Global Impact - Durham University

Research to empower and inspire

We are a globally outstanding centre of teaching, learning and research excellence. We are a world top 100 university, with 12 of our subjects ranked in the world top 50 and 19 in the world top 100. We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and locally: research to empower and inspire.

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Latest news

Can humans ever live in peace? Conflict resolution expert Roger Mac Ginty shares his thoughts

Roger Mac Ginty is a Professor in Defence, Development and Diplomacy in our School of Government and International Affairs.

Professor Roger Mac Ginty and the cover of his book

Answering the question of Supergalactic Plane’s missing spiral galaxies

Our cosmologists have found an answer to why spiral galaxies like our Milky Way are largely missing from part of our Local Universe called the Supergalactic Plane.

An elliptical and spiral galaxy sit side by side against a backdrop of space and stars

COP28: Why 2 °C is too high for the polar ice sheets and sea level rise

On the 12 December 2015, 196 countries adopted the Paris Climate Agreement at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) is to limit the increase in global average temperature.

COP28: Nationally determined contributions

The World Health Organization identifies climate change as the biggest health threat facing humanity.

Durham to Dubai – an overland journey to COP28

A Blog post by Prof Andrew Russell, Department of Anthropology

A map of europe with a blue line from Durham,UK to Dubai, UAE.

Professor Jon Gluyas elected Honorary Fellow of Geological Society of India

Congratulations to Professor Jon Gluyas who has been elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Geological Society of India.

Professor Jon Gluyas with white hair, beard and glasses stands in front of an old wooden door in red and black academic robes.

Climate labels similar to cigarette packet warnings could cut meat consumption – new research

PhD candidate Jack Hughes, Associate Professor Milica Vasiljevic and Professor Mario Weick from our Department of Psychology share the findings of their recent research into cigarette style warning labels on meat products.

A burger in a bun with meat labelling added on cocktail stick

Payday loan stigma affects borrowers’ wellbeing and stops them from getting support

The stigma around payday loans can have significant negative mental, emotional and social effects on borrowers, leading them to conceal the use of such services, preventing them from accessing vital support and resources.

Worried heterosexual, caucasian couple sitting in the kitchen looking at bills

Biggest ever supercomputer simulation to investigate the Universe

We’re part of an international team of astronomers who have carried out the biggest ever computer simulations from the Big Bang to the present day to investigate how the Universe evolved.

A supercomputer simulation of the Universe showing the cosmic web structure in yellow against a blue background

UK Approves Controversial New North Sea Oil Field, Outraging Climate Activists

DEI fellow Professor Gavin Bridge from our Department of Geography has co-authored an article in The Conversation which claims that Rosebank shows the UK’s offshore oil regulator no longer serves the public good.