Since its founding as the International Boundaries Research Unit in 1989, IBRU has been the world’s leading research centre on international boundary making and dispute resolution. Today, IBRU joins work in international boundary law with the geographic study of borders and bordering in the 21st century.
Through research, consultancy, and training, IBRU facilitates enhanced understanding of border areas, contributes to the peaceful resolution of boundary disputes, and engages with broader geographic questions concerning the changing nature of sovereignty, territory, citizenship, and the political organisation of space.
IBRU is part of the Geography Department at Durham University.
IBRU runs professional training workshops on practical aspects of boundary-making and dispute resolution, including maritime boundary delimitation, negotiating international boundaries, preparing for litigation & arbitration and more. Next workshop 6-8 June 2022
This online training course provides a contextual overview of international boundaries, covering topics including definition, delimitation and dispute resolution.
Ray Milefsky has kindly endowed upon IBRU an annual award to honour a leading border practitioner or organisation. Nominations are now open for the 2021 Award.
IBRU is a world leader in producing maps, databases, and briefing papers that explore complex and contested international boundaries. In addition to the Arctic Maps series, IBRU has published maps of South Atlantic maritime claims, a database of international river boundaries, and other studies.
Chile has released a new version of Nautical Chart 8, covering its Southern waters, that has been denounced by Argentina as violating the 1984 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two countries.
Enquiries about IBRU: Centre for Borders Research should be sent via the email link below.
IBRU Department of Geography Durham University Durham, DH1 3LE United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1965 Fax: +44 (0)191 334 1962
