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Research Impact
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Research to empower and inspire

We are a globally outstanding centre of teaching, learning and research excellence. We are a world top 100 university, with 12 of our subjects ranked in the world top 50 and 19 in the world top 100. We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and locally: research to empower and inspire.
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  • Research Impact at Durham

    Read about our Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 impact case studies.

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  • Global Culture

    Interested in how the cultural activities of Durham's staff and student bodies enrich life worldwide? Head to the Global Culture page to find out.

    Bollywood Dance group at the Oriental museum, Holi Festival, indian dance

Research Impact at Durham

Read about our Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 impact case studies.

Aerial view of Durham

Global Culture

Interested in how the cultural activities of Durham's staff and student bodies enrich life worldwide? Head to the Global Culture page to find out.

Bollywood Dance group at the Oriental museum, Holi Festival, indian dance

Latest news

Spotlight on: Professor Graham Towl – lifetime achievement award for leading forensic psychologist

Our ‘Spotlight on’ series celebrates the world-leading work of our academics. Just over 20 years after being peer nominated as the most influential forensic psychologist in the UK, Professor Graham Towl has been awarded 2025 British Psychological Society Lifetime Achievement Award.
Professor Graham Towl looking to camera, taken outside with tree in background

Durham Law School Symposium and Durham Declaration on SETI and UAP Research Gain International Media Attention

Symposium at Durham Law School on 24 April 2025 on “Grounding the SETI and UAP Debate” announces Declaration on SETI and UAP Research
Around 30 people smiling at the camera

Reimagining the Future of the Health Workforce

Professor of Sociology Brian Castellani delivered an opening address at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Europe Symposium on Health Workforce Modelling for Action. The theme of the symposium was ‘Workforce Futures Reimagined’ and took place in Copenhagen on 28-30 April.
Professor Castellani is pictured at the WHO Symposium standing in front of a banner

Spotlight on: Professor Jane Macnaughton - Understanding the lived experience of health and illness

How can we use people’s lived experience of health and illness to improve clinical practice? This has been the focus for Professor Jane Macnaughton as the founder of our Institute for Medical Humanities. For the last 25 years, Jane has been at the forefront of this area of research, striving to humanise medical education.
Professor Jane Macnaughton looking directly into camera, smiling, against a grey stone background

Remembering Pope Francis and reflecting on his legacy

As a University community we are deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis. During Pope Francis’ papacy, researchers from our Department of Theology and Religion have followed his work closely and participated in his initiatives to help shape the future of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis is pictured greeting crowds of people

Severe premenstrual disorder takes its toll on daily life and relationships

Research led by Dr Sophie Hodgetts in our Department of Psychology has uncovered the hidden impacts of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) on quality of life and relationships.
Pictures two people sat with their backs towards each other

Highly-educated CEOs are more likely to tackle carbon emissions

CEOs with high academic qualifications are more likely to pursue corporate decarbonisation than those with lower levels of education, according to research by Durham University Business School.
Reviewing sustainability reports in business meeting

Spotlight on: Professor Jon Gluyas - Pioneering Geoenergy Solutions for a Sustainable Future

This instalment of our ‘Spotlight on’ series focuses on Professor Jon Gluyas - a leading geoscientist who has spent his career addressing some of society's most pressing energy challenges.
Professor Jon Gluyas looking straight to camera in front of a dark background

Pope Francis dies – an unconventional pontiff who sought to modernise Catholicism

Dr Liam Temple, Assistant Professor in our Department of Theology and Religion, reflects on Pope Francis’ tenure.
Pope Francis greeting crowds of people

New study links wealth inequality and human sustainability across millennia

Wealth inequality has been linked to human sustainability for over 10,000 years. That’s according to a new study led by Professor Dan Lawrence from our Archaeology department.
Leafy, residential area with large houses backing onto an area of compact, more deprived housing

ICYMI: Global Medical Humanities Roundtable

We are delighted to announce that the recording of our event ‘Global Medical Humanities: What next for the humanities in health research?’ is now available.
Medical Humanities Global Week event 2025

Mumbai Global Engagement

Professor Geetanjali Gangoli (Head of Department, Sociology) and Dr Hannah King (Associate Professor, Sociology) have just returned from a week’s trip to Mumbai, India building on existing academic partnerships.
Group of colleagues facing the camera
Sample tubes being held by purple latex gloves over a light box

Research Newsletter

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