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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.
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Explore our global research

Discover how our research is changing lives around the world using the button below. We also have a static PDF version available.

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Latest news

National Clean Air Month: Exploring the link between your brain health and air pollution

With May being National Clean Air Month, we spoke to Professor Brian Castellani from our Department of Sociology and the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing about his work on the impact of air pollution on our health.
Cars in traffic emitting pollution

Durham scientists part of team behind stunning new images of the Universe

Our scientists are involved in a major international space mission that has released five unprecedented new images of the Universe.
A vibrant nursery of star formation enveloped in a shroud of interstellar dust or purple, red and white

Expert warns dyslexia diagnosis is failing struggling readers

A new book by two leading psychologists warns that a focus on diagnosing dyslexia is leaving many children without the help they urgently need.
Child reading book

How Durham researchers are informing global debate

Our researchers are constantly pushing the boundaries of knowledge, and using their learning to inform public and policy debate. Here are a few recent examples.
A stack of newspapers

New faith schools in England could soon allocate all their places on religious grounds – here’s why that’s a bad idea

A proposed change to an admissions cap could see faith schools no longer having to offer 50% of their places to children from outside their religion. Professor Stephen Gorard, from our School of Education, explains why he believes such a move would be a bad decision.
A girl raises her hand next to a boy while learning in a classroom

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.
Artist's impression of the Milky Way galaxy with a bright yellow centre and white spiral arms against a blue background.

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.
Two open pages on a dictionary

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.
A head and shoulders picture of Marco Bocchio

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.
Three individuals running in a park setting

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.
A hand on a laptop

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.
Outline of business people meeting discussion with cityscape in the background

Comet 3A and how medieval chroniclers interpreted celestial events

Many people in the UK have been gazing skyward during October, as Comet 3A, dubbed the 'comet of the century' became visible for the first time in 80,000 years. Our scientists scrutinise the cosmos in great detail. But how did medieval chroniclers interpret the skies and their wonders? Giles Gasper from our Department of History and Brian Tanner from our Department of Physics investigate.
Stars in the solar system depicting a celestial event
Aerial view of Durham

Research Impact at Durham

Read about our Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 impact case studies.

Impact Case Studies
Korean drummers playing at the Oriental Museum

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.

Find out more