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University Research Institutes

Durham is a place where passionate, inspired and creative people work together to pioneer world-changing research.
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Delivering Bold Research

Our ten University Research Institutes (URIs) are powerhouses of interdisciplinary innovation. We foster the conditions for innovative and impactful research, addressing global and regional challenges: research to empower and inspire.

Operating across faculties and departments, the URIs bring together researchers from diverse disciplines and perspectives. We support the development of new ideas, methods and approaches, secure transformative funding from philanthropic sources and research funding bodies, and deliver impact through research on cross-cutting themes and pressing global challenges.

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Our University Research Institutes

Explore the world-changing research of our individual University Research Centres, and keep up to date with their latest news and events.

Biophysical Sciences Institute

Interdisciplinary science crossing the boundary between biology and the other physical sciences, we have a united community of over 150 academics and researchers.
BSI Cell

Durham Energy Institute (DEI)

Decarbonising energy is one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today. We are accelerating inclusive energy transitions through world-leading research.
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Institute for Computational Cosmology (ICC)

We are a leading international centre for research into the origin and evolution of the Universe, asking some of the most fundamental questions in science.
Images of planets projected onto the Ogden Centre

Institute for Data Science (IDAS)

We are the University's multidisciplinary platform for new ideas in Data Science, cutting across the silos of subject-specific knowledge.
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Institute for Medical Humanities

We conduct interdisciplinary research into what we call 'hidden experience' and investigate experiences of health and illness which are marginalised or invisible.
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Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP)

Our research sits at the interface between theoretical particle physics and experiments ranging from particle colliders to gravitational wave detectors.
Graphics of particle physics data

Institute of Advanced Study (IAS)

We offer world-leading researchers a unique space for transformative reflection in and beyond individual disciplines, fostering an inclusive, interdisciplinary community.
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Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience

We support innovative research and training for use in policy and practice, collaborating directly with communities, non-governmental organisations and governments.
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Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies

We're a talented community of academics, curators, students, and practitioners, covering a global range of areas from Late Antiquity to the late eighteenth century.
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Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing

We're Durham's flagship interdisciplinary Institute, delivering the Health@Durham Strategy and fostering research in human health from the individual to global scale.
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University student
Our research is built on collaboration and partnership, recognising that we can achieve more together. Our interdisciplinary approach gives us new perspectives and sparks novel approaches.
Professor Karen O'Brien
Vice-Chancellor and Warden

Latest University Research Institute News

  • Durham hosts world's first major international conference on critical neurodiversity studies 

    Over three hundred researchers, practitioners, and artists gathered in Durham and online for a three-day conference on Critical Neurodiversity Studies: Directions / Intersections / Contradictions.  
    Research news
    Photograph of conference participants listening to a speaker.

  • ReaderBank at Edinburgh International Book Festival 2025

    ReaderBank returns to the Edinburgh International Book Festival with a stellar line up of events for August 2025.
    Research news
    White text saying 'ReaderBank' and the logo resembling an open book on a purple-orange gradient background

  • Interfacing

    A short film by artist-researcher Dr. Daksha Patel, titled Interfacing, has received international recognition, winning an award at the Oregon Documentary Film Festival (Winter 2025). The film was created in response to pioneering biophysical research into lipid membranes led by Dr. Margarita Staykova at 91麻豆一区二区.
    Research news
    Representation of a synthetic biological membrane by artist Daksha Patel

Durham hosts world's first major international conference on critical neurodiversity studies 

Over three hundred researchers, practitioners, and artists gathered in Durham and online for a three-day conference on Critical Neurodiversity Studies: Directions / Intersections / Contradictions.  

Research news
Photograph of conference participants listening to a speaker.

ReaderBank at Edinburgh International Book Festival 2025

ReaderBank returns to the Edinburgh International Book Festival with a stellar line up of events for August 2025.
Research news
White text saying 'ReaderBank' and the logo resembling an open book on a purple-orange gradient background

Interfacing

A short film by artist-researcher Dr. Daksha Patel, titled Interfacing, has received international recognition, winning an award at the Oregon Documentary Film Festival (Winter 2025). The film was created in response to pioneering biophysical research into lipid membranes led by Dr. Margarita Staykova at 91麻豆一区二区.
Research news
Representation of a synthetic biological membrane by artist Daksha Patel
All research news

 

 

Upcoming events

Systemic Integration of Climate Change in International Law

Thursday 28 August 2025 - Friday 29 August 2025
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Singapore (TBC)
CIL CSDLP Singapore Conference

A Wheely Workshop

Wednesday 17 September 2025 - Wednesday 17 September 2025
9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Institute for Medical Humanities
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The Carbon Past We Inherit, The Green Just Future We Build

Monday 3 November 2025 - Tuesday 4 November 2025
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Durham Miners Hall, Flass Street, Durham DH1 4BE
DEI Events logo 2024/25
All University events
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Media Enquiries

For any media enquiries relating to the University Research Institutes, please contact the Communications Team.

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Business and Partnerships

Research and Innovation Services

Research and Innovation Services
91麻豆一区二区
Boldon House,
Wheatlands Way,
Pity Me,
Durham,
DH1 5FA.

E: business.gateway@durham.ac.uk