Latest Research

Durham in World Top 30 for Arts and Humanities

Durham University has been recognised as a global leader in Arts and Humanities in a prestigious international league table.

(13 Sep 2017) » More about Durham in World Top 30 for Arts and Humanities

Reformation Rebels: The surprising histories of Benedictine monks in exile

Sixteenth and seventeenth century Benedictine monks refused abstinence, died in duels, went off to war and spread illegal Catholic doctrine, a new study has revealed.

(31 Aug 2017) » More about Reformation Rebels: The surprising histories of Benedictine monks in exile

Can a smartphone app for parents help toddlers’ development?

A new trial will find out if a smartphone app that sends activities and tips to parents can help improve toddlers’ language and communication skills.

The trial, which will be carried out by researchers in the School of Education at Durham University, will involve parents and guardians of 1,500 children.

(20 Sep 2017) » More about Can a smartphone app for parents help toddlers’ development?

Motorised molecules drill into cancer cells

Motorised molecules driven by light have been used to drill holes in the membranes of individual cells, including cancerous ones. The technique shows promise for either bringing therapeutic agents into the cells or directly inducing the cells to die.

(31 Aug 2017) » More about Motorised molecules drill into cancer cells

People who hear voices can detect hidden speech in unusual sounds

People who hear voices that other people can’t hear may use unusual skills when their brains process new sounds, according to new research. 

(21 Aug 2017) » More about People who hear voices can detect hidden speech in unusual sounds

Understanding human needs is key to wildlife ecology research

The Primate and Predator Project based in the Soutpansberg mountain range of South Africa, aims to better understand the ecology of local species and the threat that human activity poses to their conservation. Project Director Professor Russell Hill, Department of Anthropology, discusses the challenges of managing a research project abroad and successfully engaging with local communities. 

(16 Aug 2017) » More about Understanding human needs is key to wildlife ecology research

Durham becomes first UK team to excavate in Forbidden City

Archaeologists from Durham University in the UK have become the first UK team to excavate inside the walls of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China.

(24 Jul 2017) » More about Durham becomes first UK team to excavate in Forbidden City

Calling time on the kissing bugs

They are known as ‘kissing bugs’ and they spread a disease that rarely makes the headlines but infects up to seven million people worldwide.

(21 Jul 2017) » More about calling time on the kissing bugs

Durham scientists play key role as construction starts on world’s largest telescope

Construction work has begun on the world’s largest visible to infrared telescope – and Durham University is playing a key role.

(20 Jul 2017) » More about Durham scientists play key role as construction starts on world’s largest telescope

Light-based medical start-up to receive expert guidance

A Durham University start-up company that could provide new light-based medical treatments has been selected to benefit from expert help in becoming ready for investment which could turn their ideas into businesses. 

(14 Jul 2017) » More about Light-based medical start-up to receive expert guidance

Women have to ‘prove they are sports fans’

Female sports fans struggle to be taken seriously and feel they are regarded as being less committed than male fans, according to research by Dr Stacey Pope, who answers some questions about her findings below.

(14 Jul 2017) » More about women have to ‘prove they are sports fans’

National award recognises commitment to women in physics

Durham University’s Department of Physics has been rewarded for its commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace. 

(13 Jul 2017) » More about National award recognises commitment to women in physics

Modelling the invisible

Durham University’s Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP) took part in the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition this year for the first time, with an exhibit entitled Modelling the Invisible.

Here Dr David G. Cerdeño, Assistant Professor at the IPPP explains how they made complex physics accessible to a general audience and the benefits of taking part in events such as this. 

(7 Jul 2017) » More about Modelling the invisible

Durham appoints new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global)

Durham University has appointed its first Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global) following a competitive recruitment process. 

(6 Jul 2017) » More about Durham appoints new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global)

First real-time measurements of Earth's surface displacement during major earthquake

A team of researchers led by the Department of Earth Sciences has collected the first real-time measurements of Earth’s surface displacement during a major earthquake, as published in the journal Scientific Reports. 

