In what has been an extraordinary year, the School of Anthropology and Conservation have still managed to come out with some incredible achievements and exciting news. This is just what’s happened over the last few months.
New Study Opportunities
- We launched an exciting new undergraduate programme! Our new Human Biology and Behaviour BSc (Hons) is a unique course that explores what it is to be human, studying topics such as sex and reproduction, evolution and our anatomy. It offers the options of a year abroad or a year in industry to gain further experience.
- Applications for a number of different research Scholarships opened in December. They ranged from opportunities for Masters students to PhD Graduate Teaching Assistant roles.
We’ve kept connected:
- The Centre of Biocultural Diversity and the Royal Anthropological Institute jointly held a virtual event to celebrate the launch of The Nuaulu World of Plants & Nature Wars by Professor Roy Ellen.
- The Schools within the Division of Human and Social Sciences connected to provide weekly films for all to watch, and come together each Friday to discuss the films, chaired by the academic that suggested them. The Revive Film Festival allowed people to connect during these potential isolating times.
- Some members of the School of Anthropology recommended their favourite books for the holiday break. Books can provide a necessary break from reality, and the recommendations gave insights to the personal lives of academics and students alike.
We focussed on mental health and eco anxiety:
- Human Ecology student Natasha Jacobs wrote the third installment in the series on eco-anxiety, sharing her experiences with an eco-anxiety classroom created to help people process their anxiety and work through it productively. Natasha discussed how to take back agency and rewrite your story.
- Human Geography student and Treasurer for the UKC Mindfulness Society Joshua Stevens also discussed eco-anxiety, and the importance of being kind to yourself. By using mindfulness, you can learn how to respond, rather than react, to climate change.
Groundbreaking Research
- Research from the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) has informed a report on the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to conservation efforts, which has historically been overlooked. The Study had contributions from a plethora of current DICE members and alumni but was co-authored by Gwilli Gibbon, currently completing his PhD and Thomas Wordsell, Ethnobotany MSc alumnus.
- A research team from the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) has analysed ecological changes occurring under policies equivalent to Biodiversity Net Gain in four early-adopting council. The research found that there has been a lack of follow through on promises made by developers to offset the damages made by projects. The study has not yet been published, but was presented at the 2020 Festival of Ecology.
Keep up to date with the latest news from the School of Anthropology and Conservation