UWTSD Lampeter Student to Be Published in Anthropology Now

Lucinda Walker, a third year Anthropology student at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, has had an article accepted for publication in the international publication, Anthropology Now. She submitted a paper to the popular journal and was quickly informed that the article would be published in the April edition.

The article explores the agency of light, exploring complex and in-depth concepts that tackle the themes of materiality and immateriality. Lucinda’s fieldwork experience in Zimbabwe with the charity Love Zimbabwe was the foundation for the article in which analyses her experience and how this contributed to her research.

“I’ve been to Zimbabwe with the charity Love Zimbabwe twice since starting my course at UWTSD,” says Lucinda.  “This has been a fantastic experience.  I’ve taken part in voluntary work, living in villages, visiting the Domboshawa caves and building keyhole gardens for water projects.

“After returning to University, I decided to focus my dissertation on light – the commodification of light and its impact on society. In the module Materialities in Anthropology, I created sculptures out of rubbish inspired by the caves in Domboshawa – looking at how light changes their form and how light can make material objects immaterial.  I then further explored this theme in the paper I submitted to Anthropology Now.”

The paper has been commended by the journal’s editors with one of them commenting, “It is very creative…..I’ve never read anthropological work on light and lighting before, this is a very original direction to go!” Lucinda is now looking forward to seeing her work published and is working on further papers that she’s keen to submit to other academic publications.

“This is really exciting,” says Lucinda.  “I never thought I’d have a paper published as an undergraduate.  I now want to continue writing.  This experience – along with the fantastic support of my lecturers – has given me the confidence to carry on.”

UWTSD Anthropology Programme Director, Luci Attala, is extremely proud of Lucinda’s success.

“I am absolutely thrilled with Lucinda’s achievements,” says Luci. “Her work illustrates the real-world value of Anthropology and how the discipline can be used to make the world a better place. Lucinda’s work should inspire others to both reflect on their contribution to the world and to act to make a difference. From her research and work with the charity Love Zimbabwe, Lucinda is now considering the social consequences of the commodification of light in rural Zimbabwe. She should be very proud of herself! I know I am proud of her!”

Lucinda will graduate from UWTSD this summer and has her sights firmly set on working in International Development.   In the meantime, Lucinda is continuing to work with Love Zimbabwe, taking on a role as a charity trustee.