Our Spotlight On series highlights the leading work of our academics. Professor Markian Prokopovych from our Department of History specialises in modern European history. The war in Ukraine has transformed his research, prompting him to explore how the past can help shape Ukraine's future.

We’ve signed a new partnership with Historic England to advance research and public engagement on North East England’s natural and cultural heritage.

Congratulations to Talitha Ilacqua, Career Development Fellow in Modern European History, who has won the Society for the Study of French History Book Prize for her book Inventing the Modern Region: Basque Identity and the French Nation-State, published by Manchester University Press.

Hot water bottles, electric blankets and the heating on – some of the ways we try and keep ourselves warm in the 21st century, but how did the medieval monks manage it? Historian Professor Giles Gasper takes a step back in time to explain.

Giles Gasper has written a piece on Conversation on how medieval monks stayed warm in their monasteries during wintery conditions.

As the UK and much of Europe endure a bitter cold spell, it’s easy to imagine the discomfort of freezing temperatures. But how did people cope with winter centuries ago, without modern heating or insulation?

Ashleigh Percival- Borley, former British Army combat medic and PhD Candidate in our Department of History discusses why history, and personal experience, show that gender is not important on the battlefield.

Durham University has entered into a partnership with the MarcoPolo700 Foundation to develop a pioneering East-West Institute in Hong Kong and Durham.

Dr Alex Brown and Dr Grace Owen from our Department of History explore the surprising range of workplace benefits that existed for peasant workers in medieval England.

A memorial has been installed to a councillor believed to be the first openly gay politician elected in the UK, with support from two of our historians.

Professor Justin Willis, from our Department of History, shares his deep knowledge of Sudan’s political history in the following piece, which is co-authored with Dr Willow Berridge (Newcastle University). Together, they combine their expertise to explain the complex historical and political forces behind Sudan’s descent into violence.

Congratulations to Professors Philip Williamson, Natalie Mears and Stephen Taylor on the publication of the fourth and final volume of National Prayers, which brings to a close their British State Prayers project, originally funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).