Alumni from the Department of Anthropology

Omar Roomi (BA Anthropology, 2005-08)

Real Estate Paralegal

"After graduating from Goldsmiths, I studied the Graduate Diploma in Law. I then completed the Legal Practice course (LPC) and attained a distinction. Currently I work as a Real Estate Paralegal at Practical Law Company. My work involves supporting property, construction and environment lawyers in preparing material for publication. I look forward to obtaining a training contract at a law firm and to qualifying as a solicitor in the coming years.

The experience of studying Anthropology at Goldsmiths was the most formative element of my educational career. This is a credit to the wonderful team of lecturers and tutors at the department who were approachable, supportive and showed genuine interest in helping me to achieve my goals. Over the years I have been asked why I made the 'jump' from anthropology to the law. I feel that the two disciplines complement each other. Being a lawyer is not simply about reading cases or statute. Solicitors must be able to look at a problem from the client's perspective. Is the solution cost-effective? Will it help to build business relationships? Anthropology is similarly about understanding communities from the grassroots. It is for these reasons that I feel an anthropology degree has taught me to look at the 'big picture'. It serves as an excellent foundation for a number of careers as employers look for a breadth of skills and for candidates who can see the world from different perspective.

That said, gaining a university degree is not simply a rite of passage to get a 'good job'. Anthropology is way to generate intellectual curiosity and a spirit of debate. This is at the heart of the education that the anthropology department at Goldsmiths provides. When I mention that I am an anthropology graduate it always opens an interesting conversation!"

Luciana Saldanha (BA Anthropology and Media, 2005-08)

Playwright

“The degree was fundamental in giving me confidence to take on my current path (and long life dream) as a writer. I am writing you to forward information on my very first play which was selected as one of the winners of the New Writer's Awards 2008 by Angle Theatre in association with Hackney Empire. I am very proud of the fact I am part of the students at Goldsmiths. “

Alexandra Parry (BA Anthropology and Media, 2005-08)

Artist

"I am an artist who works in public space to produce projects that connect people with each other and the environment they are in. In 2010 I received funding to commission a local architect to design a dining table, which was then installed as a permanent structure on Walthamstow Marsh in London. The table is a place for people to meet, eat their food and enjoy the Marshes.
Other projects include The Treehouse Gallery in Regents Park, which involved two Treehouses being constructed in the Park and a program of over fifty free events available for the public to participate in (www.thetreehousegallery.org). In 2008 I initiated the project The Knowledge Shop in India, which explore people's relations to place through drawing. (www.theknowledgeshop.net)

Studying Anthropology at Goldsmiths gave me an insight into cultures and societies throughout the world. The understanding I gained from this learning allowed me to imagine possibilities and ways in which my own society could be different. The department was a really stimulating environment to be in and conversations with fellow students were often continued long after the seminar in the café across the road. My experience at Goldsmiths has influenced my work hugely and I continue to be inspired by my time there."

Luis Croquer (BA Anthropology and Communication, 1992 (now BA Anthropology and Media) 

Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit

Luis Croquer received a BA in Anthropology and Communications at Goldsmith's College in London in 1992.

Martin Williams (MA Social Anthropology, 2004-06)

BBC Radio researcher and producer

“The Social Anthropology MA at Goldsmiths provided for me a context in which to do a lot of reading. The individual classes were mostly very good, but there was openness enough to use them as a starting point, a framework on which to hang lots of other readings and thoughts.”

Sana F. Malik (MA Social Anthropology, 2007-08)

Research Associate, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Tutor at the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore

“I chose Goldsmiths because of its dynamic character, and welcoming atmosphere. The Anthropology Department had a very friendly and helpful approach towards its students…. Our professors encouraged us to explore and be as creative as possible, supporting us in our wildest ideas; my course mates wrote their MA dissertations on themes as varied as ethics of eco-burial in coral reefs to the application of anthropology in corporate environments!”

Jenny Roussou (MA Social Anthropology, 2003-04)

PhD in Social Anthropology at UCL

“I have always perceived Goldsmiths College as creatively diverse and culturally colourful. It has a creative pulse, a strong humanitarian touch, and an artistic vibe which has always made me feel inspired and motivated. It feels comfortably warm and familiarly relaxing. Academically speaking, arts, humanities and social sciences have always appeared to cooperate in the College, and to engage in a constructive dialogue and not in a competitive conflict.  

So, what have I enjoyed about being part of the Goldsmiths community? Ideological freedom, inspiration that led to creativity, the joy of meeting people from all over the world, intellectual vigour, cultural journeys. And, if I want to be totally honest, what I mostly enjoyed throughout the year I spent at Goldsmiths was the lectures of our beloved professor Brian Morris!

Martin Hampton (MA Visual Anthropology, 2006-07)

Independent Filmmaker

With a grant from the Centre for Visual Anthropology at Goldsmiths, Martin presented his end of year film ‘Possessed’ at film festivals around the world. He has recently been pitching ideas for documentary films to Channel 4 and is now about to direct a short documentary series with Yipp Films.  

“[At Goldsmiths] there was a great mixture of international students of different ages and backgrounds, which made discussions interesting and wide ranging.”

[Oct 2010] Martin's film The Art and Letters of Gaugin is part of the Gaugin: Maker of Myth exhibition at the Tate Modern

www.martinhampton.com

Ed Owles (MA Visual Anthropology, 2005-06)

Independent Filmmaker

Ed has worked entirely on a freelance basis in a variety of roles: director, researcher, and cameraman. He recently directed eight short documentaries for broadcast including four ‘3 Minute Wonders’ for Channel 4.  Ed makes films for NGOs, runs participative film workshops for young people and works closely with the Education officer at the Royal Anthropological Institute.

“For me the most enjoyable aspect [of the MA Visual Anthropology] was the balance between theory and practice. Being able to apply some of the anthropological theory I had studied previously at undergraduate level in the visual medium was a great experience. The course gives you the space and time to experiment so that you end it with a wide range of skills and puts you in a really good position to pursue whatever path you decide upon.”
www.postcodefilms.com