This Social Anthropology residential training runs from 14th to 18th April, 2025. It integrates pre-fieldwork graduate students and faculty in an ambitious and interactive learning environment.
Given that PhD students receive a range of prescribed teaching, the STAR 1 programme has been designed specifically to respond to the perceived needs of pre-fieldwork students [this principally refers to 1st year PhD students, but can also include those doing recognised social anthropology MRES/MSc degrees who are looking to move on to PhD level work]. Workshops and talks cover fieldwork conundrums and anthropological methods. Content is designed and delivered both by staff and by students through collaborative group work. One of the key aims and outcomes of the program is to facilitate networking and build a sense of supportive cohesion amongst Scottish Social Anthropology students across all institutions. This cohesion becomes essential for the later years of the PhD programme. We always invite at least 1 senior anthropologist from the rest of the UK, who gives a keynote talk on an aspect of pre-fieldwork training. Attending academic staff from Edinburgh, St Andrews and Aberdeen also provide specialised training sessions. These vary year on year, but usually include training sessions on: ‘taking field notes,’ ‘self-care in the field,’ ‘visual & graphic methods,’ ‘fieldwork ethics,’ and ‘positionality & locatedness.’ Additional methodological issues are addressed by visiting speakers. There are also a series of Q&A and student led feedback sessions, where specific methodological questions and issues can be raised.
Pathway personnel involved: Dr Maya Mayblin [Edinburgh], Dr Rachel Smith [Aberdeen], Dr Sera Park [St Andrews]
Entry requirements: 1st year PhD students in social anthropology, and MRES/Msc students in social anthropology intending to progress to PhD study. We do also consider applications from doing anthropology-focused, ethnographic projects in sociology at Glasgow [which has a small core of anthropologists on its academic staff and teaches some anthropology].