Global Impact - Durham University

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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Latest news

How ceramics are telling the story of 14th century Chinese trade

The history of Chinese trade is sometimes still a bit of a mystery due to the lack of historical records. This is where archaeologists are relying on ceramics to tell the story.

A modern working ‘dragon kiln’ in the Longquan area in China

Leading Catholic figure visits Durham University

One of the Catholic Church’s leading figures has been welcomed to Durham University.

Durham researchers awarded new funding to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence

Researchers at the Durham Energy Institute have been awarded a £1.84m grant to lead a consortium of university and industry partners in developing virtual power plant technologies. The new funding is part of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) £13 million investment to fund 13 projects to help the UK meet its Net Zero targets.

The initials AI against and blue background

Key climate temperature goals could be too high

Scientists – including one of Durham’s leading glaciologists - and several countries highly vulnerable to climate change have warned that key global temperature goals might be too high.

A snow and icy landscape with a clear blue sky

Development of communication in chimpanzees echoes that of human infants

Our closest living relatives could help us better understand how communication evolved in humans and how our own language skills emerge.

European birds move to cooler areas but natural obstacles ‘control the traffic’

European birds have shifted towards northeast Europe in the last 30 years in search of cooler temperatures but natural obstacles are causing problems.

Firms with CEOs under clan culture influence are more likely to be internationally-focused

Firms that have CEOs with a sense of working in the name of their enduring family are much more likely to be internationally focused.

Businesswoman stands to address meeting around board table

Circular economy paves the way in tackling plastic pollution

The agility and capability of Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt digital technologies to enhance and promote an effective circular economy could pave the way for effectively combatting plastic pollution.

underwater photo of trash dumped in the sea

Visual and Material: A Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities Lab

Announcing the Visual and Material Lab as part of the Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities at Durham University.

ChatGPT can’t think – consciousness is something entirely different to today’s AI

Dr Philip Goff from our Department of Philosophy explains the difference between artificial intelligence (AI) and consciousness.

Scientists unearth forgotten children of the past

Scientists have unearthed a harrowing story of forgotten children of the past, providing the first direct evidence of the lives of early nineteenth century ‘pauper apprentices’.