The State of the Field Project is gathering demographic, educational, and occupational data from current and former Egyptologists as well as professionals in Egyptology-adjacent jobs* in order to gain a clearer picture of what American Egyptology is and who Egyptologists are. The survey focuses on American institutions, occupations, and citizens.
The survey will be open during the month of February 2021.
Who can complete our survey?
U.S. citizens who are pursuing or have received a graduate degree in Egyptology or an Egyptology-adjacent field, intern or work in an Egyptological job, or have left a graduate program or Egyptological job.
Foreign Nationals who have received a Egyptology or Egyptology-adjacent graduate degree from a U.S. Institution, intern or work in an Egyptological job in the U.S., or have left a graduate program at a U.S. Institution.
You must be 18 years or older to participate in this study. Participation is entirely optional and you are free to stop participating at any time. There will be no compensation for participation.
What is an Egyptology-adjacent degree or an Egyptological job?
An Egyptology-adjacent degree is a degree that is not specifically called “Egyptology” but in which the graduate-level work focused on some aspect of ancient Egypt; for example: Near Eastern Studies/Near Eastern Civilizations, Classics, History, Archaeology, History of Science, Art History, Ancient Studies, Anthropology, etc.
An Egyptological job is a paid job in which the primary focus of research or occupational duties is the study of ancient Egypt. Ex: professor, curator, museum educator, archaeologist, bioarchaeologist, archivist, author, editor, conservator, art historian, etc.
What is the format of this survey?
This is a two-stage study that includes both an anonymous survey (approximately 15 minutes) and the option for a follow-up interview (approximately 45 minutes). The goal of our survey and interview is to better understand the paths people have taken and suggest tangible ways in which our field may improve inclusion, pedagogy, and career preparation. Topics include demographic information, experience and/or training before graduate school, time in graduate school, and current career status. Your participation in this study involves no more than minimal risk or discomfort.
Why is this survey important?
A comprehensive survey of this scope has never been conducted. The Egyptology State of the Field project is intended to capture a snapshot of data on the field of Egyptology in the United States today with the hope of providing a foundation for more comprehensive work to continue into the future. The results of this study will be used to identify specific needs in the field of Egyptology, including but not limited to: improving diversity, supporting student experiences, exploring professional networks outside the field, normalizing non-tenure track employment, and so forth. These data will benefit professionals in the field as well as those hoping to enter Egyptology and those who have left.
Is the survey anonymous?
How will my data be protected?
No personal identification information will be recorded during the survey. For interview participants, interview recordings will be stored on a secure server and interview staff will protect your personal information closely so no one will be able to connect your response to any other information that identifies you. Any personal information that could identify you will be removed or changed before files are shared in any way, including with other researchers, or results are made public. Your identifying information will be replaced with codes and university specific details, places, and/or personal names will be replaced with vague descriptors. Once interviews are analyzed all recordings and original identifying information will be destroyed.
Egyptology State of the Field 