School of Social Science

Anthropology

Why choose Anthropology

Anthropology teaches people about social and cultural difference and how to understand diversity, so graduates can be employed in government, industry or community organisations working with people of many diverse backgrounds and lifestyles. In Australia, this could mean work on migrant or ethnic issues, on how and why people may be prepared to adopt new technologies, or on resolution of Aboriginal native title claims and negotiation of resource developments like mining, tourism and fishing. International work might involve economic and social development in Pacific Island countries, attitudes to environmental conservation across the globe, or corporate attempts to engage with the wide range of societies in Asia.
 
Anthropology is the study of diverse cultures and societies. Studying anthropology involves:

  • Working as a social scientist to understand the contemporary world

  • Investigating cultures and societies both far away and at home

Anthropology is a truly global discipline and our staff represent this diversity with their research in Australia, Chile, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and other countries.

The presence of the UQ Anthropology Museum, located at the St Lucia Campus, affords students a valuable and relevant teaching and research resource for academics, students and the public.

Undergraduate

Anthropology is offered as:

Honours

Anthropology is offered as:

Postgraduate

Browse postgraduate programs at UQ

Higher Degree Research

Anthropology is offered as:

Satisfy your interest for research and your intellectual curiosity under the supervision of internationally recognised academics.

What our graduates are doing

Mr Alistair Vaughan

Anthropologist, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) 

Alistair is currently working as an Anthropologist at the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) in Western Australia. YMAC is the native title representative body for the Traditional Owners of the Pilbara, Murchison and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia and represents 24 different Aboriginal Traditional Owner groups, each with their own distinct country, culture and identity. These living culture are maintain through languages, ceremonies beliefs, music, art, laws and creation stories. Alistair found his honours’ experience with the academic community active within the School of Social Science enabled the provision of a quality learning environment and an excellent opportunity to build meaningful and lasting networks.

During the mid-semester break in 2012, Alistair undertook an Aurora Anthropology Internship with Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation in Kununurra, Western Australia. Alistair said “the internship with MG Corporation was an unforgettable experience in so many ways and left an indelible mark in his mind of the Kimberley region and peoples who call it their home”. It has given Alistair insights into many of the concepts he studied during the process of his undergraduate education and enabled him to apply these concepts to practical, real life settings.

Alistair graduated with an Honours degree in Anthropology in December 2013.

Our undergraduate study areas