Anthropologist

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.

The following job titles also refer to anthropologist:

ethnologist
gender scientist
music scientist
social anthropologist
forensic anthropologist
anthropologists
anthropologue
sociocultural anthropologist
movie scientist
theatre scientist
cultural scientist
musicology scientist
biological anthropologist
arts scientist
anthropology research scientist
linguistic anthropologist
television scientist
archaeological anthropologist
art sciences scientist
cultural anthropologist

Master’s degree is generally required to work as anthropologist. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Anthropologist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to anthropologist.

sociologist
philosopher
thanatology researcher
demographer
religion scientific researcher

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of anthropologist. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of anthropologist with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of anthropologist.

Anthropology: The study of development and behaviour of human beings.
Participant observation: Empirical 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 society in their cultural environment over a long period of time. This includes direct observation, interviews, participation in the group, etc.
Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

These skills are necessary for the role of anthropologist.

Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Study cultures: Study and internalise a culture that is not your own to truly understand its traditions, rules, and workings.
Interview people: Interview people in a range of different circumstances.
Observe human behaviour: Make 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 methods: Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Research human behaviour: Analyse, 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.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of anthropologist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Osteology: The 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 or pathology of bones.
Religious studies: Study 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.
History: The discipline that studies, analyses, and presents the events of the past related to humans.
Interview techniques: The techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.
Politics: The 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.
Archaeology: The study of the recovery and examination of material culture left behind from human activity in the past.
Linguistics: The scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.
Sociology: The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
Philosophy: The different philosophical systems, their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices and their impact on human culture.
Forensic anthropology: The 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 history: Field 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 milieu.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of anthropologist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Search historical sources in archives: Search archives in order to find the sources needed for historical research.
Write research proposals: Synthetise 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 relevant subject and field of study.
Advise legislators: Give 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 of parliament, government ministers, senators, and other legislators.
Interview focus groups: Interview 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 talk freely amongst themselves.
Consult information sources: Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.
Identify archaeological finds: Examine archaeological evidence found at dig sites in order to identify and classify it.
Develop scientific theories: Formulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
Conduct participatory research: Participate 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.
Teach anthropology: Instruct 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 practices of a certain culture.
Work on excavation site: Excavate material evidence of past human activity using hand picks, shovels, brushes, etc.
Study human societies: Gather and analyse data in order to examine how humans respond to change, how power systems come into place, how cultural movements arise, etc.

2632 – Sociologists, anthropologists and related professionals

 

 

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References

1. Anthropologist – ESCO