Media

Visual anthropology is a fast-growing specialist area, and attracts many new students each year. The increased use of media technologies for communication and education purposes, business, and political agendas has led to the growth of a massive industry. Students who choose to specialise in visual anthropology often supplement their degree with training in filmmaking, visual technologies, or multimedia techniques. Visual anthropologists may work as independent filmmakers, set up their own businesses, or work as consultants for major TV and film productions. They may also find work as curators in museums, art galleries, or cultural institutions that have visual collections, or businesses working on marketing strategies that incorporate visual elements.

There are many opportunities within the media sector where anthropologists can apply their knowledge in creative ways. However, finding paid work can be extremely competitive and making a name for oneself can take time, patience, and a great deal of networking. To increase your chances of finding a job, it is important to gain voluntary or work experience that will improve your skills and expose you to new dimensions of the field. Film festivals, screenings, photographic and art exhibitions are excellent opportunities to be inspired by people’s work, meet other anthropologists, and discover new work possibilities.

Recommended Resources

Visit our Visual Anthropology webpage

General

http://www.visualanthropology.net/ - contains news and resources for anyone interested in visual anthropology.

http://www.der.org/ - Documentary Educational Resources produce, distribute and promote ethnographic and documentary films from around the world.

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ss/visualising_ethnography/ - Visualising Ethnography is a resource and gateway site for students and researchers using visual methods of research and representation in ethnographic projects.

http://www.usc.edu/dept/elab/urlist/ - Web resources for visual anthropology facilitate web searches by cross-indexing 365 anthropological sites according to different categories.

Professional Organisations, Groups and Societies

British Film Institute - promotes understanding and appreciation of Britain's rich film and television heritage.

European Association of Social Anthropologists Visual Anthropology Network - a network aiming to cover all aspects of visual anthropology

International Visual Sociology Association – promotes the study, production and use of visual images, data and materials in teaching, research and applied activities.

Nordic Anthropological Film Association – an organization focused on anthropological documentary film.

Royal Anthropological Institute - has one of Europe’s largest collections of ethnographic films and archival photographs. The Institute organises festivals and events, and distributes films for teaching and learning purposes.

Society for Visual Anthropology – the SVA is a section of the American Anthropological Association, aiming to promote the study of visual representation and media.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – has a wonderful collection of human studies film and photo archives.

Articles

Online papers downloadable free of charge are available from www.visualanthropology.net

Books

Visual Sense, a cultural reader
Edited by Elizabeth Edwards and Kaushik Bhaumik (Berg, 2009)

Visual Impact : Culture and the Meaning of Images
By: Terence Wright (Berg, 2009)

Media Anthropology
By Eric W. Rothenbuhler (Ed.) and Dr. Mihai Coman (Ed)
(Sage Publications, 2005)

Recruitment

www.guardian.co.uk/media - The media section of the Guardian online.

www.filmaid.org - uses the power of film and video to reach the world’s most vulnerable communities with messages that inspire them, address their critical shared needs, and effect social change.

www.visualanthropology.net - News and Resources for Visual Anthropology.

Disclaimer: The above information is provided for information and guidance only. It should not be interpreted as endorsement or otherwise by the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) for any external institution listed.  Furthermore, the RAI accepts no responsibility for material created by external parties or the content of external websites.