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Department of Anthropology
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Research, Impact and Engagement

We are one of the largest departments of Anthropology in the UK, spanning social anthropology, evolutionary anthropology and the anthropology of health.

In each of these fields we are opening up new areas of enquiry and have world-leading expertise in a range of topics such as energy use, temporality, aesthetics, the evolution of brain and cognition, primatology, global health, and infant sleep. Diversity across our corridors makes for an intellectually inclusive environment, fostering the academic freedom and confidence to work in new spaces that reinvigorate both the core and boundaries of anthropology in exciting ways.
Our Research Projects
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Research Groups

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,

SARG: Social Anthropology Research Group
SARG: Social Anthropology Research Group
Durham Centre for the Anthropology of Health
Durham Centre for the Anthropology of Health
EARG: Evolutionary Anthropology Research Group
EARG: Evolutionary Anthropology Research Group
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Research Centres and Institutes

Durham University produces world leading and world changing research. The Anthropology Department is involved in a diverse range of research centres and institutes.

Research Centres and Institutes Our Research Groups

What's new?

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Industry Minister to address energy conference

UK Government Industry Minister Chris McDonald is to address a Durham Energy Institute conference on renewable energy transition.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
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Twenty Durham researchers appointed to REF 2029 sub-panels

Twenty of our researchers will take important roles in assessing UK universities’ research quality.
Research news
Woman in lab coat holding microscope-like device

Primate thumbs and brains evolved together, new study finds

Scientists have shed fresh light on how human hands and minds evolved together, finding that longer thumbs in primates means bigger brains.
Research news
A young ape holding its hand out towards an outstretched human hand

Professor Nayanika Mookherjee awarded top Anthropology honour

Political Anthropologist Professor Nayanika Mookherjee has been honoured with the 2025 Rivers Memorial Medal, one of the highest accolades in Anthropology. 
Durham news
Professor Nayanika Mookherjee wearing a green top looking seriously at the camera

Pylon wars show why big energy plans need locals on board

Thousands of new electricity pylons are to be built across parts of England under the government’s plans to decarbonise the electricity. And some people aren’t happy. Professor Simone Abram from our Department of Anthropology and Director of Durham Energy Institute, explores why electricity pylons can evoke such powerful feelings.
Research news
Electricity pylons with sun setting behind them

Understanding the impact of human persecution on baboons

Human persecution leads to anxiety and physiological stress amongst baboons. That’s according to the findings of new research by our Department of Anthropology.
Research news
Two babooon mothers with their infants looking out at the surroundings

Why can’t we stop feeding monkeys? Experts explain the reasons behind a dangerous habit

Dr Sian Waters of our Department of Anthropology and Tracie McKinney of the University of South Wales explore the damaging impact of humans feeding monkeys in tourist hot spots.
Research news
Two small brown monkeys sitting on a wall, one is holding a piece of fruit
More news

We studied the walking habits of young men in Cape Town and London – and debunked a myth

Professor Gina Porter, from our Department of Anthropology, and Bradley Rink, Associate Professor of Human Geography at the University of the Western Cape, explore the realities of walking in low-income urban communities. Drawing on peer-led research in Cape Town and London, their study challenges the common assumption that young men move freely and without fear.

Young men in Cape Town discussing their walking habits as part of the study

ERC Spotlight: Professor Hannah Brown and the ALIVEAfrica project explore how animals impact health and wellbeing

We will host the European Research Council's (ERC) Scientific Council Meeting this June. Leading up to the visit, we are highlighting some of the projects at Durham that are happening thanks to support from the ERC.
Hannah Brown and her research team

Spotlight on: Professor Jane Macnaughton - Understanding the lived experience of health and illness

How can we use people’s lived experience of health and illness to improve clinical practice? This has been the focus for Professor Jane Macnaughton as the founder of our Institute for Medical Humanities. For the last 25 years, Jane has been at the forefront of this area of research, striving to humanise medical education.
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Why I chose to study the MSc in Medical Anthropology

Anthropology student Amy Douglas tells us why she decided to study Durham's MSc in Medical Anthropology! She also tells us why the program is especially valuable to medical students interested in studying an intercalated degree.

A student in the grounds of Durham Castle

Alumnus Jeremiah Thoronka makes Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list

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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Durham Anthropology Postgraduate Conference: Divided - Review

On 27th April 2022, students and staff participated in an exciting day of presentations and discussions at the Calman Learning Centre – the Postgraduate Conference, in what promised to be the department’s flagship event of the year.
Poster for the Anthropology postgraduate conference 2022

  • Professor Nayanika Mookherjee awarded top Anthropology honour

    Political Anthropologist Professor Nayanika Mookherjee has been honoured with the 2025 Rivers Memorial Medal, one of the highest accolades in Anthropology. 
    Durham news
    Professor Nayanika Mookherjee wearing a green top looking seriously at the camera

  • Medical humanities pioneer to oversee influential bioethics council

    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.
    Durham news
    Professor Jane Macnaughton looking directly to camera with a light coloured background

  • Climate change and the so-called Third Pole

    Dr Ben Campbell from our Anthropology Department explores increasing concern about climate change and the melting of the Earth’s North and South Poles, but challenges us to consider the so-called Third Pole, the Himalaya-Karakoram mountains, and look beyond climate change as a matter of technical solutions to re-thinking our relationship with the planet.
    Durham news
    A pictures of houses built into the Himalaya-Karakoram mountains

Professor Nayanika Mookherjee awarded top Anthropology honour

Political Anthropologist Professor Nayanika Mookherjee has been honoured with the 2025 Rivers Memorial Medal, one of the highest accolades in Anthropology. 

Professor Nayanika Mookherjee wearing a green top looking seriously at the camera

Medical humanities pioneer to oversee influential bioethics council

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.
Professor Jane Macnaughton looking directly to camera with a light coloured background

Climate change and the so-called Third Pole

Dr Ben Campbell from our Anthropology Department explores increasing concern about climate change and the melting of the Earth’s North and South Poles, but challenges us to consider the so-called Third Pole, the Himalaya-Karakoram mountains, and look beyond climate change as a matter of technical solutions to re-thinking our relationship with the planet.
A pictures of houses built into the Himalaya-Karakoram mountains
Lecturer doing a presentation to an audience

Taught Masters Degrees

We offer a range of postgraduate taught programmes offering the opportunity to pursue advance specialist courses across Social, Health and Evolutionary Anthropology.

Explore our Taught Masters Degrees
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Research Degrees

A vibrant postgraduate research community gives you one of the most diverse and exciting research environments in the UK. Together we carry out research on every inhabited continent including everything from primate behaviour to rhetoric culture and indigenous knowledge to internet technologies.

Explore our Research Degree options

Get in touch

Contact us to find out more about undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities in our Department.

Department of Anthropology

Durham University
Dawson Building
South Road
Durham, DH1 3LE

 

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