New sustainability-focused scholarships will be established and student entrepreneurship enhanced thanks to a US $4.15 (£3.2) million donation from tech pioneer, former Netflix executive and Durham alumnus Dr Neil Hunt.

Loneliness has been identified as a major challenge for social work because of its significant impact on health and social care services, particularly for older people. It is linked to conditions like heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.

Professor Harriet Bulkeley, in our Department of Geography, attended the recent Cop16 biodiversity summit where delegates from around the world met to discuss ways to restore nature. As Harriet writes, while there was no shortage of people seeking solutions, progress was frustratingly slow.

Dr Louise Creechan, from our Institute for Medical Humanities and Department of English Studies, has won a prestigious award to make humanities research more accessible and inclusive for neurodivergent researchers.

Our researchers have explored how Arctic marine species could be impacted by climate change and rising sea temperatures in the future. 

Long-standing relationships were strengthened and new opportunities explored through a visit by some of our senior leaders to mainland China and Hong Kong. A high-level delegation travelled in East Asia to expand our global network and explore opportunities to strengthen partnerships in the region. The visit included meetings with our university and institutional partners, the launch of a new scholarship campaign, and meetings with senior UK representatives in China.