Maggie Sardino

Peer-to-peer learning

One of the most valuable parts about studying my programme at Goldsmiths was learning from a group of community practitioners.

The MA in Applied Anthropology brings together individuals who have extensive experience with community work, including in the youth and arts sectors.

Shared experiences fostering community

Within and outside of class, our cohort shared our experiences and the lessons we learned by engaging in community work. My peers challenged me to think about issues relating to housing and planning from different disciplinary lenses and community contexts.

They encouraged me to ask difficult questions about the role of funding in housing advocacy, the constellation of planning policies informing these issues, and the central role of racial and class inequality in organising.

The MA in Applied Anthropology changed my understanding of what it means to bridge theory and practice, in large part because of the intellectual generosity of my peers and the community we were able to create together. I am grateful for each of them.

Benefits of studying in South East London

There are many incredible things about studying in New Cross and South East London. There are lovely coffee shops and restaurants close by. Mughead Coffee is a favourite of mine.

My favourite part, however, was being surrounded by such a rich history of community development, organising, and advocacy.

It has taken me moving away from this area of London to recognize how unique it was to be growing as a community practitioner and scholar in a place so deeply tied to grassroots activism, especially as it relates to urban planning and housing justice.

Life after Goldsmiths

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Communications at Cornell University. I hope to build off of the research I did during my time at Goldsmiths.

My aim is to examine the role of communication in building housing justice movements and creating more equitable cities.

Advice for future students

There will be difficult moments during your studies. Moments where you question yourself, whether you made the right decision, whether you can actually do it. I certainly asked myself these questions a few times.

In those moments, where you feel uncertain, the most important question to ask yourself is ‘why?’ Why are you pursuing your degree?

Maybe it is to make someone in your life proud of you. Maybe it is because you want to address an issue that has impacted a community you are a part of. Maybe it is because you want to get a job. Maybe you want to do something no one in your family has had the opportunity to do.

Whatever your reason, remind yourself of it in those moments of uncertainty. It may not make all your problems go away, but it will help you to get through them.