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Department News

Successful events shine a spotlight on neurodiversity

Our Centre for Neurodiversity & Development brought together researchers, practitioners and people with lived experience of neurodiversity across two successful events.
A man giving a lecture

Durham research has a lasting global impact

We have launched a new Global Research Brochure where we shine a light on some of our incredible researchers who are making a difference in the world.
A globe with lines showing connections between different parts of the world.

National award for psychologist’s dedication, research impact and engagement

Professor Mary Hanley from our Department of Psychology has been awarded the British Psychological Society Developmental Section Impact and Engagement Award for 2024.
Professor Mary Hanley

How to support neurodivergent postgraduate researchers

How can universities ensure PhD students of all neurotypes can thrive? Professor Debbie Riby, Dr Amy Pearson, and Jess Hirst, from our Department of Psychology, discuss how to provide neurodiversity-affirmative supervision.
A wooden jigsaw-like picture of a head, with coloured bricks apparently flying away from it

Understanding early human cave art

A psychological phenomenon where people see meaningful forms in random patterns, such as seeing faces in clouds, may have stimulated early humans to make cave art.
A Palaeolithic painting of an aurochs from the cave of La Pasiega. The artist traced the natural cracks in the cave wall when painting the head, horns, and back leg of the animal

Research reveals how sighted and blind people’s brains change when they learn to echolocate

New research from our Department of Psychology has shown that the brains of sighted and blind people adapt in a similar way when they learn to use sound echoes to understand the world without vision.
A graphic of a human brain in bright colours

New role will see Durham expert guiding the field of Health Psychology

We’re celebrating the news that Professor Fuschia Sirois from our Department of Psychology has been appointed as joint Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Health Psychology, a journal of the British Psychological Society.
Image showing Professor Fuschia Sirois

Babies respond positively to smell of foods experienced in the womb

Babies show positive responses to the smell of foods they were exposed to in the womb after they are born.
A montage of four pictures showing close ups of newborn babies' faces with different expressions.

New research reveals socio-economic influences on how the body regulates eating 

A new study from our Department of Psychology has uncovered evidence that the body’s internal regulation of eating may be influenced by an individual’s socio-economic background.  
A white bowl containing chocolate balls with a plain background

‘Undercover anthropologist’ recognised for exceptional potential

Dr Sheina Lew-Levy, from our Department of Psychology, has been awarded a prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize for Psychology.
Woman smiling, looking off camera to right

Professor Graham Towl appointed to key crime reduction role

Professor Graham Towl has been appointed as the new chair of the Scottish Advisory Panel on Offender Rehabilitation (SAPOR) which is a key role to help reduce crime in Scotland.
Graham Towl leaning against a fence

Social media coverage of war impacts mental wellbeing

An international team of researchers, including members of our Department of Psychology, have established the psychological and mental health impacts of the war on the general public.
Image of a brain with Earth design overlayed
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