255 Original Ethnographic Essay Topics & Ethnography Project Ideas for College Students

Ethnography is a qualitative study field that investigates socio-cultural relations in a specific human community. The research methods involve fieldwork and participant observation. That means that ethnographers must immerse themselves in everyday life of the people they’re studying. Thus, researchers interview and regard the locals while documenting the data about them and their social aspects.

This field is crucial for anthropology and the creation of anthropological theories. Through ethnography, we can document the range of people’s livelihoods, cultures, and practices. It allows us to observe, examine, and empathize with different human experiences.

If you have studied ethnography, you probably know this is a very extensive subject. In this article, our team has collected ethnographic essay topics and research titles. We also listed tips to help you explore and approach your academic paper. You can browse through them as you decide on the best ethnography topic.

🔝 Top 21 Ethnography Topic Examples

1. The homeless population in the UK.
2. Global Diversity: Importance of Cultural Differences.
3. Cultural practices of the Hadza people.
4. Culture and Diversity in Education.
5. Evolution of the Spanish language in Mexico.
6. Literary Techniques and Ethnicity Role in Screenwriting.
7. Differences between Chinese and Indian parents.
8. Tattoo significance of the Maori.
9. Culture, Globalization, and Intercultural Adaptation.
10. Jewish immigrants in the West.
11. Essential Elements of Ethnography.
12. Nursing home culture in the US.
13. The purpose of ethnography.
14. Impact of Culture on the American Family System and Structure.
15. Rituals of the Japanese tea ceremony.
16. Burial rites of the Toraja people.
17. American Culture Reflection in Sport.
18. The struggles of the Muslim population in France.
19. Culture and Representations: Why Culture and Representation Matter.
20. Religious practices of American Buddhists.
21. Ethnic Groups and Discrimination.

🔎 Interesting Examples of Ethnographic Research Topics

22. The social dynamics of a small business owner’s community.
23. The cultural practices of Zoroastrian communities.
24. The Effects of Diverse Culture of a Business in UAE.
25. Does globalization impact the cultural traditions of indigenous tribes?
26. The daily life of a group of street vendors in a city.
27. Anthropology: The Culture of the People of River Front.
28. The impact of gentrification on a neighborhood’s community.
29. The cultural differences between various generations within a family.
30. Discrimination and marginalization as experienced by the furry subculture.
31. The Cultural Diversity- Tool That Influences Organizational Culture.
32. The relationships and communication patterns in an office setting.
33. What role do social media play in toddler development?
34. Human Behavior and Culture: The Relationship Analysis.
35. The impact of tourism on the culture of Australian aboriginal tribes.
36. The social dynamics of an international university.
37. Ancient Rome: History and Culture.
38. Social adaptation and communication patterns exhibited by international students.
39. The role of traditions in the daily life of an indigenous village.
40. The impact of technology on social interactions in underdeveloped nations.
41. Academic Motivation: Ethnic Teaching in Dutch Schools.
42. Perspectives of Amish voluntary converts on modern technological development.
43. The cultural differences between rural and urban areas of Russia.
44. Culture, Cultural Identity and Related Phenomena.
45. The impact of immigration on the cultural dynamics in Germany.
46. The role of gender in social interactions within Muslim communities.
47. The use of music as a coping mechanism for individuals experiencing trauma or mental illness.
48. ‘Native Americans: Traditional Healing’.
49. The social dynamics of the Knotfest music festival.
50. The role of sports in community building in Argentina.
51. The Influence of Globalization on Arab Culture.
52. The evolution of music festival culture in the United States over the past 50 years.
53. Does music contribute to shaping the gender identities of American adolescents?
54. Ethnicity and Religion Impact on the Second Language Acquisition of Muslims Males.
55. The impact of mobilization on warfare perspectives in the Russian population.
56. Heritage and Culture in African American Literature.
57. The use of music as a tool for social activism and political resistance.
58. The impact of social media on the spread of Islamic fundamentalism.
59. The cultural practices and traditions of Native American holidays.
60. Celebration of Eid Al-Fitr: Its Importance, Traditions, and Meaning.
61. Investigating gender and power dynamics within Amish households.
62. The role of anonymity in the construction of “alcoholic” identity.
63. The role of religion in anonymous alcoholics’ recovery.
64. White Non-Hispanics: Ethnic Groups Discrimination Immigration.
65. Examining the role of identity performance in LGBTQ+ online communities.
66. Organizational Culture and Diversity Within the Modern MNC.
67. The role of traditional healers in Afro-Caribbean religious communities.
68. Religious attitudes within Death and Black Metal communities.
69. The cultural practices and traditions of QAnon members.
70. The significance of faith for LGBTQ+ individuals within conservative religious communities.
71. Ethnic Identity in Asian American Fiction Authors.

