News

Durham University in £6 million venture to develop world-leading science in North of England

(7 November 2006)

Durham University is part of a new £6 million project that aims to transform the North into a world class research centre set to rival the “golden triangle” of Cambridge, Oxford and London and the ‘Ivy league’ universities of the United States.

The N8 project is funded by Northern Way, a partnership between regional development agencies including One NorthEast, and will allow scientists from Durham University to collaborate with other pioneering research centres in a virtual network of research-intensive universities in the North including Liverpool, Lancaster, Manchester, York, Sheffield, Leeds and Newcastle. Scientists at Durham University will share their expertise with the other Northern Universities in five key research areas – energy, sustainable water use, ageing and related health issues, regenerative medicine, and molecular engineering. Investing in these areas, and working together with local business, the N8 universities will contribute to the North’s hi-tech industry and increase the region’s economic growth, in an effort to close the £30billion output gap between the North and the South. Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper, said: "We know that our universities are paramount to our cities being able to compete on the global stage. These new centres are a real opportunity for the North to become world leaders in new technologies that will create jobs and boost prosperity in the region. “But while this is an important step, we need to go further. The challenge should be to strive for an Ivy league of universities for the North that can rival the very best in academic excellence, and drive forward innovation and productivity." Professor Phil Jones, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Durham University commented: “This initiative has the potential to effect positive change in the North of England. Durham University is delighted to be involved in it and we welcome today’s funding announcement. “Durham already has very strong collaborative links with most of the research intensive universities in the North and its research strengths will bring a lot to each of the five research centres. As well as having strong research in molecular science, alternative energy and sustainable water use, we have very good links in polymer science with Sheffield and Leeds and collaborate closely with Newcastle and the NHS on stem cells and regenerative medicine.”