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Research Methods Centre

We work with scholars and non-academic partners to develop interdisciplinary methods training and research.
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Welcome to the Durham Research Methods Centre

The Durham Research Methods Centre is hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences. The Centre provides an interdisciplinary environment for the development of research methods and for methods training. Activities are co-ordinated by a team of Core Staff, and delivered by over 40 DRMC Fellows. 

Find out more about us
Innovative research Developed with external partners and colleagues from across the University
Wide expertise of scholars and non-academic partners
Inter-disciplinary environment for the development of research methods and for methods training
Engaged community of students and staff

Study with us

  • Postgraduate study

    We run interdisciplinary MA and PGcert programmes in social research methods and we are launching new cross-faculty Masters in Data Science (social analytics) and Masters in Data Science (Health).

    Two students sitting at a laptop

  • Training

    We run non-credit-bearing training courses for postgraduate students, staff and external partners.

    Student reading a career brochure

Postgraduate study

We run interdisciplinary MA and PGcert programmes in social research methods and we are launching new cross-faculty Masters in Data Science (social analytics) and Masters in Data Science (Health).

Two students sitting at a laptop

Training

We run non-credit-bearing training courses for postgraduate students, staff and external partners.

Student reading a career brochure
I would highly recommend MA Research Methods in Education, especially for students who are planning to enhance their experience and knowledge of research in education and plan to do a PhD. It is an excellent programme even for those who want to know the nature and value of evidence in education research. I gained a thorough understanding of research methods and learnt a lot of practical skills to do research. The great strength of the programme was its interdisciplinary nature, which meant that we were able to take courses from different departments and to meet students and teachers from different disciplines.
Miao Li
MA Research Methods (Education) Student

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Two Durham researchers appointed to lead REF 2029 sub-panels

Two Durham University researchers are to take important roles in assessing UK universities’ research quality.

Research news
Photos of two men wearing suits facing camera

The Voting is Over and the Results Are In!!! DRMC's Picturing Research Competition 24/25

Durham Research Methods Centre are pleased to be able to announce the winners of this year's Picturing Research Competition 2024/25!!
Bulletins
Scrabble tiles showing the word research

DRMC Bulletin Epiphany Term 2025

We would like to share our most recent bulletin. In this Issue we will look at what has been happening this year so far - A successful research staff event and completion of some funded work. We also look at what we have coming up - the DRMC Christine Merrell Annual Methods Lecture, The DRMC Picturing Research Competition and much more!
Bulletins
River Wear in Durham

The Christine Merrell Annual Methods Lecture 2025

DRMC's annual methods lecture, in honour and memory of Professor Christine Merrell will take place on Tuesday 20th May 2025 at 5pm. The lecture is titled 'Learning the City: AI-Driven Approaches to Complexity' by Professor Alison Heppenstall.
Bulletins
Outside the Calman Learning Centre

Picturing Research 24/25: a DRMC Competition VOTE NOW OPEN!!

The Durham Research Methods Centre (DRMC) Picturing Research competition 2024/25 has received a good number of applications.
Bulletins
Person browsing books in a library

The Nuffield Foundation funded work with DRMC colleague completed!

The DRMC is delighted to report on a completed piece of work funded by The Nuffield Foundation, in which we were assessing the impact of Covid-19 related school closures on the development of writing skills of primary school children in England.
Bulletins
Teacher with School Children

Picturing Research: a DRMC Competition 2024/25

Following the success of previous year's competitions, the Durham Research Methods Centre invites research staff and postgraduate (PGT and PGR) researchers to submit a pictorial representation of their research to the Picturing Research competition.
Bulletins
Students in Trevelyan College library
More News

  • The Voting is Over and the Results Are In!!! DRMC's Picturing Research Competition 24/25

    Durham Research Methods Centre are pleased to be able to announce the winners of this year's Picturing Research Competition 2024/25!!
    Bulletins
    Scrabble tiles showing the word research

  • DRMC Bulletin Epiphany Term 2025

    We would like to share our most recent bulletin. In this Issue we will look at what has been happening this year so far - A successful research staff event and completion of some funded work. We also look at what we have coming up - the DRMC Christine Merrell Annual Methods Lecture, The DRMC Picturing Research Competition and much more!
    Bulletins
    River Wear in Durham

  • The Christine Merrell Annual Methods Lecture 2025

    DRMC's annual methods lecture, in honour and memory of Professor Christine Merrell will take place on Tuesday 20th May 2025 at 5pm. The lecture is titled 'Learning the City: AI-Driven Approaches to Complexity' by Professor Alison Heppenstall.
    Bulletins
    Outside the Calman Learning Centre

The Voting is Over and the Results Are In!!! DRMC's Picturing Research Competition 24/25

Durham Research Methods Centre are pleased to be able to announce the winners of this year's Picturing Research Competition 2024/25!!

Scrabble tiles showing the word research

DRMC Bulletin Epiphany Term 2025

We would like to share our most recent bulletin. In this Issue we will look at what has been happening this year so far - A successful research staff event and completion of some funded work. We also look at what we have coming up - the DRMC Christine Merrell Annual Methods Lecture, The DRMC Picturing Research Competition and much more!
River Wear in Durham

The Christine Merrell Annual Methods Lecture 2025

DRMC's annual methods lecture, in honour and memory of Professor Christine Merrell will take place on Tuesday 20th May 2025 at 5pm. The lecture is titled 'Learning the City: AI-Driven Approaches to Complexity' by Professor Alison Heppenstall.
Outside the Calman Learning Centre

Blogs and social media

Hear from members of our Research Methods Centre

Highlights

On Complex Open Systems

Sorina Avadanei is a MSc candidate in Sustainability, Energy and Development in the Anthropology Department, working on a dissertation on the post-industrial phenomenon in Eastern Europe.
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Sharing Best Data and Project Management Practices for Organising Data and Avoiding Digital Clutter

Michelle de Gruchy is a postdoctoral research assistant on the Climate, Landscape, Settlement and Society (CLaSS) Project in the Archaeology Department.
Analysing data on a computer

Social feeds

Get in Touch

Enquiries about Research Methods Centre should be sent via the email below.

Durham Research Methods Centre

Faculty of Social Sciences
Arthur Holmes Building
Durham University
Durham
DH1 3LE
UK