Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, welcomed new students to Durham this week in Matriculation ceremonies held in Durham Cathedral.  

Professor Karen O’Brien has continued in her vision to meet our alumni and supporter communities. Recently she has visited Hong Kong and Sydney. 

Our University Strategy is built on the three pillars of research, education and our wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.

New supercomputer simulations offer an answer to the origins of Saturn’s rings, involving a massive collision in the recent history of the Solar System.

Join our Vice-Chancellor and Warden on 23 October for Convocation 2023. Leading Durham researchers will discuss ‘Health, wellbeing and fitness on a changing planet’. 

Our next Global Lecture Series talk will be on Monday 6 November in Singapore. Professor Ari Sadanandom will speak on food production and climate change.

Interested in meeting Durham alumni local to you and making new connections? Dunelm Days is our month-long annual, global alumni celebration. Check for events near you. 

Our Alumni Chapters were busy this summer, with events worldwide from the Netherlands to Ottawa (pictured). Stay connected to Durham by keeping in touch with your Chapter. 

We’ve added another way for you to connect and interact with us on LinkedIn via a new Durham University Alumni page. Follow us and tag us in your posts!

Alumna Tasha Stones (Anthropology, St Chad’s College, 2015-18) is a contestant in the 14th series of the Great British Bake Off which is currently airing on Channel 4.

The first ever QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024 place Durham 27th out of 690 universities across the continent. 

Congratulations to Sophie Hosking MBE (Natural Sciences, Trevelyan College, 2004-07) and Holly Colvin (Natural Sciences, St Mary’s College, 2009-12) on their inductions to our Sports’ Hall of Fame. 

Pictured (left to right): Holly Colvin, Jeremy Cook OBE (Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Colleges and Student Experience)), Professor Karen O’Brien (Vice-Chancellor and Warden), Sophie Hosking MBE

We’re proud of the achievements of our alumni. Read on for this month’s round-up. Why not share your own news with us?

Dr Elizabeth Ashton (MA in Education, 1987-89; PhD in Education 1996, St Mary’s College; former staff member) 

Revd Andrew Baldock (Theology, St John’s College, 1998-2000) 

Rebecca Daniel (Biological Sciences, St Mary’s College, 2014-17) 

Jack Edmondson (History, Hatfield College, 1996-99) 

Som Emadi (Business Finance, Stephenson College, 2001-04) 

Sue Flood (Zoology, St Mary’s College, 1983-86) 

Paul Headon (Zoology, St Cuthbert’s Society, 1995-98) 

Fiona Gehring (BA, Neville’s Cross College, 1963-67) 

Awais Khan (MA Management Studies, 2010-13) 

Francis Mdlongwa (MBA, Van Mildert College, 2009-13) 

Professor Michelle Simmons (Physics & Chemistry of Materials, Trevelyan College, 1985-88; PhD in Physics, St Aidan’s College, 1988-92; Honorary Doctor of Science, 2019) 

Dr Catherine Swift (Archaeology, Collingwood College, 1985-88) 

Philip Tanedo (Physics, Josephine Butler College, 2007-09) 

Oliver Tress (Anthropology, Hatfield College, 1986-89) 

Revd Dr Michael Volland (Theology, St John’s College, 2010-13) 

Revd Ian Yates (Hebrew (Classical), St John’s College, 1963-66).

Josephine Butler’s bar, JB’s, has been refurbished ahead of the new academic year, offering students a refreshed, rebranded space. Alumni are welcome to visit and take a look!

Together with a group of alumni, St Cuthbert’s Society launches ‘The Simon Cole Memorial Fund’ - a new student bursary aimed at improving student mental health.

Pictured: the alumni who have set up the fund with St Cuth’s 

We are delighted that Revd Dr Nick Moore has been appointed Warden of Cranmer Hall and begins in post this term. 

St Mary’s College welcomed 50 graduates to its first alumni reunion weekend since 2019, from the 1960s through to the 2020s. 

While critical external conservation continues, our beautiful Norman Chapel has reopened for visitors and college services. 

Professor Karen Johnson has been awarded the Royal Society’s Rosalind Franklin Award, recognising her achievements in environmental engineering and commitment to engaging women in STEM subjects.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences has expanded significantly since its inception, with a new building in 2021, increased staff and student numbers and an enhanced global research reputation.

Cutting-edge Institute for Medical Humanities has been awarded a £9m Discovery Research Platform Award – the largest grant made by global charitable foundation Wellcome for humanities research.