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

London Anthropology Day July 2009

The London Anthropology Day is a university taster day for Year 12, 13 and FE students, career advisors and teachers. Organised by the RAI’s Education Outreach Programme in collaboration with the British Museum and participating universities, it is one of the largest events in the UK aimed at promoting public engagement with Anthropology. The day includes interactive workshops, films and exhibitions, where participants gain hands-on experience of what its like to study anthropology at university, learn about careers and find out what 16 universities in Britain have to offer.

Participating universities of this year’s event include: University of Bristol, Brunel University, University of Cambridge, Durham University, Goldsmiths, University of Kent, Liverpool John Moores University, LSE, Manchester, Oxford Brookes, Queen’s University Belfast, Roehampton, UCL, UEL, University of Sussex, and University of Wales Lampeter.

The event will take place on 9 July 2009 at the British Museum’s Clore Centre from 9:30am-4:30pm. For more information and to book a free place please visit www.londonanthropologyday.co.uk.

Leeds International Ethnographic Film Festival July 2009

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

www.raifilmfest.org.uk.

Wales Anthropology Day June 2009

Wales Anthropology Day is 19 June 2009 at the University of Wales Lampeter.

Wales Anthropology Day is a free annual university taster day for people interested in pursuing studies in Anthropology at university. The event is held every June at University of Wales, Lampeter. Similar to the London Anthropology Day, the day is focused on providing interactive workshops, films and talks on what anthropology is about, what anthropologists do, and what it is like to study the discipline at university.

Every year the RAI’s Education Outreach Programme delivers a workshop at the Wales Anthropology Day. This year, Nafisa Fera teams up with Anthropologist and documentary film maker Tom Sheahan to engage in a critical discussion of the BBC series ‘Around the world in 80 faiths’. Tom worked on some of the African and Middle Eastern sections of the series. The series involved a part-time Anglican Vicar Peter Owen travelling the globe to explore, and take part in some of the most important rituals of 80 of the world’s faiths. Participants will have a an opportunity to watch some of the series along with excerpts from other ethnographic films, and ask questions to Tom about his role in producing the series, and what its like for an Anthropologist to work on documentary films aimed for the general public and mainstream TV.

For further information about the Wales Anthropology Day visit: www.walesanthropologyday.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.

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