📊 Ethnography Topic Ideas for Comparative Essays

72. How do wedding traditions differ in China and the US?
73. Comparing Mexican and American neighborhoods.
74. Multicultural vs. Citizenship Education.
75. Different attitudes toward the afterlife between Christians and Hindus.
76. How have school rules changed over the last 20 years?
77. Race and Ethnic Gangs in Chicago vs. Los Angeles.
78. Women’s roles in matriarchal and patriarchal societies.
79. Comparison of gender roles in Western and Eastern cultures.
80. Critical features of American and Chinese fairy tales.
81. Cohabitation Versus Traditional Marriages.
82. Popular children’s games in the US and Australia.
83. How does street design differ in American and European cities?
84. Comparing business etiquette in the US and Japan.
85. The Parisian Culture: European and Islamic Cultures.
86. Differences in mealtime traditions between America and China.
87. Dress codes in American and Japanese schools.
88. Comparison of soccer and baseball fans.
89. Tradition and Innovation in Chinese Visual Arts.
90. Differences in socializing of homeschoolers and traditional school students.
91. Comparing video gaming practices of children and adults.
92. Differences Between Slavery and Indentured Servitude.
93. A typical day for families with and without children.
94. Analysis of Cultures: Deaf Culture, White Culture, and Black Culture.
95. Urban parks in New York City and Shanghai.
96. Family meals in single-parent and two-parent families.
97. Differences in leisure time between young men and women.
98. Illegal Immigration: Arizona v. United States Case.
99. Shopping habits of Millennials and Baby Boomers.
100. Concepts of beauty in ancient Greece and modern America.
101. Hobbies popular among single and married people.
102. Emmett Scott High School’s Social vs. Academic Culture.
103. Shopping experiences of people with and without visual impairments.
104. Comparing New Year celebrations in the US and China.
105. A typical day for a rural and urban resident.
106. Modern vs. Traditional or Alternative Medicine.
107. Caregiving practices in African American versus Hispanic communities.
108. Differences between Japanese and American restaurant culture.
109. Cultural and Linguistic Differences in Education.
110. Comparing sports of Native and modern Americans.
111. The life of Germans before and after World War II.
112. Differences Between the Brazilian and American Cultures.
113. Differences in parenting practices between the US and China.
114. How does humor differ in Western and Eastern cultures?
115. Comparing attitudes toward immigrants in the US and Russia.
116. Different perceptions of motherhood in Eastern and Western cultures.
117. Egypt Families in Changed and Traditional Forms.

