We are one of the largest departments of Anthropology in the UK, spanning social anthropology, evolutionary anthropology and the anthropology of health.
We use methods, theories and analysis from biological and social anthropology to understand the human condition and provide impact for public benefit. We believe that our research can have positive effects in the wider world and we work actively to make sure this happens.
Our anthropology of health research has been enthusiastically taken up and used in medical and domestic settings across the world. Our research has been cited and used by UNESCO, UNICEF, the NHS, the World Bank, and Mumsnet. Other instances where we reach beyond academia are the anthropology of ethics, energy efficiency and architectural heritage. Our regular research collaborators range from regional partnerships in Britain’s North East to NGOs in South Asia and Africa, hospitals, conservation groups and energy companies. Many of these collaborations have emerged from our work in Durham with the university’s interdisciplinary Research Institutes and Research Centres.
Our three thematic subject groups enable development and exchange of knowledge and expertise. Staff and graduate students belong to one or more of these groups, as suited to their academic interests. The Department supports interdisciplinary research across a number of the University’s Institutes,
Professor Jane Macnaughton from our Institute for Medical Humanities and Department of Anthropology has been chosen as the next Chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics Governing Board.
Our researchers have studied wild monkeys problem-solving for food to better understand how social dynamics can influence behaviour and learning.
Innovator and Founder of Optim Energy, Jeremiah Thoronka has been featured in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list for his success and impact in the Climate Change and Sustainability (Social Impact) sector.
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