In the Department of Anthropology at Durham University 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, such as (but not limited to) students local to Durham and the surrounding area, mature students, BAME students, First Generation Scholars, disabled students, international students and students from areas of the UK where few people attend University. Diversifying our student community is not just a ‘box ticking’ exercise – welcoming a more varied cohort of students means including more diverse perspectives and experiences, which can only strengthen our academic practice. You can read more about what we are doing as a department and at the University level to achieve this end below.
We run a variety of initiatives within the 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.
Decolonising the curriculum
Anthropology has been shaped by a history of colonialism and inequality which we must recognise and challenge today. We are committed to anti-racism and have been actively working to decolonise anthropology in our teaching and research for some time. For further information see our 2020 Statement on Decolonising Anthropology. Our work on decolonisation is led by Dr Jordan Mullard, who has developed an optional module on Decolonising Anthropology for final year undergraduates to encourage critical reflection on the legacies of colonialism in our subject. We also offer a third year optional module in Violence and Memory, developed by Prof Nayanika Mookherjee, which includes teaching on the histories of slavery and mining, encouraging wider literacy on race and class issues. This module was highlighted as one of the best examples of decolonisation within the University by the Faculty in 2021. Prof Jo Setchell is also leading extensive efforts to decolonise our evolutionary anthropology curriculum. In 2017, Prof Nayanika Mookherjee co-founded the University’s BAME network, in which she remains active along with other members of our department (Prof Simone Abram, Prof Yulia Egorova, Dr Jordan Mullard).
First generation scholars
The term ‘First Generation Scholars’ typically refers to students whose parents do not have University degrees, but also those from a wider range of ‘non-traditional’ backgrounds. Our First Generation Scholars’ Network aims to demystify the culture and ‘unwritten rules’ at University which may be unfamiliar to FGS students, celebrate the valuable insights and knowledge that First Generation Scholars bring to university life and form a supportive network. The Anthropology FGS Network, the first at Durham University, was established by Dr 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 Catherine Marley or Prof Kate Hampshire.
Mature students
The Anthropology Mature Students’ Group (MSG) is a casual, social group for mature students in the department. 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 mature student group 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.
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.
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
For more information on widening participation initiatives at Durham University, please see the University webpage here.
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