Message from the Director

The Wolfson Research Institute exists to foster and disseminate the wide range of research undertaken at Durham University to improve human health and well-being. This is a truly multidisciplinary enterprise, spanning research groups in anthropology, biological and biomedical sciences, education, geography, medicine and medical humanities, philosophy, psychology, social and community work, sociology and sport. The Institute works in partnership with the University’s academic departments and research centres, many of whose members are among the Institute’s hundred or so Fellows.

The Institute has its main building on the University’s Queen’s Campus at Stockton-on-Tees. This impressive riverside campus is part of the transformation of an old industrial area into a world class location for business, education and research. It continues to contribute to the economic and social regeneration of the Tees Valley, and the Institute plays an important role in this respect through partnerships with the National Health Service, local government and community organisations. An important aim of these partnerships is to build a high quality research base that can provide the knowledge to deliver excellent public services in the UK and abroad, capable of achieving outcomes that make a real difference to people’s lives, whether by narrowing inequalities or improving the quality of services, jobs and neighbourhoods for everyone.

The Institute includes well-established strengths in research on primary care, public health, child development, cognitive neuroscience, medical anthropology, health geography, social work and medical humanities. There are also exciting new developments underway, including medical imaging, cardiology, health in Africa, mental health, the well-being of children and young people, health protection and improving local government services.

An important principle of the Wolfson Research Institute is that by working together we can achieve more than working separately. If you are interested in learning more about our work or how you might contribute to our aims we would welcome hearing from you.

Professor Clare Bambra
Director