Thought Leadership

How a pioneering academic is making classics cool in schools

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)-funded research has contributed to more young people studying ancient history and classical civilisation in secondary schools across England. Arlene Holmes-Henderson, an award-winning Associate Professor in our Department of Classics and Ancient History, has been at the forefront of widening access to the subject. Here she examines the surge in popularity of classics in education.

Arlene Holmes-Henderson MBE pictured outside the Department of Classics and Ancient History

Shared horse and human burials show how deeply the vikings cared for their animal companions

Dr Harriet Evans-Tang, a Post Doctoral Research Associate in our Department of Archaeology, and Dr Keith Ruiter from the University of Suffolk explore the connection between vikings and their horses.

Somaliland: Berbera city’s growth is being held back by a power supply monopoly

Professor Jutta Bakonyi from our School of Government and International Affairs joins Nasir M. Ali and Ayan Yusuf Ali from the University of Hargeisa to discuss energy development in Somaliland.

If someone posts your private photos online, there has been little you can do about it – how changes in the law will finally help victims

Professor Clare McGlynn, KC (Hon), in Durham Law School, explains UK Government plans to amend the online safety bill to include significant changes to the law on the sharing and posting of intimate images.

Close up of a woman's hand operating a mobile phone

Threads: new Twitter rival looks like a shrewd move but Meta lacks credibility

Professor Mariann (Maz) Hardey from our Business School and Wasim Ahmed from the University of Stirling explore the new social media platform Threads.

From ‘girls’ to Lionesses: how newspaper coverage of women’s football has changed

Associate Professor Stacey Pope from our Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences explains how media coverage of women's football has changed since 2015.

Exploring the linguistic history of chocolate

In celebration of World Chocolate Day, which is Friday 7 July, Jamie Paterno Ostmann, a PhD candidate in our Department of History, explores different theories regarding the origins of the word ‘chocolate.’

Henry VIII’s notes in prayer book written by his sixth wife reveal musings on faith, sin and his deteriorating health – new discovery

Professor Alec Ryrie from our Department of Theology and Religion discusses what the notes reveal about Henry VIII's self awareness.

Henry VIII and other members of the court

Understanding the impact of moral injury in the Military

June 24th is Armed Forces Day, which commemorates the service of men and women in the British Armed Forces. To mark this day, Reverend Dr Brian Powers from our Department of Theology and Religion and the International Centre for Moral Injury explains what moral injury is and how research into it can help others.

A group of people from the moral injury conference

Re-energising Ukraine - opportunities and possibilities

Professor Jon Gluyas, from the Durham Energy Institute, spoke at the Invest4Ukraine Forum, which took place in London this June. The Invest4Ukraine Forum highlights the opportunities available to invest in Ukrainian entrepreneurs and funds. Here Jon shares his analysis of the opportunities and possibilities for re-energizing Ukraine’s energy system.

Unravelling the Windrush myth: the confidential government communications that reveal authorities did not want Caribbean migrants to come to Britain

Assistant Professor in Black British Literature, Dr Henghameh Saroukhani, explores the misconceptions, and racism, surrounding Windrush.

Abortion prison sentence shows the law is focused on foetuses – why that’s dangerous for women

Associate Professor Emma Milne calls for parliament to conduct a thorough and compassionate review of criminal law in the context of abortion.