Public Administration & LegalISCO 2632
Anthropologist
An anthropologist is a person who studies human beings: their culture, language, social organisation and past.
Check yourself in a minute: anthropologist
Rate 5 of the 40 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
manage research data
interact professionally in research and professional environments
disseminate results to the scientific community
operate open source software
speak different languages
About anthropologist
The anthropologist studies past and present communities and the ways they organise themselves. Their physical, social, linguistic, political, economic, philosophical and cultural aspects are analysed, and the material is gathered in the field: through participant observation, interviews, archival work and museum collections. The anthropologist also draws on geography and cultural geography to relate how a group lives to the place it lives in.
The aim of the research is to understand the human past and to help solve current social problems. An anthropologist works within a chosen perspective, such as philosophical anthropology, and describes a group in its own categories before applying any from outside.
The anthropologist's research work includes applying for research funding, drafting scientific papers and technical documentation, disseminating results within the scholarly community, and promoting the transfer of knowledge beyond the academic world. Research ethics and scientific integrity are applied throughout. Anthropologist education requirements start with a degree in anthropology or ethnology.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a anthropologist.
1
Design and conduct ethnographic research
- Formulate research questions and design anthropological studies
- Conduct participant observation and ethnographic fieldwork
- Interview research subjects and collect qualitative data
- Maintain detailed field notes and research documentation
- Analyze cultural patterns and human behavior
2
Analyze and interpret cultural data
- Apply scientific research methodology to analyze findings
- Examine economic, social, and political aspects of cultures
- Study linguistic patterns and communication systems
- Evaluate cultural practices within their sociocultural contexts
3
Publish and disseminate research findings
- Draft scientific papers and academic publications
- Present research findings at academic conferences
- Engage with scientific community and peer review processes
- Increase impact of research on policy and society
4
Manage research data and collaborate professionally
- Organize and maintain research data using standards for findable and accessible data
- Collaborate with research teams and other anthropologists
- Interact professionally in academic research environments
- Evaluate research activities and demonstrate disciplinary expertise
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (40)
cultural geographycultural geographyThe subfield of geography that deals with the cultural values and artefacts of people, as well as the cultural diversity of the society. It studies how cultural aspects relate to the places where they...anthropologyanthropologyThe study of development and behaviour of human beings.geographygeographyThe scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth. It explores the soc...economic anthropologyeconomic anthropologyThe academic field that studies the interrelationship between human societies and their economic systems. Discipline that examines economic activities in society and the processes of consumption, prod...participant observationparticipant observationEmpirical research the purpose of which is to gain a intimate closeness with a given group of individuals and their principles, ideas, beliefs, and behaviours through an intensive interaction with a s...scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.study culturesstudy culturesStudy and internalise a culture that is not your own to truly understand its traditions, rules, and workings.interview peopleinterview peopleInterview people in a range of different circumstances.observe human behaviourobserve human behaviourMake detailed notes while observing how humans interact with and react to each other, objects, concepts, ideas, beliefs, and systems in order to uncover patterns and trends.apply scientific methodsapply scientific methodsApply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.research human behaviourresearch human behaviourAnalyse, study, and explain human behaviour, uncover the reasons why individuals and groups behave as they do, and look for patterns in order to predict future behaviour.interpret pedigree chartsinterpret pedigree chartsConstruct and interpret diagrams that show the occurrence and appearance of a particular gene and its ancestors from one generation to the next.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.research designresearch designThe set of methods and techniques of research that are used to conduct a study. It includes practical steps in research such as purpose statement, data collection, methodology, and data analysis.
Optional (31) — show
osteologyosteologyThe scientific study of human and animal skeletons, bone structure and specific bones. Osteology examines the bone structure as a whole and specific bones. The research can focus on diseases, function...religious studiesreligious studiesStudy of religious behaviour, beliefs, and institutions from a secular point of view and based on methodologies from various fields such as anthropology, sociology, and philosophy.interview techniquesinterview techniquesThe techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.paleographypaleographyThe study of handwriting and its processes and forms to decipher, interpret and transcribe ancient manuscripts and handwriting styles from different historical periods.politicspoliticsThe method, process and study of influencing people, gaining control over a community or society, and the distribution of power within a community and between societies.SanskritSanskritThe Sanskrit language.archaeologyarchaeologyThe study of the recovery and examination of material culture left behind from human activity in the past.linguisticslinguisticsThe scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.sociologysociologyThe group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.Ancient GreekAncient GreekThe Ancient Greek language.biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.African studiesAfrican studiesAcademic field dealing with interdisciplinary studies of the African continent from an historical, social, legal, political, economic, or cultural approach. Its diversity and the relationship of Afric...philosophyphilosophyThe different philosophical systems, their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices and their impact on human culture.LatinLatinThe Latin language.multidisciplinary researchmultidisciplinary researchThe research technique where a common issue is investigated using approaches from different disciplines with the aim of finding a comprehensive solution to it.forensic anthropologyforensic anthropologyThe scientific study and techniques that use history, archaeology, and biology to analyse human remains and determine their age, sex, and time and cause of death.cultural historycultural historyField that combines historical and anthropological approaches for recording and studying past customs, arts, and manners of a group of people taking into account their political, cultural, and social ...search historical sources in archivessearch historical sources in archivesSearch archives in order to find the sources needed for historical research.write research proposalswrite research proposalsSynthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the ...advise legislatorsadvise legislatorsGive advice on various government and legislative duties, such as policy creation and the inner workings of a governmental department, to government officials in legislative positions, such as members...teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.interview focus groupsinterview focus groupsInterview a group of people about their perceptions, opinions, principles, beliefs, and attitudes towards a concept, system, product or idea in an interactive group setting where the participants can ...consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.identify archaeological findsidentify archaeological findsExamine archaeological evidence found at dig sites in order to identify and classify it.conduct participatory researchconduct participatory researchParticipate in the daily operations of a group of people or community in order to uncover the complex workings of the community, their principles, ideas, and beliefs.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.work on excavation sitework on excavation siteExcavate material evidence of past human activity using hand picks, shovels, brushes, etc.study human societiesstudy human societiesGather and analyse data in order to examine how humans respond to change, how power systems come into place, how cultural movements arise, etc.historyhistoryThe discipline that studies, analyses, and presents the events of the past related to humans.teach anthropologyteach anthropologyInstruct students in the theory and practice of anthropology or the development and behaviour of human beings, more specifically the development of cultures, languages and the social life and practice...develop scientific theoriesdevelop scientific theoriesFormulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
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Frequently asked questions
What does an anthropologist do?
Anthropologists research all aspects of life pertaining to humans. They study the various civilisations that have existed along the time and their ways of organisation. They attempt to analyse the physical, societal, linguistic, political, economical, philosophical, and cultural aspects of different people. The aim of their studies is to understand and describe the past of humanity and solve topical societal problems. They explore different perspectives such as philosophical anthropology.
What skills does an anthropologist need?
An anthropologist needs 40 essential skills, including cultural geography, anthropology, geography, economic anthropology, participant observation.
Will AI replace anthropologist jobs?
The AI disruption score for anthropologist is 17/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation, write scientific publications, synthesise information. Most resilient: mentor individuals, study cultures, interact professionally in research and professional environments.
AI Replacement Risk
17/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills40
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