Anthropologist Legal, Social & Cultural Professionals
SaveWhat Does an {{ profession.preferred_title|title }} 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.
Resource recommendations may include affiliate links. Learn more
Where Do I Start?
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.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Anthropologist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
-
EssentialScientific Research Methodology knowledge
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
-
EssentialAnthropology knowledge
The study of development and behaviour of human beings.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
EssentialParticipant Observation knowledge
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 …
No book recommendations available yet.
-
EssentialApply Scientific Methods skill
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialInterview People skill
Interview people in a range of different circumstances.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialPerform Scientific Research skill
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialWrite Scientific Papers skill
Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialObserve Human Behaviour skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialResearch Human Behaviour skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialStudy Cultures skill
Study and internalise a culture that is not your own to truly understand its traditions, rules, and workings.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of {{ profession.optional_skills|length }} displayed)
-
OptionalCultural History knowledge
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.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalInterview Techniques knowledge
The techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalOsteology knowledge
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, …
Recommended Books
2 book{{ skill.books|length|pluralize }}Human Osteology A Laboratory and Field ManualOutlines of Human Osteology -
OptionalArchaeology knowledge
The study of the recovery and examination of material culture left behind from human activity in the past.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalBiology knowledge
Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalForensic Anthropology knowledge
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.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalHistory knowledge
The discipline that studies, analyses, and presents the events of the past related to humans.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalLinguistics knowledge
The scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalPhilosophy knowledge
The different philosophical systems, their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices and their impact on human culture.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalPolitics knowledge
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.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalSociology knowledge
The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalReligious Studies knowledge
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.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalAdvise Legislators skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalConsult Information Sources skill
Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalDevelop Scientific Theories skill
Formulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalWrite Research Proposals skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalConduct Participatory Research skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalIdentify Archaeological Finds skill
Examine archaeological evidence found at dig sites in order to identify and classify it.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalInterview Focus Groups skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalSearch Historical Sources In Archives skill
Search archives in order to find the sources needed for historical research.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalStudy Human Societies skill
Gather and analyse data in order to examine how humans respond to change, how power systems come into place, how cultural movements arise, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalTeach Anthropology skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalWork On Excavation Site skill
Excavate material evidence of past human activity using hand picks, shovels, brushes, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.