How to Be Urban Anthropologist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 10, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Urban Anthropologists analyze the effect of urban environments on culture and society. They study the relationship between physical and social features of cities, and the impact of those features on people living in them. This research can uncover the causes and effects of urban poverty, unemployment, housing, health, education and other social issues.

Urban Anthropologists can also help to find solutions to these urban problems through their research and analysis of cultural, political and economic forces that shape the city. They are essential to understanding how these forces interact to create the conditions in which people live, work and play.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. To become an urban anthropologist, you must first earn a bachelor's degree in anthropology. During your undergraduate studies, you should focus on the field of urban anthropology, as this will give you the best preparation for a career in the field.
Pursue a Graduate Degree. After earning your bachelor's degree, you should pursue a master's or doctoral degree in urban anthropology. This will help you develop your skills and knowledge in the field and gain valuable research experience.
Develop Research Skills. Urban anthropology requires a great deal of research. You should develop your research skills by taking courses in research methods, data analysis, and field methods. This will help you to conduct research in the field and analyze data effectively.
Join Professional Organizations. You should also join professional organizations in the field of urban anthropology. These organizations will help you to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field and network with other professionals in the field.
Find a Job. Once you have completed your education, you can begin to look for a job as an urban anthropologist. You can find positions in universities, research institutes, and government agencies. You may also work as a consultant for private companies or organizations.

In order to stay ahead and capable, it is important to stay informed about the latest trends and advances in the field. Staying up to date on the latest research, attending conferences and networking events, and reading relevant publications are all essential to staying ahead. it is important to develop and maintain technical skills, such as coding and data analysis, to be able to respond to the shifting needs of the field.

Finally, maintaining a strong and supportive network of colleagues is key to staying ahead in urban anthropology, as it allows for collaboration and the exchange of ideas. By keeping these factors in mind, urban anthropologists can remain capable and successful in their field.

You may want to check Paleoanthropologist, Political Anthropologist, and Ecological Anthropologist for alternative.

Job Description

Community Development Specialist: Helping to identify and develop strategies for improving communities, promoting economic development, and increasing access to essential services.
Social Policy Analyst: Collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to inform policy decisions related to community development, social change and urban revitalization.
Urban Planning Consultant: Providing advice and guidance to government agencies, public organizations, and private companies on urban planning initiatives, including infrastructure and land use.
Civic Engagement Coordinator: Building relationships with stakeholders, community members, and other organizations to promote civic engagement in urban areas.
Economic Development Officer: Developing and implementing strategies to promote economic growth in urban areas, including job creation and investment.
Urban Design Researcher: Investigating the history, culture, and physical characteristics of urban environments in order to design better spaces and places.
Urban Educator: Disseminating information about urban issues and trends to students, policymakers, and the general public.
Urban Sociologist: Studying the social dynamics of cities and the impact of public policies on urban life.
Urban Geographer: Examining the spatial structure of cities and the relationship between people and their environment.
Community Organizer: Mobilizing people in urban areas to advocate for social justice, political reform, and improved living conditions.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of urban sociology and the study of social structures in urban areas.
Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Understanding of the ways that historical and current social issues affect urban populations.
Ability to identify and analyze patterns of behavior in urban settings.
Familiarity with theories of urban development, urban planning, and city governance.
Knowledge of economic and demographic trends in cities.
Awareness of the challenges posed by globalisation, mobility, and technology to cities.
Ability to formulate strategies to address urban challenges.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

Urban Anthropologists are highly skilled at understanding and interpreting the complexities of human behavior in urban contexts. This requires a deep understanding of the interplay between culture, environment, and economics that shape urban life. A key skill for urban anthropologists is the ability to employ a range of research methods to draw meaningful conclusions from data.

This includes methods such as participant observation, surveys, interviews, and focus groups. In addition, urban anthropologists must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, such as local governments, public agencies, and community organizations. By using these skills to analyze data and gain insight into the causes and effects of urban phenomena, urban anthropologists can help to develop solutions to the challenges that arise in cities and other urban areas.

