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Department of Anthropology
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Research and Impact

We are one of the largest departments of Anthropology in the UK, spanning social anthropology, evolutionary anthropology and the anthropology of health.

In each of these fields we are opening up new areas of enquiry and 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. Diversity across our corridors makes for an intellectually inclusive environment, fostering the academic freedom and confidence to work in new spaces that reinvigorate both the core and boundaries of anthropology in exciting ways.
Projects
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We use methods, theories and analysis from biological and social anthropology to understand the human condition in our rapidly-changing world and provide research for public benefit. From work concerned with development and health to energy and conservation, we believe that all our research can have positive effects in the wider world and we work actively to make sure this happens. 

Our anthropology of health research has been enthusiastically taken up and used in medical and domestic settings across the world. Our research has been cited and used by UNESCO, UNICEF, the NHS, the World Bank, and Mumsnet. Other instances where we reach beyond academia are the anthropology of ethics, energy efficiency and architectural heritage. Our regular research collaborators range from regional partnerships in Britain’s North East to NGOs in South Asia and Africa, hospitals, conservation groups and energy companies. Many of these collaborations have emerged from our work in Durham with the university’s interdisciplinary Research Institutes and Research Centres.

Find out more

FSSH International Brochure

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Health has an extensive global collaboration in research and education with partners across the world, promoting Social Science solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.

The stories presented in our International Brochure demonstrate sustained and positive engagement with international partners, particularly around work with social justice in society and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Our eight departments have funded research projects on every continent.
Find out more in our International Brochure
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What's new?

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Medical humanities pioneer to oversee influential bioethics council

Professor Jane Macnaughton from our Institute for Medical Humanities and Department of Anthropology has been chosen as the next Chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics Governing Board.

Durham news
Professor Jane Macnaughton looking directly to camera with a light coloured background

Alumnus Jeremiah Thoronka makes Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list

Innovator and Founder of Optim Energy, Jeremiah Thoronka has been featured in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list for his success and impact in the Climate Change and Sustainability (Social Impact) sector.
Student news
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Monitoring the UK’s at-risk hedgehogs

We’ve joined a pioneering new three-year pilot to monitor the UK’s hedgehogs and try to reverse the fall in their numbers.
Research news
A hedgehog on the grass facing the camera

New spy cameras reveal surprising behaviours of chacma baboons

An ingenious new camera collar has offered researchers from our Anthropology department an unprecedented glimpse into the secret lives of wild baboons in South Africa.
Research news
Chacma baboons with collar camera

Changing African landscape may have influenced early human communication

The shift from dense forests to open plains in Africa may have caused our ancient ancestors to change their vocal calls, research involving our anthropologists has found.
Global research
A picture of an orangutan

Slow and steady wins the race with primate release

Meet Brek, Kiki de Mpacka, Vue de Loin and Kento – four rescued mandrills who were released back into the wild as part of a project led by our anthropologists.
Research news
A montage image of four mandrills

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).
Global research
A group of people standing in front of a sign that says Indian Institute of Technology Madras
More news

International Day of Peace: Exploring the role of cricket in post-civil-war Sri Lanka

Since the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009, several former international cricketers, politicians and NGOs have made claims that cricket is an important tool for reconciliation. On International Day of Peace, Dr Ben Hildred, from our Department of Anthropology, explains how his research considers the role of cricket in development and peace efforts across the country.

Sri Lankan children playing cricket. A batter has hit the ball.

Bigger animals don’t always have the biggest brains relative to body size – new research

Scientists have long believed that big animals will tend to have big brains, but a new study involving Professor Robert Barton, from our Department of Anthropology, has found that may not be the case.
Three brains at different angles

Durham research has a lasting global impact

We have launched a new Global Research Brochure where we shine a light on some of our incredible researchers who are making a difference in the world.
A globe with lines showing connections between different parts of the world.

Alumnus Jeremiah Thoronka makes Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list

Innovator and Founder of Optim Energy, Jeremiah Thoronka has been featured in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list for his success and impact in the Climate Change and Sustainability (Social Impact) sector.

A man smiling for the camera

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.
Poster for the Anthropology postgraduate conference 2022

Medical humanities pioneer to oversee influential bioethics council

Professor Jane Macnaughton from our Institute for Medical Humanities and Department of Anthropology has been chosen as the next Chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics Governing Board.

Professor Jane Macnaughton looking directly to camera with a light coloured background

Climate change and the so-called Third Pole

Dr Ben Campbell from our Anthropology Department explores increasing concern about climate change and the melting of the Earth’s North and South Poles, but challenges us to consider the so-called Third Pole, the Himalaya-Karakoram mountains, and look beyond climate change as a matter of technical solutions to re-thinking our relationship with the planet.
A pictures of houses built into the Himalaya-Karakoram mountains

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

Prof. Jamie Tehrani from our Anthropology department features in the Netflix series 'Explained'.
Screenshot from Netflix Explained season 3 episode 14