2025 - 2026 GLOBAL ETHNOGRAPHY PROGRAM
ON THE GROUND, REMOTE, AND HYBRID ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH AND TRAINING
Our newest Global Ethnography Program is a flexible, immersive training in ethnographic methods and theory, designed for students and professionals at any level.
Participants develop and carry out independent research projects—on-the-ground, remote, or hybrid—guided by Dr. Todd G. Pierce and visiting lecturers. Students will also focus on publications and conference papers from their research.
We encourage students to please coordinate with their advisors to discuss how this program can be used to benefit their current course of study. Students should also ask how they can receive credits from within their university for their participation in this program. Many universities offer independent research credit (many up to 12 credits), but students can also seek credit in theory, methods and ethnographic representation.
The intention of this program is to work in-tandem with universities as a way to offer students more training and experience.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
This is a comprehensive field training program in professional ethnographic research—from the early stages of project design to the final delivery of results.
This program is much more than a field school. Students receive instruction and mentorship in ethnographic methods, research ethics, and theoretical frameworks. Dr. Pierce will invite other professionals and practitioners in the discipline to share their knowledge and experience in the field, as well as others, like funding organization faculty to give keen insight into research proposal development and editorial staff from academic journals to discuss the publication process. The goal is for students to learn every aspect of the research process from beginning to end.
The program is remote in instruction but flexible in application: you may conduct research locally, in the field, or entirely online using remote ethnographic techniques, or a mix of both.
Key Features:
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One-on-one mentorship
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Flexible scheduling and structure
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Emphasis on applied, real-world research
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Optional support for publication and conference presentation
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Based on the successful Advanced Methods Program
You can find examples of our student publications in academic journals here
Here is an example of a project where the student was fully trained online and conducted her research completely remotely. Her article has been published twice: ea597b_b932995bf4f54265ba75930ee597c1ab.pdf
Our students have also presented at many conferences, including the American Anthropological Association and The Society for Applied Anthropology.
Each of those events have garnered the student more recognition and opportunities to network with others in the discipline.
PROGRAM DATES AND TUITION
TUITION: $1,950 USD
SUMMER SESSION 2025 May 24 - August 30
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May 24 – June 5: REQUIRED ONLINE PREPARATION (1 hour/day, Mon–Fri)
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June 6 – July 20: FIELD RESEARCH
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July 21 – August 30: OPTIONAL ONLINE TEAM MEETINGS (Support for writing, publishing, and conference presentations)
FALL SESSION 2025 August 18 - December 5
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August 18 – September 1: REQUIRED ONLINE PREPARATION (1 hour/day, Mon–Fri)
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September 2 – October 31: FIELD RESEARCH with regular director and team meetings.
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November 3 – December 5: OPTIONAL ONLINE TEAM MEETINGS (publication process)
SPRING SESSION 2026 January 5 - April 17
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January 5 – 19: REQUIRED ONLINE PREPARATION (1 hour/day, Mon–Fri)
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January 20 – March 15: FIELD RESEARCH with regular director and team meetings.
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March 16 – April 17: OPTIONAL ONLINE TEAM MEETINGS (publication process)
Note: Dates and meeting times are flexible. Students will coordinate with their cohort to decide what works best for the group.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
This program is open to:
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Undergraduate students (early or advanced)
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Graduate students (Master’s and Ph.D.)
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Postdoctoral scholars
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Professionals and continuing education learners
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Those outside anthropology who want to learn how anthropologists conduct research
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Individuals with a longstanding interest in ethnography and no prior opportunity to train
Whether you're seeking academic credit, building a research portfolio, or expanding your methodological skills, this program is designed to support your personal and professional goals.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Students should apply to the session of their choice as early as possible to allow for more time for research development. Dr. Pierce will guide you through this process.
We will accept applications as late as 21 days prior to the start of a session.
The application process is the same as our other programs.
To apply, submit the following in a single email to: admissions@anthrofieldschool.com
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A personal letter describing three reasons why you’d like to attend
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An unofficial transcript (undergraduate students only)
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Applicants without a BA in Anthropology or Sociology; please highlight any social science coursework
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Letter of recommendation (undergraduate students only)
Once materials are received, Dr. Pierce will request a Zoom meeting to discuss your academic goals and how the program can support your trajectory.
SESSION DEADLINES
Summer 2025: May 3rd
Fall 2025: July 27th
Spring 2026: December 14th, 2025
Tuition Deadlines: Within two weeks of the start of the session.
Our basic housing for the field school is included in student tuition costs. Double occupancy rooms will be offered at a reduced if available.
MENTORSHIP AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Before the program starts, students will meet with Dr. Pierce to discuss research interests and develop a formal research proposal (in the Wenner-Gren format).
Early applicants will have more time to workshop and refine their proposals—apply early!
The program begins with two weeks of daily online lectures and discussions focused on:
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Ethnographic Theory
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Research Ethics
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Project Design
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Methodological Frameworks
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Research Logistics
CONTINUING EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING
This program is also ideal for professionals or scholars who never had the opportunity for immersive ethnographic training.
If you’ve always wanted to do a field project—or simply want to understand this vital form of scientific inquiry—this is your chance. We welcome your participation and the wealth of experience you bring
ACADEMIC INTEGRATION AND CREDIT
Students can often receive independent study or research credit for participating.
Most universities offer 3–12 credit hours for field research. Speak with your advisor to explore this option.
Senior Thesis:
Students can use their projects to fulfill thesis requirements. If dedicating a semester or more, this is a very achievable goal.
Master’s Thesis / Ph.D. Dissertation:
Graduate students can design research that meets thesis or dissertation requirements. This can be done in one session or over two, depending on the project’s scope.
Research Therapy:
This program can be designed to help any project that is having difficulty.
DELIVERABLES: PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Participants are encouraged to share their findings through:
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Peer-reviewed journal articles
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Academic and professional conferences
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Edited volumes and book chapters
Students from this program and our Advanced Methods program have published in respected journals and even contributed to edited academic books.
