College
College of Arts, Society and Education
Publish Date
10 June 2019
Related Study Areas
Anthropology in a globalised world
The study of anthropology in today’s increasingly globalised world is becoming more and more important.
Due to our ability to communicate more freely, travel farther, go further — our interconnectedness with different cultures has evolved over time. Our need to fully understand the diverse ways that human beings exist in the world is what drives Bachelor of Arts (Honours), majoring in Anthropology student Mallory Notting.
For Mallory, anthropology has given her a “holistic perspective to view the world”. She believes that it “creates an appreciation for the differences and commonalities between cultures”.
“A big part of being an anthropologist is undertaking ethnographic fieldwork. It can be difficult to gain experience in the field whilst being a student, so the opportunity to get hands-on experience whilst studying is invaluable. Ethnographic techniques are taught in the classroom; however it is only through being in the field that those skills and expertise can truly develop.”
Preparing for the future
The opportunity to attend the New Colombo Plan Ethnographic Field School in Papua New Guinea, organised and led by Professor Rosita Henry, is one that has been highly valued by the students who attended.
Being able to immerse yourself in an entirely different culture and interact with various members of the community on a daily basis is an experience that is integral to a budding anthropologist’s development. As Mallory says, “the opportunity to practice and hone those skills under the guidance of an expert is great preparation for future work”.
For Mallory, the Ethnographic Field School has affirmed her direction in life.
“The hands-on experience in the field, in an entirely different culture, has confirmed that I am working towards the rights goals, pursuing the right path.”
JCU Anthropology student Mallory Notting
“I want to use my studies and experience in the real world. There are so many opportunities and career pathways as an anthropologist. I’m currently working as a researcher in the anthropology department at a Native Title Representative Body in Cairns and I’d like to delve deeper into Indigenous rights and reconciliation. I’m also interested in gender equality and women’s rights, both in other cultures and my own. Eventually, I’d like to get into academia.”
With the world at her feet and her growing list of experiences in the field and on the job, we think Mallory will be unstoppable.