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Research

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures functions as a single unit for research, gathering our eight language areas (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, Japanese and Russian) and Translation Studies, working within and across these to enable interdisciplinary investigations. Four areas of particular strength characterise our research activities:

We welcome applications for postgraduate study in the School’s language and research focus areas, especially where there are potential links to relevant Durham Research Institutes and Centres or to our research groups.

Research groups

The School of Modern Languages hosts six interdisciplinary research groups.
Three students working together

Centres and institutes

Explore our research centres in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
External shot of the front door leading into the institute of advanced study

Reframing European gastronomy Legacy through Innovation, Sustainability and Heritage (RELISH)

Find out more about this research partnership into culinary recipes and food culture. 

A group of people enjoying an open air city dining experience in Calcotada to celebrate the launch of RELISH

Inventing Futures

Find out more about work on the future-oriented consequences of past-oriented study. 

Image of a skyline with a shooting star in the horizon

Research News

  • Living Texts Seminar: Dr Amaleena Damlé in Conversation with Priya Hein

    The Living Texts research group hosts Mauritian author Priya Hein for an online seminar celebrating her new novel Tamarin (The Indigo Press, 2025). Hein will read from the book and discuss her work with Dr Amaleena Damlé, followed by an audience Q&A.
    Priya Hein s Tamarin book cover
  • Dressed in Their Best: Sartorial Culture in Pushkin’s and Gogol’s Life and Art

    On 24 August, Dr Vika Ivleva explored how Pushkin and Gogol used clothing and sartorial codes to shape identity and convey aesthetic and political messages. The lecture, part of the Russian and Ukrainian Summer School at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, drew around 60 participants and sparked lively discussion on literature, art, and historical culture.
    By Ilya Repin - The Yorck Project (2002) 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei (DVD-ROM), distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH. ISBN: 3936122202., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158198
  • Dr Rosi Song brings the legacy of Gaspar Cassadó to international audiences

    Dr Rosi Song, Professor of Hispanic Studies at Durham University, is currently touring the United States with “Lost in Plain Sight: The Life and Legacy of Gaspar Cassadó” — a project that blends performance and research to rediscover the music and cultural impact of the Catalan composer. Don’t miss the final two events at Yale University (6 October) and Russell Library (7 October).
    Gaspar Cassado holding a cello

Dressed in Their Best: Sartorial Culture in Pushkin’s and Gogol’s Life and Art

On 24 August, Dr Vika Ivleva explored how Pushkin and Gogol used clothing and sartorial codes to shape identity and convey aesthetic and political messages. The lecture, part of the Russian and Ukrainian Summer School at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, drew around 60 participants and sparked lively discussion on literature, art, and historical culture.
By Ilya Repin - The Yorck Project (2002) 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei (DVD-ROM), distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH. ISBN: 3936122202., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158198

Dr Rosi Song brings the legacy of Gaspar Cassadó to international audiences

Dr Rosi Song, Professor of Hispanic Studies at Durham University, is currently touring the United States with “Lost in Plain Sight: The Life and Legacy of Gaspar Cassadó” — a project that blends performance and research to rediscover the music and cultural impact of the Catalan composer. Don’t miss the final two events at Yale University (6 October) and Russell Library (7 October).
Gaspar Cassado holding a cello
Transformative Humanities

Transformative Humanities

Discover the Faculty of Arts and Humanities' new Transformative Humanities framework which brings together distinctive approaches to humanities research and education within the academy and across a wide range of partners and communities.

Visit the Transformative Humanities website