Emily Tacey

Penn World Scholars
Class of 2029

Hungary & United kingdom

Academic Areas of Interest

Over the past couple of years out of all my academic interests perhaps anthropology has become the most defined. Socio-cultural anthropology excites me precisely due to the versatility of topics and methods it covers. It gives me enough fluidity to examine the experience of being human through the mosaic lens of culture, politics, social and economic structures and personal philosophies. My interest in anthropology was ignited through meeting people while growing up around the world in Hungary, India and Tanzania. My latest endeavor has been my ongoing research on the Maasai in Tanzania. Through ethnographic fieldwork and extended interviews, I aim to examine the evolution of the pastoralist communities’ self-determination amidst the ongoing land conflict with the Tanzanian government. 

Activities & Hobbies

Dancing has grown to be an irreplaceable part of my life. I dance with my sister in our kitchen, I dance different traditional dances to engage with cultures, I dance at family gatherings…I guess I dance overall to feel more connected to people. I am also a passionate debater and appreciate a heated but honest discussion. Backpacking has also been a defining part of my life. After backpacking adventures, I like to write descriptive travel logs and have recently also gotten into photography.  

Future Plans

I envision myself continuing ethnographic research and using my findings to source my work as a human rights lawyer. I aspire to be out in the field talking to people one week and in the courtroom representing them the other. I think a background in anthropology will allow me to provide more authentic representation and argumentation as a lawyer who holds people at the center of their focus. But overall, I am still open to exploring other career options, possibly in the arts and theater.