Skip to main content

Department of Philosophy

World leading in research and teaching excellence in philosophy, at the forefront of the discipline, its reform, and its application to the major issues facing the world.
Alternative text

Welcome to Philosophy at Durham

The Durham Philosophy Department is amongst the most prestigious in the UK, and serves as a hub for a lively and supportive philosophical community of undergraduates, postgraduates, and staff.

We are a pluralistic department, bringing together a wide range of philosophical traditions, including analytic, Continental, Buddhist, and others. Our research and teaching span both foundational and emerging areas, from metaphysics, epistemology, and the history of philosophy, to ethics and political philosophy, philosophy of science and medicine, and the philosophy of artificial intelligence.

This breadth is combined with a strong culture of collaboration and intellectual exchange, creating an environment in which diverse approaches to philosophical inquiry can flourish.

 

Find out more about our staff
World Top 40 Our Arts & Humanities subjects were ranked 40th in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2025
39th
39th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
7th
7th The Complete University Guide 2026
REF 2021 77% of our research graded world-leading or internationally excellent

Study with us

Durham University’s Department of Philosophy is a centre for world-class research and teaching in a wide range of fields. Discover all of our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Undergraduate study

Find out more about our undergraduate opportunities.
Two students studying in class

Postgraduate study

Find out more about our postgraduate opportunities.
Student in library 930px

 

 

This is the image alt text

Meet our Students

Meet our students and find out more about why they chose to study Philosophy at Durham University and what career paths they pursue.

Meet all of our students
Man reading philosophy book

Research

At Durham, we have a very different vision of the life of the philosopher. For us, philosophy is a joint enterprise, a subject that one makes progress in through conversation, collaboration, and community.

Discover Our Research
QS World University Rankings 2024

World-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2026

Durham University has been named in the QS World University Rankings world top 100, a position it has achieved every year since 2010. The rankings have confirmed the University’s strong global reputation for employability (64th) and it is also 22nd in the world for sustainability.

Learn more about the QS World University Rankings

What's new?

Filter:

Durham philosopher brings ethical thinking on AI and democracy to global stage

Dr Jack Symes from our top-rated Philosophy Department has recently taken part in high-profile international discussions in Davos.

Research news
Jack Symes in Davos

Durham Hosts Week of Events Honouring Black History and Reparative Justice

A vibrant week of events (20–23 October 2025) will take place across Durham, exploring Black history, reparative justice, and decolonial thought. Organised as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, the programme brings together scholars, students, and community members for walking tours, film screenings, and keynote lectures that highlight critical conversations around race, memory, and historical responsibility.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Woman in front of whiteboard smiling

Twenty Durham researchers appointed to REF 2029 sub-panels

Twenty of our researchers will take important roles in assessing UK universities’ research quality.
Research news
Woman in lab coat holding microscope-like device

Faculty of Arts and Humanities Earns Prestigious Athena Swan Silver Award

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities has been awarded a highly regarded Athena Swan Silver Award, becoming only the second faculty of its kind in the UK to receive this distinction. This milestone acknowledges the significant progress made in advancing gender equality across all departments and highlights a firm commitment to continued improvement through to 2030.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Group picture with Executive Dean Janet Stewart and Deputy Executive Dean (People and Workplace Culture) Alexandra Harrington.

Philosophy study suggests ‘negligent racism’ shaped global Covid-19 response

Were the lockdown policies implemented around the globe during the Covid-19 pandemic racist?
Research news
A line of white people wearing medical facemasks with a black person in the centre

New book delves into the ethical dilemmas of using AI

The challenges of aligning artificial intelligence (AI) with human values are the focus of a compelling new book by Dr Travis LaCroix from our Department of Philosophy.
Durham news
The front cover of the book: AI and the Value Alignment Problem

Ilona Maher and the myth of feminine fragility – how one rugby player is reshaping sport

Professor Stephen Mumford from our Department of Philosophy and Associate Professor Sheree Bekker discuss the impact that Ilona Maher is having on women's sports and perceptions of femininity, fragility.
Research news
White and blue rugby ball resting on the grass, with a sunny sky
Read all news articles

No, autistic people are not ‘mind blind’ – here’s why

Dr Travis LaCroix, in our Department of Philosophy, challenges a long-standing misconception about autism: that autistic people are inherently unable to understand others’ thoughts or feelings.

