Research and Business

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

University Research Institutes

Facilities and Services

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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)

Northern Accelerator

Colourful illustration of genetic coding

Building Atom Bank's Digital Twin

Kromek

Footy.com

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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.

Our Global Research Brochure

Read our static PDF version

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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.

Explore Postgraduate Research

What's new?

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Using GPS trackers to study red deer behaviour in Scotland

Researchers are tracking the movement of red deer in the Highlands of Scotland using GPS collars as part of a new project.

Research news
Pioneering collaboration will create new Green Corridors in the North East

We’re part of a collaboration to create three new ‘Green Corridors’ in the North East of England, transforming urban, suburban, and rural areas across the region.

Research news
Why newborn babies don’t need sleep training

Are you a new parent worrying about whether your baby is sleeping enough or how long they should nap for? A new book by our world-leading baby sleep expert, Professor Helen Ball, could be just what you need.

Research news
£11.5m project to turn sewage into sustainable fuels

Our engineering and energy researchers are sharing in £11.5m to turn sewage sludge into sustainable fuels for transport and carbon products for agriculture and industry.

Global research
1.5°C target too high for polar ice sheets and sea level rise

Efforts to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C under the Paris Climate Agreement may not go far enough to save the world’s ice sheets.

Global research
Prestigious award for physicist exploring the dawn of the Universe

Congratulations to Professor Ryan Cooke from our Department of Physics who is the joint recipient of the 2025 Gruber Foundation Cosmology Prize.

Research news
The recipe for finding clean hydrogen

Clean hydrogen could be key to a greener future and there is a lot if it right beneath our feet in the Earth’s crust. The trick is knowing exactly where it is and in which conditions it survives. For this, the geology needs to be just right.

Research news

Using GPS trackers to study red deer behaviour in Scotland

Researchers are tracking the movement of red deer in the Highlands of Scotland using GPS collars as part of a new project.

Research news

Pioneering collaboration will create new Green Corridors in the North East

We’re part of a collaboration to create three new ‘Green Corridors’ in the North East of England, transforming urban, suburban, and rural areas across the region.

Research news

River Wear in the foreground flowing past the remains of Finchale Priory in County Durham

Why newborn babies don’t need sleep training

Are you a new parent worrying about whether your baby is sleeping enough or how long they should nap for? A new book by our world-leading baby sleep expert, Professor Helen Ball, could be just what you need.

Research news

A mum holding a newborn baby in her arms.

£11.5m project to turn sewage into sustainable fuels

Our engineering and energy researchers are sharing in £11.5m to turn sewage sludge into sustainable fuels for transport and carbon products for agriculture and industry.

Global research

Aerial view of a sewage treatment works.

1.5°C target too high for polar ice sheets and sea level rise

Efforts to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C under the Paris Climate Agreement may not go far enough to save the world’s ice sheets.

Global research

Rock and ice in the foreground with sea and ice in the background.

Prestigious award for physicist exploring the dawn of the Universe

Congratulations to Professor Ryan Cooke from our Department of Physics who is the joint recipient of the 2025 Gruber Foundation Cosmology Prize.

Research news

Professor Ryan Cook looking straight to camera and smiling. He is stood in front of shelves of books.

The recipe for finding clean hydrogen

Clean hydrogen could be key to a greener future and there is a lot if it right beneath our feet in the Earth’s crust. The trick is knowing exactly where it is and in which conditions it survives. For this, the geology needs to be just right.

Research news

Blue water-like bubbles of different sizes

Discover more news

Using GPS trackers to study red deer behaviour in Scotland

Researchers are tracking the movement of red deer in the Highlands of Scotland using GPS collars as part of a new project.

Research news
Pioneering collaboration will create new Green Corridors in the North East

We’re part of a collaboration to create three new ‘Green Corridors’ in the North East of England, transforming urban, suburban, and rural areas across the region.

Research news
Why newborn babies don’t need sleep training

Are you a new parent worrying about whether your baby is sleeping enough or how long they should nap for? A new book by our world-leading baby sleep expert, Professor Helen Ball, could be just what you need.

Research news

Using GPS trackers to study red deer behaviour in Scotland

Researchers are tracking the movement of red deer in the Highlands of Scotland using GPS collars as part of a new project.

Pioneering collaboration will create new Green Corridors in the North East

We’re part of a collaboration to create three new ‘Green Corridors’ in the North East of England, transforming urban, suburban, and rural areas across the region.

Why newborn babies don’t need sleep training

Are you a new parent worrying about whether your baby is sleeping enough or how long they should nap for? A new book by our world-leading baby sleep expert, Professor Helen Ball, could be just what you need.

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.
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.
Research Staff Directory

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

Policy Hub

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

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.

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

How the UK became dependent on asylum hotels

The UK Government has promised to stop using hotels to house asylum seekers by 2029. Professor Jonathan Darling from our Department of Geography takes a look at the details behind the plans.

Research news
Who called Shakespeare ‘upstart crow’? Our study points to his co-author, Thomas Nashe

A team of researchers, including Dr Rachel White from our Department of English Studies, has presented new evidence about one of the most famous insults in English literature – the phrase ‘upstart crow’ aimed at William Shakespeare.

Research news
Why can’t we stop feeding monkeys? Experts explain the reasons behind a dangerous habit

Dr Sian Waters of our Department of Anthropology and Tracie McKinney of the University of South Wales explore the damaging impact of humans feeding monkeys in tourist hot spots.

Research news