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Research highlights

Highlighted research stories for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Spotlight on: Professor Edith Hall – leading the campaign for Classics education for all

Professor Edith Hall asks what we can learn from ancient civilisations and leads a campaign to put Classics education back on the UK curriculum
Edith Hall

Do aliens exist? We studied what scientists really think

Professor in Philosophy of Science Peter Vickers reveals the results of four surveys asking if experts think there's intelligent life beyond Earth.
A UFO floats against the night sky with its tractor beam lit

PhD scholar reveals the emotional impact of the White Ship disaster

Harriet Strahl, a PhD History student, has shed new light on the emotional and societal repercussions of the 1120 White Ship disaster
King Henry I on his throne, mourning. Table of his children and Matilda's two sons. The White Ship is depicted in a disabled condition behind.
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Durham Hosts Week of Events Honouring Black History and Reparative Justice

A vibrant week of events (20–23 October 2025) will take place across Durham, exploring Black history, reparative justice, and decolonial thought. Organised as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, the programme brings together scholars, students, and community members for walking tours, film screenings, and keynote lectures that highlight critical conversations around race, memory, and historical responsibility.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Woman in front of whiteboard smiling

Collaborating with Action for ME to improve understanding of ME

Dr Katharine Cheston, from our Institute for Medical Humanities and Department of Sociology, is working with the charity Action for ME to better understand what it is like to live with ME and long Covid.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Woman facing camera, smiling. Head and shoulders visible

The new archbishop of Canterbury has already made history – but she has huge challenges ahead

Dr William Crozier, Duns Scotus Assistant Professor in Franciscan Studies, in our Department of Theology and Religion, discusses the challenges facing the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
Global research
A wider view of the cloister at Canterbury Cathedral

Church of England must do more to recognise dangers of spiritual authority

The Church of England must do more to create a culture in which spiritual authority is handled safely, according to a new report from Durham University.
Research news
Four lit candles with stained glass window in the background.

Using computers to track the changing sound of bands

Coldplay, Radiohead or R.E.M. – which band has changed their music the most over the years?
Research news
Lead singer of Coldplay, Chris Martin, performing at a concert.

Faculty of Arts and Humanities Earns Prestigious Athena Swan Silver Award

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities has been awarded a highly regarded Athena Swan Silver Award, becoming only the second faculty of its kind in the UK to receive this distinction. This milestone acknowledges the significant progress made in advancing gender equality across all departments and highlights a firm commitment to continued improvement through to 2030.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Group picture with Executive Dean Janet Stewart and Deputy Executive Dean (People and Workplace Culture) Alexandra Harrington.

Professor Janet Stewart highlights importance of arts and humanities at THE European Summit

Professor Janet Stewart, Executive Dean of our Faculty of Arts and Humanities, spoke at the Times Higher Education Europe Universities Summit in Budapest last week.
Global research
Professor Janet Stewart
More Arts and Humanities research

Church of England must do more to recognise dangers of spiritual authority

The Church of England must do more to create a culture in which spiritual authority is handled safely, according to a new report from Durham University.

Four lit candles with stained glass window in the background.

Using computers to track the changing sound of bands

Coldplay, Radiohead or R.E.M. – which band has changed their music the most over the years?
Lead singer of Coldplay, Chris Martin, performing at a concert.

Durham hosts world’s first major international conference on critical neurodiversity studies 

Over three hundred researchers, practitioners, and artists gathered in Durham and online for a three-day conference on Critical Neurodiversity Studies: Directions / Intersections / Contradictions.  
Photograph of conference participants listening to a speaker.
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