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World Refugee Day 2024: Hannah Rose Thomas and Tears of Gold

This World Refugee Day we hear from one of our History and Arabic graduates, Hannah Rose Thomas, as she discusses her inspirational new book, Tears of Gold: Portraits of Yazidi, Rohingya, and Nigerian Women.
A portrait of a displaced woman

Histories of Scottish Politics in the Age of Union, c.1700-1945

Registration is now open for the conference Histories of Scottish Politics in the Age of Union, c.1700-1945, taking place at Durham University, Tuesday-Wednesday 23-24 July 2024.
A line drawing in black and white of a gathering of people

Comet 3A and how medieval chroniclers interpreted celestial events

Many people in the UK have been gazing skyward during October, as Comet 3A, dubbed the 'comet of the century' became visible for the first time in 80,000 years. Our scientists scrutinise the cosmos in great detail. But how did medieval chroniclers interpret the skies and their wonders? Giles Gasper from our Department of History and Brian Tanner from our Department of Physics investigate.
Stars in the solar system depicting a celestial event

Award Winners: Durham University's Global Curriculum Award

Massive congratulations to Professor Jonathan Saha, Dr Radha Kapuria, and Dr Chris Bahl for winning the Durham University's Global Curriculum Award 2024.
Photo of Prof Jonathan Saha, Dr Radha Kapuria, and Dr Chris Bahl

How 16th century survivors of wartime sexual violence found justice

Dr Tom Hamilton from our Department of History has discovered criminal records revealing a rare, 400-year-old legal case which successfully prosecuted a soldier for sexual crimes during Europe’s notoriously violent Wars of Religion.
Sixteenth century image of Murder of the Protestants at Sens, 1562

Launching Environmental Histories and Futures of the North East

The Environmental Histories and Futures of the North East (EHFNE) project brings together North East academic researchers in the social sciences and humanities and community organisations to create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. The project aims to foster future research partnerships that centre local interests and community priorities through regular seminars and community steering group meetings.
A group of students and staff in a seminar room

Festive traditions were once a foodie adventure

Winter celebrations such as Christmas and New Year have long been associated with feasting. But, what are now seen as festive food traditions (think mince pies and richly spiced fruit cakes) were once a bold and daring foodie adventure.
Mince pies on a platter

Sixty years of Kingsgate Bridge

This year marks the 60th anniversary of one of Durham’s most striking bridges.
People on Kingsgate Bridge with Durham Cathedral in the background

The revival of nineteenth-century political history

In 2023, Durham University hosted a major two-day conference on nineteenth-century political history. Organise! Organise! Organise! Collective Action, Associational Culture and the Politics of Organisation in Britain and Ireland, c.1790-1914 was run by Dr Naomi Lloyd-Jones, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in the History Department. Photo credit: Dr Kathryn Rix
Photograph of two participants at the Organise! Organise! Organise! Conference, sitting behind a table. They are smiling at the camera. The table has microphones and papers, laptops and jugs and glasses of water.

Department of History marks Black History Month 2023 with History Now! and RHS events

To mark Black History Month 2023, Dr Liam Liburd organised the History Now! event ‘Black History in the North East’, and took part in a Royal Historical Society (RHS) Roundtable ‘Black British History: Where Now, Where Next?’
Two West Indian Merchant Seamen stand outside the 'West Indies House' hostel at 14-16 Lovaine Place, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, 1941. Behind them can be seen a poster advertising the hostel, its location and facilities. The poster also states that the name of the superintendent is Mr Larbi.

Concerns over pet food and vet costs affordability are as old as pet keeping itself

Professor Julie-Marie Strange from our Department of History and Professor Jane Hamlett from the University of London explore concerns over the cost of keeping pets in the UK.
Guinea pigs eating