💻 Digital Ethnography Topics

118. Principles and practice of digital ethnography.
119. Application of modern technologies to social study through digital ethnography.
120. Advice on conducting digital ethnography during pandemics.
121. Three lies of digital ethnographies.
122. Addressing the Cultural Disconnect in Online Learning for First Nations Students in Canada.
123. Digital ethnography in a group project: Ethical considerations.
124. Electronic ethnography and media usage.
125. Digital ethnography to strengthen empirical reasoning.
126. Evaluation of a Digital Library: A Case Study.
127. Medical students using Twitter for professional development: A digital ethnography.
128. Questioning “digital ethnography” in the age of omnipresent computers.
129. Modern ethnographic digital techniques for social research.
130. The Relationship Between Culture and Technology.
131. Research on the third sector using digital ethnography.
132. The social network on the dark web using digital ethnography.
133. Foreignism, Media, Imperialism Influence on Culture.
134. In the era of information warfare, digital ethnography.
135. Using embedded visual techniques to reveal consumer values considering digital ethnography.
136. Methodological approaches in the digital ethnography of young culture.
137. Influence of Culture and Technology on the Stage Design.
138. Cybercrime research using digital ethnography: Nomadic digital ethnography and engagement.
139. Millennials, young people, and international research collectives.
140. Digital Knowledge Platforms Versus Traditional Education Systems.
141. COVID-19 pandemic digital ethnography.
142. The use of digital ethnography to improve the Erasmus+ mobility program.
143. Teach for America’s digital ethnography.
144. Social Networks Trends for Reducing Language Barriers.
145. A mixed-methods approach to digital ethnography using semantic social networks.
146. Conducting ethnographic studies in the digital era.
147. Case studies, ideas, and concepts related to digital ethnography.
148. Popular Culture, Commercialization and Industrialization.
149. Best practice guidelines for digital ethnography in intercultural professional communication.
150. Digital ethnography and online gaming.
151. Online learning as a digital ethnography of virtual social distance.
152. Digital ethnographic methodologies in residential settings: Methodological and ethical considerations.
153. Understanding how faculty members use digital ethnography for professional development.
154. Principles of Museum in Contemporary and Digital Art.
155. Analyzing trends socio-computationally to comprehend digital ethnography online videos.
156. Stand-up comedy’s perspective on racism: A digital ethnography of Netflix.
157. The study of language, gender, and sexuality using digital ethnography.
158. Social Media Role in Promoting Social Change.
159. Cross-cultural digital ethnography interpretation: The role of the religious context.
160. A digital ethnography of Instagram: likes, hashtags, comments, and publics.

❓ Examples of Ethnographic Research Questions

161. Do indigenous populations’ experiences differ in the US and Australia?
162. How can Eastern and Western cultures enrich each other?
163. What Is the Effect of Music on Culture?
164. What are the challenges faced by young and older immigrants?
165. How can society facilitate social justice for Australian Indigenous people?
166. What are the dietary patterns of Western and Eastern cultures?
167. What Are the Immigration and Ethic Relations in the US?
168. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect ethnic minority groups?
169. What are the ethical issues associated with ethnographic research?
170. How did the Japanese occupation influence Korean traditions?
171. How Do Refugees Affect the Host Country?
172. What are the ethnic identities of children from immigrant families?
173. How do cultures worldwide differ regarding shame, guilt, and fear?
174. How Do Various Races and Ethnicities View the Library?
175. What are the examples of social injustice towards Indigenous populations?
176. How do history and ethnography complement each other?
177. What Are the Changes in Pop Culture?
178. What are the experiences of Chinese students in Western universities?
179. How do immigrant families maintain the traditions of their cultures?
180. What Are the Origins of Hip-Hop Culture?
181. What are the healing practices of Latin American ethnic groups?
182. How do Mexican immigrants interact with the US healthcare system?
183. Wha Is the Nature of the Racial and Ethnic Inequality?
184. What are the history and current state of ethnographic research?
185. How do refugees from African countries adjust in Europe?
186. What’s the Importance of Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Competence in Nursing?
187. What are the specifics of Mexican American ethnicity?
188. How does Amazonian brew ayahuasca help in addressing substance addiction?
189. What are the three ethnic groups prevalent in the US?
190. What Are the Pressures for and Against a Common EU Immigration Policy?
191. How does ethnographic research help in understanding different cultures?
192. What can American citizens learn from Chinese culture?
193. What challenges do Latin American immigrants face in the US?
194. What Are the Racial, Ethnic, Cultural and Linguistic Issues in Psychology?
195. What do US citizens know about ethnic minority groups’ experiences?
196. What does workplace spirituality mean for Indian employees?
197. What is Korean individuals’ migration decision-making regarding the US?
198. Wha Is the Connection Between Interracial Marriages and Immigration?
199. What obstacles are faced by English as a Second Language students?
200. Why do Indigenous people in Australia have trouble accessing water?

