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Current Research

Research that makes a difference.

Durham is an ancient seat of learning and a leading world University which, since its establishment in 1832, has developed a distinctive reputation for leadership and innovation in education and research.
Research and Business
Scientists examine DNA models in modern Neurological Research Laboratory

Research, scholarship and ideas are at the core of Durham University. We are home to some of the most talented researchers and scholars from around the world, tackling global issues, and making a difference to people's lives. Research directly informs our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and, in partnership with policy-makers, industry, the public sector, and communities around the world, shapes local, national and international agendas.

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The Arctic: understanding and stewarding our planet’s frozen north

Our research is advancing understanding of the Arctic, and how we might better protect this crucial part of our planet.

Global research
A small town of brightly coloured wooden houses stands in a frozen landscape

Exploring the hidden histories of the female body

For many women, childbirth is transformative. For Dr Erin Maglaque from our Department of History, it also sparked an exploration into how history has shaped understanding, expectation and perceptions of the female body.
Global research
Seventeenth century illustrations of women undertaking what were considered feminine occupations such as cooking, sewing and weaving

Baby slings: what the evidence says about benefits, risks and safe use

Baby slings and carriers are popular among new parents, but is there enough trusted guidance available on how to use them safely? PhD student, Sophie Lovell-Kennedy, has delved into the evidence.
Research news
Newborn baby asleep on a bed.

Knighthood for world-leading cosmologist Professor Carlos Frenk

Professor Carlos Frenk – who is behind one of the foremost theories of the evolution of the Universe – has been knighted in The King’s Birthday Honours.
Global research
A man with white hair and glasses, wearing a cream linen jacket and blue shirt smiles at the camera

Parents need better guidance on how to use baby carriers safely

New parents receive little guidance on how to use a baby sling or carrier safely, according to new research.
Research news
Baby asleep in a sling

Improving care for women in prison living with severe mental illness

Women in the prison system often have complex mental health problems, frequently alongside long-term physical conditions, with women from racial minority backgrounds worst affected.
Research news
Female hands through prison cell bars

Giant fan-shaped geological structure discovered beneath East Antarctica

An international team of researchers including our Department of Geography has discovered a vast geological structure hidden beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Research news
Landscape image of Antarctica
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Baby slings: what the evidence says about benefits, risks and safe use

Baby slings and carriers are popular among new parents, but is there enough trusted guidance available on how to use them safely? PhD student, Sophie Lovell-Kennedy, has delved into the evidence.

Newborn baby asleep on a bed.

Dr Veronica Heney to shed new light on self-harm and culture

Dr Veronica Heney from our Institute for Medical Humanities and Department of Sociology has been awarded a Wellcome Early Career Award to re-configure understandings of self-harm.
Veronica Heney headshot

Parents need better guidance on how to use baby carriers safely

New parents receive little guidance on how to use a baby sling or carrier safely, according to new research.
Baby asleep in a sling
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Explore our global research

Discover how our research is changing lives around the world using the button below. We also have a static PDF version available.

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Durham University Research

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Thought Leadership

  • Robin Hood was often far more violent than modern legend – but he wasn’t the most extreme medieval outlaw

    A new film about legendary outlaw Robin Hood is about to hit cinemas, while the death of his supposed hideout, the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, has been reported by media. Dr Alex Brown, Associate Professor of Medieval History, looks at why Robin Hood is a household name while other outlaws remain largely unknown.
    Research news
    A statue of Robin Hood firing an arrow from a bow

  • Why more births now end in caesarean section

    In this article, Dr Halima Akhter, researcher in our Department of Anthropology, discusses why rising caesarean birth rates are driven not just by medical need but also by social, institutional, and psychological factors.
    Research news
    Dr Halima Akhter, Department of Anthropology, pictured against a plain background

  • One of the world’s most important climate threats has an image problem

    Scientists say the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc), a crucial circulation of water that helps to keep northern Europe warm, is weakening, but it struggles to make the headlines. Dr Fionagh Thomson, a Visiting Research Fellow in our Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy and Institute for Computational Cosmology, looks at Amoc’s image problem.
    Global research
    A picture of the northern Atlantic showing dark blue sea with a light blue sky and small white clouds.

Robin Hood was often far more violent than modern legend – but he wasn’t the most extreme medieval outlaw

A new film about legendary outlaw Robin Hood is about to hit cinemas, while the death of his supposed hideout, the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, has been reported by media. Dr Alex Brown, Associate Professor of Medieval History, looks at why Robin Hood is a household name while other outlaws remain largely unknown.

Research news
A statue of Robin Hood firing an arrow from a bow

Why more births now end in caesarean section

In this article, Dr Halima Akhter, researcher in our Department of Anthropology, discusses why rising caesarean birth rates are driven not just by medical need but also by social, institutional, and psychological factors.
Research news
Dr Halima Akhter, Department of Anthropology, pictured against a plain background

One of the world’s most important climate threats has an image problem

Scientists say the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc), a crucial circulation of water that helps to keep northern Europe warm, is weakening, but it struggles to make the headlines. Dr Fionagh Thomson, a Visiting Research Fellow in our Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy and Institute for Computational Cosmology, looks at Amoc’s image problem.
Global research
A picture of the northern Atlantic showing dark blue sea with a light blue sky and small white clouds.
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