Diversity and Inclusion

In the Anthropology Department we strive to create an environment in which students from all backgrounds feel welcome and valued in our academic community. We are currently working to diversify our student community further and are particularly keen to recruit students from backgrounds that are currently under-represented in our department. This includes:

• Students local to Durham and the surrounding area
• Mature students
• BAME students
• First Generation Scholars
• Students with disabilities
• International students
• Students from areas of the UK where few people attend University

Departmental initiatives

We run a variety of initiatives within the Anthropology Department aimed at welcoming and supporting students from diverse backgrounds. If you don’t yet see a group here for you, we would be happy to work with you to start one. The following links point to content further down this page:

• First Generation Scholars
• Decolonising the Curriculum
• Mature Students
• Peer Mentoring
• University-wide Initiatives

First Generation Scholars (FGS) Network

'First Generation Scholars' is the phrase we use to describe students for whom the customs, language and culture of Durham University are alien, often because their family background does not include experience of higher education. We are proud of our First Generation Scholars Network, the first to be established at Durham University.

Our Network is chaired by first generation scholar PhD students and works to provide a network for all first generation scholars in the department, and to improve the experiences and promote the success of first generation scholars in anthropology.

The Anthropology FGS Network was established by Prof Hannah Brown and is now chaired by FGS PhD students. The committee meets termly, working on FGS inclusion issues and hosting social events. For further information please contact Prof Kate Hampshire.

Decolonising the Curriculum

In 2020 the Department agreed a Statement on Decolonising Anthropology. Our work on Decolonising the Curriculum is led by a working group chaired by Dr Trudi Buck and Dr Jed Stevenson.

In October 2021 we began teaching a Decolonising Anthropology module for our third years to encourage critical reflection on the legacies of colonialism for the practices and theories of different sub-disciplines of Anthropology and to co-produce practical strategies for decolonising Anthropology.  Dr Jordan Mullard and Prof Nayanika Mookherjee are prominent in the university’s BAME Network.

Mature Students Group (MSG)

Mature students are defined as anyone who is 21 or older at the start of their course, and therefore this also includes all postgrads.

The mature student experience can be different to that of the majority due to people’s living situations, wider gaps in education, or just life in general. People may have very different experiences in the run-up to them being at Durham now, studying anthropology, including post-grads who might have had a different focus in earlier studies and are brand new to anthropology itself.

The Anthropology Mature Students’ Group is a casual, social group for mature students in the department and is there to provide mutual support and opportunities to socialise among its members.

This year the MSG plans to run weekly socials – for further information please contact Sarah Wright, Abby Lewis or Andrea Lambell.

Explore other support for Mature Students provided by the wider Durham University.

Peer Mentoring

Before arriving in Durham, we assign every first-year Anthropology undergraduate a peer mentor, who is matched with them based on international and mature student status as well as degree pathway.

Our peer mentors are here to help with the transition to anthropology and adjustment to life at a UK university. This student led scheme is designed to answer the little questions every first-year student has and provide support and directions for the big ones.

“Last year by having a peer mentor I found my transition to university and to my course a little easier as I knew I had an extra person to ask for help and support.” – Phoebe Cook, Joint Honours in Social Sciences – second year Anthropology and Sociology student.

University-wide initiatives

In addition to departmental-level activities, here at Durham we have many University-wide initiatives aimed at supporting students from under-represented backgrounds. Below we have highlighted just a few of them:

Durham People of Colour Association (DPOCA) represents and provides support for students of Durham University who identify as persons of colour.

Race Equality Charter: Durham University signed up to the Race Equality Charter (REC) in March 2019. The Charter aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. It provides a framework that guides the University in identifying and evaluating institutional and cultural barriers that stand in the way of BAME staff and students.

Durham University LGBT+ Association provides welfare support and socials for Durham LGBTQ+ students, as well as running campaigns throughout the year.

Mothers and Mothers-to-be Support (MAMS) network supports mothers and expectant mothers among the Durham University staff and student community through informal social events, peer support and advice. Dr Fire Kovarovic plays an active role in co-organising the network.

93% Club offers support, advice and social events aimed at students from state-school backgrounds.

The Counselling & Mental Health Service has recently partnered with Nilaari, a BAME-led charity that delivers culturally-appropriate talking therapies to those struggling with stress, general anxiety and low self-esteem.  

The Durham Working Class Students Association is a network run by and for working-class students at Durham University and offers support, advocacy and space for discussion.

Further information

Please also see:

• Wider Student Experience
• Student Support and Wellbeing
• Fair Access and Widening Participation

Be social. Be informed. Be a part of Durham Anthropology.