Durham-UK

Home > Lisa Cartwright > Page 2

Lisa Cartwright

by

Exciting new Story launched for Durham

People stood in front of the Durham Story board and banners

An exciting new approach to promoting the county was unveiled yesterday (18 March), with over 80 stakeholders attending the launch of the ‘Durham Story’.

The event, hosted by Durham County Council and Durham University at Gala Durham, was the culmination of a 12-month project which has seen engagement with hundreds of stakeholders from across the region, to identify a compelling new proposition for the county which will showcase Durham on a global scale.

Spearheaded by Durham County Council, Durham University, Visit County Durham and Business Durham, this new approach will see organisations and individuals join forces and unite behind the brand to build the county’s image, identity and reputation, and harness profile-raising opportunities to reach key audiences.

With a clear and consistent approach across multiple sectors, the Durham story will enable the county to engage and inspire potential investors, businesses, students and visitors, whilst instilling pride in our resident and business communities.

The Durham story is an extraordinary blend of beauty, enterprise, heritage, culture and ambition, found in all four corners of the county. It shines a light on what makes us special, the distinctiveness and character of Durham, and the opportunities for the growth, development and promotion of the county. Embodied by four key strands, the Durham story was introduced at the event by private and public sector partners.

Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University introduced the overarching theme for Durham, which sees us confidently championing our regional, national and international role.

Jim Cokill, trust director of Durham Wildlife Trust spoke about the ‘natural lifestyle’ strand – our incredible green and blue spaces, nature and wildlife, and the many ways in which they positively impact residents, businesses, visitors and students. ‘Contemporising and connecting our culture’ is the second strand, highlighting the county’s world-class culture and how it’s brought to life for today’s audiences, which was introduced by Hannah Fox, executive director of The Bowes Museum. The ‘space to innovate and grow’ strand, which focuses on the county as a place for business as well as our strengths within the space industry, was introduced by Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek. With the final strand of the Durham story, ‘a special city that attracts and radiates’, focussing on the pivotal role the city plays as an attractor for the wider county, was introduced by Emma Gaudern, CEO of EMG Solicitors.

Also announced at the event was the Durham Champions initiative, which will see an exciting new network of individuals helping to shine a light on the county through their own activities, supporting the promotion of the county in a consistent and compelling way.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “County Durham is an amazing place with so much to offer, whether as a place to live, visit, work or invest. And, while we might be tempted to keep it for ourselves, encouraging others to discover what our area has to offer is vital for our future prosperity.

“We want people to think of County Durham when they are looking for somewhere to visit, to know that there are thousands of great job opportunities here and to make us their first choice when looking to set up home. And we want investors to be very clear that we offer a brilliant place to do business.

“The place brand will help us achieve this by cementing the good work that has already been done to develop County Durham’s reputation, through further raising the area’s profile and supporting our economic and social growth.”

Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University added:

“The University works closely with our partner organisations on many projects to benefit the growth, development and promotion of our city, county and region. We very much look forward to strengthening these connections and to highlighting even more prominently all that makes Durham special, telling our powerful story regionally, nationally and globally.”

by

New collaboration seeks to attract French visitors to North East England

A family on a bike ride at Raby Castle

Newcastle Airport and destination development partnership, Destination North East England have collaborated with Expedia Group on a new campaign targeting visitors from France.

Capitalising on the new easyJet route between Paris and Newcastle, the digital campaign aims to drive flight bookings, and overnight stays by highlighting the unique experiences visitors can take advantage of when visiting the North East of England.

From coast to countryside, unique historical landmarks, and a standout food & drink offer, experiential activities will inspire French travellers and experience seekers to explore the North East.

This campaign will also amplify the emerging trend of screen tourism, with VisitBritain having launched its own international ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ screen tourism campaign. VisitBritain’s campaign uses the powerful draw of film and TV locations and places seen-on-screen to inspire international visitors to discover more of Britain.

The market will be reached through a digital campaign including onsite media, paid display and paid social media content driving traffic to a dedicated Expedia webpage. The campaign will be able to track hotel and flight bookings, giving the ability to directly link campaign outputs and impact on inbound passengers coming via the easyJet Paris route to Newcastle Airport.

This campaign is being delivered in partnership with Newcastle Airport, NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), Sunderland City Council, Visit County Durham and Visit Northumberland on behalf of Destination North East England.

John Marshall, Chair of Destination North East England, said:

“Our aim is to double the value of the visitor economy in 10 years and the only way we can achieve this ambition is to tap into international markets and increase overnight stays. Together with our regional partners, we are working to showcase our offer internationally and grow our visitor economy which will have a positive impact for both our industry and our people. We are very excited about working with online travel company, Expedia to showcase the diversity of our region’s experiences – encouraging visitors to stay for longer.  This campaign is testament to what can be achieved when you collaborate and work together towards a common goal – a huge thank you to everyone involved.”

Alice Andreasen, Chief Sustainability & Communications Officer, Newcastle International Airport, said:

“easyJet’s continued investment in the Airport and introduction of new, low-cost routes to key destinations in Europe provides a fantastic opportunity to increase the number of inbound visitors to our region.

“We have been working closely with the region’s destination marketing organisations for many years to promote the North East overseas, and this is another example of how collaborative working can benefit our whole region – with increasing visitor numbers boosting the local economy.”

Rob Torres, Senior Vice President, Expedia Group Media Solutions, said:

“We’re excited to team up with Destination North East England to bring more French visitors to this incredible part of the country, especially with the new Newcastle-Paris airline route making it more accessible than ever. By blending traditional onsite ads with engaging social media content, we’re showcasing the region’s beauty in a way that really connects with French travellers. Plus, with our industry leading measurement and reporting, we’re giving them the insights they need to see the real impact – more interest, more bookings, and more visitors exploring all that North East England has to offer.”

