Our Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill drew on her North East England roots to inspire County Durham pupils to achieve the extraordinary.

New research has revealed 15,800-year-old engravings of catching fish in traps.

New sustainability-focused scholarships will be established and student entrepreneurship enhanced thanks to a US $4.15 (£3.2) million donation from tech pioneer, former Netflix executive and Durham alumnus Dr Neil Hunt.

Thinking of studying a Masters in 2025? Consider one of our new postgraduate degrees and elevate your career at a World Top 100 university.

Want to know more about how we interact with our local community? Our monthly Community Newsletter explores the news, events, and research both at Durham University and in the city itself.

Durham University has joined the Arqus European University Alliance (Arqus) as an associate member.

Loneliness has been identified as a major challenge for social work because of its significant impact on health and social care services, particularly for older people. It is linked to conditions like heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.

Four Durham University scholars are among 33 researchers who have been named Royal Society University Research Fellows.

Dr Louise Creechan, from our Institute for Medical Humanities and Department of English Studies, has won a prestigious award to make humanities research more accessible and inclusive for neurodivergent researchers.

Long-standing relationships were strengthened and new opportunities explored through a visit by some of our senior leaders to mainland China and Hong Kong. A high-level delegation travelled in East Asia to expand our global network and explore opportunities to strengthen partnerships in the region. The visit included meetings with our university and institutional partners, the launch of a new scholarship campaign, and meetings with senior UK representatives in China.

We have strengthened our relationship with the Palace Museum, Beijing, through a delegation to China led by our Vice-Chancellor and Warden, which included the Museum and ourselves co-hosting the latest in our series of Global Lectures.

Universities are key to delivering the sustainable growth the UK needs, and nowhere more so than here in North East England where, a recent report found, research-intensive universities have helped unlock nearly £100m of investment in the region. In her monthly column, our Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O'Brien explores how we can continue to help unlock the full potential of our region.