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Research stories from the Faculty of Social Sciences
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Research highlights

Highlighted research stories for the Faculty of Social Sciences

Cracks in Greenland Ice Sheet growing more rapidly

The Greenland Ice Sheet is cracking open more rapidly as it responds to climate change.
Overhead view looking down on crevasses criss-crossing part of the Greenland Ice Sheet.

Professor Clare McGlynn helps change law on sexually explicit deepfakes

Creating a sexually explicit deepfake is set to become a criminal offence in the UK, thanks in part to the work of a leading Durham law professor
Close up of a woman's hands as she scrolls through a mobile phone

Will Donald Trump be ranked as a great president? Here’s what the research tells us

Associate Professor in US Politics David Andersen explores how President Trump could end up ranking compared to other US presidents.
The White House in Washington, DC
Social Sciences research

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Britain’s long-distance tin trade transformed the Bronze Age across Europe and the Mediterranean

A new study led by researchers from our top-rated Archaeology department has revealed that 3300 years ago, tin mined in south-west Britain was a key resource for major Bronze Age civilisations in the Eastern Mediterranean thousands of kilometres away.

Research news
Experimental archaeology recreating tin smelting using tin ore in a crucible, surrounded by charcoal powered by a simple skin bellows plus insets of tin ore used (alluvial cassiterite excavated from a Bronze Age site in Cornwall) and a sectioned crucible showing the tin metal produced

Study on domestic abuse of older people sheds light on risk factors

New research has found that older people are more likely to be abused by their partners than by a family member.
Research news
Close up of two older women's hands clasping each other.

New study paves way for greener digital infrastructure

We have contributed to new international research that critically assesses the intricate relationship between urban digitisation and sustainability, focusing on the significant environmental impact of data centres.
Research news
Data centre

People with health issues denied medication in police custody

People in police custody with health issues are regularly put at risk because medication is delayed or unavailable.
Research news
Old-fashioned police lantern sign

Study finds England’s trainee teachers excel in early reading instruction

A new study led by Dr Johny Daniel from our top-ranked School of Education have found that trainee teachers in England are significantly better prepared to teach early reading skills compared to their counterparts in India, particularly in phonics instruction.
Research news
Trainee teachers in a classroom

The Greenland ice sheet is falling apart – new study

Tom Chudley, a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in our Department of Geography, shares new research showing how quickly the Greenland ice sheet is melting.
Research news
The Greenland ice sheet as viewed from above

Durham subjects among world top 100

Four of our subjects have been ranked among the world’s top 100 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
Research news
Three young people seated left, looking right, smiling
More Social Sciences and Health research

Britain’s long-distance tin trade transformed the Bronze Age across Europe and the Mediterranean

A new study led by researchers from our top-rated Archaeology department has revealed that 3300 years ago, tin mined in south-west Britain was a key resource for major Bronze Age civilisations in the Eastern Mediterranean thousands of kilometres away.

Experimental archaeology recreating tin smelting using tin ore in a crucible, surrounded by charcoal powered by a simple skin bellows plus insets of tin ore used (alluvial cassiterite excavated from a Bronze Age site in Cornwall) and a sectioned crucible showing the tin metal produced

Study on domestic abuse of older people sheds light on risk factors

New research has found that older people are more likely to be abused by their partners than by a family member.
Close up of two older women's hands clasping each other.

New study paves way for greener digital infrastructure

We have contributed to new international research that critically assesses the intricate relationship between urban digitisation and sustainability, focusing on the significant environmental impact of data centres.
Data centre
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