Ilya Samuilovich Gurvich: Scientist's Lessons (from ethnography to modern practical anthropology)

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2020-51-3/19-29

Abstract

In this article, the daughter of I.S. Gurvich discusses his legacy as a scientist, his contagious enthusiasm for ethnography, and his impact on her. She describes how his behavior, stories, and reminiscences sparked her initial interest in different cultures and reflects on how his research and work influenced her decision to become an anthropologist and researcher herself. She sees many parallels in her current work as a UX Researcher and corporate anthropologist with that of her father.
This article also offers a short history of anthropology's entry into corporate practice, mirroring her own journey from academia, and discusses the relevance of the experiences of Soviet and Russian ethnographers for the contemporary global community of anthropologists involved in developing technology products and innovations.

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