University of Michigan

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced theoretical work in social and cultural anthropology with intensive training in qualitative and mixed-methods approaches tailored to organisational contexts. Core emphases include ethnographic methods (participant observation, multi-sited fieldwork), organisational theory, political economy, science and technology studies, and the anthropology of work, professions and institutions.

• Core methods and theory: long-form ethnography, comparative analysis, discourse and practice approaches, critical theory relevant to organisations and institutions.
• Research methods: interview techniques, participant observation in workplace settings, archival and documentary research, network analysis, visual and digital ethnography, and approaches to ethics and research design in complex organisational environments.
• Interdisciplinary skills: methods for studying technology and data in organisations, collaboration with management and policy disciplines, design ethnography for product and service development, and skills for mixed-methods integration.
• Structure: graduate coursework in anthropology and relevant departments, teaching practicum, qualifying examinations or portfolio assessing readiness for dissertation research, a funded fieldwork stage leading to a dissertation proposal, and completion of an original doctoral dissertation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong academic preparation and research potential. Successful candidates typically hold a relevant undergraduate or master’s degree in anthropology or a closely related discipline, though exceptional applicants with substantial research or professional experience in organisational studies may also be considered.

• Academic transcripts showing strong performance in relevant coursework.
• A clear statement of purpose outlining research interests in organisational anthropology, prior research experience, and fit with faculty expertise and departmental strengths.
• A writing sample that demonstrates ability to conduct ethnographic or theoretically informed analysis; this can be a chapter, article or major seminar paper.
• References (usually three) from academic or professional supervisors who can attest to research potential and suitability for doctoral study.
• Curriculum vitae or résumé detailing research, work or field experience relevant to organisational topics.
• Proof of English language proficiency where applicable (institutional requirements apply).

Applicants should consult the departmental admissions page for any programme-specific procedural requirements; some applicants may be expected to show experience conducting qualitative fieldwork or working within organisational settings.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Anthropology with a focus on organisational topics pursue a variety of careers in academia, public and private sectors. The programme equips students with skills in critical analysis, ethnographic research, and translating complex qualitative insights into actionable recommendations.

• Academic careers: tenure-track and teaching positions in anthropology, organisational studies, sociology, science and technology studies, and related fields.
• Industry and consultancy: roles in user research, design ethnography, organisational development, management consulting, and market or workplace studies.
• Public sector and NGOs: policy analysis, programme evaluation, labour studies, community-engaged research and public-interest research organisations.
• Corporate research and innovation: teams focused on product design, workplace transformation, change management, and human-centred design where ethnographic methods inform strategy.

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers a rich, interdisciplinary environment that benefits organisational anthropologists. The department supports deep methodological training alongside opportunities to work with complementary units and centres across campus that focus on social research, management, policy and information studies.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration: access to scholars and courses in business, public policy, information science and social research methods that broaden perspectives on organisations and technology.
• Research infrastructure: extensive library holdings, research centres and labs that support archival, qualitative and digital research needs, plus institutional resources for research funding and ethics review.
• Funding and professional development: teaching and research assistantships, fellowship opportunities and structured support for doctoral training, grant-writing and career preparation.
• Local and global fieldwork opportunities: proximity to diverse organisational settings in the region as well as institutional support for multi-sited and international fieldwork.