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John Blacking Prize


John Blacking (1928-1990)

What is the prize?

One first prize of £500
Two additional prizes of £250 each

Who can compete?

Students in the lower sixth year of their studies (Year 13) at Northern Irish schools and colleges.

What do I do to win the prize?

Take a photograph based on the theme of ‘Body and Fashion’

Some good tips to create a winning entry 

Anthropologists in the School of History and Anthropology want a picture taken by YOU which best represents an anthropological take on Fashion and the Body. Anthropological studies of human behaviour show that in all parts of the world, people dress and decorate their bodies for a variety of reasons. They use clothes, accessories, hair styles and body art, for example, to distinguish themselves from other groups and individuals, to attract potential partners, to protect themselves against weather conditions, and/or to signal complex symbolic messages about gender, kinship, ritual processes, economic status, or political affiliation. Your photograph should explore this theme in more detail, focussing on how a particular person or group of people use garments, make up, jewellery, tattoos, costumes and/or masks to convey messages about themselves.

The judges will look for photographs that have (1) an original perspective on the theme, (2) a strong composition, (3) a clear rationale in imagery, (4) a strong and relevant title, and (5) a convincing (200 words) explanatory text that explains where and when the photo was taken, and what it is meant to convey.

What is the aim of the prize?

The aim of the John Blacking Prize is to perpetuate the memory and mark the contribution to Anthropology and Ethnomusicology of John Blacking who was Professor of Social Anthropology at Queen’s University Belfast from 1971 until his death in 1990. Three prizes will be awarded annually, a first prize of £500 and two additional prizes of £250 each for the best entry on an anthropological or ethnomusicological subject by a student in the lower sixth year of their studies (Year 13) at a school or college in Northern Ireland.  The theme and mode of entry will be announced annually by the Anthropology and Ethnomusicology Unit at Queen’s.

When is the deadline and how do I submit my entry?

The deadline for submitting your photograph is Friday 30 April 2010.

The school or college submitting the entry or entries must confirm the year of study of the entrant. Entries should be submitted to the Director of Research, Anthropology and Ethnomusicology, School of History and Anthropology, Queen’s University, Belfast BT7 1NN. Email: anthropology@qub.ac.uk

Who are the judges?

Judges are appointed by the Anthropology and Ethnomusicology Research Unit at Queen’s.