Research Impact - Durham University

Research and Impact

At Durham we generate transformative histories through our research and impact.

We pursue a diverse range of approaches to transform knowledge and understanding within and beyond the discipline. We practice and disseminate our research broadly beyond universities and across the world. And we value our colleagues’ research-led teaching that transforms our students’ lives and careers in ways that forge a life-long connection with the past.

Black and white photo of good-spirited young girls taking part in labour march

Transformative Histories

Durham historians explore a vast range of past human experience across the world, from Late Antiquity to the twenty-first century. We engage in collaborations across the humanities, sciences, and social sciences to develop innovative research methods and techniques. And we make critical interventions to inform policy and public debate, whether to draw lessons from the past or challenge the use and abuse of history in the present.

Research Clusters

Our History Department research clusters develop the Transformative Humanities framework of the Arts and Humanities Faculty. We have a special thematic focus on:

We also work closely with colleagues across the university, including via the Institute for Medical Humanities and the Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, as well as the Centre for African History, the Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies, and the Centre for Visual Arts and Cultures.

History Department Research Seminars

Wednesday 21 October 2026

Catherine Fletcher (Manchester Metropolitan University)

Wednesday 18 November 2026

Will Pooley (University of Bristol)

Wednesday 2 December 2026

Jane Whittle (University of Exeter)

Wednesday 27 January 2027

Emma Hunter (University of Edinburgh)

Wednesday 10 February 2027

Shamara Wettimuny (The Queen's College, Oxford University)

Wednesday 24 February 2027

Holly Stephens (University of Edinburgh)

Wednesday 12 May 2027

Mark Bailey (University of East Anglia)

Please contact amanda.herbert@durham.ac.uk with any questions.

Explore our global research

Durham University is 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.

Durham University's Research Impact

Transformative Humanities

Discover the Faculty of Arts and Humanities' new Transformative Humanities framework which brings together distinctive approaches to humanities research and education within the academy and across a wide range of partners and communities.

Visit the Transformative Humanities website

Find out more...

Find out about our research in our Departmental Clusters, Research Centres and University Research Institutes and our outreach activities.

Clusters, Centres and Institutes

Academic members of the Department lead a number of Research Clusters and Centres and are actively involved in a number of Institutes within the University.

Exterior shot of the front of the Department of History building

Outreach

Our world-leading research is grounded in its outstanding collections (e.g. the Oriental Museum) and in the extensive international research networks of its staff.