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Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability
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Examples of our actions toward SDG 4 Quality Education

We're committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances, through a host of scholarships that we deliver. We offer courses in up to 20 different languages for Durham University students, staff and members of the public, ranging from beginners to higher advanced level.

Explore our scholarships Language Courses for Students, Staff & the Public

Research

Our school of Education’s research and impact activity is our vision of a more equitable world in which education, informed by innovative high-quality research, plays a vital role in enabling individuals, communities and societies to flourish, for example establishing routes for sustainable education. A study to compare the learning levels of children who attended early years of formal education with those who have had no chance of attending formal education.
Establishing routes for sustainable education
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Education

Our highly-rated School of Education has developed a pioneering toolkit to ensure funding for pupils, and especially disadvantaged children, is spent effectively. The Teaching and Learning Toolkit helps schools in the UK and around the world to decide how to make the most of funding they are allocated by government.
Toolkit supports better learning for disadvantaged pupils
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Wider Student Experience

The Game Changer Innovation Programme, delivered by the Enterprise Team in Careers & Enterprise, has been chosen as one of 21 case studies to feature in the United Nations 'Sustainable Development Goals: Success Stories and Lessons Learned' publication. Game Changer engages students with the Sustainable Development Goals and challenges them to generate innovative solutions using Design Thinking methodology. Since its launch in 2019, the programme has engaged over 700 s
The Game Changer Innovation Programme
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Living the Values

Glowcycle, one of Enactus' student led projects, provides a community for female ex-prisoners through a variety of creative and skill-based workshops. Via the use of various individual and group based activities, we aim to help improve the employability and social skills of previously incarcerated women
Find out more about Glowcycle
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Global

We work with Ukrainian university Zaporizhzhia National University (ZNU) on academic research & supported ZNU’s teaching, taking place remotely. The Ukrainian Talk Series, an ongoing programme of public events involving panellists from ZNU, Durham & experts from the international community, is hosted by our History Department. We’re also working closely with the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA), who support academic fellowships for those who are at risk in their home country
Partner with Council for At Risk Academics
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Local and Regional

Dyslexia is subject to multiple understandings and interpretations, and the proliferation of a ‘dyslexia industry’ in which so-called dyslexics are differentiated from other poor readers has led to significant problems of equity. Read about the impact of Professor Elliot's work that has led to many Local Authorities in England publishing policy documents which cite his research and his close collaborators are now actively working with LAs across the country.
Research and Impact case studies
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Governance and Policy

The iPIPS (international Performance Indicators in Primary Schools) project, is a monitoring system for the first year of school which has had significant and extensive impact on pedagogical understanding, policy and practice in England, Brazil, South Africa, Russia and Lesotho. Policy changes have included the introduction of assessment at the start of school in England; the creation of new educational instructional material and approaches in Rio de Janeiro, Braziland more
Find out more The iPIPS project
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Botanic Garden red flowers

Promoting learning and education for all

Our Libraries and Museums and Attractions promote learning and education for all. We are home to internationally important collections from across history and around the globe. We welcome visitors to our museums and galleries and garden. Our venues are open year-round and are open to all.

Our Venues open to all Our amazing resources and fantastic spaces

More examples of our work towards SDG 4

 
Education outreach activities beyond campus 

Durham University’s Schools and Home Learning team offer Curriculum Enrichment outreach opportunities for schools who wish to enrich their curriculum through the incredible narratives of Durham’s collections. This bespoke service is available to educational establishments where Durham University can enrich curriculums to benefit students at all Key Stage learning levels. 

Durham University undertakes educational outreach activities in local schools and the community, which include student-run voluntary schemes. Our assemblies can be taught at school or hosted online. Assemblies can also be bundled with one of our digital or outreach sessions for free. 

The Schools and Home Learning team have worked extensively with community, school and faith groups on a wide range of projects including: 

 

  • Arts Award | Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents: it is creative, valuable, and accessible. 
  • Arts Loans in Schools | Since 2021, Durham University Library and Collections launches our Art Loans in Schools Programme. 
  • Learning ARC | Learning ARC is a North-East based network of archives and special collections who deliver outreach engagement with schools and communities. 
  • Cosin Library Project | Located on Palace Green at the heart of Durham City, Cosin’s Library is one of the oldest public libraries to survive in the North-East. 
  • Silk Roads | This major new gallery opened in early 2021, transforming the ground floor of the Oriental Museum. 
  • Street Museum | Street Museum was a pilot project funded by the Museum’s Association / UKRI Digital Innovation and Engagement Fund in 2021/22. 
  • Multicultural Amman | This collaborative project working with partners across the Museum and Heritage sector in Jordan to create a formalised set of guidelines for heritage engagement. 
  • Pandemics Through Time | A collaborative project working between Durham University and Newcastle University, a group of students from two secondary schools looked at pandemics past and present. 
  • World Heritage Day | To celebrate World Heritage Site Day on 18 April 2022, Durham Cathedral and Durham University commissioned local artist Sofia Barton to develop free resources. 

 

Curriculum Enrichment - Durham University 

Assemblies - Durham University 

Widening Participation and Raising Aspirations - Durham University

Schools and Home Learning - Durham University 

 

Lifelong learning access policy 

Durham University is committed to providing lifelong learning opportunities for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, disability, immigration status, religion, or gender. Our Learning & Engagement Policy supports accessible pathways for all who wish to engage in lifelong learning and explore the resources within our extensive University Library & Collections. 

Learning and Engagement policy

 

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