CUNY(The City University of New York)

What you'll study

The programme combines rigorous training in anthropological theory and qualitative methods with focused research on organisational life. Core work emphasises ethnography, interpretive and critical approaches to organisations, and the study of bureaucracy, markets, professions, labour and management across local and transnational settings.

• Core seminars: advanced anthropological theory; research design and ethics; comparative modes of ethnography; history and anthropology of organisations.
• Methods training: participant observation in organisational settings, multi-sited ethnography, interview techniques, archival and document analysis, oral history, visual methods, and mixed-methods integration.
• Specialist topics: work and labour studies; corporate culture and identity; governance, regulation and compliance; technology, platforms and digital organisations; NGOs and development organisations; health systems and institutional care; financial cultures and markets.
• Theory and critical perspectives: political economy, institutional theory, theories of bureaucracy, practice theory, science and technology studies as applied to organisational contexts.
• Teaching and professional skills: advanced academic writing, grant and fellowship preparation, pedagogical training for undergraduate teaching, public anthropology and policy engagement.
• Dissertation: substantial original research based on extended ethnographic fieldwork in one or more organisational sites, producing an argument that advances scholarship in organisational anthropology.

Students typically progress through coursework and comprehensive examinations before embarking on dissertation research, with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across CUNY departments and affiliated research centres.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a master’s degree in anthropology or a related discipline, or a strong bachelor’s degree plus relevant research experience. Competitive candidates demonstrate substantial preparation in anthropological theory and qualitative methods, a clear research statement focused on organisational questions, and academic references that attest to research potential and readiness for doctoral work.

• A completed application form and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• A detailed research statement outlining proposed topics in organisational anthropology and how the CUNY programme would support that work.
• Academic writing sample (such as a chapter, article or substantial seminar paper) demonstrating analytical and ethnographic skills.
• Curriculum vitae outlining research experience, fieldwork, publications or professional experience in organisational settings where applicable.
• Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees familiar with the applicant’s research abilities.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency in line with university policies.

Individual doctoral programmes at CUNY may have additional or alternative requirements; prospective applicants should consult the department for specific guidance and for information on funding and assistantships.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Anthropology with expertise in organisational anthropology pursue a range of careers in academia, research and applied domains. Common pathways include:

• Academic positions: tenure-track and adjunct roles in anthropology, organisational studies, sociology, management and related departments.
• Research roles: researcher or principal investigator in university research centres, think tanks, and independent research organisations focusing on work, labour, public policy and institutions.
• Industry and consulting: organisational development, ethnographic consulting for technology companies, user experience research, corporate culture analysis and change management.
• Public sector and NGOs: policy analysis, programme evaluation, monitoring and evaluation, and institutional reform roles in government agencies and non-profit organisations.
• Private sector research and design: roles in market research, design ethnography, and product development teams that require deep qualitative insight into organisational practices and user communities.

PhD training also prepares graduates for leadership in cultural heritage, public engagement, and interdisciplinary initiatives where ethnographic skills and critical analysis of institutions are valued.

Why study at CUNY(The City University of New York)

CUNY offers a distinctive environment for organisational anthropology, with access to a large, diverse urban setting and numerous organisational sites across public, private and non-profit sectors. The university’s multiple campuses and affiliated research centres provide opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with sociology, public affairs, business, labour studies and health sciences.

Faculty in the anthropology programme bring strengths in ethnography of work, urban institutions, migration and transnational organisations, and critical institutional analysis. CUNY’s emphasis on public scholarship and community-engaged research supports projects that connect ethnographic insight to policy and practice, while teaching opportunities allow doctoral students to develop pedagogy and professional experience.

Additionally, studying in New York City gives students access to a wide network of organisations for fieldwork, internships and partnerships, making CUNY a practical choice for scholars aiming to study organisations in complex, dynamic urban and global contexts.