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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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Explore our global research

Discover how our research is changing lives around the world using the button below. We also have a static PDF version available.

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Latest news

How a balloon-borne experiment can do the job of the Hubble space telescope

Results have shown that balloon-borne experiments to explore space can be just as useful as those launched by rockets, while costing a fraction of the price. Dr Fionagh Thomson and Professor Richard Massey, from our Physics Department, explain how they are also ideal training for the next generation of technology leaders.
SuperBIT waiting for launch while its giant helium balloon is inflated

The mystery of consciousness shows there may be a limit to what science alone can achieve

Science is rightly celebrated, but as the problem of consciousness is revealing, there may be a limit to what we can learn through science alone, argues Professor Philip Goff in our Department of Philosophy.
A picture of a head with colourful tiles inside

Ukraine war: Pope Francis should learn from his WWII predecessor’s mistakes in appeasing fascism

Following recent comments made by Pope Francis, South College Principal, Professor Tim Luckhurst, takes a look back at the actions of Pope Pius XII during World War Two.
Pope Francis on board some transport while a crowd watches

The global team on Neglected Tropical Diseases Wins the Durham Global SDG Award 2023

We are pleased to announce that the global consortium on Neglected Tropical Diseases led by Durham University  won the inaugural Durham Global SDG award. 
The image shows four scientist holding an award certificate

Safer Sleep Week: SIDS, SUDI, and Applied Anthropology

Three of our PhD Students have been blogging about what we do at DISC, and their own work too.
Hilton Cottage Infancy and Sleep Centre

Global Frontiers in Research and Education

As part of Global Week, colleagues within the Department of Sociology delivered the below webinar:
Globe with hand

Decision-making at home hinders women in the workplace

Decision-making styles within the family can be a significant barrier to achieving gender parity not only at home but in the workplace too, new research from Durham University Business School reveals.
Woman in white shirt and blue jeans working on laptop and cooking at the same time

SuperBIT makes Nature Astronomy front cover

An international project involving Durham University which flew a gigantic balloon-borne telescope to the edge of space has made the front cover of the prestigious journal Nature Astronomy.
The SuperBIT space telescope being hoisted by a yellow crane against a black and pink dusk sky

Satellites are burning up in the upper atmosphere – and we still don’t know what impact this will have on the Earth’s climate

100 Starlink satellites will be sent to burn up in the atmosphere, but does this present bad news for the ozone layer? Dr Fionagh Thomson from our Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy in our Physics department has taken a deeper look to assess whether there should be concerns for the environment.
A view of the Earth from Space

Enlightening Intensive and Palliative care in India the Durham way

Over the last few weeks, our amazing new WRIHW Fellow, Gilly Burn has been educating over a 1000 nursing students and medics all over India in empathetic Intensive and Palliative care, the "Enlightened Durham way".
Enlighten India

The Influence of the Paris Agreement on Climate Litigation: The Rocky Hill Mine Case Study

Lecture delivered to our 3rd year law students on the Climate Change Law & Policy module by the Honourable Justice Brian Preston, Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court, New South Wales, Australia and visiting Professor at Durham Law School.
Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court, New South Wales, Australia

Leaders who are present in times of crises reduce worker’s stress and burnout

In times of organisational crisis, the visibility of leaders plays a crucial role in alleviating worker stress levels and reducing the likelihood of burnout. Research involving Professor Peter Hamilton delves into the significance of senior leader presence during crises, examining its effects on worker well-being, with ICU nurses and their managers during the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a case study.
Doctors and nurses wearing protective coveralls at a hospital during covid-19
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.

Find out more