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UP North Culture + Knowledge: Growing Opportunities in the North East
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Unlocking the potential of the North-East together

On 7 February we hosted two events as part of UPNorth: Culture + Knowledge, Growing Opportunities in the North East.

Over 300 Durham University students, staff, partners and stakeholder organisations attended the Ideas Forum and Panel Discussion, contributing to the conversation and sharing ideas to grow opportunities for all in the North East of England.
What is UP North?
Four photos of speakers from the UP North Ideas Forum arranged in a montage

 

 

Learn more about the UP North events we hosted

We hosted two free UP North events on Wednesday 7 February 2024: An Ideas Forum in the afternoon and a Panel Discussion in the evening. 

Ideas Forum

Our Ideas Forum featured short presentations from researchers, community leaders and politicians, followed by Q&A and networking sessions.
Anna Louise Spencer, left , and Victoria Hughes, right, of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation speaking at the Ideas Forum

Panel discussion

Leaders in culture, higher education, government and innovation, introduced by our Vice-Chancellor, Karen O'Brien, discussed opportunities and challenges for our region. 
Speakers at the UP North panel discussion

 

 

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UP North video highlights

Our afternoon Ideas Forum included a series of 10-minute presentations followed by Q&A and networking sessions, then our evening Panel Discussion brought leaders in culture, education, government and innovation in front of a packed lecture theatre. 

See the agenda

 

 

UP North on social media

Click the images below to follow the discussion about UP North on Twitter (X) and LinkedIn, and join the conversation with the #UPNorthDurham hashtag.

UPNorthDurham hashtag Twitter X

UP North Durham hashtag LinkedIn

Join in the conversation: #UPNorthDurham

Thought leadership and latest Tweets

Hear from people who attended our UP North events.

Highlights

Looking back to build a better future: IMEMS at UP North

Ita Mac Carthy, a Professor of early modern Italian literature and art in our School of Modern Languages and Cultures, writes about how our research helps build a better future in the North East.
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Prof Simon James: The importance of creativity

Simon James, a Professor in our Department of English Studies, writes about the importance of creativity in every school subject.
Children drawing in a classroom

Social feeds

 

 

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Listen to the panel discussion

Our Panel Discussion brought leaders in culture, higher education, government and innovation together to discuss the opportunities and challenges for our region. Click on the video to hear the full recording.

Meet the speakers

The organisers

Durham University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and locally: research to empower and inspire. We've been ranked 19th out of 1,403 universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024.

Our partners

  • N8 Research Partnership

    The N8 Research Partnership consists of the eight most research-intensive universities in the North of England: Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York. N8 aims to promote collaboration, establish research programmes and drive economic growth.
    N8 logo

  • RSA

    The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce has been creating social impact for over 260 years. Its proven change process, rigorous research, ideas platforms and global network of changemakers work collectively to enable people, places and the planet to flourish.
    RSA logo

N8 Research Partnership

The N8 Research Partnership consists of the eight most research-intensive universities in the North of England: Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York. N8 aims to promote collaboration, establish research programmes and drive economic growth.
N8 logo

RSA

The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce has been creating social impact for over 260 years. Its proven change process, rigorous research, ideas platforms and global network of changemakers work collectively to enable people, places and the planet to flourish.
RSA logo
Find out more about UP North