Cultural anthropology

How history, power and identity shape everyday life

Cultural anthropology explores how social, political and environmental forces influence communities across time and place. Research examines how people experience identity, law, heritage, migration and conflict, and how history continues to shape everyday life for people across the globe today.

Great for students interested in culture, politics, law, migration studies, heritage work, environmental issues, or international research.

Big questions cultural anthropology helps answer

Research in this area addresses questions such as:

  • How do people negotiate identity and belonging?
  • How do law, policy and power affect daily life?
  • How do communities remember and reinterpret the past?
  • How do energy, environment and economy shape social change?
  • How do migration and conflict reshape societies?

These questions help students understand global challenges through lived experience and cultural context.

How cultural anthropology research works

Research is grounded in ethnographic methods such as interviews, participant observation and archival study. Projects may focus on contemporary communities, historical processes or policy-driven change.

Key areas of focus

Cultural anthropology research commonly explores:

  • Energy, environment and sustainability
  • Cultural heritage and memory
  • Law, governance and social justice
  • Migration, borders and identity
  • War, conflict and post-conflict societies

Together, these approaches reveal how people navigate complex social systems.

Connects naturally to

Political science, history, environmental studies, law, international studies and sociology.

Get involved in archaeology research

Students can participate in faculty-led projects, collaborative labs and independent research that builds strong analytical and communication skills.