Global Impact - Durham University

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.

Explore our latest research news

Research Impact at Durham

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

Impact Case Studies

Latest news

Celebrating the Year of the Tiger

We would like to wish all those preparing for and celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Tiger a very happy and healthy New Year. We are delighted that this year we will be able to enjoy a range of exciting celebrations taking place across the University and City.

Exhibition explores art of traditional storytelling in Japan

We’re exploring the art behind a traditional form of Japanese storytelling in a new exhibition at our Oriental Museum.

The Battle of Komaki: Kato Kiyomasa and Honda Tadakatsu by Yōshū Chikanobu, 1899 CE

Ash blanketing Tonga after volcano eruption creates health concerns

Professor Claire Horwell, from our Earth Sciences Department, explores the health risks of ash following the eruption of the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai, near Tonga.

Comparison of Hunga Tonga & Hunga Ha'apai on December 8th, 2021 and January 17th, 2022

Durham in world top 30 most international universities

We’ve been named as one of the world’s most international universities by the Times Higher Education (THE).

Two female students walking through Durham City

Ministers know which masks provide the best Covid protection – why not tell the UK public?

Professor Claire Horwell, Professor of Geohealth in our Department of Earth Sciences and Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, argues that now that we better understand how the virus spreads, increasing the use of FFP2 and FFP3 masks should be a priority.

Welcome to our new Vice-Chancellor

We are delighted to welcome Professor Karen O’Brien to Durham as our new Vice-Chancellor and Warden.

Professor Karen O'Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University, stood smiling with arms folded, in front of bookshelves

"We've got an exciting and potentially world-leading opportunity here in the Northeast.." Prof. Simon Hogg comments on the new 2021 Energi Coast film

"We've got an exciting and potentially world-leading opportunity here in the Northeast to really establish this area as part of a globally leading centre of excellence in offshore renewable energy." Professor Simon Hogg recently comments in the new 2021 film developed and delivered by Energi Coast.

Reflections on COP26

COP26 has closed and, despite challenges, the Glasgow Climate Pact was reached and the Paris Agreement Rulebook was finalised. Here, we look back at how our researchers engaged with COP26 and how we are supporting world-leading research that is helping to address climate change.

Insights from COP26

Welcome to our ‘Insights from COP26’ page where we will be posting blogs and insights from our delegation at the event.

Joseph Bullock interviewed on BBC Radio Tees

Joseph Bullock, a Postdoctoral Researcher within the Physics Department here at Durham, who is also a United Nations Global Pulse Industry Research Associate, gave an interview to BBC Radio Tees recently on the important COVID-19 modelling work he has been undertaking.

Image manipulation of the coronavirus inside the globe

Protect the soild - launching of soil image competition for COP26

Experts led by Professor Karen Johnson are dedicated to understanding, protecting and rebuilding soil health, aiming to make a step-change in global soil health awareness.