Margret Jaeger on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Margret Jaeger speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Margret discusses her journey into anthropology and her current role in the research department at the Social Fund Vienna Education Center. She explains the challenges of introducing qualitative research methods in a predominantly quantitative-focused organization. Margaret also shares her experience in building a research team and the value of interprofessional collaboration. She emphasizes the need for anthropologists to have a holistic view of the world and their ability to understand and adapt to different contexts quickly. She also discusses her advocacy work in promoting medical anthropology in healthcare education and the importance of training local trainers to ensure cultural sensitivity and relevance. About Margret Jaeger Margret Jaeger, an Austrian medical anthropologist, leads the research department at the Vienna Social Fund Education Centre. Her work focuses on the intersection of education and practice for care professionals, emphasizing the integration of anthropological insights into healthcare training. In addition to her primary role, Margret co-founded the Apply Club Health of the AAN-EASA, where she actively promotes the inclusion of medical anthropology in the education of health professionals. Her efforts in this area contribute to the broader understanding and application of cultural and social perspectives in healthcare training and practice. Key Takeaways Introducing qualitative research methods in a predominantly quantitative-focused organization requires explaining the value and benefits repeatedly. Building a research team involves finding individuals with the necessary training and experience and providing them with opportunities for growth and development. Anthropologists have a unique ability to quickly understand and adapt to different contexts, making them valuable in various business sectors. Interprofessional collaboration is essential in healthcare and other fields to address complex problems and improve outcomes. Training local trainers is crucial to ensure cultural sensitivity and relevance in healthcare education. Chapters 00:02:00 Margaret's interest in anthropology and journey into medical anthropology 00:04:00 Challenges of finding a job in anthropology in Austria 00:05:00 Trends of anthropologists going into other business sectors 00:07:00 Importance of networking and support among anthropologists 00:08:00 Margaret's role as researcher number one in building a research team 00:10:00 Research focus on improving courses for non-academic nurses and care professionals 00:12:00 Challenges of getting buy-in and explaining the value of research 00:13:00 Supporting colleagues as a teacher and researcher 00:14:00 Challenges of building a qualitative research team and overcoming them Recommended Links Margret Jaeger on LinkedIn Apply Club for the Anthropology of Health