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Thought Leadership

Donald Trump’s approach to US space policy could throw up some surprises, especially with Elon Musk on board

Dr Bleddyn Bowen from the School of Government and International Affairs and Dr P.J. Blount from the Durham Law School predict what's in store for US space travel in Donald Trump's second presidency.
Light glows behind earth

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler: a ‘sad girl novel’ that lacks emotional depth

Research Associate in Medical Humanities Veronica Heney reviews the latest example of a rising genre of women's fiction.
A sad woman lies on the floor with her fist under her face.

Cop16: the world’s largest meeting to save nature has ended with no clear path ahead

Professor Harriet Bulkeley, in our Department of Geography, attended the recent Cop16 biodiversity summit where delegates from around the world met to discuss ways to restore nature. As Harriet writes, while there was no shortage of people seeking solutions, progress was frustratingly slow.
A heart shaped green leaf held in the palm of someone's hand

Electrical currents delivered to the brain at home may lead to significant reductions in depression symptoms

Professor Amanda Ellison from our Department of Psychology explains how neuromodulation therapy could be delivered at home as a promising treatment for some patients with depression.
An abstract illustration of a brain with electrical activity

Is Donald Trump a fascist? An assessment from an expert in our Department of History

After Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris said her Republican opponent Donald Trump was a Fascist, Dr Benedetta Carnaghi, from our Department of History, explores whether the former President meets the definition.
Page from a dictionary showing definition of fascist

Students with special educational needs are years behind their peers – they need specialist teachers in mainstream classrooms

Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are continuing to fall behind their peers with the gap widening despite the introduction of SEND legislation. Dr Johny Daniel from our School of Education outlines what changes are needed.
A close up of a child's hand writing in an exercise book.

How advertising jingles influence our buying choices (and why we can still sing them decades later)

Most people can remember a jingle but why do these songs stick with us? Dr Kelly Jakubowski from our Department of Music explains why these catchy tunes stay in our heads and how they influence what we buy.
A girl with headphones in singing along to her music.

Higher education, industrial strategy, and the importance of place

With a green paper on the UK Government's industrial strategy out for consultation, Arnab Basu, who is a Durham graduate and Founding Chief Executive of the Kromek Group, stresses the vital need for the sector to make its case for a seat at the table.
Man sitting looking at computer screens

A new generation of telescopes will probe the ‘unknown unknowns’ that could transform our knowledge of the universe

Professor Richard Massey, from our Department of Physics, explores the potential of a new generation of telescopes.
Artistic impression of a telescope in space

Sudan’s brutal war has become many wars, making peace even harder to reach

Professor Justin Willis, from our Department of History, and Professor Sharath Srinivasan from the University of Cambridge, explore the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), discussing the complex nature of the war, its devastating impact on civilians, and the challenges in finding a peaceful resolution.
An aerial photo showing fires of fuel and ammunition warehouses in the Jabra area south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum

Three ways the upcoming UN biodiversity summit could make a difference

Professor Harriet Bulkeley, in our Department of Geography, will be attending the Cop16 UN biodiversity summit in Colombia (21 October to 1 November). Here she looks at three ways in which the summit could effectively help the world halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
A woodland scene showing wildflowers in the foreground and a thick wood of trees behind.

The unique history of the only person who can preach to the pope

Dr Liam Temple, from our Department of Theology and Religion, tells how he worked with the only man who can preach to the Pope.
Pope standing at microphone with a cardinal standing on either side