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Research and business

We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and regionally.
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Research to empower and inspire

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

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)

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.

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University student
Researchers at Durham University offer technical expertise that cannot be found elsewhere. We have been collaborating closely on a multitude of projects for several years and hope this will continue to be fruitful long into the future.
Dr Hira Virdee
Founder & CEO Lumi Space
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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.

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Nolan’s The Odyssey is an emotive meditation on modern moral injury

What does The Odyssey film tell us about the effects of war on soldiers? Dr Brian Powers from our International Centre for Moral Injury shares his thoughts.

Research news
A group of soldiers in camouflage clothing

Black hole revival rewrites cosmic rulebook

An international team of astronomers, including researchers from our Department of Physics, has observed a seemingly dormant supermassive black hole reawaken.
Research news
AI generated impression of blackhole rebrightening in three stages with swirling blackhole getting brighter shade of orange and red through time

Durham researchers to probe the Universe’s earliest moments

Professor Ryan Cooke, from our Department of Physics, has been awarded a £5.6m Royal Society fellowship to investigate the first moments after the Big Bang.
Research news
Image showing galaxies in space credit NASA

Professor Pippa Petts awarded prestigious teaching fellowship

Professor Pippa Petts, from our Department of Physics, has been awarded a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship in recognition of her outstanding contribution to teaching and learning.
Durham news
Professor Pippa Petts photographed against a grey background, looking straight to camera

Confused about carbon capture? Experts explain why we need different types

Co-authored by Durham’s Professor Jon Gluyas, a leading expert in geoenergy and carbon capture and storage, this article explores the often-confusing landscape of carbon capture technologies and explains why different approaches are needed to tackle climate change.
Research news
Fossil fuel power stations showing smoke coming out of the chimneys.

UK’s first dedicated neurodiversity focused doctoral training programme

We are part of a pioneering new £5 million programme that aims to transform understanding of neurodiversity and human difference.
Research news
Grey background with different coloured ropes forming the outline of a human head and neck in profile

How our Milky Way once underwent a dramatic flip

The Milky Way may have undergone some cosmic gymnastics during its history with a dramatic disc flip, according to new research from our astronomers.
Research news
Artist’s impression of debris of the Gaia-Enceladus galaxy
Discover more news

Nolan’s The Odyssey is an emotive meditation on modern moral injury

What does The Odyssey film tell us about the effects of war on soldiers? Dr Brian Powers from our International Centre for Moral Injury shares his thoughts.

A group of soldiers in camouflage clothing

Black hole revival rewrites cosmic rulebook

An international team of astronomers, including researchers from our Department of Physics, has observed a seemingly dormant supermassive black hole reawaken.
AI generated impression of blackhole rebrightening in three stages with swirling blackhole getting brighter shade of orange and red through time

Durham researchers to probe the Universe’s earliest moments

Professor Ryan Cooke, from our Department of Physics, has been awarded a £5.6m Royal Society fellowship to investigate the first moments after the Big Bang.
Image showing galaxies in space credit NASA

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.
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  • 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.
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  • Research staff directory

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

We support knowledge exchange activities, develop networks and projects, and provide policy and impact training.
Policy written in lettered cubes

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.
paper people dancing around glass globe

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

Nolan’s The Odyssey is an emotive meditation on modern moral injury

What does The Odyssey film tell us about the effects of war on soldiers? Dr Brian Powers from our International Centre for Moral Injury shares his thoughts.

Research news
A group of soldiers in camouflage clothing

Empty North Sea oil fields could store enough green hydrogen to power the country for seven years

The UK could store enough green hydrogen in depleted North Sea oil and gas fields to meet the country’s future electricity demands for seven years. The researchers behind this discovery, Professor Stuart Jones, Professor Chris Groves, and Associate Professor in Practice Dr Andrew Crossland, tell us how using the depleted fields for hydrogen storage could take conventional gas power stations off the grid altogether by 2040.
Global research
A photograph of an oil and gas rig in the North Sea, against a blue and yellow sky at dusk.

‘The Sun was dark and its darkness lasted for 18 months’ – what we can learn from worst volcanic eruptions in history

Dr Alex Brown from our Department of History and our Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies looks back on the devastating impact of volcano eruptions through time.
Research news
A volcano erupting bright orange fire with a lava flow underneath against a dark sky
Discover more comment and opinion

Upcoming events

Just Transitions to a Net Zero World: Third Annual International Conference

Thursday 10 September 2026 - Friday 11 September 2026
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Durham Campus
Just Transitions to a Net Zero World

Maritime Boundary Delimitation: Professional Training Workshop 14-16 September 2026, Durham UK

Monday 14 September 2026 - Wednesday 16 September 2026
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Durham Law School, Durham University, Durham, UK
IBRU Maritime technical

AI World-building and the Medical Humanities

Wednesday 16 September 2026 - Wednesday 16 September 2026
10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
TLC101
Event details for AI World-building and the Medical Humanities

How Do Bodies Know?: Engaging the "ineffable" in Therapeutic Practice and Quality

Tuesday 6 October 2026 - Tuesday 6 October 2026
9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Mountjoy Centre Event Space
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Explore all University events

Business and partnerships

Research and Innovation Services

Research and Innovation Services
Durham University,
Boldon House,
Wheatlands Way,
Pity Me,
Durham,
DH1 5FA.

E: business.gateway@durham.ac.uk