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Research and Business

We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and regionally.
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Research to Empower and Inspire

At Durham, our academic staff conduct forward-thinking, interdisciplinary research that has an impact on communities all over the world. Collaboration with a broad mix of partners is central to enhancing global knowledge and developing global citizenship. 

Business and Partnerships

Pioneering Projects

Explore our diverse range of projects, from spin-out creation, research collaborations and supporting innovation. Whether we're tackling net zero challenges, advancing health sciences, or developing new technologies, our case studies showcase the impact and success of businesses and researchers working with us. 

 

90% of research rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (UK Research Excellence Framework 2021)
£85 M research awards made to Durham (2022/23)

Towards a better future

Among our scientists, social scientists, business, arts and humanities scholars we have world-leading authorities in their field.

We are one of the top universities in the world, for taking action to address the most pressing environmental, social and governance challenges facing society today. Our researchers are shaping the world, from the intimate to the infinite.

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University student
Researchers at Durham University offer technical expertise that cannot be found elsewhere. We have been collaborating closely on a multitude of projects for several years and hope this will continue to be fruitful long into the future.
Dr Hira Virdee
Founder & CEO Lumi Space
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We are a globally outstanding centre of research

Research at Durham brings together the leading minds in their fields who work collaboratively across departments and with our partners to develop new ways of thinking that have a positive impact on societal and global challenges. 

Explore our research playlist

Research Degrees

Whether you’re looking to connect with international industry and business through your work, or the global academic research community, as a postgraduate at Durham you can expect the freedom and facilities to explore what’s important to you.

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Understanding readers’ imaginations could enhance mental health therapies

A new tool to understand how people imagine differently when reading could have potential implications for the treatment of mental ill health.

Global research
Cards scattered on a table with the central card reading ReaderBank

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.

Women football players as role models – an uneven playing field?

All eyes have been on women’s football, and on the England team as the winners of the UEFA Women’s Euros in Switzerland. The players are often held up as role models but is the pressure to inspire greater on women compared to men? Professor Stacey Pope from our Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences has looked into this.
Research news
England footballer Leah Williamson talking at a press conference

Melsonby Hoard saved for the nation

One of the UK’s largest and most important Iron Age finds – excavated by archaeologists at Durham University – has been saved for the nation.
Global research
Close up of on ornate iron age artefact being held in a person's hands.

Working together with people in secure mental health units to stay healthy

We’re collaborating with the NHS to empower people in secure mental health units get the exercise that they need to stay healthy.
Research news
Looking down a hospital ward.

Milky Way could be teeming with more satellite galaxies than previously thought

The Milky Way could have many more satellite galaxies than scientists have previously been able to predict or observe.
Global research
A simulation showing a bright white galaxy at the centre, surrounded by fainter galaxies, against a black backdrop.

Working to answer the ultimate question – are we alone in the Universe?

Dr Cyril Bourgenot from our Centre for Advanced Instrumentation is part of a team developing cutting-edge technology to enable astronomers to look deeper into the Universe. He is presenting this work as part of the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting 2025, which is being hosted by Durham University this week. Here, Cyril tells us about his work and how it could help answer the ultimate astronomical question – is there life elsewhere.
Global research
Keck Observatory in Hawaii, taken at night with lasers shining into the sky
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Has immigration led to a new form of labour market protectionism in Europe?

Drawing on a study of legislative changes in Austria, Germany, Ireland and the UK, Omar Hammoud-Gallego, Pat McGovern and Eiko Thielemann identify a new development in immigration control that extends beyond borders into the workplace.

A welder at work wearing a visor with sparks showing.

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.

Women football players as role models – an uneven playing field?

All eyes have been on women’s football, and on the England team as the winners of the UEFA Women’s Euros in Switzerland. The players are often held up as role models but is the pressure to inspire greater on women compared to men? Professor Stacey Pope from our Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences has looked into this.
England footballer Leah Williamson talking at a press conference

Explore policies, governance and our staff directory

We develop opportunities for businesses to: link with policymakers, understand our research governance and connect with academic researchers.

  • Policy Hub

    We support knowledge exchange activities, develop networks and projects, and provide policy and impact training.
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  • Ethics and Governance

    Research ethics is a key part of research integrity, which aims to safeguard the interests and well-being of those impacted by the research.
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  • Research Staff Directory

    Connect with our academic researchers, or click below to contact our business support team.
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Policy Hub

We support knowledge exchange activities, develop networks and projects, and provide policy and impact training.
Policy written in lettered cubes

Ethics and Governance

Research ethics is a key part of research integrity, which aims to safeguard the interests and well-being of those impacted by the research.
paper people dancing around glass globe

Research Staff Directory

Connect with our academic researchers, or click below to contact our business support team.
Business people sitting round a table at a meeting
Contact our Research and Innovations Team

Thought Leadership

Professor Jonathan Darling on the use of hotels in housing asylum seekers

The UK Government is seeking to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers. Professor Jonathan Darling, from our Department of Geography, explains the situation and how ‘asylum hotels’ became so contentious.

Research news
A group of women standing around with bags on the floor.

Has immigration led to a new form of labour market protectionism in Europe?

Drawing on a study of legislative changes in Austria, Germany, Ireland and the UK, Omar Hammoud-Gallego, Pat McGovern and Eiko Thielemann identify a new development in immigration control that extends beyond borders into the workplace.
Research news
A welder at work wearing a visor with sparks showing.

Enslaved Africans, an uprising and an ancient farming system in Iraq: study sheds light on timelines

Written accounts tell the story of the Zanj rebellion – a slave revolt that took place in the late 9th century in southern Iraq. Some of the rebels were enslaved Africans working in various sectors of the local economy. Here Honorary Fellow in Archaeology, Peter Brown sheds new light on the timelines.
Global research
In southern Iraq, a massive agricultural system was likely built by enslaved Africans who ended up staging a revolt. Courtesy the authors/Cambridge University Press
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Upcoming events

Security and Protection of Human Rights Defenders At Risk

Monday 1 September 2025 - Monday 31 July 2028
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
TBC
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Workshop: A Research Agenda for Critical Trusts Law

Monday 8 September 2025 - Monday 8 September 2025
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Anne Galbraith Room, Palatine Centre, Durham University
A Research Agenda for Critical Trusts

International Narrative Neurology Network Session

Tuesday 9 September 2025 - Tuesday 9 September 2025
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Online
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Singapore Convention and sharing the SIDRA Survey results

Tuesday 9 September 2025 - Tuesday 9 September 2025
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
PCL057, Durham Law School / Online via Teams
Durham Law School
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Business and Partnerships

Research and Innovation Services

Research and Innovation Services
Durham University,
Boldon House,
Wheatlands Way,
Pity Me,
Durham,
DH1 5FA.

E: business.gateway@durham.ac.uk