Our researchers are leading on international energy and climate research – from monitoring vulnerable ice sheets to shaping future energy policy.
Experts from Anthropology, Durham Energy Institute, Law and Geography are among those involved in this vital work.
Professor Simone Abram is Executive Director of Durham Energy Institute (DEI) and the Ørsted Chair in Green Energy Systems, and her work looks at energy’s role in society.
Durham Energy Institute is a cross-disciplinary research hub that connects researchers, communities, industry, and policymakers to accelerate clean, fair, and inclusive energy transitions. Its research strengths span energy systems integration, hydrogen deployment, geoenergy and carbon capture, renewable technologies (wind, solar PV and thermal), energy storage, energy law and governance, energy justice and development, geopolitics, smart grids, energy materials, and biofuels.
DEI is also a founder of the Energy Storage Association of the UK and the National Geothermal Centre, which feed into energy policy.
Professor Philip Steinberg, of our Department of Geography, is the Director of the Durham Arctic Research Centre for Training and Interdisciplinary Collaboration (DurhamARCTIC) and UArctic Professor in Political Geography.
His work looks at the political geography of the ocean and in particular the Arctic where climate change is happening faster than anywhere else on Earth.
As geoengineering projects are being considered to reduce the impact of climate change on the region, Philip and colleagues are working to develop an Arctic environmental planning law – to develop legal, ethical, and environmental standards for assessing if these interventions should be made.
Also, in our Department of Geography, Professor Chris Stokes monitors glaciers and ice sheets using satellite data and modelling.
His work helps us to understand how warming is affecting the ice sheets and how they are contributing to sea level rise.
Chris regularly presents his work at the annual UN COP climate summits to inform global policy.
Professor Olivia Woolley, is Professor of Biolaw in Durham Law School.
Olivia works on environmental law, developing comprehensive proposals for legal frameworks to encourage us all to live more sustainably.
She also looks at energy law with a focus on how renewable energy sources can be promoted globally – creating the world’s first textbook on law relating to renewables.
See how we’re leading on research into the world’s vulnerable ice sheets.
Durham Energy Institute is at the forefront of interdisciplinary research into hydrogen storage, geoenergy, and decarbonising the maritime sector, alongside postgraduate training.
Durham ARCTIC fosters interdisciplinary research alongside training for postgraduate students.
Durham University has observer status at the annual UN Conference of the Parties (COP) climate conference.
More about our departments of Anthropology, Geography and Durham Law School.
Professors Abram, Steinberg, Stokes and Woolley, along with our Chancellor, Dr Fiona Hill, took part in our recent Chancellor-in-Conversation event on the topic of the Arctic.
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