✏️ Ethnographic Research Ideas for College Students

201. How does foreign religion affect native culture?
202. Analysis of social interactions in shopping malls.
203. The formation of youth subcultures in urban areas.
204. What are the peculiarities of the organization of community festivals?
205. Analyzing the communication patterns in cyberspace.
206. The culture of sports fandom and its key features.
207. The challenges of people experiencing homelessness within specific communities.
208. What is the role of political clubs in society?
209. Analyzing local stories that reveal cultural values.
210. The influence of immigration on the cultural dynamics in the USA.
211. The analysis of the perception of children from low-income families.
212. How do famous people impact the viewpoints of their fans?
213. Analysis of teenage behavior in school and at home.
214. The value of religion in anonymous alcoholics’ recovery.
215. The peculiarities of community dynamics in a small town or village.

💡 Ethnography Project Ideas

216. The culture and customs of indigenous people.
217. Analyzing habits of elementary school children.
218. How did people perceive the concept of death in the past?
219. The origins of women’s roles in different societies.
220. Service staff and their particular view on the visitors.
221. How do immigrants express their identity in a foreign country?
222. The peculiarities of social interactions of employees at a business consulting agency.
223. What are the social customs of motorcycle riders?
224. The pitfalls in interprofessional teamwork practice among nurses.
225. The peculiarities of family structure among Muslims.
226. Analyzing people in a local retirement home.
227. The career choices of people with higher IQs.
228. How do individuals communicate during their journeys on public transportation?
229. Observing medical personnel in a high-volume hospital.
230. The inner perspective of the culture of gamers.

🎓 Examples of Ethnographic Research Topics in Education

231. The social and cultural dynamics of a high school classroom.
232. Analyzing the lifestyle of a high school teacher.
233. How do children of wealthy parents behave in the education system?
234. The use of modern technology in the learning process and its benefits.
235. How do schools respond to the cultural differences of their students?
236. The peculiarities of school culture in urban areas.
237. How does social media impact school relations?
238. The role of teachers in the formation of the identity of students.
239. The experience of learning and teaching in an inclusive class.
240. How do teachers and students interact with each other in elementary school?

📜 More Topics for Ethnographic Research Paper

241. The concept of social status in any African community.
242. What are the key health beliefs and myths in the modern society?
243. The view of the American black community on racist narratives.
244. The role of media representation in spreading stereotypes.
245. The impact of religious beliefs and practices on everyday lives.
246. How does social class shape our experiences of life?
247. The role of art and music in expressing cultural values.
248. Analyzing the lifestyle of a lawyer with a successful career.
249. The main greeting gestures in native Chinese societies.
250. The connection between urban planning and social segregation.
251. The efficiency of online communities in providing support for people with shared experiences.
252. The experiences of people living with ADHD.
253. What factors influence the physical health of teenagers?
254. Analyzing the physical outlook of a smoker at a young age.
255. The peculiarities of polygamous marriages in different Asian societies.

📝 Ethnographic Essay: Plan of Action

Before writing an academic paper, you should have a clear plan. It is especially beneficial for ethnographic essays, as it is a complex study field. Below, we have described how to approach this assignment.

Things to Consider

• After choosing your ethnography topic, the first step is to ask yourself why it matters. Consider what you are attempting to achieve by writing your paper. Who will be your audience? What do you want them to learn?
• Once you have this in mind, write down the questions you hope to answer with your research. They will help you keep your essay or research paper focused.
• Take note of your pre-existing assumptions about your topic. Everyone has personal biases. It is essential to be aware of them when writing an ethnography essay.

Things to Do

• Thorough research is essential to writing a successful paper. It is best to refer to first-hand accounts, which offer the most insight. However, secondary sources can also be valuable for background reading. You can use our online summary generator to save time reading through them.
• Try to find authors with different perspectives. This way, you will likely get a well-rounded impression of the chosen topic.
• Pay attention to how the writers refer to and describe the people they study. You should always question their findings and keep track of their own biases.

Thank you for reading this article. We hope you have managed to find a good ethnography topic idea for your paper. Need a little help putting together your essay title or research question? Try out our handy paraphraser tool!

🔗 References

1. What is Ethnography? – Anthropology@Princeton, Princeton University
2. Ethnographic Research – The University of Virginia
3. Ethnography – Writing Studio, Thompson Writing Program, Duke University
4. What Is Ethnographic Research? — National Park Service
5. Ethnography: Challenges and Opportunities — BMJ Journals
6. Ethnographic Study: Qualitative Studies — GOV.UK