Five teenage children sat together on grass in conversation

Professor Emily Thomas visits the USA

Head of Department Professor Emily Thomas attends Liberal Arts Summit.
Professor Emily Thomas - Head of Department

The mystery of consciousness shows there may be a limit to what science alone can achieve

Science is rightly celebrated, but as the problem of consciousness is revealing, there may be a limit to what we can learn through science alone, argues Professor Philip Goff in our Department of Philosophy.
A picture of a head with colourful tiles inside

Simona Capisani Publishes Lead-Authored Article on Livability and Non-Human Organisms in Biology & Philosophy

Simona Capisani is lead author of an article published this month in the journal Biology & Philosophy. Livability and non-human organisms | Biology & Philosophy | Springer Nature Link

Dr Simona Capisani

Spotlight on: Professor Philip Goff – challenging the foundations of science through philosophy

Our ‘Spotlight On’ series highlights some of our pioneering researchers who are leading transformative work. Professor Philip Goff from our Department of Philosophy is challenging the long-held quantitative focus of physical science through his work on consciousness.
Black and white image of Professor Philip Goff set against a white background

Durham philosopher brings ethical thinking on AI and democracy to global stage

Dr Jack Symes from our top-rated Philosophy Department has recently taken part in high-profile international discussions in Davos.
Jack Symes in Davos

Philosophy ranks 39th in QS World University Rankings by Subject

Philosophy at Durham has been ranked 39th in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Photograph of QS Ranking by Subject for Philosophy

Congratulations to Dr Francesca Bellazzi

Dr Francesca Bellazzi has been awarded the Italy Made Me Prize with her project "Functions at the Molecular Scale", given by the Italian Embassy in London.
Photograph of Dr Francesca Bellazzi

Professor Philip Goff appears on You tube and BBC Radio!

Professor Philip Goff brings his thought-provoking insights to a wide audience, appearing as a distinguished panellist on BBC Radio 4’s acclaimed program Beyond Belief and featuring on the popular YouTube series Within Reason.
Black and white image of Professor Philip Goff set against a white background

  • Durham Hosts Week of Events Honouring Black History and Reparative Justice

    A vibrant week of events (20–23 October 2025) will take place across Durham, exploring Black history, reparative justice, and decolonial thought. Organised as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, the programme brings together scholars, students, and community members for walking tours, film screenings, and keynote lectures that highlight critical conversations around race, memory, and historical responsibility.
    Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
    Woman in front of whiteboard smiling

  • Faculty of Arts and Humanities Earns Prestigious Athena Swan Silver Award

    The Faculty of Arts and Humanities has been awarded a highly regarded Athena Swan Silver Award, becoming only the second faculty of its kind in the UK to receive this distinction. This milestone acknowledges the significant progress made in advancing gender equality across all departments and highlights a firm commitment to continued improvement through to 2030.
    Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
    Group picture with Executive Dean Janet Stewart and Deputy Executive Dean (People and Workplace Culture) Alexandra Harrington.

Durham Hosts Week of Events Honouring Black History and Reparative Justice

A vibrant week of events (20–23 October 2025) will take place across Durham, exploring Black history, reparative justice, and decolonial thought. Organised as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, the programme brings together scholars, students, and community members for walking tours, film screenings, and keynote lectures that highlight critical conversations around race, memory, and historical responsibility.

Woman in front of whiteboard smiling

Faculty of Arts and Humanities Earns Prestigious Athena Swan Silver Award

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities has been awarded a highly regarded Athena Swan Silver Award, becoming only the second faculty of its kind in the UK to receive this distinction. This milestone acknowledges the significant progress made in advancing gender equality across all departments and highlights a firm commitment to continued improvement through to 2030.
Group picture with Executive Dean Janet Stewart and Deputy Executive Dean (People and Workplace Culture) Alexandra Harrington.

Updates from the Department

Find the latest blog articles and posts on social media

Highlights

What’s it like studying Philosophy?

Find out why Emily decided to study Philosophy at Durham and how an average week as a Philosophy student looks like.
/media/durham-university/departments-/philosophy/sophie-cover-827x694.jpg

Choosing the right university, and why I chose Durham

Get to know Sophie and read why she chose to study at Durham University.
Sophie Clarke and friends

Get in touch

Find out more about our department, courses and support. Contact us by phone or email below.

Department of Philosophy

Durham University
50 Old Elvet
DH1 3HN
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 5325
Tel Undergraduate: +44 (0)191 334 6559
Tel Postgraduate: +44 (0)191 334 6553

 

 

Donate to Durham University's Philosophy Department

Make a donation to the Philosophy Department

Donate

Questions about studying here?

Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.

Ask Us

Your Durham prospectus

Order your personalised prospectus and College guide here.

Order Now