Starting Michaelmas term with a major celebration of interdisciplinary research

2 October 2026

Research Institute News

External shot of Institute of Advanced study at Cosin's Hall

As we enter and celebrate our 20th year, the Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) is delighted to introduce our Michaelmas Term fellows, visitors and research projects.

Our programme spans a wide range of disciplines, topics and approaches, bringing together researchers from Durham University and institutions around the world. We warmly welcome engagement from across the University and its departments, centre and research institutes, and hope that our programme of activities, and the opportunities it creates to connect with international researchers, will be of interest and benefit to all.

Meet our Michaelmas Term Fellows and Visitors

Joining us this term are:

Dr Claire Craig (Science, Policy and Education)
Dr Jarita Holbrook (Cultural Studies of Science, Edinburgh)
Professor Winnifred Louis (Psychology, Queensland)
Nandhini Srinivasan (Investigative Journalist, Reuters)
Dr Nick Duddy (English and Literary Studies, Western Australia)
Professor Salome Bukachi (Social and Medical Anthropology, Nairobi)
Dr Mai Albzour (Sociology and Social Psychology, Birzeit)
Dr Lindokuhle Gama (Philosophy, Historical Theory, Race Theory, North-West)
Professor Deva Woodly (Political Science, Brown)
Dr Rhodri Leng (Science and Technology Studies, Edinburgh)

New Major Projects

This term also sees the launch of two new Major Projects.

Reconceptualising Resistance, led by colleagues in Psychology, Sociology and the School of Government and International Affairs, brings together scholars from across the University to examine how resistance is understood from different disciplinary and methodological perspectives.
Community as an Enabler of Research Progress and Innovation, led by Physics and Philosophy, explores how research communities shape knowledge and progress across different fields. The project will identify approaches that help research communities work most effectively and share these lessons to support researchers in achieving greater progress and innovation.

Alongside these Major Projects, the IAS is supporting eight smaller-scale Research Development Projects (RDPs) this year, led by colleagues in Anthropology, Archaeology, Geography, Law, Marketing and Management, and Psychology.

Events and activities

A full and evolving Michaelmas Term Card will highlight Fellows’ activities alongside other IAS events throughout the term. Further details are available on the IAS events webpage.

We encourage you to get involved in the activities and conversations taking place throughout the term.

Our showcase event of this term is ‘The role of interdisciplinarity in a complex world - celebrating 20 years of the Durham University Institute of Advanced Study’ on Thursday 08 October with the Chancellor, Dr Fiona Hill and President of the British Academy, Professor Susan J Smith in conversation. Register to attend here.

Find out more