Peter Oakley

Peter Oakley is a Professor of Material Culture at the Royal College of Art's School of Arts & Humanities, where he also serves as Co-Lead of the Material Engagements Research Cluster. His academic work bridges anthropology, creative practice, science and technology studies, and industrial heritage through ethnographic, experiential, and object-based research methodologies.

Education

• PhD in Anthropology, University College London (2013)

Peter Oakley specializes in the anthropology of materials and making, with particular expertise in sustainability across the crafts and applied arts. His research focuses on two main interconnected areas: the social, environmental, and ecological consequences of metal extraction, refining, and assaying throughout history, and the development of sustainable practices within contemporary craft communities. He employs ethnographic, experiential, and object-focused methodologies to examine material culture from multiple perspectives.

Analysis of Professor Oakley's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the intersection of material culture, sustainability, and ethical practices. His work spans historical examinations of mining heritage and contemporary investigations into ethical gold certification programs, with a particular emphasis on the social and environmental impacts of material extraction and use. There is a clear trajectory toward increasingly applied research addressing current sustainability challenges in the creative industries.

Research Leadership and Funding

• UK Principal Investigator for "Toxic Heritage: Socio-natural Landscapes of Extraction and Pollution in the Harz and Cornwall" (AHRC-DFG funded, 2025-2028)
• Principal Investigator for "Embedding Carbon Literacy in the Applied Arts" (RCA Impact Development Scheme, 2023-2025)
• Principal Investigator for multiple AHRC-funded projects including "Carbon Measurement Tools in the Creative Industries" (2022-2023)
• Principal Investigator for international projects in Thailand, Kazakhstan, and other regions focusing on sustainable craft practices

Professor Oakley actively supervises PhD candidates, currently advising Enitan Bankole-Race and Yu Lun Eve Lin, with previous successful completion of Wuthigrai Siriphon's doctoral work. His supervision focuses on material culture approaches to creative disciplines and traditional manual skills. Beyond direct supervision, he has led numerous research teams and secured funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Global Challenges Research Fund, and Special Priorities Fund to support sustainability initiatives across the creative industries.

As Co-Lead of the Material Engagements Research Cluster at the RCA, Professor Oakley collaborates with researchers across disciplines to advance understanding of material practices and sustainable approaches in the creative sector. His work connects academic research with practical applications through partnerships with craft communities in the UK and internationally, particularly in Thailand, Scotland, and Germany.