IN the summer all eyes were on the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, and Durham University had eight current and former students participating.

Among the highlights. Sport and Exercise Science student Fiona Crackles was part of Team GB’s bronze-winning hockey squad, while graduate Angus Groom was part of the Team GB men’s quadruple scull crew that took silver.

In August came confirmation that Durham had been granted provisional observer status at the COP26 climate conference that was to take place in Glasgow in the autumn.

This mean Durham representatives could attend future conferences and events, as well as apply for exhibits and side-events.

When COP26 came, many researchers attended, showcasing their part in tackling the most pressing of global issues.

Ahead of the start of the new academic year in September, Durham received a double boost, being placed fifth in The Guardian University Guide 2022 and sixth in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.

These rankings consolidated Durham’s position as a leading UK and global university. During 2021, Durham was the only university to improve its position in the Complete University Guide, QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education Global Impact Rankings.

As well as being a leading UK and global university, Durham is working to increase its intake of students from the North-East region.

In October, the University announced a further £1m donation towards its Durham Inspired North East Scholarships programme, which aims to support exceptional young people from the region study at Durham and fulfil their potential, regardless of their financial circumstances.

As nights drew in during November, Durham welcomed back the Lumiere light festival.

The University was a major partner and sponsor and hosted three installations on its campus: Chronos, a video-mapped exploration of time at the Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics; Scattered Light, a bewitching illusion involving over 1,500 LED bulbs at St Mary’s College; and Anthology – Into the Light, which saw new works from some of the UK’s most exciting poets – including Durham’s own Associate Professor Kayo Chingonyi – projected onto the walls of Durham Castle, home to University College.

And the year ended with some good news in December as Durham’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint was recognised by the University being the most improved anywhere in the UK in the annual People and Planet University League on environmental sustainability.

Interested in studying at Durham? Visit www.durham.ac.uk/study

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