The Royal Anthropological Institute’s Education programme Discover Anthropology has been set up to develop actions and strategies to inform teachers and young people about anthropology as a university subject, and to bring the subject more generally into pre-university education. Anthropology, the study of what it means to be human across different societies, cultures and histories, is not currently taught in schools and colleges in the UK and compared to other social sciences anthropology undergraduate degrees attract fewer students from widening participation target groups. Yet the discipline of anthropology has a distinctive, and vital, contribution to make to understanding the world today. Anthropology offers a deep understanding of how different societies work, how people live, their beliefs, customs, ideas, prejudices and aspirations. In an era when global understanding and recognition of diverse ways of seeing the world are of critical social, political and economic importance, anthropology has a central role to play in education.

The Discover Anthropology education programme aims to 1) provide good quality accessible information for students considering studying anthropology at university 2) to create a series of regular events and activities for young people and teachers and 3) produce resources for teachers that draw upon the insights of anthropology. The programme will be represented by a dedicated website shortly. From 2005-2006 the programme was funded through the AimHigher National Activity programme. From 2007-2010 the programme will be funded by the Economics and Social Research Council.

Current Projects

Discover Anthropology Website

This ESRC funded website is an extensive resource for teachers, students, and the general public to learn about Anthropology in its broadest sense. The website provides information about jobs, interviews with anthropologists, events, organisations, ways to get involved in Anthropology, information about anthropology's sub-disciplines and the subject's role amongst the social sciences. The floating museum (below) will be encompassed within this website. This website is in the process of development, and will be launched April 2009.

The Floating Museum Website

This MLA funded project, draws together the RAI’s archival photographs and manuscripts in addition to contemporary forms of media to produce an e-learning site for students, teachers and the general public. The aim of the site is to provide an interactive e-learning environment where people can engage with Citizenship and Anthropological concerns and debates. The website is in its final stages of development and will be launched shortly. Please revisit this page in February 2009 for an active link to the site.

A-Level Anthropology

Throughout 2008, the RAI has been working closely with the AQA awarding body on the development of a GCE A level qualification in anthropology. The subject specification and course content are close to final, and await accreditation by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). If you are a teacher who is interested in being updated on the development of the A-level and contributing to discussions and piloting of materials, please join our enthusiastic group of teachers. For more information, email Nafisa at: education@therai.org.uk.

Future Events

ESRC Festival of Social Science March 2009

We have two major events for the festival one at the Royal Botanical Gardens, called The Social Life of Plants on Saturday March 7th 2009 and Exploring Food, Connecting Communities at the British Museum on Sunday March 8th 2009. These two events will be followed by a series of film screenings entitled People, Plants, Food and Film, held at the RAI.

London Anthropology Day July 2009

London Anthropology Day is taking place in July at the British Museum. We are always looking for enthusiastic anthropology undergraduates to volunteer on the day. If you are interested in being a volunteer email: education@therai.org.uk Please visit our website: www.londonanthropologyday.co.uk for updates and further information.

Leeds International Ethnographic Film Festival July 2009

The 11th RAI Internaitonal Festival of Ethnographic Film is taking place on th 1st-4th of July 2009 at Leeds Met University. For more information visit:

www.raifilmfest.org.uk.

Past Events

London Anthropology Day 2008

LAD 2008

London Anthropology Day 2008 at the British Museum was an enormous success with over 250 participants attending and 17 universities providing informative and interactive workshops to students, teachers and the general public interested in learning about Anthropology. For more information about this day and previous London Anthropology Days please visit our website: www.londonanthropologyday.co.uk.

Publications

This brochure provides a brief introduction to what anthropology is about. It includes information on how to get involved in anthropological events and organisations, study the subject at university and about anthropologists’ work in various sectors. The brochure is suitable for beginners to anthropology who want to learn more about the subject. To order your free copy please email: education@therai.org.uk and include your name and address.

This brochure looks at why anthropology is unique amongst the human sciences, the skill set students acquire with their anthropology degree, and the various careers students can explore after university. There are real life case studies, useful job links, and tips on how to apply to jobs. This guide is specifically but not exclusively for four groups of people: A-level students thinking of studying anthropology at university, undergraduate anthropology students, recent graduates entering the workforce, and educators involved in career services.To order your free copy please email: education@therai.org.uk and include your name and address.

The RAI maintains a free weekly events blog for anyone interested in anthropology. This is a great way for those new to the discipline to explore anthropology through film, art, books, and events. There is always something new each week. Visit: www.anthropologistabouttown.blogspot.com.

The Royal Anthropological Institute, the National Network for Teaching and Learning, and the University of Durham worked collaboratively on Discovering Anthropology. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in anthropology. The electronic version of Discovering Anthropology is available free on-line here.

For more information on the Education Progamme itself or any of the above projects, events or publications, please contact the RAI’s Education Officer, Nafisa Fera on education@therai.org.uk or Tel: 020 7387 0455.

(Back to top)