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Research highlights

Highlighted research stories for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Spotlight on: Professor Edith Hall – leading the campaign for Classics education for all

Professor Edith Hall asks what we can learn from ancient civilisations and leads a campaign to put Classics education back on the UK curriculum
Edith Hall

Do aliens exist? We studied what scientists really think

Professor in Philosophy of Science Peter Vickers reveals the results of four surveys asking if experts think there's intelligent life beyond Earth.
A UFO floats against the night sky with its tractor beam lit

PhD scholar reveals the emotional impact of the White Ship disaster

Harriet Strahl, a PhD History student, has shed new light on the emotional and societal repercussions of the 1120 White Ship disaster
King Henry I on his throne, mourning. Table of his children and Matilda's two sons. The White Ship is depicted in a disabled condition behind.
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Reimagining the imagination at the world’s largest literary festival

Researchers from our Institute for Medical Humanities have taken our innovative ReaderBank project to the Jaipur Literature Festival in Rajasthan, India.

Global research
Four people standing smiling at the camera

PhD scholar reveals the emotional impact of the White Ship disaster

Harriet Strahl, a PhD student in our History department, has shed new light on the emotional and societal repercussions of the 1120 White Ship disaster.
Research news
King Henry I on his throne, mourning. Table of his children and Matilda's two sons. The White Ship is depicted in a disabled condition behind.

Durham subjects among world top 100

Four of our subjects have been ranked among the world’s top 100 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
Research news
Three young people seated left, looking right, smiling

Professor Peter Vickers uncovers new method to measure global scientific consensus

A team of international researchers led by Professor Peter Vickers from our top-rated Philosophy department has developed a breakthrough method for gathering and analysing global scientific opinion with speed and precision.
Research news
Scientists analysing reports

Congratulations to Dr Katherine McDonald - Philip Leverhulme Prize winner 2024

Dr Katherine McDonald wins prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize for 2024 with her project 'The Linguistics of Roman Slavery'. Photo credit Dr Christopher Haddad
Research news

Abuse crisis in Catholic Church has led to drop in Mass attendance

A third of Catholics who previously went to Mass have reduced their attendance or stopped going altogether as a result of the child sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church.
Research news
A rosary on a bible

Transformative Humanities framework launched

Durham University's Transformative Humanities launched yesterday and gathered more than 130 researchers, colleagues, students, and partners from across the region and beyond to celebrate this new interdisciplinary framework.
Research news
Transformative Humanities launch news banner
More Arts and Humanities research

PhD scholar reveals the emotional impact of the White Ship disaster

Harriet Strahl, a PhD student in our History department, has shed new light on the emotional and societal repercussions of the 1120 White Ship disaster.

King Henry I on his throne, mourning. Table of his children and Matilda's two sons. The White Ship is depicted in a disabled condition behind.

Durham subjects among world top 100

Four of our subjects have been ranked among the world’s top 100 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
Three young people seated left, looking right, smiling

Professor Peter Vickers uncovers new method to measure global scientific consensus

A team of international researchers led by Professor Peter Vickers from our top-rated Philosophy department has developed a breakthrough method for gathering and analysing global scientific opinion with speed and precision.
Scientists analysing reports
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