Skip to main content

Pioneering projects

Explore our diverse range of projects, from spin-out creation, research collaborations and supporting innovation. Whether we're tackling net zero challenges, advancing health sciences, or developing new technologies, our case studies showcase the impact and success of businesses and researchers working with us. 

 

90% of research rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (UK Research Excellence Framework 2021)
£85 M research awards made to Durham (2022/23)

Towards a better future

Among our scientists, social scientists, business, arts and humanities scholars we have world-leading authorities in their field.

We are one of the top universities in the world, for taking action to address the most pressing environmental, social and governance challenges facing society today. Our researchers are shaping the world, from the intimate to the infinite.

Iceberg cracking and falling into the water
University student
Researchers at Durham University offer technical expertise that cannot be found elsewhere. We have been collaborating closely on a multitude of projects for several years and hope this will continue to be fruitful long into the future.

Dr Hira Virdee
Founder & CEO Lumi Space
This is the image alt text

We are a globally outstanding centre of research

Research at Durham brings together the leading minds in their fields who work collaboratively across departments and with our partners to develop new ways of thinking that have a positive impact on societal and global challenges. 

Explore our research playlist

Research Degrees

Whether you’re looking to connect with international industry and business through your work, or the global academic research community, as a postgraduate at Durham you can expect the freedom and facilities to explore what’s important to you.

Research Degree Icon

What's new?

Filter:

£1.7m grant to uncover the secrets of molecular behaviour using robotic chemistry and AI

Using robotic laboratories and AI, our researchers will study molecular behaviour to develop new chemicals and materials more efficiently, thanks to funding worth £1.7m (€2.1m).
Illustration of molecules

Nolan’s The Odyssey is an emotive meditation on modern moral injury

What does The Odyssey film tell us about the effects of war on soldiers? Dr Brian Powers from our International Centre for Moral Injury shares his thoughts.
A group of soldiers in camouflage clothing

Black hole revival rewrites cosmic rulebook

An international team of astronomers, including researchers from our Department of Physics, has observed a seemingly dormant supermassive black hole reawaken.
AI generated impression of blackhole rebrightening in three stages with swirling blackhole getting brighter shade of orange and red through time

Durham researchers to probe the Universe’s earliest moments

Professor Ryan Cooke, from our Department of Physics, has been awarded a £5.6m Royal Society fellowship to investigate the first moments after the Big Bang.
Image showing galaxies in space credit NASA

Professor Pippa Petts awarded prestigious teaching fellowship

Professor Pippa Petts, from our Department of Physics, has been awarded a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship in recognition of her outstanding contribution to teaching and learning.
Professor Pippa Petts photographed against a grey background, looking straight to camera

Confused about carbon capture? Experts explain why we need different types

Co-authored by Durham’s Professor Jon Gluyas, a leading expert in geoenergy and carbon capture and storage, this article explores the often-confusing landscape of carbon capture technologies and explains why different approaches are needed to tackle climate change.
Fossil fuel power stations showing smoke coming out of the chimneys.

Could the youth protests in South Asia help shape a better future?

Youth protests have become widespread in South Asia in recent times, including in India and Bangladesh. Professor Nayanika Mookherjee from our Anthropology Department explores how the protests could help shape a better future for South Asia.
A man waving the flag of Bangladesh

£1.7m grant to uncover the secrets of molecular behaviour using robotic chemistry and AI

Using robotic laboratories and AI, our researchers will study molecular behaviour to develop new chemicals and materials more efficiently, thanks to funding worth £1.7m (€2.1m).
Illustration of molecules

Explore policies, governance and our staff directory

We develop opportunities for businesses to: link with policymakers, understand our research governance and connect with academic researchers.