(6 Jul 2017) » More about First real-time measurements of Earth's surface displacement during major earthquake

Exploring geothermal energy potential

Researchers at the University’s Durham Energy Institute (DEI) are exploring the Earth’s geothermal energy potential. 

(4 Jul 2017) » More about Exploring geothermal energy potential

Little Cub gives astronomers rare chance to see galaxy demise

A primitive galaxy that could provide clues about the early Universe has been spotted by astronomers as it begins to be consumed by a gigantic neighbouring galaxy.

(4 Jul 2017) » More about Little Cub gives astronomers rare chance to see galaxy demise

Outstanding recognition for Durham University's scientists

Durham University’s outstanding achievements in science have been recognised with a series of awards.

(30 Jun 2017) » More about outstanding recognition for Durham University's scientists

From ashtrays full of cigarette butts to smoke-free environments

This week, it will be ten years since the smoking ban for enclosed workplaces in the UK came into force. Dr Andrew Russell from the Life of Breath research project takes a look at how things have changed.

(28 Jun 2017) » More about from ashtrays full of cigarette butts to smoke-free environments

Durham ranked in world’s top 100 universities

Durham University’s position among the world’s leading universities has been confirmed once more, with the publication of the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2017.

(14 Jun 2017) » More about Durham ranked in world’s top 100 universities

Post-election 2017 – Durham University expertise

A selection of Durham University experts who are available for comment to the media on a variety of post-election issues.

(9 Jun 2017) » More about Post-election 2017 – Durham University expertise

Geography professors honoured for outstanding achievements

Two of Durham University’s geographers have been honoured for their outstanding achievements by the Royal Geographical Society (RGS).

(5 Jun 2017) » More about Geography professors honoured for outstanding achievements

Pioneering work in chemistry receives prestigious recognition

Professor Jas Pal Badyal FRS from Durham University has been named as the Royal Society of Chemistry Tilden Prize winner for 2017 for his pioneering work on the functionalization of solid surfaces and deposition of nanocoatings.

(9 May 2017) » More about pioneering work in chemistry receives prestigious recognition

Simulated galaxies provide fresh evidence of dark matter

Further evidence of the existence of dark matter – the mysterious substance that is believed to hold the Universe together – has been produced by Cosmologists at Durham University.

(21 Apr 2017) » More about Simulated galaxies provide fresh evidence of dark matter

Should primary schools teach philosophy?

Schools are places where children can learn behaviour, skills and attitudes that have lifelong relevance, in addition to subjects on the formal curriculum. Dr Nadia Siddiqui from the School of Education has looked at the contribution philosophy discussions can make to children’s ‘soft’ skills.

(12 Apr 2017) » More about Should primary schools teach philosophy?

Major new Commission launched on creativity and education

Durham University and Arts Council England have announced The Durham Commission on Creativity and Education.

Launching in September 2017, the Commission will investigate what happens when children experience arts and culture, and how this helps them develop and thrive.

(28 Mar 2017) » More about Major new Commission launched on creativity and education

Improving maths knowledge in schools

Low attainment in maths is seen as one of the most serious problems in UK education. Dr Lee Copping from the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) at Durham University tells us more about a project which will dig deeper into the causes.

(6 Mar 2017) » More about improving maths knowledge in schools

Policing domestic abuse

‘Out of court resolutions’, including apologies, are used in domestic abuse cases by all police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland despite official guidance advising against their use, according to new research.

(3 Mar 2017) » More about policing domestic abuse

New framework to safeguard children

A new NSPCC national framework to help tackle the issue of harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people is proving beneficial to professionals working in safeguarding. The research of Professor Simon Hackett of Durham University’s School of Applied Social Sciences has strongly influenced the Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) framework of which he is first author.

(27 Feb 2017) » More about New framework to safeguard children

Durham part of new Barnardo’s centre of expertise

Durham University is a partner in a new £7.5m Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse launched by the UK Home Office and led by Barnardo’s.

