Biological Anthropology (Research)

Overview

These courses are one-year full time or two-year part-time programmes. You research and write a thesis under the supervision of one or two academic staff. We have a vibrant research group whose interests stretch across the range of biological and evolutionary anthropology. We can provide extensive and modern data-analysis facilities as well as a newly refurbished research lab dedicated to biological and evolutionary anthropology. We are actively recruiting new research students, and if you have an idea or topic you want to pursue, then we will help you develop your project.

Examples of potential projects include:

• Human remains analysis

• Investigation of skeletal trauma (humans or other primate species)

• Human parental investment strategies

• Life-history trade-offs in humans

• Evolution of human sexual behaviour

• Primate foraging ecology

• Group dynamics in fission-fusion societies

Careers

The Biological Anthropology (Research) programme from University of Kent is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as having research training status, so successful completion of these courses is sufficient preparation for research in the various fields of social anthropology. Many of our students go on to do PhD research. Others use their Master’s qualification in employment ranging from research in government departments to teaching to consultancy work overseas.

The School has a very good record for postgraduate employment and academic continuation. Studying anthropology, you develop an understanding of the complexity of all actions, beliefs and discourse by acquiring strong methodological and analytical skills. Anthropologists are increasingly being hired by companies and organisations that recognise the value of employing people who understand the complexities of societies and organisations.

Many of our alumni teach in academic positions in universities across the world, whilst others work for a wide range of organisations.