Research and Business

Boundary Breaking Research and Global Knowledge Exchange

At Durham, our academic staff conduct forward-thinking, interdisciplinary research that has an impact on communities all over the world. Collaboration with a broad mix of partners is central to enhancing global knowledge and developing global citizenship. 

Business and Partnerships

Research Institutes and Centres

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Pioneering Projects

Explore our diverse range of projects, from spin-out creation, research collaborations and supporting innovation. Whether we're tackling net zero challenges, advancing health sciences, or developing new technologies, our case studies showcase the impact and success of businesses and researchers working with us.

90% of research rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (UK Research Excellence Framework 2021)

£85 M research awards made to Durham (2022/23)

Northern Accelerator

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Building Atom Bank's Digital Twin

Kromek

Footy.com

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Towards a better future

Among our scientists, social scientists, business, arts and humanities scholars we have world-leading authorities in their field.

We are one of the top universities in the world, for taking action to address the most pressing environmental, social and governance challenges facing society today. Our researchers are shaping the world, from the intimate to the infinite.

Our Global Research Brochure

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We are a globally outstanding centre of research

Research at Durham brings together the leading minds in their fields who work collaboratively across departments and with our partners to develop new ways of thinking that have a positive impact on societal and global challenges. 

Explore our research playlist

Research Degrees

Whether you’re looking to connect with international industry and business through your work, or the global academic research community, as a postgraduate at Durham you can expect the freedom and facilities to explore what’s important to you.

Explore Postgraduate Research

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How graduates are driving economic growth

A new report reveals the critical role that university graduates play in driving growth, including by starting their own businesses.

Business and Partnerships
Durham astrophysicists’ key contributions to cosmic discoveries

Scientists from our Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy and our Institute for Computational Cosmology are playing a crucial role as part of a major international space mission to map the Universe.

Global research
‘Undercover anthropologist’ recognised for exceptional potential

Dr Sheina Lew-Levy, from our Department of Psychology, has been awarded a prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize for Psychology.

Global research
Spotlight on: Professor Karen Johnson – advocating for the importance of soil health

Our Spotlight On series celebrates our academics’ global impact. Karen Johnson is a Professor of Environmental Engineering and a passionate advocate for soil health. She believes soil is an under-appreciated resource that can help address a range of environmental challenges.

Global research
Spotlight on: Professor Carlos Frenk – shaping modern cosmology

Welcome to the next instalment of our ‘Spotlight on’ series where we celebrate the world-leading work of our academics. Professor Carlos Frenk’s pioneering work on dark matter has fundamentally shaped modern cosmology and our understanding of the Universe.

Global research
Spotlight on: Professor Carol Adams – setting the standard in corporate sustainability reporting

Carol Adams is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting in our Business School. She is a globally renowned expert in corporate accounting and sustainability reporting, focusing on its impact on business, society and the environment.

Global research
Climate change is hampering River Thames clean-up efforts

Global warming is making it harder to clean up the iconic River Thames in the UK, according to a new study involving scientists from Durham University.

Research news

How graduates are driving economic growth

A new report reveals the critical role that university graduates play in driving growth, including by starting their own businesses.

Business and Partnerships

Staff in high-visibility jackets laying asphalt on a road

Durham astrophysicists’ key contributions to cosmic discoveries

Scientists from our Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy and our Institute for Computational Cosmology are playing a crucial role as part of a major international space mission to map the Universe.

Global research

This image shows examples of galaxies in different shapes, all captured by Euclid during its first observations of the Deep Field areas

‘Undercover anthropologist’ recognised for exceptional potential

Dr Sheina Lew-Levy, from our Department of Psychology, has been awarded a prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize for Psychology.

Global research

Woman smiling, looking off camera to right

Spotlight on: Professor Karen Johnson – advocating for the importance of soil health

Our Spotlight On series celebrates our academics’ global impact. Karen Johnson is a Professor of Environmental Engineering and a passionate advocate for soil health. She believes soil is an under-appreciated resource that can help address a range of environmental challenges.

