Social circus and applied anthropology a synthesis waiting to happen

Abstract

This article explores the potential for developing anthropological investigation in the field of social circus - in particular with those projects that work with individuals living with disabilities. The author uses examples of research in Belfast to argue that the applied nature of anthropology is the ideal mechanism for analysing and comparing the emerging field of social circus projects around the world. In this case, anthropological tools were utilised that had a direct effect, not only on understanding the phenomenon of social circus projects but also on raising the levels of quality, leading to a direct improvement on services provided. © Berghahn Books and the Association for Anthropology in Action.