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

Using gravitational waves to hunt for dark matter

We’re part of an international team of cosmologists who’ve discovered that observations of gravitational waves might reveal the true nature of dark matter.

Two black holes move towards each other against a starry backdrop

Researchers find eruption date of ancient German volcano possibly wrong by 130 years

In a new study, leading scientists have revealed that the new high precision radiocarbon-based date set for Laacher See volcano eruption of 13,000 years before present is probably not correct.

The EPSRC Prosperity Partnership project shortlisted for the External Partnerships award at the World Sustainability Awards 2023

Project is led by Sheffield University with Durham and Hull Universities, Siemens Gamesa and Ørsted as partners.

Durham scientists to map the dark Universe

Our astronomers and cosmologists are involved in an international satellite mission to map the dark Universe.

Artists' impression of a satellite with a space background

Durham’s world-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2024

Our status as a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence has been affirmed once again in the QS World University Rankings 2024, being ranked 78th in the world.

A group of students with the Durham landscape in the background

Highly-educated entrepreneurs benefit more from accelerator programmes

Due to their knowledge gap in entrepreneurship skills, new entrepreneurs who are highly educated are most likely to benefit from new venture accelerator programmes.

Male Entrepreneur Looking at His Vision Board

How ceramics are telling the story of 14th century Chinese trade

The history of Chinese trade is sometimes still a bit of a mystery due to the lack of historical records. This is where archaeologists are relying on ceramics to tell the story.

A modern working ‘dragon kiln’ in the Longquan area in China

Leading Catholic figure visits Durham University

One of the Catholic Church’s leading figures has been welcomed to Durham University.

Durham researchers awarded new funding to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence

Researchers at the Durham Energy Institute have been awarded a £1.84m grant to lead a consortium of university and industry partners in developing virtual power plant technologies. The new funding is part of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) £13 million investment to fund 13 projects to help the UK meet its Net Zero targets.