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Anthropology, VU Amsterdam

Social and Cultural Anthropology

Understanding the world from within and working towards change

Anthropology is about people: how we live together, what we value, and how we respond to the urgent challenges of our time. From migration and inequality to climate change and identity – as an anthropologist, you learn to look beyond the surface and understand social issues through the eyes of others. 

At VU Amsterdam, we don't just study the world from a distance. Our anthropologists work globally with local partners, our students conduct fieldwork across continents, and our Ethnographic Impact Lab translates ethnographic insights into societal impact. Whether you're starting your bachelor's, pursuing a master's, or developing doctoral research, you'll join a department that values rigorous theory and collaborative research. Our goal? To make the world a safer, more just place for everyone.

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Read: VU Anthroplogy's blog

Meet the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology

Professor Freek Colombijn, associate professor Luisa Schneider and PhD student Dewi Meyrasyawati talk about the department of Social and Cultural Anthropology in this video. The department enjoys collaborating with external partners, not only for research purposes, but also to make the world a better place. In addition, the department values the inclusion of younger people in new research.

Examining social issues through someone else's eyes

Anthropologist Luisa Schneider researches intimacy, violence and law in Germany and Sierra Leone. In her research, she lives with people on their terms. "I have lived with homeless people on the streets and worked with people struggling with addiction and mental health in Germany." She examines social issues from the perspective of those who are affected by them.

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