Global research

Professor Karen Johnson smiling into the camera against a neutral backdrop

Spotlight on: Professor Carlos Frenk – shaping modern cosmology

Welcome to the next instalment of our ‘Spotlight on’ series where we celebrate the world-leading work of our academics. Professor Carlos Frenk’s pioneering work on dark matter has fundamentally shaped modern cosmology and our understanding of the Universe.

Global research

Professor Carlos Frenk smiling into the camera with a the a radio microphone in the foreground and the edge of some blue branding behind him

Spotlight on: Professor Carol Adams – setting the standard in corporate sustainability reporting

Carol Adams is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting in our Business School. She is a globally renowned expert in corporate accounting and sustainability reporting, focusing on its impact on business, society and the environment.

Global research

Professor Carol Adams facing the camera with a blue background behind her

Climate change is hampering River Thames clean-up efforts

Global warming is making it harder to clean up the iconic River Thames in the UK, according to a new study involving scientists from Durham University.

Research news

Small boats going along the River Thames in the UK.

Discover more news

Climate change is hampering River Thames clean-up efforts

Global warming is making it harder to clean up the iconic River Thames in the UK, according to a new study involving scientists from Durham University.

Research news
Bonobos and chimps give insight into early human sexual behaviour

Using sex to manage social tension dates back over six million years to humans’ common ape ancestor, according to a new study.

Research news
Helping stroke survivors with visual perception problems

A new 15-minute tool to screen stroke survivors for visual perception problems has been launched by researchers from Durham and Oxford universities.

Research news

Climate change is hampering River Thames clean-up efforts

Global warming is making it harder to clean up the iconic River Thames in the UK, according to a new study involving scientists from Durham University.

Bonobos and chimps give insight into early human sexual behaviour

Using sex to manage social tension dates back over six million years to humans’ common ape ancestor, according to a new study.

A group of bonobos at Lola ya BonobA group of bonobos at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary, DR Congo.o Sanctuary, DR Congo.

Helping stroke survivors with visual perception problems

A new 15-minute tool to screen stroke survivors for visual perception problems has been launched by researchers from Durham and Oxford universities.

Two people sitting at a table pointing at a page in the stroke screening booklet.

Explore policies, governance and our staff directory

We develop opportunities for businesses to: link with policymakers, understand our research governance and connect with academic researchers.

Policy Hub

We support knowledge exchange activities, develop networks and projects, and provide policy and impact training.
Ethics and Governance

Research ethics is a key part of research integrity, which aims to safeguard the interests and well-being of those impacted by the research.
Research Staff Directory

Connect with our academic researchers, or click below to contact our business support team.

Policy Hub

We support knowledge exchange activities, develop networks and projects, and provide policy and impact training.

Ethics and Governance

Research ethics is a key part of research integrity, which aims to safeguard the interests and well-being of those impacted by the research.

Research Staff Directory

Connect with our academic researchers, or click below to contact our business support team.

Business people sitting round a table at a meeting

Contact our Research and Innovations Team

Thought Leadership

Ukraine must not capitulate to a forced deal with Russia

Whether Kyiv’s resistance remains morally justifiable is fundamentally a matter of how much Ukraine and its people value their freedom and are prepared to sacrifice for it, writes Christopher Finlay, professor in political theory.

Research news
Inside the sex lives of chimpanzees: it’s about much more than just reproduction

Dr Jake Brooker and Professor Zanna Clay of our Department of Psychology share their new research on the social role sex plays in bonobo and chimpanzee groups.

Research news
Ilona Maher and the myth of feminine fragility – how one rugby player is reshaping sport

Professor Stephen Mumford from our Department of Philosophy and Associate Professor Sheree Bekker discuss the impact that Ilona Maher is having on women's sports and perceptions of femininity, fragility.

Research news