Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Notification: Lucy's on research leave

Dear readers,
Lucy is away on research leave until the end of this month. The blog will be back in full force in the first week of November. Until then, Lucy encourages you to get out and about and experience anthropology in action!

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Diary for 8th October to 14th October 2009


DEADLINE EXTENDED! Less than a month to go to submit your cartoons to the Royal Anthropological Institute's International Anthropology Cartoon Contest

We've received numerous requests to extend the deadline of the cartoon competition. The new deadline is November 10th 2009. The aims of the contest are to promote public engagement and exchange of ideas in anthropology as well as to add outstanding work to the published material for the RAI's upcoming website: Discover Anthropology (to be launched in November).



The cartoon is part of a series of new initiatives to be launched by the Education Outreach Programme. We hope these activities will provide opportunities for people with a passion for anthropology to share their work and take an active involvement in the discipline.


What we are looking for:

The contest is looking for cartoons that explore anthropological topics and ideas in a comical, original and engaging way. The aim is to get participants to 'think outside the box' and be creative in how they explore the subject. Participants will be judged based on the originality of their work and the integration of anthropological concepts, rather than solely on artistic merit. Entries from outside of Britain are welcome, but the cartoons must be in English.

Anthropological topics that could be explored:

There are endless possibilities of subjects that you could be creative with and here are a few suggestions: human evolution, fossil discoveries, forensics, cultural traditions, ceremonies and rituals, beauty and fashion, fieldwork, tourism and facebook.



Who can participate?

The competition is open to high school and sixth form students undergraduate and postgraduate anthropology students, and anyone who is interested in and passionate about Anthropology.

What do contestants win?

All short-listed and winning contestants will ave their work published on the RAI's Discover Anthropology website (upcoming) and some RAI publications.

1st Prize: An iPod shuffle, one year's free membership of the RAI, and a published interview with the RAI's Education Officer

2nd Prize: One year's free membership of the RAI

3rd Prize: An anthropology book and a visual anthropology student film




Examples of existing anthropological cartoons:













































How can I submit my work?

All applicants must fill in a registration form which can be found on the following website: www.therai.org.uk/education/education and send it with their cartoon submission.

  • Each participant can submit a maximum of two cartoon
  • The cartoon can be single panel or 2-4 panels (as you would see in the back of a newspaper such as the The London Paper, or The Guardian)
  • Cartoons may be in black and white or colour and may be drawn using any technique.
  • Cartoons can range from A5 size (5"X8") sheet of paper to maximum of A4 size (8''x11") Cartoons larger than an A4 size sheet of paper will be excluded from the competition.
  • Submissions can be sent by post or email. If you send your cartoons by post please make the package out to: Nafisa Fera, Education Officer, Royal Anthropological Institute, 50 Fitzroy St. London W1T-5BT
  • If you choose to send your submission electronically, please provide a high resolution JPEG of your cartoon. The JPEG will have to be less than 10 MB in order for us to receive it. Please email all submissions to the RAI's Education Officer, Nafisa Fera at education@therai.org.uk
  • Any submissions which are unethical or disrespectful of anyone or any group of people will not be eligible. Any cartoons which have been plagiarised will also not be eligible.

For full details of the competition and an application form visit: www.therai.org.uk/education/education

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Diary for Thursday 24th Septmber to 30th September 2009

Thursday 24th September- The Art of Polish Paper Cuts

There are only a few more days before the Wycinanki temporary exhibition leaves the Horniman Museum. The exhibition looks at the traditional Polish folk art of cutting paper. This art form is still popular and widely practiced in Kurpie and Lowicz. Artists use their skills in cutting, mounting and layering coloured paper to create intricate designs depicting various elements such as landscape, and culturally symbolic patterns. Admission is free.





Friday 25th September- Bicycle Frenzy

Today I am heading to the Barbican to see two films which are part of this year's Bicycle Film Festival. The festival runs until the 26th September and is a chance for all cycling enthusiasts to get together and enjoy films, talks, experimental performance and everything to do with bicycles. The films tonight include Where are you go: a film about the Tour D'Afrique, the longest bicycle race and expedition in the world; and a shorter film called Made in Queens, about a group of trinketers from Trinidad who create a portable dance party with bicycles. Tickets and showing times can be found here.


Saturday 26th September- Street Food- with love from Beirut


The other day I was wondering down one of the many tiny alleyways in Soho and came across this wonderful small restaurant called Yala Yala which literally translates in Arabic to 'come, come' or 'come on'. The restaurant serves excellent authentic Lebanese food and has an ambiance which inspires you to travel to Lebanon and explore more of the country's culinary delights. I recommend popping in for a bite when you are next in Soho!



