Chapter 13: Concluding Comments: Beginning to Put the Pieces Together

As we look forward to future research, it is critical to have ways not only of “framing” anthropological studies of higher education, but also of moving forward, recognizing that our conceptual framework will evolve as the research progresses. Building on the chapters in this book and the broader view of the anthropology of higher education discussed in the introduction, we take a three-step approach. First, we identify common themes from the chapters. Second, we identify gaps in the data and perspectives presented in the chapters. And third, we address the question: “What comes next?” What questions need to be addressed to move this work forward, both in terms of additional research and practice, and in how we move the agenda forward? Taken together, these three organizing frames begin to put a substantive face on the anthropology of higher education and how to achieve impact on the complex political, policy, and operational domains that impact the future of higher education.