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Newswire
May 2024

Durham rated among the world’s best

The prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 have placed us among the world’s top universities, with 10 subjects in the global top 50.

Chancellor Fiona Hill on navigating a world in turmoil

Our Chancellor, Fiona Hill, has shared her experience of, and advice for, navigating ‘a world in turmoil’ at a prestigious annual lecture.

Image courtesy of Gill Heppell

Durham graduate becomes UK’s newest astronaut

Dr Rosemary Coogan joins a prestigious group including Helen Sharman, the first British person in space, and Tim Peake, the first British astronaut with the European Space Agency.

Image courtesy of ESA – P. Sebirot

Helping our region to thrive

We’re a global university making a major contribution to the economic, cultural and social vibrancy of North East England. Explore how in our new two-part report.

New senior leader to drive health agenda

Professor Charlotte Clarke will become our first Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) from 1 September 2024, to take forward a focus on health in the coming years.

Our Community

Alumnus leads new supernatural-comedy Netflix series

George Rexstrew plays the starring role in ‘Dead Boy Detectives’, which launched on Thursday 25 April. The series has been highlighted as a ‘pick of the week’ by a national UK newspaper.

Student group retain UK and Ireland title for second year

Enactus Durham have successfully defended their UK & Ireland Champions for Social Entrepreneurship title. They will progress to the World Cup in Kazakhstan in October.

Durham alumnus gives keynote address at our RURAL conference

Sir Tim Smit KBE, founder of the Eden Project, delivered a rousing lecture on the existential threat of climate change and developing a circular economy that reduces waste.

Durham alumni startup behind new net zero road material

In a UK first, climate-tech company Low Carbon Materials has seen their newly developed asphalt used for road resurfacing at Elvet Hill in Durham.

The Durham Revue turns 50

Our award-winning sketch comedy troupe celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, reuniting with past members to mark the occasion. If you were involved, why not get in touch?

Class Notes

We’re proud of the achievements of our alumni. Read on for this month’s round-up.

Beth Blacklock (BA in Business Management, Stephenson College, 2016-19; MSc in Defence, Development & Diplomacy, Hatfield College, 2019-22)

Sir Graham Brady MP (Law, St Aidan’s College, 1986-89)

Professor David Breeze OBE FSA (BA in History, 1962-65; PhD in History, University College)

Guy Deacon CBE (Anthropology, University College, 1981-84)

Professor Robert Deng (PhD in Chemistry, University College, 1978-81)

Hannah Doyle (English Literature, St Mary’s College, 2002-05)

David Fairs (Mathematics, Hatfield College, 1980-83; MBA, 1995-97)

Ed Gamble (Philosophy, Hatfield College, 2004-07)

Coreen Grant (English Literature, St John’s College, 2015-19)

Lauren Irwin (Sport Health & Exercise, College of St Hild & St Bede, 2016-19)

Hugh Kingsmill Moore (Biological Sciences, Hatfield College, 1992-95)

Nish Kumar (English & History, Grey College, 2004-07)

Blair Mowat (Music, Van Mildert College, 2004-07)

Henry Patten (MSc in Finance & Investment, Collingwood College, 2019-20)

Anna Pennington (PGCE, Trevelyan College, 2018-19)

Kit Sadgrove (Latin, Collingwood College, 1973-76)

Harry Macklyn Swan (Plant Science, College of St Hild & St Bede, 1995-98)

Dr Anthony Wells (BA in Modern European History, 1962-65; MA in History, 1965-69, St Cuthbert’s Society)

Diana Wilkinson (née Kennett) (Geography, Trevelyan College, 1974-77)

Why not share your own news with us?

Get Involved

Alumni discount for Durham City Run

We’d love to see our alumni at Durham City Run this year and to mark the occasion, alumni can claim a discount off entry to the 5K or 10K races.

Enter now

Become a TechUP mentor

Work in the tech sector? Could you give 30 minutes a week as a TechUPWomen mentor supporting the next generation of women in tech?

Apply here

Mentors needed for our Leadership Academy

Can you use your skills and experience to help guide and support our students to become the leaders of tomorrow?

Get involved

Join us in India to share your Durham experiences

We are looking for alumni to attend post offer visit events across six cities in India. Join us to inspire prospective students, share your experiences and reconnect with Durham.

Get in touch

Thinking about postgraduate study?

Check out our range of scholarships for alumni.

Events

Global Lecture Series: last few places remaining

The latest in our Global Lecture Series takes place in Washington DC on Tuesday 28 May at the residence of the Deputy Head of Mission. Join alumni and senior staff, including our Vice-Chancellor, in this conversation with our Chancellor.

View all upcoming events

Check our events pages regularly for all the upcoming alumni events across the world, and how you can join in.

Events calendar

Colleges

Grey College: farewell from Peter Swift

Peter Swift (Swifty) reflects on his tenure as Vice-Principal after returning to the Department of Physics. He will remain involved with Grey alumni through the College Trust.

St Mary’s College: 100 Faces

St Mary’s alumnus Cameron Stocks has been featured in Universities UK’s ‘100 Faces’ campaign. This nationwide initiative focuses on first generation students and graduates at UK universities.

Read more from our Colleges

Explore our College pages to discover the latest news.

Departments and Societies

Two Durham researchers elected to Academia Europaea

Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson from our Department of Classics and Ancient History and Professor Harriet Bulkeley from our Department of Geography have been recognised by the prestigious pan-European academy.

Durham University Business School: exploring business change

Professor Julie Hodges, with contributing alumni Steve Tunnicliffe and Zuhair Imran, will be launching new book ‘People-Centric Organizational Change’ online next month.

Department of Psychology: funding for body image research

Researchers have been awarded circa €2.5m by the European Research Council (ERC) for a multinational project to develop and trial a body image intervention programme.

Durham Law School: alumni discounts for summer courses

There are two week-long summer courses currently available at Durham Law School, and alumni are entitled to discounts on both. Read more and book your place:

Centre for Catholic Studies: international book launch

Ground-breaking new publication ‘Oxford History of British and Irish Catholicism’ by Dr James Kelly (pictured second from left) has been launched at St Isidore’s College in Rome.

Find out what our students have been up to

Explore the blog to read about student life in their own words.

Retail

With love from Durham

Create a space for Durham on your wall with this beautiful print, ‘A Map of The Highly Prestigious and Well-Regarded University of Durham’ (frame not included).

Shop now

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Newswire is curated by Editorial Group members Lucian Hudson (Chair), Glen Whitehead, Claire Whitelaw, Tristan Alltimes, Vicky Fisher and Debbie Mayne, and assembled by Hamish Lehan and Jo Coombs.

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