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Research to empower and inspire

We are a globally outstanding centre of teaching, learning and research excellence. We are a world top 100 university, with 12 of our subjects ranked in the world top 50 and 19 in the world top 100. We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and locally: research to empower and inspire.
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Latest news

Trump survived another apparent assassination attempt – but it won’t have the same positive effect on his polling

Donald Trump has been the subject of another apparent assassination attempt. Dr David Andersen, from our School of Government and International Affairs, explores whether this will boost the Republican Party presidential candidate's chances of a return to The White House.
Donald Trump delivering a speech at a political rally near Atlanta in 2016

Astronomers discover largest black hole jets ever recorded in space

A Durham physicist is part of an international research team that has discovered the biggest pair of black hole jets ever seen in space, spanning 23 million light-years in total length.
A colourful artist's impression of a giant black hole jet in space

International Day of Peace: Exploring the role of cricket in post-civil-war Sri Lanka

Since the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009, several former international cricketers, politicians and NGOs have made claims that cricket is an important tool for reconciliation. On International Day of Peace, Dr Ben Hildred, from our Department of Anthropology, explains how his research considers the role of cricket in development and peace efforts across the country.
Sri Lankan children playing cricket. A batter has hit the ball.

Antarctica’s receding sea ice could impact seabirds’ food supply

Antarctica’s rapidly receding sea ice could have a negative impact on the food supply of seabirds that breed hundreds of miles away from the continent.
A northern giant petrel flying above water with a mountainous landscape in the background

Firebrand finally tells Katherine Parr’s story – and Jude Law is grippingly grotesque as Henry VIII

Firebrand starring Jude Law and Alicia Vikander tells the story of Katherine Parr and explores how she outlived her murderous husband, Henry VIII. But is it worth a watch? Professor Alec Ryrie, from our Department of Theology and Religion, gives his views on the new cinema release.
Henry and Katherine Parr. Illustration by John Leech (1817-1864)

Durham Sport and Exercise Sciences researchers appointed to new roles

Dr Toni Williams and Professor Martin Roderick have accepted new positions with the International Society of Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise and the associated journal Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health.
Dr Toni Williams (right) and Professor Martin Roderick (left) smiling in front of a Durham University banner

International Literacy Day: How picture books can open up discussion about social media with children

Should we ban young children from social media? Do children know the pitfalls of TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat? To coincide with the celebration of International Literacy Day, we talked to Dr Cristina Costa, from our School of Education, who has been working on a digital literacy project with children at a County Durham primary school. She explains how her project co-producing picture books about social media topics with children can help to better understand how young people view social media.
A hand holding a phone showing social media apps

New image shows galaxies are bigger than we thought

We’re part of an international team of astronomers who have been able to take a photograph of the halo of gas around a galaxy for the first time.
A spiral galaxy at the centre of the picture surrounded by purple and blue gas, against a starry backdrop

Durham archaeologist wins prestigious British Academy medal

Professor Sarah Semple has been awarded the British Academy’s 2024 Landscape Archaeology Medal for her pioneering research in the field.
Sarah Semple out in the field in Sweden

Four video game adaptations of classic works of literature, from The Hobbit to Hamlet

Many video games have adapted literature while plenty of authors have published novels and poems in response to gaming. Dr Alistair Brown, from our Department of English Studies, looks at four examples of video games that have taken inspiration from literary works.
Two hands holding a PlayStation controller

The Taliban’s harsh new ‘vice and virtue’ laws are a throwback to the oppression of the 1990s – especially for the women of Afghanistan

Dr Kambaiz Rafi, from our School of Government and International Affairs, explores how the new laws introduced by the Taliban could see the scenes of oppression from the past return for women living in Afghanistan.
Four Afghan women in blue and black burqa walking on dirt path in barren land

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition: The American slave who helped found Los Angeles

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is held on 23 August every year to recognise the anniversary of the day enslaved people on the island of Saint Domingue revolted against French colonial rule. Dr Kevin Waite, from our department of History, has carried out much research into slavery and explains the incredible story of Biddy Mason, an American who overcame enslavement to help found Los Angeles.
A head and shoulders image of Biddy Mason in black and white
Aerial view of Durham

Research Impact at Durham

Read about our Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 impact case studies.

Impact Case Studies
Korean drummers playing at the Oriental Museum

Global Culture

Interested in how the cultural activities of Durham's staff and student bodies enrich life worldwide? Head to the Global Culture page to find out.

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