Research Centres
The importance of interdisciplinary engagement for advancements in research is well-documented and our department plays an active role in seven thematically-oriented research centres, including the prestigious Institute of Advanced Study.
Interdisciplinary research centres hosted in-department
Durham Centre for Roman Cultural Studies
The aims of this centre are to foster and sustain new research, develop and integrate traditional classical and archaeological scholarship, and to combine these with new ideas drawn from a broader academic spectrum (including both social and natural sciences).
Centre for Iranian Cultural Studies
This centre aims to facilitate and encourage debate, research and the growth of Iranian cultural studies in the UK.
Other research centres the Department of Archaeology is involved with
Centre for the Ethics of Cultural Heritage
The CECH focuses upon the ethical debates surrounding cultural heritage, in particular: relations with indigenous peoples; professional standards and responsibilities; ethical codes; notions of value; concepts of stewardship and custodianship; the meaning and moral implications of 'cultural heritage'; who 'owns' the past or the interpretation of it; roles and responsibilities of museums; the trade in antiquities; opportunities and problems associated with tourism; and the treatment of human remains (including repatriation).
Centre for the History of Medicine and Disease
Established in 2001, this centre produces research focused on the history of medicine, health, disease, and medical ethics.
Centre for the Study of the Ancient Mediterranean and the Near East
This centre aims to promote the study of cultural encounters and exchanges across the ancient world, from India in the East to the Iberian Peninsula in the West and to foster diverse approaches to and perspectives on this area.
The Institute for Medieval and Renaissance Studies
IMRS is one of the most diverse and dynamic centres for Medieval and Renaissance studies in the world. The centre aims to inform the shape of Medieval and Renaissance studies through its researchers and their collaborative, interdisciplinary projects, through its engagement with funding councils and public policy, through its first-rate postgraduate community, and through its national and international impact.
Institute of Advanced Study
Our department also actively participates in initiatives hosted by the Institute of Advanced Study, which brings together some of the world's finest researchers from every discipline to examine themes of major intellectual, scientific, political and practical significance, and serves as a top-level forum, enabling key decision makers and experts to discuss pressing policy problems in an intellectually stimulating and unrestricted manner.
