Studying human societies and cultural differences, at all times and in all places.
The Department of Anthropology is based within the School of Social Science. Our Department covers all major fields of social anthropology covering a range of research themes including; Environment, Creativity and Perception, Religion, Belief and the State, Museums and Histories of Science, and the Anthropology of Art and Craft. We have a distinctive focus of Anthropology of the North (from Scotland, Finland, Canada, and Siberia).
The study of Nordic and Baltic countries, northern Russia, Iceland, Greenland, Canada and Alaska together with their links to north east Scotland.
Experts: Dr Tatiana Argounova-Low, Dr Arnar Árnason, Professor Tim Ingold, Dr Alex King, Dr Nancy Wachowich, Dr Rob Wishart
Anthropology of the NorthThe environment, and human relations with it.
Environment, Creativity and PerceptionExploring religion with a particular focus on Buddhism, Islam, Shamanism, and the theme of death, embodiment and the person.
Experts: Dr Johan Rasanayagam, Dr Martin Mills, Dr Alex King, Dr Arnar Árnason
Religion, Belief and PracticeResearch in museum anthropology, historical anthropology, heritage studies, and histories of science and technology using our unique ethnographic museum collections.
Experts: Professor David Anderson, Dr Tatiana Argounova-Low, Professor Alison Brown, Dr Rob Wishart
Museums and histories of scienceAnthropological studies of art and craft through traditional' anthropological settings of indigenous art, digital media and craft skills.
Expert: Dr Nancy Wachowich
Anthropology of art and craftExperts: Dr Arnar Árnason, Dr Alex King, Dr Martin Mills, Dr Johan Rasanayagam, Dr Jo Vergunst, Dr Nancy Wachowich, Dr Andrew Whitehouse
Social and Cultural ProcessesExperts: Dr Tatiana Argounova-Low, Dr Arnar Árnason, Dr Maggie Bolton, Dr Alex King, Professor James Leach, Dr Martin Mills, Dr Johan Rasanayagam, Dr Jo Vergunst, Dr Nancy Wachowich, Dr Rob Wishart, Dr Andrew Whitehouse
Regional AnthropologyAnthropology research is also embedded within the Centre for Citizenship, Civil Society, and Rule of Law (CISRUL) studies life in the world of political concepts. The Centre draws on expertise from 7 disciplines to examine how political principles function within and beyond the contemporary West. Concepts such as ‘citizenship’, ‘civil society’ and the ‘rule of law’ are used as often by policy makers as by scholars. Core to CISRUL’s mission is informing academic and public debate on how these are used, and to what effect.
To apply for this programme must have at least a good Honours degree in a related subject or discipline. Applicants must provide a detailed research proposal and two academic references from their most recent academic institution.
Guidelines for writing a Research Proposal.
If English is not your first language you must also show evidence of attaining standards in English. View details of English language criteria.
International Applicants
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
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