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Reflections on COP29

This year, we sent six delegates to the Conference of Parties in Baku, Azerbaijan. Learn how their work helps to address the challenges of an ever-changing and complex world – and inspires the next generation of problem-solvers.
Five headshots of our COP29 delegates.

New study highlights how friendly social behaviours are contagious for chimpanzees

Researchers from our top-rated Psychology department have discovered that social bonding behaviours in chimpanzees, like grooming and play, can spread through groups much like contagious yawns or laughter in humans.
Two chimpanzees play on the ground outside. Photo credit: Dr Jake Brooker

Durham researchers are among the most cited in the world

Five Durham researchers have been named on a prestigious list for their world-leading research.
From left to right: Professor Tom Theuns, Professor Yunfei Chen, Professor Adrian Jenkins and Professor Carlos Frenk.

Celebrating our success in the Green Gown Awards 2024

We were delighted to attend the UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards Ceremony at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on 13 November 2024 as we reached the finals in two categories including Creating Impact and Sustainability Institution of the Year.
A bird standing on a lush green field

£2.5 million boost for North East space sector

Durham University is a key partner in a new £2.5 million initiative to accelerate space innovation in North East England.
Planet Earth at night from space

New cosmic map supports Einstein’s prediction about gravity

Albert Einstein’s transformational prediction about how gravity behaves has been backed by an international team of researchers who studied how the force acts on cosmic scales.
The dome of a telescope on top of a hill with a starry sky behind it.

Durham Drama Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary

This annual festival of new student writing for theatre will launch celebrations to mark its 50th year in 2025.
A graphic reading 'Durham Drama Festival' and showing the dates for 2025

Supercomputer simulations offer new explanation for the formation of Mars’ moons

Scientists from NASA and our Department of Physics have used supercomputer simulations to reveal that Mars’ moons may have been formed from destroyed asteroid fragments.
Graphic showing asteroid fragments orbiting Mars t

Supporting local charities with this year’s Christmas Wish Tree

Students and staff are being invited to support three local charities this festive season, by donating to our annual Christmas Wish Tree campaign.
Christmas Wish Tree 2024 graphic with a Christmas tree to the right-hand side and the words

Lived Experience Academy brings a new approach to research

Our researchers are helping to put people with lived experience of mental health distress at the forefront of health and social care research.
A group of lived experience researchers at Northumbria University, both men and women

Research team makes National Geographic’s ‘Picture of the Year’ cover

A research project involving Professor James Baldini, from our Department of Earth Sciences, features on the front cover of a globally-renowned magazine as it celebrates the best photographs of the last 12 months.
National Geographic December issue cover on blue background

New study shows how social bonds help tool-using monkeys learn new skills

Our researchers have studied wild monkeys problem-solving for food to better understand how social dynamics can influence behaviour and learning. 
Two monkeys examining a food item with their heads close together