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

Durham Professor takes research to Hollywood

Professor Santiago Fouz Hernández, from our School of Modern Language and Cultures, will showcase his specialist research on the film director, designer and artist Bigas Luna at The Bigas Luna Tribute in Los Angeles, USA, from 17-24 March 2023.

A scene from the Bigas Luna movie Jamón, jamón

Fearmongering about people fleeing disasters is a dangerous and faulty narrative

Dr Corey Robinson from our School of Government and International Affairs collaborates with Dr Yvonne Su from York University, Canada, on explaining why fearmongering about migrants is dangerous.

Hands-on and fun: enhancing museum education in Jordan

Practical workshops are helping to invigorate young Jordanians' interest in their heritage.

Primary school children in Amman, Jordan as part of the 'Learning from Multicultural Amman' project

Regional environmental agreements are over twice as likely to be authorised than global agreements

Regionally-focused environmental agreements are two and a half times more likely to be ratified than globally-focused environmental agreements.

Business person holding leaf in cupped hands

Departmental delegation to India creates exciting opportunities

We recently took part in a delegation along with the Department of Education to collaborate with academic institutions and archaeological organisations in India. We are all looking forward to working together to manage cultural heritage sustainably.

Colleagues from Durham University and Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda Archaeology Departments

Oldest fossils of mysterious animal group are actually seaweeds

A leading scientist from our Department of Earth Sciences has collaborated with researchers in China to reveal that a group of prehistoric sea creatures is not as ancient as we thought - their earliest fossils are actually seaweeds.

Supporting teacher training in India

Experts from our top-rated School of Education, in association with the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, have undertaken a unique training programme for teachers in India on ‘hands on-minds on-effective teaching and learning of science.’

Solving problems across boundaries

Did you know that our researchers have been working with colleagues at the Chinese of Academy of Sciences (CAS) for over 30 years on areas ranging from climate change to astronomy?

Abstract picture of a globe with lines illustrating connections.

How Shakespeare was inspired by controversial student theatre

Student theatre may be a staple of undergraduate life today, but in Shakespeare’s time it was controversial and provocative, and may have inspired some of ‘The Bard’s’ most important pieces.

Image showing book of Shakespeare plays open with image of Shakespeare

Pinpointing carbon-free helium gas fields to avert global supply crisis

Our Durham Energy Institute researchers are part of an international team that has identified hidden natural helium gas fields.

Helium gas coloured purple in a test tube when interacting with a plasma ball

Strengthened connections with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

We are delighted to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).

A group of people standing in front of a sign that says Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Robotic bees to support real-life ecosystem

A leading scientist from our Department of Computer Science has collaborated with researchers from University of Graz, Czech Technical University and Middle East Technical University to build robotic bee replicants that will affect the whole ecosystem.