Durham University plays a significant role in research and education that supports and promotes the resilience of the UK, our democratic way of life and the security of our citizens.
This includes the defence capabilities of the UK and its allies. For many decades Durham has carried out extensive research in areas related to national security, defence, and national resilience, sometimes in partnership with industry, government agencies and NGOs.
At a time of increasing insecurity and threat, we anticipate increasing our level of engagement in areas of national defence and security, consistent with the “Whole-of-Society approach” set out in the recent Strategic Defence Review co-authored by our Chancellor.
This “Whole-of-Society” approach, as detailed in the review, emphasises the importance of collaboration across different sectors and society, ensuring that our national security is not just a matter for the Armed Forces. Everyone should play their role in what is a key national strategic imperative, including universities. Our knowledge base, including on topics such as global policy, food security, AI and machine learning, and health, enables national security and prosperity. We recognise our responsibility in supporting this.
We are guided by the National Security Strategy.
Areas of defence and national security research may include:
Durham has also increasingly focused some of its research, impact and knowledge exchange activities with the imperative of prosperity and economic growth, including with the current Defence Industrial Strategy. We seek to play a significant role in innovation, economic growth, and the development of a skilled workforce in our region.
We are a globally leading university, legally and strategically committed to academic freedom and freedom of speech. This encompasses the academic freedom to carry out research and teaching in partnership with organisations focused on security and defence, within the framework of the law. Equally this encompasses the freedom to decline to take part in such activities, and to critically evaluate and publicly express views about our activities as a university, within the boundaries of the law.
We are committed to transparency about the manner in which decisions are reached and kept under active review.
Universities undertaking defence and national security related research operate within a well‑established and multi‑layered framework of UK legislation, regulation and international obligations. This includes the National Security and Investment Act, which enables government scrutiny and, where necessary, intervention in acquisitions of sensitive assets, technologies and intellectual property to protect national security. Complementing this, the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) provides a system of government vetting for international students and researchers working in specified sensitive disciplines, helping to mitigate the risk of knowledge transfer to individuals and states of concern. The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), introduced under the National Security Act 2023, further strengthens transparency by requiring the registration of certain activities conducted at the direction of foreign powers. In parallel, UK export control legislation regulates the transfer of sensitive goods, software and knowledge—including dual‑use technologies—requiring licences for activities that could contribute to military capability or weapons proliferation.
These domestic frameworks are underpinned by the UK’s commitments to a range of international treaties and regimes, including those addressing nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, arms trade and export control coordination, all of which impose obligations on the conduct and oversight of research.
Together, these frameworks provide a robust, risk‑based system through which universities can pursue defence and security research while ensuring compliance with legal requirements, safeguarding national security and upholding academic standards.
Durham’s Council is the senior governing body of the University, and its Trustee Board. Council is ultimately responsible for the governance of the University. Membership includes a number of external, lay representatives, along with a number of Durham colleagues, who provide vital external perspective and challenge to our ongoing activity.
Departmental and Faculty‑level review processes provide initial scrutiny, complemented by formal ethical consideration through University Ethics processes and specialist committees where appropriate. Research collaborations and partnership agreements are subject to structured due diligence and contractual governance to ensure compliance with legal requirements and alignment with institutional values, supported by University‑wide policies including the Research Integrity Policy and Code of Good Practice.
All decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis.
Higher‑risk or strategically significant activities are escalated through established governance routes, including review by the University Executive Committee (UEC), with oversight and assurance ultimately resting with Council.
This approach is further strengthened through dedicated forums focused on research security and risk, including the International Security Risks Group. The institutional approach has recently been enhanced through the establishment of a Defence and Security Coordination Group to provide oversight and advice, consistency of approach and institutional coherence.
Together, these mechanisms ensure that engagement in defence and security research and innovation is conducted responsibly, transparently and in full compliance with applicable frameworks, while safeguarding academic freedom and enabling the University to respond effectively to national priorities within a robust, ethically informed governance environment.
At Durham, decisions relating to education in defence and national security are managed through the same robust governance framework that underpins all academic activity, ensuring careful, case‑by‑case consideration and appropriate oversight. Educational provision is subject to established processes at departmental and Faculty level, where proposals are reviewed for academic quality, alignment with disciplinary standards, and potential sensitivities associated with content or delivery. This is complemented by formal consideration through University‑wide ethics processes where appropriate.
Particular emphasis is placed on due diligence where education intersects with external partners, funding sources or applied contexts linked to defence and security. This includes structured assessment of partner organisations, the nature of engagement, and the potential downstream use of knowledge and skills, drawing on existing frameworks for partnership agreements and research governance. Education Committee and Senate play key roles in the oversight of such activity.
In relation to Careers activities, we adhere to the Graduate Futures Institute (GFI) Code of Ethics and associated quality standards.
As stated in our Ethical Investment Policy, we will not invest in companies that generate revenue from the manufacturing of armaments.
Our Philanthropic Donations Policy details our management and acceptance of donations and gifts.
We are a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.
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