NewVIc announces a new partnership with the University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge and Newham Sixth Form College have come together to enable more students from Newham to progress into the study of African Archaeology and Anthropology.
The University of Cambridge is a collegiate research university in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Founded in 1209 and granted a royal charter by Henry III in 1231, Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's fourth-oldest surviving university. The aim of the partnership is to encourage a more analytical and evaluative view to the role of museums in our culture as well as giving exposure to the topics of archaeology and anthropology which students are only often able to access at the Higher Education level.
The funded project for the partnership has been co-designed by NewVIc teachers, Carina Ancell, Alex Cazaly and The University of Cambridge, focusing on African archaeology and anthropology and the key enquiry question "What role should/do museums play in decolonisation?". Students will explore the history of medieval Africa whilst linking it with contemporary archaeological debates. In particular they will be assessing the ethics around the heritage industry and debates on decolonising museums. NewVIc students will be visiting the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge and students will be putting on their own exhibition about medieval Africa at the college. This will also be combined with a visit to Cambridge University and bespoke lectures from Cambridge professors and students about applying to humanities including archaeology and anthropology based subjects at university.
The college will also be developing educational resources for use in schools and running some teacher training sessions as part of this project. The new partnership aims to support students with academic potential from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, by inspiring and engaging them to look at pathways into archaeology and anthropology where they will be taught real-world skills so students can achieve their ambitions.
Alex Cazaly, Teacher of History at NewVIc and project co-designer, said:
“This project will be an exciting opportunity for students to pursue contemporary ideas surrounding the fields of archaeology and anthropology through a critical lens to inspire thought and interest in the future of the disciplines.”
Carina Ancell, Teacher of History, Honours Programme Manager and project co-designer, added:
“This is an exciting super curricular programme for NewVIc history students who will be studying West African Kingdoms next year. We're looking to explore ideas around how museums can use their space to create discussion around contemporary issues, the role anthropologists and archaeologists played in the past and the role they can play in the present and also the differences and similarities between archaeology and anthropology and views on this. We are really excited to be working with the University of Cambridge on this, helping more and more young people follow their aspirations into archaeology and anthropology.”
Find out more about the University of Cambridge here https://www.cam.ac.uk/