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Ukraine war: Pope Francis should learn from his WWII predecessor’s mistakes in appeasing fascism

Following recent comments made by Pope Francis, South College Principal, Professor Tim Luckhurst, takes a look back at the actions of Pope Pius XII during World War Two.
Pope Francis on board some transport while a crowd watches

Satellites are burning up in the upper atmosphere – and we still don’t know what impact this will have on the Earth’s climate

100 Starlink satellites will be sent to burn up in the atmosphere, but does this present bad news for the ozone layer? Dr Fionagh Thomson from our Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy in our Physics department has taken a deeper look to assess whether there should be concerns for the environment.
A view of the Earth from Space

Longer sentences for ‘rough sex’ killers may not deliver justice for victims

After the Government announced longer sentences for rough sex killers, Dr Hannah Bows, who works in our Law School, has explained why she remains sceptical on whether this will provide justice for victims.
Hands in handcuffs

Journalism in a post-truth world

Social media, AI and 'fake news' are among the many challenges facing journalism today. South College Principal, Professor Tim Luckhurst, who has a decades-long career in journalism, shares his views on journalism in a post-truth world ahead of an event at South College where expert panellists will discuss the issue.
A close up of a computer tablet on top of a newspaper

Why forgetting is a normal function of memory – and when to worry

Professor Alexander Easton, who works in our Psychology department, explores at what point you should start to feel concerned if you or a loved one start to forget things.
A brain with jigsaw pieces representing memory loss

Looking back to build a better future

Ita Mac Carthy is Professor of early modern Italian literature and art in our School of Modern Languages and Cultures. She also directs the Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS) with Professor Richard Scholar. She recently took part in an Ideas Forum as part of 'UP North Culture + Knowledge: Growing Opportunities in the North East’. Here she discusses why Research Institutes like IMEMS can help us build a better future together for the North East of England.
Lindisfarne Gospels c.715 - 720

Somaliland-Ethiopia port deal: international opposition flags complex Red Sea politics

Professor Jutta Bakonyi, who works in our School of Government and International Affairs, looks at how a memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland announced on 1 January 2024 set off diplomatic rows in the Horn of Africa – and beyond.
Berbera, Sahil Region, Somaliland, Somalia: freighter ships moored in the Port of Berbera - tugboat and dhows, view from the beach - Somaliland's main harbor, operated by DP World and Berbera Port Authority, Dekedda Berbera.

Teaching SYCL at Durham: embedding a key GPU technology into University curriculum

Professor Tobias Weinzierl from our Department of Computer Science talks about integrating SYCL training into the teaching curriculum to equip students with deep understanding of GPU technology.
Students in Computer Science

UK press warns of Nato war with Russia – newspapers are clearly keen to avoid mistakes of WWII

Professor Tim Luckhurst, our Principal of South College, takes a look back at how the news that Britain was heading for war was covered by the press and the mistakes that should be heeded by the media if a new war was to take place.
A newspaper from 1939

Exploring the importance of creativity

English Professor Simon James is lead on the Durham Commission for Creativity and Education, a joint research collaboration between Durham University and Arts Council England. Professor James is contributing to an Ideas Forum at an upcoming event, UP North Culture + Knowledge: Growing Opportunities in the North East, alongside other leaders and experts in culture, academia, government and industry. Here he explores the importance of creativity.
A group of school children draw on a piece of paper in a classroom

Climate disclosures: corporations underprepared for tighter new standards, study of 100 companies reveals

Professor Richard Slack works in the Accounting department of Durham University's Business School. He has contributed to this piece alongside fellow academics from the University of Glasgow, the University of Bath and Audencia.
Carbon emissions emitted by a car on a busy road

How your Zoom background can make you seem more competent

Dr Paddy Ross works in our Psychology department and has been part of a research project looking at what really contributes to best, and worst, first impressions in a virtual environment.
Image contains three people pictured against three backgrounds, including a man with a background of books, a woman with a background of house plants and a man with a background of a walrus