Anthropology lecturer
Also known as: specialist lecturer in anthropology, lecturer in anthropology, anthropology professor, anthropology instructor, university anthropology teacher, instructor in anthropology
About this occupation
Anthropology lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, anthropology, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants for the preparation of lectures and of exams, grading papers and exams and leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their field of anthropology, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.
A specialisation of higher education lecturer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- teach anthropology
- guarantee students' safety
- perform classroom management
- prepare lesson content
- anthropology
- curriculum objectives
- apply intercultural teaching strategies
- monitor developments in field of expertise
- apply teaching strategies
- write work-related reports
- cultural history
- demonstrate when teaching
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1061.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula, career issues, and laboratory and field research.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as research methods, urban anthropology, and language and culture.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Typical education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Artistic
Top skills: Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Instructing, Active Listening, Learning Strategies
US median pay: US$99,650 a year (2025), 5,240 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyExtremely important (5.0)
- HistoryO*NET: History and ArcheologyExtremely important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.4)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyVery important (3.8)
- Divinity or PhilosophyO*NET: Philosophy and TheologyVery important (3.6)
- Foreign LanguageO*NET: Foreign LanguageVery important (3.5)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.4)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- History Teachers, Postsecondary
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.