Sunday 27th September- Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco

Those of you who are currently doing an undergraduate degree in anthropology degree may have come across Paul Rabinow's ethnography: Reflections on fieldwork in Morocco. Paul Rabinow is currently Professor of Anthropology at University of California (Berkley). His ethnography was published 30 years ago and yet still remains an accessible, interesting book which is pivotal to the discipline. The book cleverly explores the role of the anthropologists, and his informants and the process and relationships involved with undertaking fieldwork. To find out more about his work, take a look at this interview with Dr. Rabinow, filmed by Professor Alan MacFarlane at the University of Cambridge.





Monday 28th September- Cine Lumiere en Espanol

London's Spanish film festival is now in full swing at the Cine Lumiere. In association with the festival, tonight's film entitled 'Una Palabra Tuya' will be held at 7pm at the Shortwave cinema cafe. Directed by Angeles Gonzales Sinde, the film is the story of two friends who after experiencing a series of disappointments have come to suspect that happiness is something they may not deserve in this life. As their lives progress, their paths become entwined, and new directions lead to a hopeful future for one of them and cruel emptiness for the other. Tickets are £3 or £2 concession.


Tuesday 29th September- Riveting Research

For all of you who are near Brunel, or a student at the university there are some great research seminars taking place this autumn term. The series starts off on Thursday October 1st with anthropologist Nicolas Argenti (Brunel) talking about his research on folktales, fosterage and memories of slavery in the Cameroon Grassfields. The seminars are free and everyone regardless of previous background in anthropology are welcome. The seminar will take place from 1pm-2:30pm in Gaskell Building 239 at the Uxbridge campus.


Wednesday 30th September - Remembering Trinidad

In celebration of Black History Month, Lewisham Council has put together an excellent calendar or events, exhibitions, poetry readings aimed at honoring the culture, history and achievements of black and ethnic minorities in Britain. Tomorrow October 1st at the Lewisham Library, acclaimed writer Roger Robinson will be introducing and reading from his new book 'Suckle' an exploratory book about his childhood experiences in Trinidad and Tobago. The event is free and will take place from 8-9:30pm.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Diary for 17th September to 23rd September 2009


Lucy Special: The Royal Anthropological Institute's Annual General Meeting 2009





What is it?
The RAI's AGM meeting is an annual conference in which members and non-members of the RAI are able to meet award-winning anthropologists, find out about RAI activities, socialise with professors, students and fellow enthusiasts, and listen to the Curl lecture.

Who can attend?

The AGM meeting is open to anyone interested in anthropology and is free of charge.

Where is it taking place?

The RAI's AGM meeting will be held at the British Museum's Stevenson Lecture Theatre in the Clore Education Centre. For directions to the museum take a look here.

What time does it start?

The AGM meeting will start at 4:30pm. The agenda is as follows:
1. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of 25th September 2008
2. Annual Report of the Council for 2008
3. Appointment of Auditors
4. Election of Officers and Council for the year 2009-2010
5. Announcement of elections of the Huxley Memorial Lecturer and Henry Myers Lecturer for 2010
6. Presentation of the Rivers Memorial Medial for 2009
7.Presentation of the two Lucy Mair Medals fro 2009
8. AOB


At 5:30pm there will be the Curl lecture given by Dr. Joost Fontein entitled: Graves, Ruins & Belonging: Towards an anthropology of proximity

Dr. Joost Fontein has undertaken extensive research in Zimbabwe. His research interests include anthropology of landscape, nationalism and the post colonial state, water and land reform. He currently teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in anthropology and African Studies at the University of Edinburgh.




What is special about the event?

Every year the RAI presents two very important awards to anthropologists who have made a significant contribution within and beyond the discipline. Their life stories and efforts in the field are incredibly interesting and awe-inspiring for anyone interested in how anthropology can make a difference to the social sciences and the world at large.



The first award is called the Rivers Memorial Medal. The Medal is given to an anthropologist for a recent body of work published over a period of five years which makes, as a whole, a significant contribution to social, physical or cultural anthropology or archaeology.


The 2009 Rivers Memorial Medal will be presented to Professor Wendy James. Professor James is a Fellow of the British Academy and a Professor of Social Anthropology at Oxford. She has undertaken extensive research in Africa (mainly in the Sudan and Ethiopia), and has published numerous publications on fieldwork, folklore, cultural history and relations between minorities and majorities in post-colonial states. For more information and a list of recent publications take a look here.