Medical Anthropologist, Visual Anthropologist, and Evolutionary Anthropologist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to pursue a career in urban anthropology?
How have your anthropological experiences prepared you to work with different cultures in an urban environment?
What challenges have you faced while studying urban anthropology?
How do you stay current on research and best practices in the field?
How would you describe your approach to conducting research in an urban setting?
What strategies have you implemented to help build trust and rapport with participants in urban communities?
What do you think are the most important factors for successful urban ethnography?
Describe a time when you had to think creatively and outside the box to solve an issue related to urban anthropology?
What is your experience with using technology and digital tools for data collection and analysis?
What strategies do you use to ensure that your research is conducted ethically and in accordance with best practices?

Common Tools in Industry

GIS (Geographic Information System). A computer system used to capture, store, analyze, and display geographically-referenced data. (eg: ArcGIS)
Remote Sensing. The use of aerial, satellite, or drone imagery and other data to measure, monitor, and manage resources. (eg: Global Forest Watch)
Surveys. A research method that collects data from a sample of people through interviews or questionnaires. (eg: SurveyMonkey)
Qualitative Research. A research method that collects data in the form of words and images to understand complex social phenomena. (eg: Focus Groups)
Statistical Analysis. A research method used to analyze numerical data to identify patterns, trends, and relationships. (eg: SPSS)
Social Network Analysis. A research method used to analyze relationships between people, organizations, or other entities. (eg: NodeXL)
Ethnography. A research method used to observe and record the cultural practices of a group or community. (eg: Participant Observation)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Anthropological Association
Society of Applied Anthropology
Association of Urban Anthropologists
Society for Urban, National, and Transnational/Global Anthropology
Society for Anthropological Sciences
American Ethnological Society
American Ethnographic Film Festival
Society for Cultural Anthropology
Council on Anthropology and Education
Association of Black Anthropologists

We also have Primatologist, Maritime Anthropologist, and Cultural Anthropologist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Ethnography. The systematic study of people and cultures. It involves an intensive analysis of the facts, beliefs, and behavior of a particular group of people in order to gain an understanding of their customs and values.
Culture. A set of beliefs, values, behaviors, and attitudes shared by a group of people.
Social Structure. The way in which social relationships are organized in a society.
Social Stratification. The unequal distribution of resources, power, and privilege among different groups in a society.
Symbolic Interactionism. A theoretical perspective in sociology which argues that individuals interact with one another based on shared symbols, meanings, and interpretations.
Structuralism. A theoretical approach in sociology which views society as a complex system of interrelated structures.
Urbanization. The process whereby cities grow and become more populous and complex.
Gentrification. The process whereby the value of property increases due to the influx of wealthier people into an area.
Spatial Inequality. The unequal access to resources and social opportunities based on spatial location.
Power Dynamics. The different levels of power and influence between different groups in a society.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Urban Anthropology?

Urban Anthropology is the study of how people interact and experience everyday life in urban settings. It examines the social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental aspects of cities and their inhabitants.

Who studies Urban Anthropology?

Urban Anthropologists study the complex relationships between individuals, groups, and their environment in cities. They may specialize in a particular area such as public health, education, urban planning, or social justice.

What methods do Urban Anthropologists use?

Urban Anthropologists use a variety of methods to study urban life, including participant observation, interviews, surveys, archival research, and mixed-methods approaches.

What are some examples of Urban Anthropology research topics?

Examples of Urban Anthropology research topics include racial and ethnic relations, gentrification, poverty, housing, health disparities, education, and community development.

What is the purpose of Urban Anthropology?

The purpose of Urban Anthropology is to generate understanding and insights into how people live in urban environments. This knowledge can be used to inform policy decisions and create more equitable and sustainable cities.

Web Resources

Urban Anthropology | Department of Anthropology anthropology.sas.upenn.edu
Introduction to Urban Anthropology | Department of Anthropology anthropology.columbia.edu
(PDF) Urban Anthropology' 1 | Italo Pardo www.academia.edu