Anthropology Research and Study Opportunities

Thousands of study and academic opportunities in Anthropology are available internationally. Conferences and summer schools in Anthropology are organized regularly in the best academic centers of the world. The majority of universities and many foundations also offer BA, MA, and Ph.D. programs in Anthropology as wells as postdoctoral research grants, awards, and fellowships. Below you will find the updated list of international opportunities available in Anthropology.

Scholarships in Anthropology

Fellowships in Anthropology

Conferences in Anthropology

Twitter relevant accounts in Anthropology

What is Anthropology?

Anthropology (Greek antropos – human, logos – study) is the science of the origin and evolution of man, the formation of races, and the normal variations in the physical structure of man. The term first appeared in the works of Aristotle. As an independent science, it was formed in the middle of the 19th century.

There are various options for the systematization of anthropological disciplines. So, some researchers define anthropology as a combination of archeology, ethnography, ethnology, folklore, linguistics, etc. As the human world develops and becomes more complex, scientific specialization grows, and anthropological disciplines are gradually expanding. Scientists also began to distinguish medical anthropology, human psychology, genetics, human ecology, and other new fields.

In Western countries, anthropology is considered the science of the person in all its forms: social, cultural, and physical. Different scientists have a different approach on what to consider under the concept of "anthropology". From the point of view of some researchers, it is a subsection of sociology; from the point of view of others, anthropology is a science, which consists of different disciplines.

Anthropology Types

As noted above, many people understand the term anthropology differently. Still, there are generally recognized sections accepted everywhere, both as a section of anthropology and as a separate discipline.

Social and cultural anthropology is a discipline quite close to ethnology, which deals with the comparative study of human societies, human behavior, and the results of his activities. Linguistic, cognitive, economic, political, historical anthropology and anthropology of law are also distinguished as specific disciplines of cultural anthropology. Culture is a part of the environment created by humanity. As a result of the divergent development of the disciplines that make up cultural anthropology, and because of the significant difference in the methods applied by these disciplines, the entire field of cultural anthropology is usually treated as a group of relatively independent specialties. Some researchers typically distinguish the following three: prehistoric archeology, linguistics, and cultural anthropology.

Physical anthropology studies the origin and evolution of the physical organization of man and his races, as well as the nature of intraspecific variations, their anatomical and physiological characteristics, and other essential biological phenomena. It considers man as a biological species in the context of his evolution and in comparison with his closest relatives – modern and fossil anthropoid primates. Physical anthropologists study human genetics, its hereditary characteristics, as well as the adaptive interaction of a person with the natural environment. Another emerging area of ​​specialty research is primate ethology, which brings together anthropologists, psychologists, and zoologists. Physical anthropologists study the evolution of the human skeletal structure. The subject of the study is also racial variability and associated susceptibility to diseases, survival under different conditions, etc.

Philosophical anthropology is a philosophical study about the nature and essence of man. It attempts to unify disparate ways of understanding human behavior as the creators of their social environment and the creators of their own values. Anthropology as a philosophical doctrine is historically the first form of representing a person as a particular subject of study and understanding.  

Anthropology studies

In both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, studying anthropology provides a unique set of human skills. A deep understanding of cultural and ethnic differences and examining how people's views, beliefs, and customs fit into the changing society are crucial in today’s world. By using knowledge derived from different cultures, anthropology can offer a deep understanding of current societies and propose solutions for future development. 

Anthropology is essential in the process of establishing a dialogue between different ethnic, social, cultural, and religious groups. It plays a vital role in the modern world. Through their work and research, anthropologists help establish such concepts as tolerance, understanding of the diversity, and multiculturalism of the world society. 

Anthropology Research Opportunities

Anthropologists study the diversity of forms of a person's social and cultural life, taking into account his biological nature. They are interested in the following issues: the ethnic composition of the world population, the origin of humanity and their history, traditions and customs, folk culture, religious cults and practices, interethnic relations and conflicts, etc.

The profession of an anthropologist is based on expeditionary research. It is a direct study of the life of a particular community or ethnic group. So, you should be prepared to pass your working days in different countries, exploring several issues that will then make the subject of your scientific research. Ethnologists create collective portraits of individual cultures and societies. They study the material and spiritual culture of various ethnicities and provide indispensable knowledge about the foundations of society. Anthropologists can work in research centers and institutions; they can also become professors in higher educational institutions.

The job of an anthropologist is fascinating. It makes you think broader and more openly. Anthropology draws the researcher into the sphere of the history of the development of human thought. Specialization in the field of anthropology provides many opportunities for a future career, and at the same time, it is a demanded profession for society. We hope this section of ARMACAD will help you play an important role in exploring human nature and giving answers to some vital questions.