2026 ADVANCED ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS
8 WEEK COURSE INCLUDING 6 WEEKS IN THE FIELD ON THE ISLAND OF ISLA MUJERES
3 PHASES: PREPARATION, FIELDWORK, AND PUBLICATION
TUITION: $5750 FOR SINGLE ROOM LODGING
COHORT SIZE LIMITED TO 20 STUDENTS
APPLICATIONS OPEN SEPTEMBER `1, 2025 - APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 1, 2026
$500 EARLY BIRD TUITION DISCOUNT IF PAID IN FULL BY DECEMBER 1, 2025
2026 PROGRAM DATES AND DETAILED OVERVIEW
JUNE 22 - AUGUST 14
JUNE 6 - JULY 20 [REMOTE INTENSIVE PREP]
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Daily lectures, research design, ethics, methods, and analysis
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One-on-one Zoom mentorship with Dr. Pierce
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Students finalize their proposals
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Issuance of the Ethnographic Field School Field Pack (our in-house research manual)
JULY 27 [TRAVEL TO ISLA MUJERES FIELD SITE]
JUNE 28 - AUGUST 8 [ON ISLAND FIELD WORK]
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Conduct your independent research project
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Weekly theory and methods seminar
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Daily check-ins and options 1:1 meetings with Dr. Pierce
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Formal fieldwork concludes Saturday, August 8
AUGUST 9 [DEPART FROM ISLA MUJERES FIELD SITE]
AUGUST 10 - AUGUST 14 [REMOTE PUBLICATION WORKSHOP]
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Daily lectures on writing, structuring, and revising academic work
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Students begin drafting a conference paper, article, thesis section, or proposal
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Ongoing one-on-one Zoom support
$500 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTED TUITION IF PAID IN FULL BY DECEMBER 1, 2025
$5750 USD FOR SINGLE ROOM LODGING
DOUBLE ROOM REDUCED LODGING RATES AND AVAILABILITY TBA - LODGING LOCATION TBA
The Advanced Ethnographic Method Session is an 8 week long intensive ethnographic training and independent research session.
During the course of the session, each student will attend lectures on theory, methods, ethics and practice, conduct independent research, prepare a curriculum vitae, a *Journal* styled article of their research findings (and abstract), prepare a *conference* styled condensed version of their journal article (and abstract) and participate in other professional skill building training, such as ethics in anthropological field research and representations.
The Isla Mujeres Ethnographic Field School Advanced Methods Session is eight weeks long, but will begin with long one-on-one discussions to develop the students research ideas and proposal prior to the 8 weeks. These discussions can begin as soon as the student is accepted into the program. We encourage early applications so that we have more time to design a great project, which saves lots of time while “on the ground” in the field.
Students will begin formal lectures and discussion online May 15th through May 31st, the day before they arrive on the island. The next six weeks will be dedicated to field research and regular research team meetings (a couple per week), as well as group meetings with all teams and their members.
There are three key aspects to scholarly ethnography: KNOW, DO, SHARE
KNOW your methods and the various social and ethical subjects surrounding them.
DEMONSTRATE that you know how to put these methods into practice for good data collection.
COMMUNICATE your findings to others (the peoples whom you conducted research with, your peers and your academic community) through ethnographic representation.
The methods course will strive to help each student reach these three goals.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This introduction to the collection of qualitative data using ethnographic methods will involve a substantial exercise in participant observation and other ethnographic methodological techniques designed and carried out by each student during the session. This will be the basis for discussion in seminar of the conceptual, practical and ethical issues of fieldwork, and for brief written reports by which the course will be assessed.
The Advanced Methods Session will teach students how to prepare for and conduct ethnographic fieldwork. Preparation for field research includes learning about ethics in human subjects research, understanding emic vs. etic perspectives, establishing rapport, awareness of the politics of representation, and the importance of reflexivity in 'writing culture.'
We will discuss changing ideas about 'the field' in anthropological fieldwork, and new topics and sites for ethnographic research. We will also read and discuss excerpts from the fieldwork accounts of highly acclaimed anthropologists.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
This program is designed for serious students and emerging researchers at all levels. You don't need to know everything to start; you just need the motivation to learn and the commitment to carry out a meaningful project. We'll help you with the rest.