  • Policy Hub

    We support knowledge exchange activities, develop networks and projects, and provide policy and impact training.
    Policy written in lettered cubes
  • Ethics and governance

    Research ethics is a key part of research integrity, which aims to safeguard the interests and well-being of those impacted by the research.
    paper people dancing around glass globe
  • Research staff directory

    Connect with our academic researchers, or click below to contact our business support team.
    Business people sitting round a table at a meeting

Policy Hub

We support knowledge exchange activities, develop networks and projects, and provide policy and impact training.
Policy written in lettered cubes

Ethics and governance

Research ethics is a key part of research integrity, which aims to safeguard the interests and well-being of those impacted by the research.
paper people dancing around glass globe

Research staff directory

Connect with our academic researchers, or click below to contact our business support team.
Business people sitting round a table at a meeting

Thought leadership

  • Granting a new gasfield licence does not guarantee energy security

    The UK government is considering approving a licence for the Jackdaw gasfield, but would it answer Britain’s energy security problem? Or are there other ways to use the North Sea to reduce bills, increase energy security and create jobs in clean energy storage? Durham Energy Institute experts Professor Stuart Jones and Professor Jon Gluyas, Emeritus Chair in Geoenergy, Carbon Capture & Storage, both Department of Earth Sciences, and Dr Andrew Crossland, Department of Engineering, take a look.
    An offshore oil and gas rig stands in the sea against a cloudy and dark skyline.
  • What happens to a society when it stops asking what is meaningful, just or worth preserving?

    The Humanities took centre stage in the House of Lords as Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson MBE, from our Department of Classics and Ancient History, celebrated the launch of three new books exploring the impact and relevance of Classics in the modern world.
    Image shows the front cover of the three books
  • Iraq’s archaeological discoveries have shaped understanding of human civilisation – but its scientists have been sidelined

    Iraq’s archaeologists are often portrayed as recipients of support, rather than equal partners in shaping future research of this important part of the world. Professor Jaafar Jotheri, Honorary Research Fellow in our Department of Archaeology, and Claudia Glatz and Daniel Calderbank, of the University of Glasgow, tell us more about how the narrative is being shifted.
    Drone image of the Ziggurat of the ancient Sumerian city of Ur in southern Iraq

What happens to a society when it stops asking what is meaningful, just or worth preserving?

The Humanities took centre stage in the House of Lords as Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson MBE, from our Department of Classics and Ancient History, celebrated the launch of three new books exploring the impact and relevance of Classics in the modern world.
Image shows the front cover of the three books

Iraq’s archaeological discoveries have shaped understanding of human civilisation – but its scientists have been sidelined

Iraq’s archaeologists are often portrayed as recipients of support, rather than equal partners in shaping future research of this important part of the world. Professor Jaafar Jotheri, Honorary Research Fellow in our Department of Archaeology, and Claudia Glatz and Daniel Calderbank, of the University of Glasgow, tell us more about how the narrative is being shifted.
Drone image of the Ziggurat of the ancient Sumerian city of Ur in southern Iraq

Upcoming events

Durham Consent Workshop

Tuesday 22 September 2026 - Wednesday 23 September 2026
1:45 PM to 12:15 PM
Durham Law School, PCL051
Durham Consent Workshop.png

Poetry & The Imagination: A ReaderBank Workshop

Friday 25 September 2026 - Friday 25 September 2026
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
University of Salford, Digital Media Performance Lab
A postcard that says 'ReaderBank' surrounded by images of the various Reader Types - artwork of people reading in various ways.

How Do Bodies Know?: Engaging the "ineffable" in Therapeutic Practice and Quality

Tuesday 6 October 2026 - Tuesday 6 October 2026
9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Mountjoy Centre Event Space
A domed roof interior with colourful concentric and symmetric patterns

Join us for fika!

Wednesday 7 October 2026 - Wednesday 7 October 2026
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
IMH (Confluence Building)
A definition of Fika written on a cream wall in blue text

Research and Innovation Services

Research and Innovation Services
Durham University,
Boldon House,
Wheatlands Way,
Pity Me,
Durham,
DH1 5FA.

E: business.gateway@durham.ac.uk