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Durham Cultural Evolution Research Centre

Interdisciplinary study of cultural change and diversity
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About Durham Cultural Evolution Research Centre

We are a highly interdisciplinary group of researchers using evolutionary models to study cultural change and diversity.

We apply cultural evolutionary methods to a wide variety of topics including cognition, innovation, social learning, technology, art, music, narrative, religion, sociality, language and communication. We have a growing interest in applying cultural evolutionary theory to current societal challenges such as understanding the spread of prosocial health behaviours and health conspiracies.
Our People
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About Our Research

Our research involves observational studies, experiments, analyses of large secondary datasets, phylogenetic methods and mathematical modelling.  

We are a welcoming and outward-facing group, meeting regularly to discuss current topics and articles in cultural evolution in an informal, friendly environment. We welcome new members from a wide range of disciplines with interests that may intersect with the field of cultural evolution – please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Co-Directors (Dr Sheina Lew-Levy & Dr Bruce Rawlings) if you would like to join the group, give a talk or just find out more about us.  

The Centre has strong links with the  Cultural Evolution Society, of which Professor Rachel Kendal was president from 2018 to 2020.  

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Get in Touch

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Co-Directors (Dr Sheina Lew-Levy & Dr Bruce Rawlings) if you have any questions.

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    • Contact Us

    Durham Cultural Evolution Research Centre (DCERC)

    Durham University

    South Road

    Durham, DH1 3LE

    United Kingdom 


    Tel. +44 (0)191 334 1630