Opportunities available for students interested in Anthropology

What opportunities does the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) offer to students of anthropology?

We have mainly three kinds of anthropologists - cultural or social anthropologists, physical or biological anthropologists and paleoanthropologists or pre-historic archaeologists. Physical or biological anthropologists look at how humans evolved from primates to earlier forms of humans to modern humans. They try to understand human beings in terms of genetic parameters, which include DNA studies. Further, they study nutritional status among various communities, diseases patterns and physical growth of adolescents, which is an important aspect of biological anthropology. In recent years, anthropologists have also been involved in human genome studies, both for understanding human variation and genetic disposition to various diseases. The Survey has well equipped labs for studying the DNA.

 Cultural anthropology is concerned with different ways of life of human societies across the world. Pre-historic archaeology emphasises the study of societies in antiquity before they knew the art of writing, i.e. stone-age cultures.

 How is anthropology different from other social science disciplines like sociology?

Social scientists deal with a wide range of issues like social, economic, political and cultural dimensions of society. Anthroplogy integrates both biological and social aspects of the study on human beings. Here lies the strength of the subject. This integrative and holistic approach to study human beings and their relationships in society give it a distinct flavour. Cultural anthropologists also study traditional knowledge systems such as tribal healing practices, simple local solutions for day-to-day living, and so on. While anthropologists would not romanticise these time-tested traditional knowledge systems, they do point out the importance of such knowledge for sustainable development.

 What are the upcoming areas in this field?

The study of human genome has great potential. Based on human genome studies, population movement can be traced back to antiquity on a firmer ground. The study of human genome also enables us to understand disease patterns, which vary from community to community.

 Certain populations show genetic pre-disposition to diseases like sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, and so on. Such a community specific study of disease patterns helps us in understanding the problem areas for prevention and policy formulation.

 In social anthropology, although the study is primarily on cultures at local levels, the global-local relationship is an important contemporary issue in an age of globalisation. Understanding ecology is important, especially human ecology, as to how human beings make use of natural resources, for a better planning of sustainable development.

 In pre-historic archaeology, the emergence of complex society from egalitarian band level organisation is an important issue.

 What the career prospects for students of anthropology?

Anthropologists find career opportunities mainly in universities and the Anthropological Survey of India. However, many new areas are emerging. For example, human genetics is now an emerging area, which has many implications for development of medicines for diseases for which hitherto no treatment existed. Anthropologists can work in the rural health mission based on their field experience in remote areas. Another potential avenue is nongovernment organisations working in socio-economic development of different communities. Development anthropology is a very important contemporary field.

Besides, anthropologists also work in museums. In addition, just as environmental impact assessment clearance is required for any new major project, there is an increasing concern that there should be a social impact assessment including proper plan for rehabilitation. Such a proposed mandatory social impact assessment along with a rehabilitation plan would go a long way in mitigating opposition to various projects in a vast country like ours. In the Anthropological Survey of India, we are working out as to how to prepare a module on carrying out this social impact assessment.