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Welcome to IBRU

Since its founding as the International Boundaries Research Unit in 1989, IBRU has been the world’s leading research centre on international boundary making and dispute resolution. Today, IBRU joins work in international boundary law with the geographic study of borders and bordering in the 21st century. 

Through research, consultancy, and training, IBRU facilitates enhanced understanding of border areas, contributes to the peaceful resolution of boundary disputes, and engages with broader geographic questions concerning the changing nature of sovereignty, territory, citizenship, and the political organisation of space. 

IBRU is part of the Geography Department at Durham University.

More about IBRU
Over 70 training workshops delivered globally since 1996
1,800 participants trained to date
Participants from over 125 countries involved in our training programmes
Specialised maps and databases including the definitive map of maritime jurisdiction and boundaries in the Arctic region

IBRU Training Workshops

Since 1996, IBRU has run over 70 professional workshops, training over 1,800 participants from over 124 countries in technical issues in boundary delimitation, recovery, research, and negotiation.

IBRU runs regular professional training workshops on practical aspects of boundary-making and dispute resolution, including maritime boundary delimitation, negotiating international boundaries, preparing for litigation and arbitration, geographical information in boundary-making, and archive research for boundary dispute resolution.

Our 2024 training workshops

Online Course: Introduction to International Boundaries

This online training course provides a contextual overview of international boundaries, covering topics including definition, delimitation and dispute resolution.

Find out more
Thumbnail Map 1 IBRU Arctic map 02-03-23 (revised Russia claimed)

IBRU Arctic Maps

IBRU's 'Arctic Maps' series identifies areas covered by CLCS recommendations, state submissions, and hypothetical state submissions, as well as other maritime jurisdictional zones north of the Arctic Circle.

Arctic Maps
Issue 22 Borderlines Spring 2024 Cover

Borderlines Newsletter 2024

Borderlines provides an update on the activities of IBRU and information on developments in the wider boundary community around the world.

The latest edition
Ray Milefsky at Durham Botanic Gardens

Milefsky Award

Ray Milefsky has kindly endowed upon IBRU an annual award to honour a leading border practitioner or organisation. Read about the past winners of the Award.

More about the award

Latest IBRU news

Winner of 2023 Milefsky Award Announced

IBRU, Durham University’s Centre for Borders Research, has awarded its sixth annual Raymond Milefsky Award to Macedonian borders expert Mile Milenkoski.
Mile Milenkoski Milefsky Award winner 2023

PhD opportunity with Durham University, IBRU and the Royal Geographical Society

IBRU (Durham University' Centre for Borders Research) and the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), in cooperation with Queen’s University Belfast and the UK Arts & Humanities Research Council’s Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Partnership, are pleased to announce that we have received funding to support a PhD student at Durham University.
Old map with glasses

Get in Touch

Enquiries about IBRU: Centre for Borders Research should be sent via the email link below.

Contact Us

IBRU 
Department of Geography 
Durham University 
Durham, DH1 3LE 
United Kingdom 
 
Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1965 
Fax: +44 (0)191 334 1962