The Krieger School of Arts & Sciences provides opportunities for students in all disciplines to create, plan, and undertake a hands-on research project.
Anthropology majors and minors are encouraged to apply for the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Awards (PURA) and the ASPIRE Grant for research and writing projects, including the honors thesis.
Incoming freshman students may apply for the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship for a long-term project (over multiple years).
Research Opportunities for Undergraduate Students within the JHU Anthropology Department
A group of students surveyed the anthropology faculty and graduate students in February 2020 to explore research opportunities for undergraduates in the department.
Please contact faculty directly to follow up on any of these opportunities, and copy Director of Undergraduate Studies, Naveeda Khan, at nkhan5@jhu.edu.
If faculty want to add to this information or change their contribution, please complete this survey form.
Homewood Institutional Review Board
When you conduct research involving human subjects, you must submit an application for approval of your research through the Homewood Institutional Review Board. This board protects the rights and welfare of individuals participating in research. In most cases, anthropological research is classified “exempt from review,” but getting this classification still requires submission of materials in the semester before doing fieldwork. You must allow at least a month prior to your departure for approval. The HIRB website contains downloadable forms and other information.
Study Abroad and Global Education
Anthropology majors and minors are encouraged to explore possibilities of studying abroad for a year, semester, or summer. Such an experience will be a great asset in developing an honors thesis and preparing for future use of their anthropology training. It is important to shape a plan in advance, so students are encouraged to work closely with the Office of Academic Advising as well as their major adviser.
Grants and Financial Support
The Department of Anthropology provides a summer research grant competition for undergraduate students, with details announced each spring. The department also offers a small amount of undergraduate research funding for majors to support fieldwork expenses such as transportation and meals. Students must submit their research proposal to the department chair and their major adviser.