Brandeis University

What you'll study

The PhD curriculum centres on theoretical and methodological preparation for original, long-term ethnographic research. Core work typically includes advanced social theory, ethnographic methods and analysis, qualitative research design, and seminars on contemporary debates in anthropology. Students pursuing organisational anthropology will take specialised seminars and directed readings on topics such as organisational culture and change, institutions and governance, workplaces and professionalisation, corporate and public sector ethnography, and the anthropology of management, markets and expertise.

Programme structure normally combines coursework, research practicum, language training as required by the research site, a major research proposal (or qualifying examinations), and an extended doctoral dissertation based on original fieldwork. Many students also complete a teaching practicum and participate in interdisciplinary coursework or collaborative projects with related units such as management, public policy or health-policy programmes.

• Advanced social theory and contemporary debates in anthropology
• Ethnographic methods (participant observation, interviewing, archival and organisational ethnography)
• Seminars in organisational anthropology, labour and workplace studies, institutions and governance
• Research design, ethics, and methods workshops
• Language training and area studies as relevant to dissertation research
• Teaching preparation and pedagogical practicum

Entry requirements

Successful applicants normally hold a strong undergraduate degree in anthropology or a related social science; many enter with a master’s degree and prior research experience. Typical application materials include academic transcripts, a detailed statement of research interests that explains how organisational anthropology fits within the applicant's project, a writing sample demonstrating analytic and ethnographic skill, a curriculum vitae, and three letters of academic or professional recommendation. Applicants should be prepared to articulate a feasible dissertation project and any language preparation needed for fieldwork. International applicants must supply equivalent documentation and evidence of language proficiency when required by the proposed research.

Career prospects

Graduates with a PhD in Anthropology specialising in organisational topics pursue a range of careers in academia, applied research and the private and public sectors. Common paths include tenure-track and non-tenure-track teaching and research positions in anthropology and related disciplines; roles in organisational consultancy, human-centred design and user research; positions in corporate research, human resources and organisational development; policy research and evaluation at think tanks, NGOs and governmental bodies; and leadership roles in design agencies, healthcare organisations and international development firms. The strong methodological training also prepares graduates for research leadership in market research and social-impact assessment.

Why study at Brandeis University

Brandeis offers a small, research-intensive anthropology programme with close faculty mentorship and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Students interested in organisational anthropology benefit from proximate centres and programmes focused on social policy, management and social innovation, enabling collaborative projects and cross-registration. The university’s location near the Boston metropolitan area provides access to a diverse range of organisations, hospitals, NGOs and technology firms for fieldwork, internships and applied research partnerships. Small seminar sizes and a strong emphasis on original fieldwork support rigorous dissertation scholarship and professional development for both academic and non-academic careers.