The October Anthropologist is a global anthropological consultancy specializing in anthropological research for a variety of purposes: from public art and education to innovation and design.  Nazima Kadir, the principal, is an anthropologist with a PhD from Yale with over 20 years of experience conducting and applying anthropological research. Her book, The Autonomous Life, published by Manchester University Press, was shortlisted for the BBC Ethnography award. It was featured on Radio 4 and Wired magazine.

Our project, ‘Baristas Under Brexit‘ was part of the inaugural Brent Biennial, held 19 September – 30 December 2020.  

The October Anthropologist team conducted research into the lives of Southern and Eastern European immigrants who worked as baristas in London cafes. The project examined their invisible contributions and how their educational and cultural backgrounds were essential to the carefully crafted café culture in London.

Our interviews uncovered stories about their lives and labour histories, including discriminatory barriers that prevented Southern and Eastern European baristas from using their education and employment skills in London’s labour market.  The project ultimately revealed multiple layers of what it meant to be an European immigrant in London today in the shadow of Brexit and in the midst of the global pandemic. 

Working with Abäke, a transdisciplinary graphic design collective, our team analyzed and translated the research findings into a series of visual assets using the lexicon of specialist London cafes. Research findings and the visual assets were presented online on 3 October 2020 as a culmination of the project.

Visual Artifacts: The October Anthropologist/Åbäke   Photographs © Hydar Dewachi