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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.

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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
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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.

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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.
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.
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.
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.
Landscape image of Antarctica

Young children have long-lasting memories of vegetable smells experienced in the womb

Experiencing bitter or non-bitter flavours before birth can shape taste likes or dislikes after being born, according to new research led by our Department of Psychology.
A young boy wearing glasses and sitting at a table eats a green vegetable from a plate full of vegetables.

Widely available extreme porn is normalising sexual violence

Widely available extreme pornography on mainstream platforms is eroticising masculine dominance and normalising sexual violence, according to leading law professor Clare McGlynn.
Someone scrolling on a mobile phone.

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

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.
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  • 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.
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  • Research staff directory

    Connect with our academic researchers, or click below to contact our business support team.
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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

Could it be aliens? From Cheyava Falls on Mars to exoplanet K2 18b – here’s what scientists really think

What do scientists really think about signs of alien life? Professor Peter Vickers, Head of our Department of Philosophy, takes a look.
An image of a blue planet in space

The story of Pope Leo’s ‘landmark’ text on AI technology – by a member of its launch panel

Professor Anna Rowlands, in our Department of Theology and Religion/Centre for Catholic Studies, has helped Pope Leo XIV launch his first social encyclical focused on being human in a time of AI. Here she talks about the importance of Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity).
As seen from behind, Pope Leo waves to crowds while standing on the back of the Popemobile.

Upcoming events

Durham Research Methods Cafe - Next Session

Wednesday 17 June 2026 - Wednesday 17 June 2026
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Nine DTP/DRMC Hub. 1st Floor, Arthur Holmes Building. Left of the Calman Learning Centre, side entrance. Signposted DRMC/Nine DTP.
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AI & Medical Humanities Reading Group

Wednesday 17 June 2026 - Wednesday 17 June 2026
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Online
A superimposition of colourful illustrations representing different objects in a secretariat: in the background, printed minutes. Above, the hands of a medical secretary typing on her keyboard, the hands of another stamping envelopes. The headset and foot pedal in the foreground are essential tools for typing. In the foreground, the red zig-zags typical of ambient scribe errors streak across.

DRMC Seminar with speaker Rebecca Muir,

Wednesday 17 June 2026 - Wednesday 17 June 2026
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
DRMC/Nine DTP Hub Boardroom, 1st Floor, Arthur Holmes Building, left of The Calman Learning Centre, upstairs & turn left.
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It’s a Drag: Anchor Penetration and Risks to Subsea Cables

Thursday 18 June 2026 - Thursday 18 June 2026
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Online
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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