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 newsExplore our global research
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Latest news
Star bars show galaxies evolved faster than previously thought
Our astronomers have looked back more than ten billion years in time to find that the Universe’s early galaxies developed much faster than scientists previously thought.English Language Day: The medieval influences that shaped the English language we speak today
On English Language Day (Tuesday 23 April), Professor Neil Cartlidge from our English department explains how the language we use today was heavily influenced by medieval culture.Durham research project could find better treatments for depression and anxiety
Dr Marco Bocchio, from our Department of Psychology, has received a funding award of £124,000 as part of a new project aiming to uncover new insights into the human brain.Innovative body image research secures prestigious €2.5m grant
Researchers from our world-leading Department of Psychology have been awarded a c.€2.5m European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant for an international body image research project.Deepfake porn: why we need to make it a crime to create it, not just share it
Sharing deepfake pornography is a criminal offence but creating it isn't. Professor Clare McGlynn, from Durham Law School, has worked with many victims and explains why the law needs to change to protect others from suffering the same fate.Highly organised CEOs can hinder firm strategic flexibility in volatile environments
Chief Executive Officerss who prioritise planning and organisation can find their skills make them a hindrance to their organisations when it comes to adapting to external changes, according to new research.How medieval chroniclers interpreted solar eclipses and other celestial events
The evolution of technology has allowed scientists to analyse celestial events in much greater detail. Medieval chroniclers didn’t have that luxury but Giles Gasper in our History department and Brian Tanner in our Physics department say that doesn’t mean there isn’t lots we can learn from the ways in which they talked about these events and understood the universe.Precisely measuring our expanding Universe
Our physicists are part of an international team that has made the largest 3D map of the Universe, measuring its expansion over 11 billion years.How Sir Charles Villiers Stanford’s legacy lives on 100 years after his death
Professor Jeremy Dibble, from our Department of Music, has devoted much of his academic career to researching and writing about Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. Friday 29 March 2024 will mark 100 years since the composer’s death so we sat down with Jeremy to understand how Stanford’s legacy is very much alive.Julian Assange: how British extradition law works
As Julian Assange waits to learn whether he can appeal his extradition to the US, Gemma Davies, from Durham Law School, explains how the extradition law is applied in Britain.Professor Helen Ball talks 'normal' infant sleep on BBC Radio 4
Infant sleep is an emotive topic, and at times a controversial one. On this episode of 'Child', a BBC Radio 4 Podcast, Professor Helen Ball and India Rakusen discuss what 'normal' means when it comes to infant sleep, why people are so anxious about it, and the topic of bed sharing.How a balloon-borne experiment can do the job of the Hubble space telescope
Results have shown that balloon-borne experiments to explore space can be just as useful as those launched by rockets, while costing a fraction of the price. Dr Fionagh Thomson and Professor Richard Massey, from our Physics Department, explain how they are also ideal training for the next generation of technology leaders.Research Impact at Durham
Read about our Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 impact case studies.
Impact Case StudiesGlobal 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.
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