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.

Explore our latest research news

Explore our global research

Discover how our research is changing lives around the world using the button below. We also have a static PDF version available.

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Latest news

Protect the soild - launching of soil image competition for COP26

Experts led by Professor Karen Johnson are dedicated to understanding, protecting and rebuilding soil health, aiming to make a step-change in global soil health awareness.

Chancellor to step down after ‘glorious’ decade

Our Chancellor, Sir Thomas Allen, is to step down from his post after more than ten years in the role.

Sir Thomas Allen singing with students at Durham Cathedral

IHRR @COP26 in Glasgow

IHRR is taking part in numerous events at COP26 in Glasgow. Please come along to see us!

Alumna, banking pioneer and green business leader to be honoured

Our graduates go on to enjoy inspiring careers and make a significant, lasting impact around the globe. We’re very pleased to be honouring one of them as she makes her way to Glasgow for COP26.

Working locally to connect globally

We’re proud to be a global university, with staff and students from over 130 countries and an alumni network spanning the world.

DGA partners and children hold a banner launching the initiative

Why giant turbines are pushing the limits of possibility - Simon Hogg Commented on BBC

Simon Hogg commented on BBC about Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas' world largest 15-megawatt wind turbine.

Explore the beauty of Spanish art

Did you know we have an international Centre for the study of Spanish and Latin American art?

Climate change and the damage to our health

Extreme events such as heatwaves and flooding have become more and more common in recent years. If we haven’t experienced them ourselves, we may have heard about them on the news.

Countdown to COP26 – Leading the debate on climate change and public health

How can the world tackle the climate crisis and achieve a sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic in order to protect and promote public health? This autumn Durham University is leading a range of events exploring this issue.

IPPP develop new model that helps guide COVID-19 planning

Experts in the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology within the Department of Physics have developed a new model for simulating epidemics – and it’s already being used to inform the UK’s response to COVID-19.

Prestigious awards for future leaders

Durham is a hub for research excellence and our academics prove that year in and year out through their ground-breaking research. We are delighted that two of our academics, Dr Clare Mahon and Dr Sownak Bose, have been awarded Future Leaders Fellowships for their projects.

Countdown to COP26 - Durham representatives to attend COP26

Representatives from Durham University will be attending COP26 following confirmation that we have been granted provisional observer status for this year’s event.