Huge congratulations to two Durham societies for their success at last week’s Bright Network Society of the Year Awards. Both Durham University Electric Motorsport (DUEM) and Durham University Women in Business (DUWIB) were voted winners in their categories which reflects the commitment and enthusiasm of Durham students towards their passions and interests that complement their studies.

Our new Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Professor Karen O’Brien, introduces herself and acknowledges two current initiatives that demonstrate how the University can benefit and is benefitting the North-East.

The University has worked in partnership with Durham Constabulary, Durham County Council and others, to introduce a new procedure for responding to reports of anti-social noise from students in Durham City. The aim of this partnership and the procedure is to encourage positive citizenship and good relationships between students and the local community.

Professor Carlene Firmin, MBE, delivered her inaugural lecture in style with over 2500 participants registering to watch online.

Disabled children and young people will be supported to be more physically active following the publication of new guidelines from the UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs). The guidelines are underpinned by research from our Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Bristol and Disabilities Rights UK.

Students and community volunteers will spring into action to help celebrate the spectacular Indian festival of Holi at Durham University’s Oriental Museum.

Student volunteering week (7 to 13 February) is now well underway and has seen some great work done by our students over the last few days, but there is still plenty of time to get yourself involved!

As a global University, with staff and students from over 120 countries, we were delighted to take part in celebrations across Durham City centre on 5 February to welcome the Year of the Tiger. This event marked a particular highlight in Durham’s varied cultural calendar.

Hot on the heels of recent sell-out runs across the country, Durham Revue our very own nationally renowned sketch comedy troupe, are bringing their hilarious new material to a home audience at Gala Durham this February - and they won’t be alone. They will be joined by Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning, The Cambridge Footlights, to present ‘ComedyFest!’

An international team of researchers, including Professor Carlos Frenk, Professor Adrian Jenkins and Dr. John Helly from our Department of Physics, has produced the largest and most accurate computer simulation to date of our local patch of the Universe.

Coronavirus conspiracy theories have spread rapidly during the pandemic. But does belief in such theories affect how likely someone is to follow Covid-19 public health guidelines?

Dr Monika Nangia has been appointed as Academic Registrar for Durham University.