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.
Explore our latest research news
Research Impact at Durham
Read about our Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 impact case studies.
Latest news
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
First-of-its-kind measurement of Universe’s expansion rate
Our physicists are part of an international team that has successfully used a first-of-its-kind technique to measure the expansion of the Universe.
Research says talking to toddlers shapes early brain development
New research reveals that talking to babies and toddlers helps shape their developing brain.
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.