The second award is the Lucy Mair Medal. This medal is intended to honour the application of anthropology to the relief of poverty and distress, and to the active recognition of human dignity.

This year there will be two anthropologists who will receive the 2009 Lucy Mair Medal: Professor Tom Selwyn and Dr. John Palmer.


Dr.Tom Selwyn is a Professor of Anthropology, specialising in tourism at the London Metropolitan University. Until recently he was the director of two European Commission TEMPUS projects helping to promote and support tourism and cultural industries in Bethlehem, Palestine and in Bosnia-Herzegovina- both through a consortia of European universities. Professor Selwyn was also a member of the coordinating group of the MED-VOICES project which brought together a network of academics and activists to explore tourism and heritage across the Mediterranean.



Dr.John Palmer is a social anthropologist resident in the Chaco, northern Argentina, where he assists the indigenous people Wichi, in their continuing campaign to regain their land-rights. His La voluntad Wichí was published in 2006. His work was recently presented by Simon Reeve in his BBC documentary Tropic of Capricorn. Dr. Palmer and Professor Jeremy MacClancy (Oxford Brookes) support the work of the Oxford-based international organisation Chacolinks, which help the Wichi in their struggle.

The descriptions here are just a glimpse into the fascinating lives of these award-winning anthropologists. The AGM meeting is a chance to meet them, as well as other professors, students, RAI staff and other enthusiasts of the discipline.


Hope to see you there!



Thursday, September 10, 2009

Diary for 10th September to 16th September 2009

Thursday 10th September- University Encore

How many of you would go back to university and enroll as an undergraduate student after being a professor for nearly two decades? Anthropology Professor Cathy Small decided to do so after she realized that she was no longer able to understand or connect to her students. In an attempt to bridge the gap, she decided to enroll as an undergraduate student and follow contemporary college life for a year. Dr. Small has written her experiences and findings under the pseudo name of Rebekah Nathan in an ethnography entitled ' My freshman year: what a professor learned by becoming a student'. To find out more about the book, take a look at this review.




Friday 11th September- Durham embraces Zen

University of Durham's Anthropology Department is having a very interesting guest lecture tonight from 20:15-21:30 at Elvet Riverside, Room 140. The speaker's name is Brad Warner. Brad is a Soto Zen priest, author, blogger and punk rock bass guitarist. Brad spent numerous years living and working in Japan and has blended his interests and experience into three books 'Hardcore Zen' 'Sit Down and Shut Up' and ' Zen wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate'. To find out more about the guest lecture email: jan.deruiter@durham.ac.uk



Saturday 12th September - Food adventures

Many people know Borough market as the market to go to in London in order to sample delicacies from around the world as well as locally grown and sustainable food. This Saturday I am going to explore the Broadway Market which starts from London Fields and goes all the way down to Regent's Canal. There are all sorts of culinary delights from English, French, Caribbean and African cuisines. Interestingly, there is a shop called called Fred Cooke which sells Jelly Eels since 1900s which I will be sure to visit! Take a virtual tour of the market and find out more about what is offered from this website.




Sunday 13th September- AAA Photo competition


The American Anthropological Association is hosting an international photo contest. Current members of the AAA are eligible to send in photographs of any anthropological subject. Entries will be accepted until October 1st 2009 and photographs will be judged for their technical quality, composition and relationship to anthropological work. For submission guidelines, prizes and further details take a look here.




Monday 14th September- World Music Online

The British Library has recently launched new traditional and world music collections online. The collections feature unique field recordings, live performances, and out-of-print commercial releases. The sound archive can be accessed through the following website: http://sounds.bl.uk . For those of you interested in learning more about music from an anthropological lenses, take a look at this page which has various ethnomusicology links to find out more about this specialist area in anthropology.



Tuesday 15th September- In Darwin's Footsteps


Running from the 5th September till 31st January 2010, is a brilliant new exhibit at the Manchester Museum called 'In Darwin's Footsteps'. The exhibit showcases the work of conservationist and wildlife photographer Ben Hall, who has taken photographs of landscapes and wildlife of South America which Darwin explored in his own travels. The exhibition is part of a series of events and talks that are taking place at the museum in celebration of Darwin200. Take a look at some of Ben's stunning work here.




