In her monthly column, our Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O'Brien shares some examples of how Durham University research is making a difference, locally and globally, and invites all to join our Global Week events, starting this weekend (Saturday 24 February).

We are part of a consortium that has received multiple high-value grants from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), that will establish Durham University as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) research in the UK.

New research of northern elephant seals has revealed their reproductive and foraging success has been affected by a population bottleneck which nearly caused their extinction and could make them vulnerable as the environment changes in the future.

We’re helping deliver an innovative tutoring programme that will see our students work with local schools to help pupils develop their literacy skills.

As part of World Day of Social Justice, Dr Simona Capisani, who works in our Philosophy department, explains how her research looks to address structural and historical injustices and inequalities in the context of climate and environmental change.

An international team of researchers, including members of our Department of Psychology, have established the psychological and mental health impacts of the war on the general public.

A host of performances at Durham illustrates how our students are marking the creative and artistic talent of women.

Alumna Ambika Mod (English Literature, St Mary's College, 2014-17) is currently starring in the recently released Netflix series 'One Day’ and has been named by a national UK magazine as a 'woman to watch' in 2024. She has received extensive media coverage, including prime time UK TV chat shows.

Dr Tom Hamilton from our Department of History has discovered criminal records revealing a rare, 400-year-old legal case which successfully prosecuted a soldier for sexual crimes during Europe’s notoriously violent Wars of Religion.

A national consortium involving researchers from Durham’s Biosciences department has secured £14 million UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding to help advance the recycling of rare metals.

We’re part of a research team that has shown a healthcare app used in care homes has reduced the number of residents admitted to hospital by 25%.

We’ve helped to develop new guidance for police forces to improve investigations of rape and sexual offences.