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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 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: research to empower and inspire.
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Latest news

Defining what makes the best virtual first impression

A new study by psychologists at Durham has found the answers to creating the best first impression in a virtual meeting, such as Teams or Zoom, is a visual background of house plants and books.
Image contains three people pictured against three backgrounds, including a man with a background of books, a woman with a background of house plants and a man with a background of a walrus

Defining what makes the best virtual first impression

A new study by psychologists at Durham has found the answers to creating the best first impression in a virtual meeting, such as Teams or Zoom, is a visual background of house plants and books.
Image contains three people pictured against three backgrounds, including a man with a background of books, a woman with a background of house plants and a man with a background of a walrus

New expectations for research: More impact and practical relevance

Global challenges, rapid change and complexity are creating new pressures on research and the role of the researcher.
Brian Castellani and Jonathan Wistow with Colleagues

“Senzenina: What have we done?” We are all entangled in the politics of peace

On International Day of Peace, 21 September, Professor Stefanie Kappler from our School of Government and International Affairs reflects on the politics of peace in relation to art and, in particular, the work of South African artist and activist Haroon Gunn-Salie.
An image of the Marikana mine, South Africa

Contact with Extraterrestrial Intelligence and Human Law

Professor Michael Bohlander has written a new book called ‘Contact with Extraterrestrial Intelligence and Human Law - The applicability of rules of war and human rights’.
https://brill.com/display/title/68174

Bank branches closer to their headquarters have greater performance and efficiency

Bank branches geographically closer to the bank’s headquarters have greater levels of output and efficiency, performing better than branches further away, according to new research from our Department of Finance.
Plane in the sky surrounded by skyscrapers

Durham leads new £21.3m research hub to decarbonise UK maritime sector

We’ve been chosen to lead a new £21.3m national research partnership focussed on decarbonising the UK maritime sector.
Aerial view of a container ship being guided by tug boats on a blue ocean

Durham Law School visit to Universidad Externado de Colombia

Further to an earlier visit to Colombia by Bruce Wardhaugh and Gemma Davies, and to continue to deepen the relationship between Durham University and our partner Universidad Externado de Colombia, Dr Smith Azubuike and Dr Adebola Adeyemi visited Colombia from 14-16 August to promote a joint academic event and shared views on the UK critical minerals strategy and the likely impact for the UK and the global South.

University welcomes Horizon Europe announcement

The University has welcomed the announcement that Britain is to rejoin the €95.5billion Horizon Europe research funding programme.
A scientist looking into a microscope

Researchers discover a new form of Oxygen

A leading statistician from our department of Mathematical Sciences has collaborated with researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan to achieve a major discovery in nuclear physics.
28o

Wind power industry faces size problem as blades get longer than football pitches. Simon Hogg comments on Financial Times.

Simon Hogg commented on FT expressing concern on wind turbine models' rapid development.
Wind turbine installation

Pioneering technological research in our Computer Science Department

Our Computer Science Department is one of the top ranked in the UK and we are at the forefront of next generation innovation. Our research projects are having a world-changing impact.
computer science car
Aerial view of Durham

Research Impact at Durham

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

Impact Case Studies
Korean drummers playing at the Oriental Museum

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.

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