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Research and Impact

We are a large department of human and physical geographers conducting world-leading research that addresses pressing social and environmental challenges.

Our aim is to be a global node for geographical research - a destination and conduit for outstanding researchers from a wide range of countries and backgrounds. Our research clusters function as centres of gravity for new ideas, for experimentation, and for maintaining an environment that maximises our collective research strengths. As we move across boundaries and forge new areas of inquiry, we foster a research culture that is open, ambitious, flexible, and adventurous.
Learn more about our research clusters
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Explore Our Current Research

Our research across human and physical geography addresses pressing global challenges through projects focused on delivering social and environmental benefits.

Take a look at some of current research projects

Affiliated Research Units

Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience

Research on social and environmental complexity

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Institute for Medical Humanities

Critical, transformative health scholarship

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Take a look at our Virtual Library

Explore some of our recent outputs, from documentaries and talks to books, articles, and more.

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DON'T TOUCH TARIQUÍA: The Resistance of Chiquiacá

Dr Penelope Anthias's new documentary on Bolivian women organising against oil and gas development in Tariquía National Reserve of Flora and Fauna

Read Anthias's book: Limits to Decolonisation
The Durham University Observatory is a weather observatory owned and operated by the University of Durham. It is a Grade II listed building located at Potters Bank and was founded in 1839.

170 Years of Weather Data

Apart from the Radcliffe Observatory at Oxford, Durham University Observatory has the longest unbroken series of meteorological observations for any university in the UK.

Explore Durham's Open-Access Weather Data

FSSH International Brochure

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Health has an extensive global collaboration in research and education with partners across the world, promoting Social Science solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.

The stories presented in our International Brochure demonstrate sustained and positive engagement with international partners, particularly around work with social justice in society and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Our eight departments have funded research projects on every continent.
Find out more in our International Brochure
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Contact Us

Founded in 1928, the Department of Geography at Durham University is one of the leading centres of geographical research and education in the world.

Department of Geography
Durham University
Lower Mountjoy
South Road, Durham
DH1 3LE, UK

Tel: +44 (0)191 3341800
Fax: +44 (0)191 3341801