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Newswire
April 2025

Your alumni newsletter

Our community has much to be proud of - this issue is packed with uplifting stories and good news. We have marked our international impact during Durham Global Week, and also through successful ‘Durham Days’ celebrations.

Explore our latest news below.

Engaging students as drivers of change

The Coimbra Group Climate Symposium marked its 40th Anniversary in Durham. The two-day event explored the role of universities as agents of transformative change for climate, nature, planetary health, and society.

Pictured (left to right): student participants from the University of Bergen, Norway; Durham University, UK; and the University of Iași, Romania.

Northern Lights A Cappella hat-trick at UK ICCA

Our premier student vocal group has been crowned UK champions of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) competition for the third time in a row.

Uniting Durham alumni around the world

The vibrant Durham Days celebrations saw alumni get together in 41 cities internationally as part of Durham Global Week 2025.

Pictured: celebrations in Milan, Italy

Research to empower and inspire

We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference globally and locally.

In a spotlight series of articles, we highlight Professor Carlos Frenk’s work on dark matter. His pioneering work has fundamentally shaped modern cosmology and our understanding of the Universe.

Image courtesy of Amanda Benson, BBC

Read our latest research

Our Community

Congratulations to our Durham Global Week 2025 award winners

Professor Simon Croft (Zoology, St Cuthbert’s Society, 1968-71; Honorary Doctor of Science, 2022) was awarded the Alumni Global Impact Award at the end of a successful Durham Global Week.

Pictured: Professor Simon Croft (winner of the Alumni Global Impact Award; second from left) and Professor Paul Denny (winner of the Individual Award; second from right) with Professor Claire O’Malley (centre)

Unearthing a major Iron Age discovery: an alumna reflects on her involvement

Recent graduate Faye McLean (Archaeology, Trevelyan College, 2020-24) helped to excavate the highly significant Melsonby Hoard during her time as a student.

Ranked among the world’s best

We achieved our strongest-ever performance in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with a record 21 subjects ranked among the world’s top 100.  

New University Chair of Council appointed

Caroline Johnstone has been appointed to the position following a robust and competitive process involving our staff and students. She will take up her voluntary role in August 2025.

Class Notes

We’re proud to celebrate your successes and achievements.

Ahella El Saban (MA in Marketing, 2010-12), features in Forbes Middle East’s 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2025. She commented: “It is an honour to be part of the list that holds such accomplished and inspirational females.”

Melissa Bryant (Politics, Ustinov College, 2013-14)

Dr Helen Frisby (Theology, St Mary's College, 1997-2000)

Dr Michael Garbutt (English Language and Literature, Hatfield College, 1973-76)

Glyn Gowans (Law, Hatfield College, 1972-75)

Rupert Hague-Holmes (Law & Politics, University College, 1984-87)

Dr Asha Hornsby (MA in English Literary Studies, St John's College, 2014-15)

Richard Ovenden OBE FRSA (Economic/Modern History, St Chad's College, 1982-85)

Kiran Ruparelia (Accounting & Finance, John Snow College, 2014-18)

The Durham Alumni chess team, featuring Sam Walker (History, University College, 2013-17), Phil Purcell (Natural Sciences, St Cuthbert's Society, 2013-16), Will Taylor (Natural Sciences, College of St Hild & St Bede, 2008-12), and Phil Manning (Sociology, Van Mildert College, 1982-84).

Why not share your own news with us?

Lifelong learning

We have a wide range of postgraduate study options for you to continue your education and programmes for working professionals.

You can also browse a range of scholarships, including our alumni fee scholarship and new postgraduate student support scholarship.

Get Involved

Our new online shop launches with 10% off

Check out our brand new website for official University merchandise and benefit from 10% off any orders over £20 when you sign up to the shop’s newsletter.

Chat to us about your time at Durham: College telephone appeals underway

If you’re an alum of the College of St Hild and St Bede, St Mary’s College, or Van Mildert College, you might receive a call from one of our friendly telephone appeal callers.

Shakespeare Recovered: Durham’s First Folio exhibition

For the first time in over a decade our edition of William Shakespeare’s First Folio will be on display as the centrepiece of a new ‘Shakespeare Recovered’ exhibition in Cosin's Library, Palace Green.

Book your free ticket

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

Ustinov College 60th Anniversary

Our postgraduate community was founded in 1965 as the Graduate Society before becoming Ustinov College in 2003. Join us as we celebrate this milestone.

Alumni donations bringing Grey College tennis court back to life

The tennis court at Grey is getting a new lease of life as a multi-purpose games arena. We’re thankful that alumni donations have made this refurbishment possible.

Josephine Butler College celebrates connections with annual networking dinner

Alumni and current students came together last month for an evening of meaningful conversations, career insights, and professional connections.

First ever ball held at South College

A masquerade theme with electronic clay pigeon shooting, mini golf, tarot card readings, poker, live music and a DJ entertained students in a glamorous first for South College.

St Mary’s College 125th Anniversary weekend welcomes over 70 alumni

Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 March saw attendees enjoy a dinner, honour the late Joan Kenworthy (a former Mary’s Principal) by unveiling a portrait, and watch a special anniversary play.