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.
IBRU have received funding to support a PhD student at Durham to research “Ethnographies of Border Mapping: Retracing the Field through the Geographical Archive.” Deadline for expressions of interest in 15 January 2025
IBRU runs professional training workshops on practical aspects of boundary-making and dispute resolution. Our timetable of workshops for 2025 is coming soon
This online training course provides a contextual overview of international boundaries, covering topics including definition, delimitation and dispute resolution.
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.
Borderlines provides an update on the activities of IBRU and information on developments in the wider boundary community around the world.
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.
IBRU, Durham University’s Centre for Borders Research, has awarded its seventh annual Raymond Milefsky Award to Nepalese borders expert Buddhi Narayan Shrestha.
Enquiries about IBRU: Centre for Borders Research should be sent via the email link below.
IBRU Department of Geography Durham University Durham, DH1 3LE United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1965 Fax: +44 (0)191 334 1962
