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IBRU Centre for Borders Research

The world's leading research centre on international boundary making and dispute resolution.
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Welcome to IBRU

Since its founding as the International Boundaries Research Unit in 1989, IBRU has been the world’s leading research centre on international boundary making and dispute resolution. Today, IBRU joins work in international boundary law with the geographic study of borders and bordering in the 21st century. 

Through research, consultancy, and training, IBRU facilitates enhanced understanding of border areas, contributes to the peaceful resolution of boundary disputes, and engages with broader geographic questions concerning the changing nature of sovereignty, territory, citizenship, and the political organisation of space. 

IBRU is part of the Geography Department at Durham University.

More about IBRU
Over 70 training workshops delivered globally since 1996
1,800 participants trained to date
Participants from over 125 countries involved in our training programmes
Specialised maps and databases including the definitive map of maritime jurisdiction and boundaries in the Arctic region

IBRU Training Workshops

Since 1996, IBRU has run over 70 professional workshops, training over 1,800 participants from over 125 countries in technical issues in boundary delimitation, recovery, research, and negotiation.

IBRU runs regular professional training workshops on practical aspects of boundary-making and dispute resolution, including maritime boundary delimitation, negotiating international boundaries, preparing for litigation and arbitration, geographical information in boundary-making, and archive research for boundary dispute resolution.

Our 2025 training workshops

Refugees sign

*NEW* Asylum, Borders and Human Rights

Borders around the world are increasingly crossed by migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers. IBRU’s new online course on Asylum, Borders & Human Rights details the legal framework governing migrant mobilities.

More information and registration

Online Course: Introduction to International Boundaries

This online training course provides a contextual overview of international boundaries, covering topics including definition, delimitation and dispute resolution.

Find out more
Borderlines Spring 2025 Issue 23 Cover

Borderlines Newsletter 2025

Borderlines provides an update on the activities of IBRU and information on developments in the wider boundary community around the world.

The latest edition
Thumbnail Map 1 IBRU Arctic map 02-03-23 (revised Russia claimed)

IBRU Arctic Maps

IBRU's 'Arctic Maps' series identifies areas covered by CLCS recommendations, state submissions, and hypothetical state submissions, as well as other maritime jurisdictional zones north of the Arctic Circle.

Arctic Maps
Ray Milefsky at Durham Botanic Gardens

Milefsky Award

Ray Milefsky has kindly endowed upon IBRU an annual award to honour a leading border practitioner or organisation. Read about the past winners of the Award.

More about the award

Latest IBRU news

Seventh Annual IBRU Milefsky Award Honours Buddhi Narayan Shrestha

IBRU, Durham University’s Centre for Borders Research, has awarded its seventh annual Raymond Milefsky Award to Nepalese borders expert Buddhi Narayan Shrestha.

Research news
Image of Buddhi Shrestha - Milesfky Award winner

PhD opportunity with Durham University, IBRU and the Royal Geographical Society

IBRU (Durham University' Centre for Borders Research) and the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), in cooperation with Queen’s University Belfast and the UK Arts & Humanities Research Council’s Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Partnership, are pleased to announce that we have received funding to support a PhD student at Durham University.
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Old map with glasses

IBRU releases new maps showing new continental shelves for Russia and USA

IBRU: Durham University’s Centre for Borders Research has released updates to its Arctic map series to reflect changes in the Russian and USA extended continental shelves in the Central Arctic Ocean.
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2024 Map Banner.
News and boundary resources

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Get in Touch

Enquiries about IBRU: Centre for Borders Research should be sent via the email link below.

Contact Us

IBRU 
Department of Geography 
Durham University 
Durham, DH1 3LE 
United Kingdom 
 
Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1965 
Fax: +44 (0)191 334 1962