(16 Feb 2017) » More about Durham part of new Barnardo’s centre of expertise

Hearing voices and spirituality

Although voice-hearing is often associated with severe mental illness, it can be an important aspect of people’s religious or spiritual life.

This is an area explored in the world’s first major exhibition on hearing voices which enters its final month (February) at Durham University’s Palace Green Library.

(3 Feb 2017) » More about Hearing voices and spirituality

Bill Bryson: I thought Durham was perfect when I first saw it - I still think so now

Bill Bryson, the celebrated author and former Chancellor of Durham University, speaks about his enduring love affair with Durham, its Cathedral and its people.

(2 Feb 2017) » More about Bill Bryson: I thought Durham was perfect when I first saw it - I still think so now

Free science outreach programme

DURHAM University is inviting more schools and teachers in North East England to take advantage of its free science outreach programme.

(25 Jan 2017) » More about Free science outreach programme

Urgent action needed to save primates from extinction

The majority of primate species worldwide are now threatened with extinction, according to an international group of primate conservation experts who are calling for urgent action to protect the world’s dwindling primate populations.

(19 Jan 2017) » More about urgent action needed to save primates from extinction

Mysterious sea creature part of a new family

One branch on the tree of life is a bit more crowded today as a team of scientists have revealed what a bizarre group of cone-shaped sea creatures actually are, as reported in Nature.

(12 Jan 2017) » More about mysterious sea creature part of a new family

Durham University is key to bright future

Professor Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, explores how the University is key to the economic success of County Durham and North East England.

(9 Jan 2017) » More about Durham University is key to bright future

Helping busy head teachers

Two-thirds of head teachers in England now use the Teaching and Learning Toolkit, developed by Durham University and the Sutton Trust, to inform how best to spend their pupil premium funding, according to a recent survey.

(14 Dec 2016) » More about helping busy head teachers

Enthusiasm for high school music

Pupils’ enthusiasm for school music lessons drops significantly during the first year of secondary school, according to new research.

(11 Nov 2016) » More about enthusiasm for high school music

Remains of 17th Century Scottish soldiers to be laid to rest in Durham

Following extensive consultation, Durham University has decided that the remains of the soldiers, discovered in a mass grave on the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be reburied in Durham City.

(24 Aug 2016) » More about Remains of 17th Century Scottish soldiers to be laid to rest in Durham

Fusion energy could be the future

Fusion energy offers the tantalising possibility of clean, sustainable and almost limitless energy. But can it be an economically viable option?

(20 Sep 2015) » More about Fusion energy could be the future

Low cost ethical loans for postgraduate study

Durham University has launched an innovative postgraduate loan product to help to attract the most talented students to further study after they finish their undergraduate degree.

(20 Sep 2015) » More about Low cost ethical loans for postgraduate study

Skeletons found in mass graves are 17th Century Scottish soldiers

New analysis carried out on skeletons discovered in a centuries-old mass grave in Durham, UK, has led experts to conclude they are the remains of Scottish soldiers taken prisoner after the 1650 Battle of Dunbar.

(2 Sep 2015) » More about Skeletons found in mass graves are 17th Century Scottish soldiers

International focus on Magna Carta exhibition

Eight hundred years on from when it was first written, the enduring legacy of one of the world’s most important documents lives on.

(31 Aug 2015) » More about International focus on Magna Carta exhibition

Is there life out there?

Humans have long wondered: “Are we alone in the Universe?”

After all, the Earth is just one planet in one galaxy among hundreds of billions that exist across the cosmos.

(31 Aug 2015) » More about Is there life out there?

Understanding landslide risk in post-earthquake Nepal

In April 2015 parts of Nepal were devastated by an intense earthquake and significant aftershocks. But the danger to human life and livelihoods doesn’t end when the ground stops shaking. Earthquake-triggered landslides present an immediate and long-term threat in mountain environments, compounding the difficulties for those affected.

(31 Aug 2015) » More about Understanding landslide risk in post-earthquake Nepal