We have been ranked third in the UK for interdisciplinary science research.
In a world that is constantly changing, it's more important than ever that researchers work across traditional academic disciplines to address the most urgent issues facing society today.
That's why we value interdisciplinary research so highly, and that's why we're very pleased to have been placed third in the UK, and joint 125th globally, in the inaugural Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings.
Our commitment to interdisciplinary research
The heart of interdisciplinary research at Durham is our 10 research institutes, where academics from often very different backgrounds are encouraged to collaborate, share ideas and approaches, and find innovative solutions.
Hearing the Voice was a 10-year research project on voice-hearing, which brought together academics from anthropology, cognitive neuroscience, history, linguistics, literary studies, medical humanities, philosophy, psychology, and theology.
Ordered Universe was a global collaboration that brought new perspectives to medieval science, involving over 150 researchers from humanities and natural sciences.
Durham researchers developed a new model to simulate the spread of Covid-19 and helped curb the spread of the virus in the world's largest refugee settlement – Cox's Bazar, in Bangladesh.
Look closer at science at Durham
Our Faculty of Science is home to a diverse community of staff and students, across eight academic departments. Our research impacts society, transforming lives for the better.
Natural Sciences at Durham is ranked 92nd in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. Earth and Marine Sciences ranked joint 48th, Physics and Astronomy 69th, Psychology 74th, and Geology and Geophysics both in the world top 100.
100 years, 100 faces
Throughout 2024, we're celebrating 100 years of science at Durham University. It was 1924 when the Dawson Building first opened, as the home of the new Department of Science, consisting of Botany, Chemistry, Geology and Physics.
Across the centenary year, we're celebrating the work of 100 researchers, whose work demonstrates the impact of science.
