Skip to main content

Department of Anthropology

We are a large, diverse department integrating Evolutionary, Social and Health Anthropology.
Alternative text

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.

Find out more about us
45% of our research was rated as world-leading (REF 2021)
23rd in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
Top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2023
Fieldwork is core to our taught programmes

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 

We have been ranked 23rd in the in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject in 2023. 

The rankings, announced in March 2023 assessed over 18,300 subjects from 1,597 institutions across the world, based on academic and employer reputation, citations per academic paper, impact and quality of research and international research collaboration factors.   

This is up from 29th in 2022!

Recent research carried out by colleagues in our department includes Traded species have distinctive life histories with extended reproductive lifecycles, New equality, diversity and inclusion scheme for energy researchers and Research into tobacco use and addiction.

Durham is a world-leading university. Our academic excellence and impact is reflected in our global rankings and this is a true credit to the outstanding teaching and research carried out at our University.  

Durham is consistently ranked as one of the world’s leading universities. It is ranked 92nd in the QS World University Rankings 2023, 6th in the Guardian University Guide 2023 and Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, and The Complete University Guide 2022. Durham is also regularly ranked in the top ten universities in the UK. 

  

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.

    Students chatting during a seminar

  • 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.

    /media/durham-university/departments-/anthropology/Research_Groups.jpg

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.

Students chatting during a seminar

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.

https://pxl-duracuk.terminalfour.net/fit-in/768x432/filters:format(webp)/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/anthropology/Research_Groups.jpg

Our research

We are opening up new areas of enquiry in the fields of social, evolutionary and health anthropology. We 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.

Find out more

What's new?

Filter:

Durham strengthening ties with India

We are proud to be a global university, with research collaborations, partnerships and student, alumni and employer connections all over the world. As part of this global outlook, we’re very pleased be strengthening our ties with India.

Global Durham
This is the card image's alt text.

How do people care for themselves and others in the face of chronic illness? A study of care relationships among diabetes patients in India

Dr Emilija Zabiliute from our Department of Anthropology shares insights from her research into support and care for diabetes patients in Delhi.
Research news
Diabetes TL

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.
Research news
A man smoking a cigarette

Traded species have distinctive life histories with extended reproductive lifecycles

A new study has revealed that vertebrate species involved in the live wildlife trade have distinctive life history traits that determine the frequency and timing of reproduction.
Research news
Chameleon

Birds build hanging-nests to protect offspring from nest invaders

A new study led by a pioneering researcher from our Department of Anthropology has found that birds build hanging-nests, particularly those with extended entrance tunnels, to help protect offspring against nest invaders like snakes and parasitic cuckoos.
Research news
Bird nest

Exploring the Victorian Occult

As Halloween approaches, we talk to Dr Efram Sera-Shriar, Associate Director of Research for the Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies, International, at Durham. His research explores the study of the occult and its intersection with the sciences. He is the lead organiser for Beyond the Veil: Cross-Cultural & Interdisciplinary Studies of Horror, Gothic, and the Occult in the Nineteenth Century, taking place on Halloween, 31 October.
Research news
Apparition during palm reading from 1869

Can you help record the UK’s mammal activity?

If you’re interested in conservation and ecology, our MammalWeb project needs your help to chart the activity of the UK’s mammals.
Research news
Otters stare at the camera after being caught on a camera trap
More news

Strengthened connections with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

We are delighted to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).

This is the card image's alt text.

Durham strengthening ties with India

We are proud to be a global university, with research collaborations, partnerships and student, alumni and employer connections all over the world. As part of this global outlook, we’re very pleased be strengthening our ties with India.
India visit 2023

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.
2 people rolling bidi cigarettes

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.

This is the card image's alt text.

Fairy Tales 'Explained': Prof. Jamie Tehrani features in Netflix series

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

This is the card image's alt text.

Congratulations to our summer 2021 Anthropology graduates!

The Anthropology Department would like to congratulate each and every one of our 2021 graduates on their degree results.
Students at graduation

The impact of Covid-19 on mothers working in UK Higher Education Institutions

Durham University's Mothers and Mothers-to-be Network (MAMS) has launched a research report: "The impact of Covid-19 on mothers working in UK Higher Education Institutions". The research was led by Anthropology's Fire Kovarovic and other members of the MAMS network from across the university including Michelle Dixon (RIS), Nicole Westmarland and Kirsten Hall (both from Sociology).
infographic depicting the statistic it was impossible for 81% to work uninterrupted with their children home

Student updates and Social Media

Hear from our students in the Department of Anthropology and follow us on social media.

Highlights

So… You’re thinking of studying Anthropology

Find out what it's like studying Anthropology at Durham.
/media/durham-university/departments-/anthropology/Anthropology-Blog2.jpg

My First-Generation University Experience

Anthropology graduate Caitlin tells us about her experience at Durham University.
Students personal desk space covered in books and notes.

Get in touch

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

  • Applicant and Offer Holder Enquiries
  • General Enquiries

    • Department of Anthropology

    Durham University
    Dawson Building
    South Road
    Durham, DH1 3LE

    Questions about studying here?

    Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.

    Ask Us

    Your Durham prospectus

    Order your personalised prospectus and College guide here.

    Order Now