Description
Study the origin, development, and behavior of humans across cultures and time through ethnographic, linguistic, biological, and historical research. Analyze cultural practices, languages, material culture, and biological evidence to explain social systems and inform policy, programs, and public understanding.
- • Collect data through observation, interviews, surveys, and review of documents.
- • Research and assess communities and cultural contexts to answer specific questions.
- • Write and present research findings for academic, professional, and public audiences.
- • Document cultural practices and objects, noting form, function, symbolism, and use.
- • Plan and direct studies of economic, health, social, political, linguistic, and religious institutions.
- • Compare findings across groups, regions, or periods to identify patterns and variation.
- • Record field contexts systematically using notes, maps, photographs, and audio or video.
- • Assess cultural resources and social impacts for development or conservation projects and recommend protections.
- • Analyze human biological data or skeletal remains to study health, diet, and human variation, following ethical standards.
- • Curate and catalog ethnographic materials and records in compliance with ethical and legal requirements.
- • Identify beliefs and practices affecting health and service access in collaboration with public health partners.
- • Review literature, archival records, and datasets to identify research sites and populations.
- • Train others in ethnographic and qualitative methods to improve organizations, technologies, and programs.
- • Advise agencies, organizations, and communities on program and policy impacts on cultural groups.
- • Create and manage data records using photography, videography, and audio recordings to analyze social processes.
- • Develop and evaluate interventions using interviews, focus groups, consultations, and participant observation.
- • Develop and test theories of cultural change, social organization, language, and human evolution.
- • Lead field schools and train students and staff in field and ethnographic research methods.
- • Collaborate with development planners to guide culturally appropriate policies and programs.
- • Manage, preserve, and digitize ethnographic collections and field records.
- • Conduct participatory action research to assess and redesign work systems, technologies, or environments.
- • Organize public exhibits, talks, and digital content to promote awareness of diverse cultures.
- • Formulate generalizations that describe and help predict cultural and institutional behavior.
- • Study archival and primary historical sources to explain cultural origins and development.
- • Apply traditional ecological knowledge to resolve conflicts over habitat protection and resource use.
- • Enhance cultural responsiveness of school curricula and classroom practices with educators.
- • Participate in forensic identification of human remains in collaboration with law enforcement and pathologists.
- • Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology.
- • Write grant proposals to secure research funding.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
