Anthropology invites us to see the world through many different perspectives. It shows us that ideas we often take for granted — from family and identity to justice and politics — can look very different across cultures and contexts. This openness helps us question assumptions, recognise complexity and stay curious about the many ways people live, adapt and create meaning. Studying anthropology doesn't just teach you about other people's worlds — it changes the way you see your own.
We can apply anthropology to all aspects of the world from digital technology, economic systems, climate change, politics, religion and daily life. By applying anthropology we ask: what is it and how is it composed, how does it change, what generates and maintains social distinctions (such as class, ethnicity, gender, race), what are the dynamics of power and influence, is justice a universal, is the social limited to the human?
This commitment to understanding human life as lived within different communities and through different systems opens up new ways of understanding our varied and rapidly changing world. At a time when questions of inequality, climate change, migration, and social justice have never been more pressing, anthropology can help us understand these challenges by studying the lives of the people who face them. For anyone who wants to understand not just how the world is but how to contribute to a better future, anthropology is indispensable.
Insights like these help us imagine futures that are more equitable, more sustainable and more attuned to the realities of people’s lives. They also underpin anthropology’s value in practice. Where statistical data and policy analysis can tell us what is happening, anthropology helps us understand why and what might be done differently.
The following examples give a sense of what this looks like in practice.
Environmental Justice in China
Dr Andrea Pia’s ethnographic fieldwork in drought‑prone rural China shows that barriers to climate resilience are shaped not only by environmental pressures but also by political and economic systems. His research highlights how underinvestment in local infrastructure and limited community participation contribute more to climate vulnerability than population growth or consumption alone.
Social Infrastructures During COVID‑19
Professor Laura Bear’s year‑long pandemic research revealed the importance of informal support systems, families, neighbours, and community networks in helping people cope with crisis. Her findings demonstrate that strong “social infrastructures” are vital for resilience and point to the need for public policies that strengthen community‑based care.
Rising Personal Debt in South Africa
Professor Deborah James’ research on debt in South Africa shows that financial insecurity cannot be solved by “self‑discipline” or financial advice alone. By uncovering the social pressures, expectations, and historical factors driving borrowing, her work has shaped debates among financial experts, activists, lawyers, employers, and rights advocates, influencing strategies for addressing unsustainable debt.
The study of anthropology teaches a wide range of skills and has the potential to be personally transformative. Students develop these skills through library‑led learning and practical training in ethnographic methods, enabling them to develop their own research interests and expertise while gaining valuable knowledge and skills. It provides:
- a deeper understanding of global cultures and societies
- critical and analytical thinking, research and communication skills applicable across sectors
- qualitative research skills; interviewing, observation, and data interpretation
- new perspectives on your own cultural milieu and the ability to denaturalise taken for granted categories and conventions
- insights into social justice, inequality, and policy
- tools for cross-cultural communication and ethical engagement
- resources for imagining and realising alternative possibilities and modes of problem solving
Studying anthropology fosters empathy, curiosity, and a global perspective which are qualities that are more important than ever in our interconnected world.
We understand that what career you decide to pursue after university is just as important as what you choose to study. Studying anthropology fosters empathy, curiosity, adaptability, and a global perspective, qualities that are increasingly important in an interconnected and diverse world. While it doesn’t lead to a specific job, it opens the door to a diverse range of careers.
Graduates in anthropology go on to careers in:
- NGOs and charities
- public policy and government
- consultancy
- education and teaching
- information and digital technology
- manufacturing and retail
- media, journalism, marketing, publishing
- law and legal services
- financial and professional services
Whatever stage you're at, LSE Careers has a wealth of information available to inspire and inform those all important decisions around careers.
For more information about graduate destinations by department and level of study and see where previous LSE anthropology students have gone after graduation visit this page here.