Anthropology is the comparative study of humankind in the cultures of the world, both past and present. This exciting field brings many academic disciplines together to examine what defines us as humans and how we came to be the way we are. It is a unique way of looking at the world that offers a greater understanding of the human experience, and a strong sense of global citizenship to meet the challenges of the future. 

Anthropologists can address urgent issues of our time, such as the impact of globalization, sustainability and the environment, social and ethnic diversity, and the pursuit of social justice. They are trained to gather and interpret data about human societies, skills that are increasingly important as the world becomes more globalized. This can lead to employment with government and non-government agencies, academia, industry and community bodies. A degree in Anthropology is attractive to employers in any field that requires an ability to think in a critical manner, as well as good communication, literacy and digital skills. 

Ethics in Anthropology

Anthropologists have a responsibility to the human beings and cultures they study, and should do everything in their power to protect their physical, social, and psychological welfare. Anthropologists are responsible for the integrity and reputation of their teaching and research. They must not falsify any data, and should only publish research that is honest and true. Anonymity is an important feature of research that is the result of conversations and interviews. Anthropologists must always obtain informed consent and permissions, and should honour the dignity and privacy of respondents. Objectivity is also important, where anthropologists try to ensure that personal or cultural bias does not affect the quality of their research. They must also maintain respectful and ethical relations with others in the profession, and must weigh competing ethical obligations to collaborators and affected parties. Anthropologists should protect their records and ensure the results of research are accessible to a wide and appropriate audience.

The American Anthropological Association has a detailed statement on ethical concerns and responsibilities in this field at the following link:

http://ethics.americananthro.org/category/statement/

See also Research Ethics in Ethnography/Anthropology published by the European Commission at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/other/hi/ethics-guide-ethnog-anthrop_en.pdf