Pioneering change to preserve the best of Durham

Our students, staff, alumni and partners love Durham because of our teaching and research excellence and our unrivalled wider student experience, including our unique collegiate model.

As universities in the UK and globally face new and increasing challenges, from funding to competition, we are focused on enhancing the quality of our offer, so our students continue to get the best experience and we achieve greater positive impact, globally, nationally and locally.

Times Higher Education World Academic Summit

Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O’Brien, explored some of the challenges and opportunities facing the world’s leading universities at the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit, held in Manchester, UK.

Professor O’Brien joined a discussion panel alongside higher education leaders from Canada, Japan and the UK.

She spoke about our collective work to preserve a University of world-leading quality, where students are known by name – because that is what makes us stand out.

Creating the future together

The discussion explored how new technologies and new types of partnership can help ensure universities’ sustainability, and what interventions or systems changes might be welcome.

Globally, Durham University is part of the Matariki Network of Universities, an international group of research-led universities, and RENKEI, a partnership for research collaboration between universities in Japan and the UK.

We have close relationships with the Palace Museum in Beijing, China, and the National Museum of American History in Washington DC, USA, as well as the University of Tubingen, Germany.

Locally, we are working more closely than ever with Further Education colleges and other universities to expand education opportunities, drive economic growth and achieve even greater social and economic impact.

Find out more

• Explore our worldwide research and partnerships.
• We’re a world leader in sustainability.
• Read Professor Karen O’Brien’s thoughts on how digital transformation can contribute to a university’s success.
• Introducing Universities for North East England, a partnership between Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside universities in North East England.
• Discover the Durham Learning Alliance, a partnership between ourselves and four Further Education colleges to expand education opportunities and drive economic growth in North East England.
• Read the Breaking Down Barriers report, which demonstrates how we’re working to enhance social mobility.