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Ruth First Wing named in honour of anti-apartheid activist and former Sociology lecturer

1 July 2026
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A group of about 20 people stand on either side of a sign that reads Ruth First Wing.

Part of the new home for our Department of Sociology has been named in honour of anti-apartheid activist, writer, journalist and lecturer Ruth First.

Ruth, who lectured in Sociology at Durham University in the 1970s, was a fearless campaigner against racial segregation and discrimination in her native South Africa.

In 1982, while working in Mozambique, she was assassinated by South Africa’s police who had concealed a letter bomb inside a parcel.

Commitment to human rights

In recognition of Ruth’s commitment to human rights and her outstanding scholarship, part of Sociology’s new home on Durham’s Mill Hill Lane has been named The Ruth First Wing.

A sign marking the wing was officially commemorated alongside the Ruth First Display, which includes her typewriter and books, articles, and copies of her correspondence.

The event was attended by our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O’Brien, and Professor Martin Evans, Executive Dean for Social Sciences.

University staff and students, including members of our Department of Sociology, were also represented, along with members of the Ruth First Educational Trust.

A black and white portrait photograph of Ruth First. Ruth is pictured in profile to the camera. She is smiling while resting her chin on her clasped hands.

Ruth First, who lectured in Sociology at Durham University in the 1970s, was a fearless campaigner against racial segregation and discrimination in her native South Africa.

The Ruth First Educational Trust supports the Ruth First Scholarship, which enables students from southern Africa to undertake postgraduate study at Durham University.

The naming event was followed by the Ruth First Scholar Seminar. At the event, speakers talked about subjects bridging communities to data-driven development and being a woman in hydropower.

Friends of Sociology

The day also saw the launch of the Friends of Sociology project, encouraging former students, colleagues, and others connected with the department to become part of its community.

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