Department of Anthropology

Welcome to Anthropology at Durham
We are one of the largest Anthropology Departments in the UK and one of only a few to span Social Anthropology, Evolutionary Anthropology and Anthropology of Health. Our graduates have the opportunity to explore the full breadth of Anthropology or specialise in one of our sub-disciplinary areas. We are the only UK department to offer a residential field course (UK and international destinations) to all our undergraduate students.
Study with us
Undergraduate study
Our undergraduate courses introduce you to the comparative and evolutionary study of humans and draw on a range of social, cultural and biological approaches.
Postgraduate study
Our taught Masters offer you the opportunity to pursue advanced specialist courses and ‘conversion’ from other degrees. If you’re a PhD applicant, the sheer number of staff here means you are likely to find someone who can supervise and nurture your research interests.
Our research
Find out more
What's new?
Research inspires podcast drama about tobacco addiction
Research by our Anthropology department has provided the inspiration for a podcast drama looking at the history of smoking and tobacco addiction.

Traded species have distinctive life histories with extended reproductive lifecycles
Birds build hanging-nests to protect offspring from nest invaders
Exploring the Victorian Occult
Can you help record the UK’s mammal activity?
£2bn cost of mental ill health ‘parallel pandemic’
In memoriam: Dr Iain Edgar 1948 - 2021
Give bidi cigarette rollers a voice to find new jobs, researchers say
India’s bidi cigarette workers need to be at the heart of discussions about finding alternatives to working in the tobacco industry, according to a new study.

COP26 Universities Network: Transition to post-carbon economy must be inclusive
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.

Fairy Tales 'Explained': Prof. Jamie Tehrani features in Netflix series
Prof. Jamie Tehrani from our Anthropology department features in the Netflix series 'Explained'.

Congratulations to our summer 2021 Anthropology graduates!
The impact of Covid-19 on mothers working in UK Higher Education Institutions
Student updates and Social Media
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Highlights
So… You’re thinking of studying Anthropology
My First-Generation University Experience
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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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