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Institute of Advanced Study

Founded in 2006, the Institute of Advanced Study offers world-leading researchers a unique space for transformative reflection in and beyond individual disciplines.
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About the Institute of Advanced Study

The Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) is a home for growing big ideas. We support a broad and inclusive interdisciplinary community from across the full spectrum of Durham academics, where different perspectives are brought together to develop creative approaches to interesting and important problems.

We welcome world-leading researchers to Durham, providing the time and space to work on projects and build future collaborations. There are many ways to participate in the life and work of the Institute. We warmly welcome your involvement.
About Us
External shot of the front door leading into the institute of advanced study

Discover More

The Fellowship has not only been hugely productive, but it has had a profound effect on me. It has reminded me why I am an academic and has restored the love I have for the job.
Dr Peter Coe
University of Birmingham (March 2024)

What's New

  • Matariki Institutes of Advanced Study support staff exchange between Matariki partners

    Institutes of Advanced Study at four Matariki Universities, including the Durham IAS, are offering their communities as home for academic visitors travelling between Matariki partners.
    Durham news
    External shot of the front door leading into the institute of advanced study

  • Call for 2026/27 IAS Major Projects

    We are now launching our call for 2026/27 Major Projects. We are inviting applications for Major Projects which should be genuinely interdisciplinary, innovative and ambitious. We encourage projects that have the potential to build towards research of the scale and ambition suited to large programme or centre type funding. All projects must be led by two academics in two different faculties with a wider team ideally involving collaboration across a broad range of disciplines. 
    Research news
    Image of the IAS building

  • Call for Development Projects 2024/25

    In addition to support for large scale projects, we remain very keen to assist research conversations, workshops, and network building which have the potential to develop into major projects in the future. We therefore invite colleagues to apply for small scale funding (up-to £1500) to help the early-stage development of ambitious interdisciplinary projects during 2024/25.
    Research news
    External shot of Institute of Advanced study at Cosins Hall

Matariki Institutes of Advanced Study support staff exchange between Matariki partners

Institutes of Advanced Study at four Matariki Universities, including the Durham IAS, are offering their communities as home for academic visitors travelling between Matariki partners.

Durham news
External shot of the front door leading into the institute of advanced study

Call for 2026/27 IAS Major Projects

We are now launching our call for 2026/27 Major Projects. We are inviting applications for Major Projects which should be genuinely interdisciplinary, innovative and ambitious. We encourage projects that have the potential to build towards research of the scale and ambition suited to large programme or centre type funding. All projects must be led by two academics in two different faculties with a wider team ideally involving collaboration across a broad range of disciplines. 
Research news
Image of the IAS building

Call for Development Projects 2024/25

In addition to support for large scale projects, we remain very keen to assist research conversations, workshops, and network building which have the potential to develop into major projects in the future. We therefore invite colleagues to apply for small scale funding (up-to £1500) to help the early-stage development of ambitious interdisciplinary projects during 2024/25.
Research news
External shot of Institute of Advanced study at Cosins Hall
More News

Publications, Videos and Social Media

Find out more about the Institute of Advanced Study including publications, details of former Fellows, and past projects.

Highlights

  • IAS Word Press

    Keep up to date with the IAS newsletter, IAS videos, and historic IAS information
    External shot of Institute of Advanced study at Cosins Hall

  • Publications

    Explore some of the recent publications from IAS Fellows or from Durham colleagues supported by the IAS via funded projects and activities.
    External shot of Institute of Advanced study at Cosins Hall

IAS Word Press

Keep up to date with the IAS newsletter, IAS videos, and historic IAS information
/media/durham-university/external-location-photography-/durham-location-/4859-(1)-2-500x375.jpg

Publications

Explore some of the recent publications from IAS Fellows or from Durham colleagues supported by the IAS via funded projects and activities.
Durham Cathedral on the River Wear in winter

Find Us

Durham City is located in beautiful County Durham, Land of the Prince Bishops, in the North East of England. It can be reached easily by road, rail, air or sea. Durham provides a wonderful base to explore the region as well as other areas of the UK such as Northumberland, the Lake District, Edinburgh, Glasgow, York, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and London.

We're located on Palace Green between Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral in the heart of Durham City.

Get in touch

Enquiries about IAS should be sent via the email below.

Institute of Advanced Study

Durham University,

Cosin’s Hall,

Palace Green,

Durham,

DH1 3RL 

Tel: +44 (0) 191 334 2589