Thought leadership

Could it be aliens? From Cheyava Falls on Mars to exoplanet K2 18b – here’s what scientists really think

What do scientists really think about signs of alien life? Professor Peter Vickers, Head of our Department of Philosophy, takes a look.

Could it be aliens? From Cheyava Falls on Mars to exoplanet K2 18b – here’s what scientists really think

What do scientists really think about signs of alien life? Professor Peter Vickers, Head of our Department of Philosophy, takes a look.

The story of Pope Leo’s ‘landmark’ text on AI technology – by a member of its launch panel

Professor Anna Rowlands, in our Department of Theology and Religion/Centre for Catholic Studies, has helped Pope Leo XIV launch his first social encyclical focused on being human in a time of AI. Here she talks about the importance of Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity).

As seen from behind, Pope Leo waves to crowds while standing on the back of the Popemobile.

Why safer spaces matter for young people’s physical activity

Professor Caroline Dodd-Reynolds of our Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences explores what can be done to create environments in which young people feel safe to enjoy physical activity.

The back of a woman outdoors wearing a bright pink top and black leggings drinking from a water bottle.

A renewed foundation for a long-term UK-EU partnership in education, research and innovation

Our Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O'Brien, with Professors Chris Day, Peter Mathieson, Evelyn Welch, and Shearer West, vice-chancellors of the universities of Newcastle, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Leeds, respectively, have written on UK-EU partnership for The Coimbra Group.

Professor Karen O'Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University, stood smiling with arms folded, in front of bookshelves

Should you embrace your inner stonemason? Why our constant desire for change needs a rethink

Professor Tom Yarrow and Dr Paolo Heywood of our Anthropology Department explore the virtues of preservation and maintenance in a society geared towards creativity and innovation.

A black and white close up of the hands of a stonemason holding a chisel and hammer against a wall

What a list of Black Death survivors reveals about the way people recovered from plague

Associate Professor Dr Alex Brown and Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr Grace Owen of our History Department explain what a newly discovered medieval document tells us about people who survived the Black Death - and how surprisingly quickly they returned to work after their terrible illness.

A black and white illustration of medieval peasants farming in a field with an ox.

Better designed homes could cut three major child diseases by up to 44% – Tanzania trial

A major study has shown that small improvements in house design could help protect children in Africa from three deadly diseases. Professor Steve Lindsay from the Department of Biosciences talks us through the project.

Two-storey Star Home next to a traditional mud-walled house.

Universities: 'enemies of the enemies of the open society'

Professor Karen O'Brien, our Vice-Chancellor, addressed the 2026 Sir Harry Evans Investigative Journalism Summit on the role of universities in open, civil societies. This is her speech.

Christianity in the UK is flourishing in immigrant communities – but a US style Christian nationalism is lurking elsewhere

Has Christianity become a nationalist weapon used to defend a particular form of British culture? Professor Mathew Guest from our Department of Theology and Religion looks at the shifts in society.

The old adage that people leave managers, not companies is true – but only up to a point

Exploring why employees leave their jobs, PhD candidate Jafni Bin Johari Jiken and DBA graduate and alumnus Dr Asrif Yusoff from Durham University Business School examine how leadership and workplace conditions shape staff retention.

Overwhelmed business man in office surrounded by co workers

Why some children with learning difficulties get identified – and others don’t

A major study has revealed that where a child goes to school plays a role in whether they get diagnosed with a specific learning difficulty or not. Lead author, Dr Johny Daniel explains.