Wednesday 16th September- Hair Art


Next time you go to the barbers or hair salon for a trim, take a look at all the locks that are on the floor. What happens to them? Does most of this hair just go on in the bin? Or does it go to charities which help to make wigs for cancer patients? Perhaps some of it ends up as Art?. In the free Metro newspaper was an article about a barber in China who is making representations of cultural buildings out of the loose cuttings he's received from his clients. Some might think this a novel way of treating hair but in the 18th and 19th centuries hair was also used to make amulets and locks as jewelry. Take a look at this website for more information on hair jewelry.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Diary for 3rd September to 9th September 2009

THURSDAY 3rd September- The comfort of things

If you had to choose objects in your house which were the most significant to you and your life, what would you choose and why? In our capitalist frenzied world are the things we collect just an extension of our egos or our need to fit in? or do they represent something more significant? Today I am heading to the bookstore to look at the new ethnography by professor Daniel Miller called 'The comfort of things'. Daniel Miller is an anthropologist who specialises in teaching and researching material culture at UCL. The book is the result of research he conducted on a single street in London. Dr. Miller and his researchers asked residents of a particular street to discuss the stories, histories and significance of certain objects they hold dear to them in their houses. For anyone interested in material culture this is a fascinating read! If you are interested in learning more about material culture take a look at this website.



FRIDAY 4th September- Extended deadline for cartoon competition

The RAI has received numerous requests to extend the deadline of its International Anthropology Cartoon Contest. The new deadline for submissions is 10th November 2009 The contest is open to anyone interested and passionate about anthropology. The contest is looking for cartoons that explore anthropological ideas in a comical, original and engaging way. Examples of possible subjects to explore include: human evolution, fossil discoveries, forensics, cultural traditions, ceremonies and rituals, beauty and fashion, fieldwork, tourism and Facebook. For more details, submission guidelines and regulations visit: www.therai.org.uk/education/education or email education@therai.org.uk.



SATURDAY 5th September- Bristish Science Festival

Today marks the opening of this year's British Science Festival. The British Science Festival is the biggest science festival in Europe. Every year it attracts thousands of visitors to enjoy science activities, lectures, presentations and films for anyone interested in learning more about science. This year the festival is being held at the University of Surrey in Guilford. The festival runs from the 5th- 10th September. Most events are free or marginal cost. Take a look at the online programme for more details.



SUNDAY 6th September- Exquisite Bodies

I would assume that most of us who are not studying anatomy and are in a relatively healthy condition, rarely think of our internal organs and the complex activities that take place within our bodies . Today I am heading to the Welcome Collection to take a look at life size wax figures whose bodies have been cross sectioned in order to see internal organs , and in some cases lifelike representations of what happens to a body when it is attacked by diseases such as tuberculosis, alcohol and drug addiction. The models were used in the 19th century for medical teaching purposes. For more information about events, activities and videos accompanying the exhibit take a look here. The exhibit will run until the 18th of October 2009.




MONDAY 7th September - Art, Anthropology and Neuroscience

Between the 7th-19th September a multi-disciplinary exhibit entitled Brain Unravelled will be taking place at UCL's Slade Research Centre in Wolborn Square. The exhibit will incorporate art, photography, mixed media, sculpture, textiles, films, talks and events. The exhibit takes a unique approach to exploring the human brain and in particular human consciousness. Amonst people contributing to the exhibit are Antony Gormley, anthropologist Chris Knight, as well as Brian Butterworth, Chris Firth and many more. Take a look at this website for further details.



TUESDAY 8th September- Interested in anthropological research in London?

FiLo presentations by anthropologists Daniel Miller and John is a growing network of anthropologists who are undergoing fieldwork in London. If you are a student of anthropology or are interested in learning about anthropological research taking place in London, you may wish to take part in their workshop that is taking place on 18th September 2009, at iCES in Regents College. The workshop will include keynote talks by anthropologists John Eade and Daniel Miller, as well as poster presentations by FiLo members, discussion of future Filo projects, and a guided walk of central London. For more information and registration email:filo.network@gmail.com or visit the Filo's website.

WEDNESDAY 9th September- Ethknowcentrix

Tomorrow, a unique exhibition entitled 'Ethnowcentrix- Museums Inside the Artist' will open at the October Gallery in London. The exhibit will feature the work of four leading artists from New Zealand and Pacific Islands. Using mixed media and performance work, the artists challenge historical perceptions of the Pacific Islands and the ways in which aspects of their culture have been displayed and classified in museums across Europe and North America. Take a look here for museum opening times and admission details.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Diary for 15th to 26th August 2009

APOLOGIES!
Lucy sincerely apologises for the delay in posting this, but has been in the wilds of the German wine regions of the Rhine valley. She is currently undertaking necessary research on the Riesling wine and brautwerscht. She will be back in full force after the 27th with some great anthropological events and goodies for you. Filen Danke! Chuuus!