Leading the world in interdisciplinary research

In a world that is constantly changing, it’s more important than ever that researchers work across traditional academic disciplines to address the most urgent issues facing society today.

That’s why we value interdisciplinary research so highly, and that’s why we’re very pleased to have been placed third in the UK, and joint 125^th globally, in the inaugural Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings.

Our commitment to interdisciplinary research

The heart of interdisciplinary research at Durham is our 10 research institutes, where academics from often very different backgrounds are encouraged to collaborate, share ideas and approaches, and find innovative solutions.

Hearing the Voice was a 10-year research project on voice-hearing, which brought together academics from anthropology, cognitive neuroscience, history, linguistics, literary studies, medical humanities, philosophy, psychology, and theology.

Ordered Universe was a global collaboration that brought new perspectives to medieval science, involving over 150 researchers from humanities and natural sciences.

Durham researchers developed a new model to simulate the spread of Covid-19 and helped curb the spread of the virus in the world’s largest refugee settlement – Cox’s Bazar, in Bangladesh.

Look closer at science at Durham

Our Faculty of Science is home to a diverse community of staff and students, across eight academic departments. Our research impacts society, transforming lives for the better.

Natural Sciences at Durham is ranked 92^nd in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. Earth and Marine Sciences ranked joint 48^th, Physics and Astronomy 69^th, Psychology 74^th, and Geology and Geophysics both in the world top 100.

100 years, 100 faces

Throughout 2024, we’re celebrating 100 years of science at Durham University. It was 1924 when the Dawson Building first opened, as the home of the new Department of Science, consisting of Botany, Chemistry, Geology and Physics.

Across the centenary year, we’re celebrating the work of 100 researchers, whose work demonstrates the impact of science.

Find out more

• Read more about the Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025.
• Discover our research institutes: the Biophysical Sciences Institute, the Durham Energy Institute, the Institute of Advanced Study, the Institute for Computational Cosmology, the Institute for Data Science, the Institute for Medical Humanities, the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, and the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing.
• In an era marked by intricate challenges, the demand for innovative thinkers is at an all-time high. Our MA in Interdisciplinary Research Methods is crafted for individuals poised to make a meaningful impact in their fields. Find out more about our MA Interdisciplinary Research Methods programme.
• Find out more about Hearing the Voice, Ordered Universe, and our work in Cox's Bazar.
• Read our Global Research brochure.
• Explore our signature strengths in research.
• Meet our 100 Faces of Science.