Applied Ethnographic Services is a consulting firm that provides deep human insights & strategies for change.
Humans are complex. We can help.
With expertise in anthropology—the study of humankind—we uncover the complex and often hidden human dimensions of your work, research, or organization. Through customizable research and immersive, interactive assessments, we provide deep, actionable insights and tailored recommendations that help you design strategies for change and deliver real-world impact.
Whether you lead a research team, manage a workplace, run a business, or engage with community stakeholders, we help you better understand the humans involved—what they think, what they do, and why—strengthening decision-making, leadership, and results.
Who We Work With
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Research Teams
We bring expertise in cultural anthropology, ethnography, agriculture, environmental science and conservation, rural life, work culture, and international, cross-cultural, and applied research. Our immersive, on-the-ground methods uncover lived experiences, motivations, decision-making processes, and essential context that enrich interdisciplinary projects.
We offer customizable ethnographic research components, along with support in research design, data collection, analysis, outreach, evaluation, and training. By partnering with us, research teams gain deep, contextual, and grounded insights into the human dimensions of their work.
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Organizations
We help businesses and organizations uncover and address the cultural dynamics that shape workplace challenges and performance. By focusing on work culture, communication, collaboration, engagement, retention, and safety, we provide deep human insights into the realities of your workplace.
Thru immersive, on-the-ground assessments, we deliver practical evidence-based recommendations that support strategic decision-making, problem-solving, and leadership, helping organizations reduce cost, mitigate risk, improve performance, transform culture, and drive meaningful change. We offer work culture assessments, customizable research and consulting, and training.
Ryan T. Klataske, PhD - Founder & Principal
“Understanding humans isn’t easy. Changing culture is even harder. That’s where we come in.”
Featured Partners
About Us
Our mission is to enhance the impact of research, improve workplaces and workforce well-being, strengthen rural communities, and advance the resilience of agriculture and food systems by applying the powerful tools of anthropology to solve problems and bring about change.
Applied Ethnographic Services is led by Dr. Ryan T. Klataske, an anthropologist and rancher from the Flint Hills of Kansas.
Let’s discuss how we can add value to your business, organization, or research team.
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Founder & Principal
Ryan brings years of experience studying work and workplaces, agriculture and food production, health and safety, environmental conservation, and rural life. He has worked with diverse interdisciplinary research teams, organizations, and stakeholders including farmers, ranchers, agricultural and food processing workers, rural communities, public health centers, and universities.
PhD from Michigan State University in anthropology with doctoral specialization in environmental science and policy
Ethnographic expertise
Rural upbringing and experience
Agricultural producer and heritage
Bilingual and cross-cultural competency
Domestic and international experience
Diverse research experiences related to work and work culture, agriculture, food production, health and safety, environmental conservation, resource management, and rural life.