In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcastMelissa Vogel speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Melissa’s journey into business

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcastMelissa Vogel speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Melissa’s journey into business anthropology after training as an archeologist and working in academia for 15 years, and the challenges of switching mid-career.


About Melissa Vogel

As a Business Anthropologist and Director of Qualitative Research at Hanover Research, Melissa is committed to demonstrating anthropology‘s relevance to everyday life and using it to improve cross-cultural understanding.


During her academic career, she created Clemson University’s Business Anthropology program, which gives both industry professionals and students the global mindset and social science research skills needed in the modern job market. In her applied work, she has assessed workplace climate and diversity education needs, and gathered consumer insights data for such clients as Lego, Ann Taylor Loft, and FedEx Office. She has also conducted evaluation research with her team at UCLA’s CRESST Center.


For 18 years she directed field research on the development of urbanism in prehistoric Peru, which is published in her two books: The Casma Capital City of El Purgatorio and Frontier Life in Ancient Peru.  She also published 18 articles in academic journals and books.


Recommended Links

Melissa Vogel on LinkedIn
Clemson University Business Anthropology Certificate
The Casma Capital City of El Purgatorio
Frontier Life in Ancient Peru

About the Anthropology in Business Podcast

The Anthropology in Business podcast is for anthropologists and business leaders interested in learning more about the many ways anthropology is applied in business and why business anthropology is one of the most effective lenses for making sense of organizations and consumers. It is hosted by Matt Artz (https://mattartz.me), a business anthropologist specializing in design anthropology and working at the intersection of product management, user experience, and business strategy. To learn more about the Anthropology in Business podcast, please visit the website (https://www.mattartz.me/podcasts/anthropology-in-business-podcast/).