About Brunel Anthropology
Anthropology was established in Brunel in 1985 by Adam Kuper as part of a Human Sciences grouping that included sociology and psychology. Founding President of the European Association of Social Anthropology, Professor Kuper, who retired in 2008, is well known as a historian of anthropology and an influential figure in the development of the discipline. From the start, a broad training in social science theory has been a cornerstone of teaching at Brunel. Research has been driven by a shared commitment to high quality ethnography and a comparative perspective. Members of the anthropology department have carried out fieldwork in societies across five continents, from South and West Africa to India, New Guinea to multi-ethnic Southall in West London.
As well as covering mainstream social and cultural anthropology, in its quarter-century the anthropology department has pioneered new areas of research and teaching. Ronnie Frankenberg and Cecil Helman, internationally renowned founders of the sub-discipline of medical anthropology, launched Europe’s first (and still biggest) MSc programme in the subfield. An innovative Masters in the anthropology of childhood (now expanded to include education) has spawned similar programmes elsewhere in Europe established by Brunel graduates. Most recently, Brunel launched an MSc in psychological and psychiatric anthropology, the first of its kind outside the US.
The great diversity of research interests in the department can be seen by consulting individual staff pages. But there are key research clusters and established centres intended to pool expertise and develop new lines of enquiry. The Centre for Research in International Medical Anthropology (CRIMA), directed by Melissa Parker, promotes research, teaching and workshops on a range of current issues and policies. It has joint seminars with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The Centre for Anthropological Research on Childhood, Youth and Education (CARCYE), led by Peggy Froerer, co-ordinates research projects and workshops on the anthropology of childhood, youth and education, with strong interests in South Asia and Africa.