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Undergraduate students (including after Year 1)
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Graduate students (MA, PhD)
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Post-docs
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Independent scholars not currently enrolled
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
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A completed ethnographic research project
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Real field experience in a culturally rich, community-based environment
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Practical training in methods, ethics, analysis, and theory
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The foundation for publication or graduate-level work
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Long term mentorship and access to a growing professional network
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A standout addition to your academic CV or professional portfolio
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, students should:
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Be able to carry out research using participant observation as well as other ethnographic methodological techniques, such as open ended and directed interviewing
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Be reflexive about the conduct of qualitative research, and be able to assess critically other pieces of research carried out in ethnographic research
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Be aware of the main ethical and theoretical issues raised in their Ethnographic Research
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Be able to demonstrate advanced proficiency in the various ethnographic techniques
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Be able to link ethnographic methods to particular types of theoretical insight
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Be able to communicate knowledge gained about ethnographic methods and about the results of your ethnographic research project
Assessment will be made into a portfolio of work produced from the students' practical projects, including samples of field notes, a reflexive assessment of their strengths and weaknesses, etc.
SAMPLE RESEARCH AREAS
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Medical Anthropology
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Environment and Development
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Latin America and The Caribbean
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Tourism Economies
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Gender and Equality
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Globalization and Culture
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Space, Place, and Meeting
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Community Health and Social Change
TUITION AND DEADLINES
The Tuition + Application Deadline for Advanced Methods is April 22 2026
Includes lodging, instruction, mentorship, seminars, the Ethnographic Field School Field Pack, and remote training.
Cohort size limited to 20 students. Early Registration students receive immediate mentorship via Zoom, priority access to topic areas and housing, as well as more time to refine their ideas and research design.
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Early Registration with $500 Tuition Discount: $5,250 Apply by December 1, 2025
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Standard Registration: $5,750 Apply by April 1, 2026
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Late Registration: Apply by May 15, 2026
TUITION DISCOUNT
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If you apply and are accepted to join the field school, and pay your tuition in full by December 1, 2025, you are eligible for the Advanced Methods Session $500 Tuition Discount
ADVANCED METHODS PROGRAM OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
Duration Add-On:
Advanced Methods students may start a week early, and also add a week on the tail-end of the program if they wish
Add-On Tuition: $400 USD per week
If you would prefer more on-island field work time, discuss this with Dr. Pierce directly at info@@AnthroFieldSchool.com
PADI Open Water Dive Certification: $500USD
Guided Whale Shark Excursion: $150USD
Day trip excursions to various Yucatan Mayan Ruins and Cenotes: $80 - $800USD
HEALTH PROTOCOLS AND HOW TO PREPARE
Students are required to follow all local health recommendations, if applicable
SPENDING MONEY
Student’s lodging (food is not included) is covered in the cost of IFS Tuition, but you will want to venture out to enjoy all that Isla Mujeres offers -- there are a lot of great restaurants on the island. When not doing field research, attending lectures or writing up field notes, we suspect you might want to enjoy the stunning beaches and energetic nightlife here on the island.
We suggest that you plan on having about $1,500 USD or more in spending money in reserve for the 8 Week Advanced Methods Courses and $750 USD or more available for the 3 Week Practicum Courses.
You will trade your home-country currency in for pesos when you arrive, or withdraw as pesos from an ATM..
Typical Dinner Out =~ $20 US
Typical Lunch Out =~ $7-$10 US
Delicious Taco in The Colonias =~ .80 US
Cup of Coffee in Centro =~ $2 US
Golf Cart Rental for One Day =~ $75 US
Moto Rental for One Day =~ $30 US
Taxi to and from Airport =~ $100 US (expect $65 coming to Isla, $30 going back)
Ultramar Ferry from Cancun =~ $16 US Round Trip
Local Island Taxi =~ Roughly $2 to $7 US
Coca Cola from a bodega =~ $1 US
Typical Beer =~ $3 US at a bar
Custom Made Pinata =~ $30 US