Global Impact - Durham University

Research to empower and inspire

We are a globally outstanding centre of teaching, learning and research excellence. We are a world top 100 university, with 10 of our subjects ranked in the world top 50 and 22 in the world top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and locally: research to empower and inspire.

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Research Impact at Durham

Read about our Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 impact case studies.
Global Culture

Interested in how the cultural activities of Durham's staff and student bodies enrich life worldwide? Head to the Global Culture page to find out.

Research Impact at Durham

Read about our Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 impact case studies.

Global Culture

Interested in how the cultural activities of Durham's staff and student bodies enrich life worldwide? Head to the Global Culture page to find out.

Bollywood Dance group at the Oriental museum, Holi Festival, indian dance

Latest news

Durham researchers win major European award for social work study

Researchers from our Sociology Department have received a prestigious European award for their work on child-to-parent violence, highlighting the real experiences of families and the need for better support.

Milky Way’s neighbouring galaxies could tell us about the infant Universe

New research has found that ultra-faint satellite galaxy systems orbiting our Milky Way could tell us about the conditions of the early Universe – and why some galaxies grew while others didn’t.

A computer simulation image showing stars and gaseous material in a simulated ultra-faint dwarf galaxy in yellow, orange, purple and pink colours.

Durham University museum curator recognised for strengthening UK–Japan cultural ties

Our work in strengthening UK-Japan cultural ties has been recognised with a prestigious honour from the Japanese Government to the Senior Curator of our Oriental Museum.

A woman and a man hold a framed certificate and smile at the camera. The certificate is written in Japanese.

Durham scientists reveal how bacteria transport antimicrobials

Researchers at Durham have helped unlock new understanding of how bacteria import antimicrobial peptides - the molecules that can kill or inhibit microbes.

New movie charts Milky Way’s formation across nine billion years

Our physicists have created a new movie taking us back nine billion years in time to understand the formation of our Milky Way.

A simulated image of a spiral galaxy with a bright centre and spiral arms, set against a black backdrop.

Valery Khoze elected to the Academia Europaea, one of Europe’s most distinguished academic bodies.

Valery Khoze has been elected to the Academia Europaea, one of Europe’s most distinguished academic bodies. The honour recognises Professor Khoze’s influential contributions to theoretical particle physics, particularly in quantum field theory, quantum chromodynamics, Higgs physics, and high-energy particle interactions.

Prof Valery Khoze takes a selfie of himself outside the CERN compound in Geneva

Durham helps complete the world’s most detailed 3D map of the Universe

Durham researchers are part of an international collaboration that has completed the most detailed 3D map of the Universe to date.

Researchers use DESI’s huge 3D map to study dark energy. Earth is at the center of this map, and every point is a galaxy.

Professor Susanne Braun explores the dark side of leadership

Professor Susanne Braun from Durham University Business School has led a major new international research collection exploring the impact of dark-side personality traits in leadership.

Taking our Transformative Humanities approach around the world

Following a visit to Australia and New Zealand, Professor Janet Stewart, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, has laid the groundwork for new research collaborations under Durham University’s Transformative Humanities work.

Elderly couple on bench reading newspaper

Durham professor honoured with Lapworth Medal for outstanding contributions to palaeontology

David Harper, Emeritus Professor of Palaeontology and former Principal of Van Mildert College, has been awarded the 2025 Lapworth Medal. This is the Palaeontological Association’s highest honour.

David Harper is pictured against a brick wall carrying the Lapworth Medal

Spotlight on: Professor Carol Adams – setting the standard in corporate sustainability reporting

Carol Adams is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting in our Business School. She is a globally renowned expert in corporate accounting and sustainability reporting, focusing on its impact on business, society and the environment.

Professor Carol Adams facing the camera with a blue background behind her

Workers with multiple jobs miss out on basic rights, study finds

Current workplace frameworks are failing to reflect the realities of modern employment, leaving many people working multiple jobs without adequate protection, new research from Professor Jo McBride in our Business School finds.

Bustling scene at London Underground platform

Sample tubes being held by purple latex gloves over a light box

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