Durham’s world top 100 status and leading role in global networks give our researchers access to international connections that nurture innovation, discovery, and impact.
Durham has been a QS world top 100 university since 2010, and takes a leading role in networks including the Matariki Network of Universities and the Arqus European University Alliance, ensuring that our researchers are working with peers all over the world on some of the most pressing issues facing humanity today.
Climate change and environmental sustainability was top of the agenda as the 39 European universities of the Coimbra Group met in Durham in Spring 2025.
As part of a Symposium to mark the Group’s 40th anniversary, university leaders signed the Durham Declaration, setting out seven principles to guide joint efforts on climate change and sustainability.
Durham is recognised as one of the world’s leading universities for sustainability, ranked 24th in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026.
We also have multiple close, long-standing research connections with individuals and institutions in Asia.
Our strategic partnership with Peking University continues to deepen. A recent visit from PKU President Professor Gong Qihuang to Durham strengthened collaborative ties across research and education.
Our partnership with Wuhan University (WHU), China, was established in 2018, and continues to flourish.
Recently, WHU President Zhang Pingwen visited Durham, accompanied by researchers from engineering, environmental sciences, and chemistry.
Our Oriental Museum is currently hosting ‘Journey of a Century: From the Forbidden City to the Palace Museum’, marking the centenary of the Palace Museum, Beijing.
Durham is the only venue outside of China to host the exclusive exhibition.
Recently, we took a lead role in the North Sea University Partnership’s (NSUP) inaugural public conference, in Brussels, Belgium.
NSUP is a strategic alliance of eight universities from the UK and Norway aimed at strengthening research, innovation, and education, to advance a more sustainable future for the North Sea.
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