Honouring Ruth First: The Ruth First Prize for Best Postgraduate Dissertation 

In 2024, the Sociology Department created the Ruth First Prize for the highest dissertation mark across three of its postgraduate taught programmes, the MSc Sociology, MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice and MA Social Research Methods. 

This prize was created in memory of Ruth First and in celebration of her legacy. It celebrates excellence in research and recognises the potential to make a difference in the world. 

Ruth First was a South African anti-apartheid activist, journalist and scholar who spent several years in exile in the United Kingdom. In 1973, she took up a position as a lecturer at the Department of Sociology and Social Administration (currently the Department of Sociology), teaching on modules that reflected her interests in international development, feminism, and Marxist theories. She continued being actively involved in the anti-apartheid movement while in Durham and was in solidarity with local movements such as the Durham Miner’s Union.  

In 1977, she went on sabbatical to conduct research on migrant labourers in Mozambique. She later took up the role of Director of Research at the Centre for African Studies at Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo. In 1982, Ruth First was assassinated by a letter bomb sent by an agent in the South African security service.  

Ruth’s courage, determination, and rigorous research continues to inspire scholars and activists who struggle for freedom, justice, and human rights.  

In 2024, the Department awarded the first Ruth First Prize to Emma Gratte for her research on young women’s experiences of navigating ADHD at university.  

• ‘Remembering Ruth First’, an essay by Dr Diana Collecott who knew her while she was in Durham 

• Durham University’s Ruth First Scholarship managed by the Ruth First Education Trust 

• ‘Celebrating Ruth First’, a project by the Centre for Humanities Engaging Science and Society 

• The mural dedicated to Ruth First on the side of Ruth First House on Providence Row, Durham, DH1 1RP 

• The Blue Plaque erected in 2003 by English Heritage commemorating Joe Slovo and Ruth First