Student theatre may be a staple of undergraduate life today, but in Shakespeare’s time it was controversial and provocative, and may have inspired some of ‘The Bard’s’ most important pieces.

We’re celebrating the news that Professor Deborah Riby from our Department of Psychology, and Associate Professor Nadia Siddiqui from our School of Education, have both been elected to Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences, in recognition of excellence in their respective fields, and their wider contributions to the social sciences for public benefit.

We are delighted to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).

A leading scientist from our Department of Computer Science has collaborated with researchers from University of Graz, Czech Technical University and Middle East Technical University to build robotic bee replicants that will affect the whole ecosystem.

University Centre of Cricketing Excellence captain Emily Batey and club captain Libby Haward tell us about their path to success, which has not been without challenges.

In an inspiring programme, DUPO will perform Dvořák’s New World Symphony as a celebration of their 15th anniversary.

We are proud to be a global university, with research collaborations, partnerships and student, alumni and employer connections all over the world. As part of this global outlook, we’re very pleased be strengthening our ties with India.

We’re pleased to announce Professor Mike Shipman as our new Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost.

Research Associate Meike Scheller, from our Psychology Department, tells us about her research into the diverse types and levels of attraction that drive our partner choices, and what we can learn from other sexual orientations and communities.

We continue to be deeply concerned and saddened by the war taking place in Ukraine. We are an international university, committed to social responsibility and democratic values. As we mark the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Dr Markian Prokopovych, Associate Professor at our History Department, discusses a series of topical webinars, and the global significance Ukraine has become.

Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O'Brien, reflects on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as sharing some upcoming opportunities in and around Durham.

'Stories from the River: Exploring the history of Durham, the finds of underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead', launches on Monday 20 February at the Museum of Archaeology within Palace Green Library. The exhibition explores the stories connected through objects discovered in the River Wear, evoking the social history of Durham’s past 800 years.