How a simple mesh could clean up oil spills
We've once again been ranked in the world top 100 for our strengths in Physical Sciences in an international league table.
The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2020 place Durham University 79th among the world's leading universities, up 11 places from last year.
This is the ninth consecutive year we've ranked in the top 100 for Physical Sciences in the THE rankings.
Research excellence
Our scientists have an international reputation for research excellence, from understanding the very origins of the universe, to tackling the world's energy problems and inventing smart surfaces to clean and harvest water.
Some of our research this year includes:
- Developing a coated mesh that could be a faster and more eco-friendly way to clean up oil spills.
- Investigating the geothermal potential of abandoned former coalmines, which could provide a low-carbon source of heat for homes and businesses.
- Imaging the huge threads of gas that make up the Cosmic Web, which connects multiple galaxies across the universe, to further our understanding of black hole and galaxy formation.
In addition we're also investing £40m in a new Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science building and establishing new scholarship funds as part of our commitment to help talented students study core STEM subjects here at Durham.
League table success
The THE World University Rankings by Subject 2020 look at hundreds of universities across the globe, based on teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.
The league table follows our success earlier this year in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019 when we recorded our highest ever number of subjects in the world top 100.
We're also a world top 100 university in the overall QS World University Rankings 2020 and the THE World Reputation Rankings 2019.
