Hear from Jim Cockill, director of Durham Wildlife Trust, on how the county’s incredible land and seascapes, nature and wildlife, have a positive impact on those that visit, live and work here.
Durham University rises to 85th in prestigious QS World University Rankings 2027
Durham University has been ranked 85th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up nine places from last year.
The QS World University Rankings are widely acknowledged as the most influential university rankings globally. The 2027 rankings, assessed 8,808 institutions, saw Durham enhance its position in the employer reputation, academic reputation, and citations per faculty categories of assessment.
Durham performed particularly strongly for reputation with employers, ranking 49th – up 15 places. Its reputation for academic excellence was also acknowledged, rising three places, as was its position among the world’s leading universities for sustainability – being placed joint 24th.
Durham is The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year, and ranks in the UK’s top five universities. In the Complete University Guide, announced earlier this month, 31 of 32 subjects at Durham were ranked in the top ten in the UK.
Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden at Durham University, said: “To rise nine places to 85th in the QS World University Rankings is a tremendous achievement, in an outstanding year for Durham University.
“That employers rank us among the world’s top 50 universities is particularly important for our students and graduates, indicating the exceptional value that a Durham degree holds in equipping students for work and preparing them for career success.”
As well as an outstanding education, Durham provides students with exceptional opportunities to enhance their employability through developing their leadership skills and starting new businesses. Its Hazan Venture Lab helps Durham students develop their entrepreneurial skills and incubate new ventures.
Durham’s top category in the QS World University Rankings 2027 is Sustainability (joint 24th), through which the social and environmental impact of universities as centres of education and research is assessed.
Durham research is helping society understand and address the pressing challenge of climate change, from ice sheet melting to harnessing geothermal energy; from decarbonising shipping to unlocking the potential of hydrogen.
North East Space Conference highlights region’s growing investment opportunity
The North East Space Conference 2026 demonstrated the growing strength and ambition of the region’s space sector, bringing together more than 350 delegates from industry, academia, government and the investment community to explore future opportunities for growth, collaboration and inward investment.
Opened by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, the conference highlighted the increasing role the sector is playing in driving innovation, attracting investment and creating high-value jobs across the region.
Hosted by Space North East England at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham, the conference focused on a clear ambition: converting the North East’s growing reputation for innovation into increased national and international investment.
While the region’s space sector has developed steadily over the past decade, this year’s event reflected growing confidence that the North East is now positioned to play a much larger role in the UK’s space economy.
County named best destination for the second year in a row
It was an incredible night for the county, as it was named Best UK Destination for the second year in a row at the prestigious Group Leisure and Travel Awards, which took place in London on 12 June. Following last year’s win, County Durham retained its title against stiff competition including London, Edinburgh, and Belfast, proving that the destination’s group travel offer rivals that of UK capital cities.
The Group Leisure & Travel Awards are among the UK’s most established honours in the group travel sector. They celebrate excellence across attractions, tour operators, museums, venues, live experiences and destinations, based on votes from readers of Group Leisure & Travel magazine.
Also shortlisted on the night were Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, and Beamish Museum, demonstrating even further why the county is such a great destination for groups.
Visit County Durham has supported the group travel market for many years, through business support, product development, and promotion. Investment has been made in coach parking and facilities by Durham County Council and private-sector businesses, resulting in the county holding the most Coach Friendly Accreditations. And through our Discover Durham groups and travel trade consortium, we work in partnership with tourism businesses to raise the collective profile and appeal of the county, with results like this demonstrating success.
Michelle Gorman, managing director at Visit County Durham, said: “County Durham has always had an excellent group travel offer, from our world-class attractions, experiences and events, to fantastic landscapes and food and drink. Significant recent investment, including The Rising at Raby Castle, Remaking Beamish, New Hall at Locomotion, and accommodation refurbishments across the county, have strengthen our offer even further. And with two exciting new attractions set to open this summer, Kynren – The Storied Lands and The Light, we are certain that our share of this valuable market will continue to grow, supporting businesses, and providing opportunities for our residents. But this isn’t a Visit County Durham win, it’s a win for County Durham’s entire visitor economy and its passion, creativity and resilience.”
Rob Yandell, publisher of Group Leisure and Travel, added: “Our warmest congratulations go to all of this year’s winners and finalists, and to everyone across the travel trade whose dedication continues to create exceptional experiences and outstanding service for groups. The continued support of our Awards Partners, along with the enthusiasm and engagement of our readers, has once again played a vital role in the success of these awards.
“Bringing together more than 300 guests to celebrate achievements and connect with colleagues has been a true pleasure, and we hope everyone enjoyed another memorable occasion.”
Image caption left to right:
Award presented by Mandy Hill, Dunwood Travel; Wendy Wilshere, Head of Volunteer Casting & Engagement, Kynren; Samantha Shotton, Chief Operating Officer, Beamish Museum; Brenda Alexander, Bookings Coordinator, Beamish Museum; Alex MacKenzie, Travel Trade Manager, Experience North East England; Sarah Johnson, Senior Manager, Visit County Durham; Michelle Gorman, Managing Director, Visit County Durham; Event host – Luke Kempner.
Hannah Fox – Connecting our heritage and culture
Hear from Hannah Fox, executive director of The Bowes Museum, on how the county plays a leading role in how it connects and contemporises its heritage and culture for today’s audiences.
New partnership to boost careers in low carbon energy
We’re launching a new regional project designed to strengthen the future workforce for North East England’s growing low carbon and offshore wind industries.
The Low Carbon North: Sustainable Futures initiative is being delivered by our Careers and Enterprise team in partnership with Newcastle University and The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.
ORE Catapult is the UK’s leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy.
Funded through the Northern Net Zero Accelerator, the one-year programme will run from May 2026 until the end of April 2027.
The project aims to improve graduate retention in North East England while helping businesses build the skilled workforce needed for the transition to employment in the region’s flourishing low carbon economy.
It will also support long term regional growth by creating a model that could be expanded across the wider higher education sector.
Supporting regional growth
The programme will connect Durham and Newcastle students with businesses working across offshore wind, subsea industries and the wider low carbon sector.
Virtual, employer-led group projects will give students the chance to work on real industry challenges and gain valuable experience.
Students from a wide range of degree subjects, including Business, Finance and the Sciences are invited to take part.
The project builds on existing links with industry partners connected to the leading offshore energy sector here in North East England.
This will help students gain a better understanding of the real world opportunities available in the North East region.
Helping students explore low carbon careers
Alongside industry-based projects, the programme will include careers forums, employer panels and networking opportunities.
These events will help students learn more about careers in low carbon industries and the skills employers are looking for.
We also want to challenge the idea that low carbon careers are only linked to STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
The sector needs people with a wide range of skills and experiences, from project management to communications and finance.
Student interns from both universities will help shape the programme to make sure activities reflect what students want and need.
Creating a lasting legacy
The project will also support university staff and careers advisers from across North East England.
Colleagues from five regional universities will be invited to take part in careers education events focused on the future of the low carbon sector.
By bringing together universities, employers and students, we hope to create stronger regional partnerships that continue beyond the life of the project.
The long-term goal is to create a tested model that improves graduate employability, supports business innovation and helps drive sustainable growth across North East England.
Main image shows an aerial view of the Dock90 wind farm, with a ship alongside. Image credit: Principle Power
