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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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Latest news

New image shows galaxies are bigger than we thought

We’re part of an international team of astronomers who have been able to take a photograph of the halo of gas around a galaxy for the first time.
A spiral galaxy at the centre of the picture surrounded by purple and blue gas, against a starry backdrop

Durham archaeologist wins prestigious British Academy medal

Professor Sarah Semple has been awarded the British Academy’s 2024 Landscape Archaeology Medal for her pioneering research in the field.
Sarah Semple out in the field in Sweden

Four video game adaptations of classic works of literature, from The Hobbit to Hamlet

Many video games have adapted literature while plenty of authors have published novels and poems in response to gaming. Dr Alistair Brown, from our Department of English Studies, looks at four examples of video games that have taken inspiration from literary works.
Two hands holding a PlayStation controller

The Taliban’s harsh new ‘vice and virtue’ laws are a throwback to the oppression of the 1990s – especially for the women of Afghanistan

Dr Kambaiz Rafi, from our School of Government and International Affairs, explores how the new laws introduced by the Taliban could see the scenes of oppression from the past return for women living in Afghanistan.
Four Afghan women in blue and black burqa walking on dirt path in barren land

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition: The American slave who helped found Los Angeles

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is held on 23 August every year to recognise the anniversary of the day enslaved people on the island of Saint Domingue revolted against French colonial rule. Dr Kevin Waite, from our department of History, has carried out much research into slavery and explains the incredible story of Biddy Mason, an American who overcame enslavement to help found Los Angeles.
A head and shoulders image of Biddy Mason in black and white

Disney wrongful death legal case exposes potential pitfalls of automatically clicking ‘I agree’

Disney has made international headlines after it performed a U-turn on using terms of service to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit. Dr Stergios Aidinlis, from our Law School, explores the potential consequences of completing a user agreement without reading the fine print.
The building at Disneyland Paris

Corruption holds small businesses back: Ghana study reveals two strategies to avoid the traps

Corruption is one of the biggest challenges small business owners face in Ghana. Professor Joseph Amankwah-Amoah, from our Business School, explores the best strategies business owners in the African country can deploy to mitigate the adverse effects corruption carries.
Men working at a Ghanaian fishing port

Women who work remotely have greater difficulty separating work and family than men

Women have much more difficulty separating their working lives and their family lives when they work from home, than men do, according to new research.
New mother scrolls on laptop while seated at her desk whilst holding her baby.

Developing our partnerships and engagement in Indonesia visit

New opportunities were forged, and long-standing relationships strengthened in a recent visit to Indonesia. A delegation, led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Professor Mike Shipman, visited Indonesia in July 2024. We expanded our global network and explored opportunities to strengthen our established connections and partnerships in the region.
People standing with signed documents

Offering insights into global electoral integrity

Dr Juraj Medzihorsky is an Assistant Professor in our School of Government and International Affairs and part of the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) project. The V-Dem project compiles and analyses data to offer a deeper insight into global democracy and the integrity of the election process.
A range of hand posting votes into a voting box

Oriental Museum exhibits unique collection in Japan

A unique collection of family memorabilia from the Oriental Museum is being exhibited at the National Museum of Japanese History in Sakura, Chiba. This special exhibition ‘Memories of the Squire Family – Mementoes of a British Engineer’, offers a glimpse into the life of a British engineering family who lived in Japan in the early 20th century.
Dorothy and Margaret Squires with a member of the Japanese family, children in Japanese dress, black and white image

Diversifying your skillset only boosts performance if you become an expert in a new field

Diversifying skillsets only enhances employee performance if individuals become experts in the new fields they branch into, and only if they limit how many new fields they focus on, according to recent research by the School.
Building wood blocks on a table
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.

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