led him to become a spiritual caregiver in addition to being an anthropologist. 'It was a desire to move from the study of meaning to a practice of significance.' Anthropology is meaningful not just in applied research, responds De Regt in her closing words. It's long since ceased to be the study of traditional development work.
'An anthropologist should follow their passion'
The panel discussion led by Nicole Terborg, Religious Studies alumna, repeatedly revisits the value of anthropology. Tiarra Simon, a freelance research consultant specialising in the Caribbean, where her family is from, says she carries the anthropological lens everywhere, even in Amsterdam. 'There's a completely different vibe in Southeast compared to, say, the Centre.' An anthropologist should follow their passion, she believes. 'You can go abroad for that, but you can also find such an experience at home.'
Monica Maassen, manager at Oxfam International and chair of the Stichting Gouda Bruist, like Simon, stays close to home when she talks about the municipality of Gouda. 'If you want to change something, you need to collaborate with the local population. Many officials never leave the town hall.' Yet, there's much to be done on the streets and in the neighbourhood. 'That's where anthropologists are needed.'
Students should think carefully about what they have to offer society
Terborg encourages interaction among the participants and the audience: 'This is my living room today, so please respond to each other!' Simon talks about the uncertainty she felt about the future after graduating. Terborg turns to the audience: 'Did you feel the same way?' Several people shout: 'Yes!' Terborg: 'Monica, did you feel the same?' Maassen: 'Absolutely!'
At the closing drinks, Luuk ter Horst is surrounded by old study friends. Kostas Brejaart and Jorn Dormans, like Ter Horst, graduated about five years ago. Brejaart is a radicalisation expert and mentor to anthropology students within De Regt's programme. He advises students to think carefully about what they can offer society when choosing their thesis topic. He mentions the current polarisation in the Netherlands: 'Society seems to be calling for people who understand these issues.'
'During our graduation, we were very much in our anthropology bubble'
The group of friends is happy to be reunited. 'During our graduation, we were very much in our anthropology bubble,' says Dormans, who now works for the VU as a project manager at the Centre for International Cooperation. 'We see each other less often now, but we keep in good contact.' He thinks anthropologists should be less insecure. Gesturing towards his friends: 'Look, we've all landed.'