Professor Claire O'Malley, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global), visited Japan to strengthen further our research partnerships. In line with the outcomes of the January 2026 UK-Japan Summit, the visit focused on advancing our research collaborations in clean energy and hydrogen, biotech, agriculture, and food security.
Professor O'Malley's visit to Japan took place at a key moment in the UK-Japan bilateral relationship, following the launch of new bilateral pacts in science, technology, and economic security and Prime Minister Takaichi's upcoming visit to London.
Delivering high-impact research with Japan
As part of her itinerary, Professor O'Malley's visited Kyushu University and Tohoku University.
At Kyushu University, she met with researchers who are working with Durham counterparts on a diverse range of cutting-edge research to address global challenges. These include quantum technology, critical resource supply chains, sustainable semi-conductors and programmable biological matter.
With Japan's recent association to Horizon Europe, Professor O'Malley also met with Kyushu's Faculty of Agriculture who are working with Durham researchers on a recently approved Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchange project, worth £1.7m. Led by Dr Amir Atapour-Abarghouei from Durham's Department of Computer Science, this project aims to bring together traditional farming knowledge and modern AI and robotics to promote sustainable agriculture practices.
Given both institutions' research strengths in clean energy and hydrogen, Professor O'Malley also shared Durham's experience of leading a £21m UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub, to decarbonise the UK maritime sector, in her discussions with Kyushu's International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research.
At Tohoku University, Professor O'Malley met with the International Research Institute of Disaster Science. They are collaborating with Durham's Institute for Hazard, Risk and Resilience to build research capacity for early-career researchers. This work targets the direct impacts of shocks and disasters on biodiversity, water, food, and energy.
Deepening the UK-Japan RENKEI network
Launched in 2012 by the UK and Japanese governments, RENKEI is a strategic partnership between 11 UK and Japanese research-intensive universities aimed at developing collaborations with industry, governments and civil society to address global research challenges.
As the UK RENKEI co-Chair, Professor O'Malley co-chaired the RENKEI Steering Committee held at Tohoku University and led a delegation of Durham researchers who took part in a week of RENKEI workshops. These activities were specifically designed to forge new, high-impact collaborations with Japanese counterparts in the areas of aerospace, space law and Arctic research.
The Durham research delegation included:
- Dr PJ Blount (Durham Law School), a prominent expert in international space law and
cyberspace governance and the Executive Secretary of the International Institute of Space Law; - Dr Ariadna Calcines Rosario (Physics), a world-leading astronomical optical engineer and currently leading the UK Space Agency-funded LUCES project to develop next-generation solar space missions using extreme ultra-violet imaging;
- Dr Perrine Lognoné (Physics), an expert in quantum communications and satellite technology;
- Dr Georgia Hole (Geography) whose research focuses on reconstructing past Arctic and Antarctic environments to better predict future climate trajectories.
A proud history of research, cultural and industrial collaborations
Professor O'Malley's visit marks the latest milestone in Durham's rich history of academic, industrial, and cultural collaborations with Japan, which date back over 160 years to when the first Japanese students arrived in Durham. Over the last five years, researchers across all four of Durham faculties collaborated with colleagues at around 200 institutions in Japan to produce over 600 joint publications.
Our collaborations with Japanese counterparts span a wide range of disciplines to address global challenges. This includes climate change and energy, health, emerging technologies and space and satellite technologies.
Museums and collections are also a key part of our collaboration with Japan. In April 2026, Rachel Barclay, Deputy Head of our Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions, was presented with the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation by the Japanese Ambassador. This prestigious award celebrated her achievements in promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the UK through Japanese art.
Durham researchers also continue to actively engage with industry partners, including major Japanese multinationals based in the North East of England. Durham spin-out enterprises are also attracting direct attention and backing from Japanese investors.
