In this issue look out for the following topics - The Introduction of our new Centre Director, Professor Brian Castellani and new core DRMC members of staff; an overview of the inaugural Christine Merrell Annual Methods Lecture 2021; teaching research methods conversations; updates from MARM and about Developing New Research.

In this issue we make an announcement about our Inaugural Annual Methods Lecture; there is a farewell note from our centre director, Professor Adetayo Kasim; an introduction to Professor Steve Higgins' EEF online teaching and learning toolkit; an introduction to the Durham Biostatistics Unit; and updates from MARM and the Research Café conversations.

In this issue we pay tribute to Professor Christine Merrell; highlight research including the Templeton capacity building grant and Durham CREATE; give updates from MARM and the new Master in Data Science (MDS); and information on courses & workshops including Decolonisation with Stellenbosch, The R Course and the collaboration with the NCRM.

In this inaugural issue we would like to introduce you to the DRMC Team; highlight a showcase of our PhD student Catherine Marley; highlight a showcase of our intern Mengchu Li; give you more information about he MA in Social Research Methods (MARM), our courses & workshops; and information about our research & grant news.