Destination North East England is led by NGI on behalf of the region, working with delivery partners Visit Northumberland and Visit County Durham and in partnership with all seven local authorities to unlock the growth potential of the visitor economy.

by

New £5m research centre to support North East England’s growing space industry

Two people looking at a starry sky

Durham University has launched a new £5m research centre to support North East England’s growing space industry and lead on the sustainable exploration of the cosmos.

The Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC) draws upon our considerable and world-renowned expertise in space technology and research.

SPARC aims to be at the forefront of scientific advancement, business development, space law and the sustainable exploration of space.

The centre includes researchers from the University’s departments of Physics, Law, Government and International Affairs, Computer Science and Durham University Business School.

Dr Andrew Aldrin, gave the keynote speech ahead of the centre’s opening.

The son of legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Andrew is Associate Professor and Chair of the Master of Sciences Space Systems, and the Master of Space Operations programmes at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, as well as a leader in the field of space innovation and operations.

Influencing change in space sustainability

SPARC’s goals include providing high-quality training and education to develop a skills pipeline of enthusiastic, creative and highly sought after workers for the regional and national space industry. 

It also plans to engage with industry and policymakers, to influence change in governance and space sustainability.

ESA Lab status

The launch event also saw the announcement that we’ve become a European Space Agency (ESA) Laboratory.

Being part of the ESA Lab network gives Durham access to ESA’s technical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and funding opportunities.

It also means further international collaboration, joint research initiatives, and technology transfer opportunities, alongside specialised training and student exchange programmes.

In addition, ESA Lab status provides more opportunity for other academic institutions and industry to collaborate with Durham and access the University’s expertise and facilities in instrumentation, such as telescopes.

Durham’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, based at NETPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham, already builds components for some of the world’s biggest telescope and satellite projects, which are helping to further our understanding of space. 

Commercial partners and government agencies who have worked with the University include the UK Space Agency, ESA and NASA.

Space is a rapidly growing sector which supports our improving quality of life and protecting our planet. Now is the time to develop technology and ideas for a sustainable future in space and the establishment of SPARC and our ESA Lab status will support us in achieving this.

Professor James Osborn
Director, Durham University Space Research Centre
A group of people standing in front of a banner which says space research. They are smiling at the camera.
  • (L-R) Dr Andrew Aldrin, Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University; Dr Carly Beckerman, Co-Director of the Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC); and Professor James Osborn, Director of the Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC), at the SPARC launch.
Dr Andrew Aldrin stands in front of a display screen and delivers a talk to a room full of people.

Dr Andrew Aldrin gives a keynote speech ahead of the opening of the new Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC).

A group of people stand in front of a banner saying space research and smile at the camera.

Alison Clark, Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism, at Durham County Council; Dr Carly Beckerman, Co-Director of the Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC); Professor James Osborn, Director of the Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC); and Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University, at the SPARC launch.

Publicly accessible research

The event also served as the launch of Light Years – Durham University’s art and space science project, which sits within the regional Into The Light partnership, led by Durham County Council.

Light Years offers another way for us to bring our space research and expertise to the public in an accessible way.

by

University apprentice success for T-level work placement students

T-Level students at Durham University

Expanding access to education, skills training and employment opportunities is something we’re passionate about at Durham.

We recently formalised the Durham Learning Alliance partnership with four County Durham colleges to expand opportunities for young people in North East England. 

Thanks to the Alliance, eight college students in need of work placements for their T-level studies were taken on by the University’s Computing and Information Services (CIS) department. 

They were given expert mentorship from our CIS staff, and three students – Dylan Milburn, Callum Blakey and Thomas Marley – have now been taken on as full-time apprentices at the University. 

Excelling at Durham 

Dylan, from Wingate in County Durham, excelled with us and was named as a regional finalist in the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2024. 

After completing his T-level at East Durham College, Dylan is now staying on at the University as an IS Apprentice undertaking a Data Engineering higher apprenticeship. 

He said: “The experience I gained at Durham was incredibly valuable for my T-level studies as the practical, hands-on experience complemented my classroom learning. 

“I am thankful that the University recognised my skills and potential, and I see this apprenticeship as the foundation of my career.  

“I don’t just see myself starting my career here; I see myself growing and eventually finishing my career at Durham University.  

“The opportunities for professional development and the supportive environment make it an ideal place for my career aspirations.” 

Bright future 

Callum, of Durham City, was studying his T-level at New College Durham when he joined our CIS on work placement. 

He is now an Undergraduate IS Apprentice Analyst in our Identity and Access Management (IAM) team, studying his undergraduate degree apprenticeship with the University of Exeter. 

Callum said his work placement was ‘critical’ to his T-level and helped equip him with the skills necessary for the apprenticeship. 

He added: “My future is absolutely here at Durham; the opportunities that Durham has provided and the teams and the people I get the pleasure of working with are nothing short of incredible.” 

T-level pathway 

Thomas Marley, of Framwellgate Moor in County Durham, completed a T-Level in Digital Production, Design and Development at New College Durham whilst on work placement with us. 

He has now secured a role as an Undergraduate IS Apprentice Analyst studying for an undergraduate degree apprenticeship with the University of Exeter. 

Thomas said: “I would never have gotten onto the Degree Apprenticeship if it wasn’t for the experience that I had gained during my T-level placement. 

“I would strongly recommend the T-level pathway to anyone on the fence about it.  

“If you have a good idea about the industry you want to go into, then the T-Level programme offers something extremely beneficial which makes you stand out over those with A-Levels.” 

by

Durham named World Top 30 university for sustainability

Durham University students

We’re one of the world’s most sustainable universities, according to a new international league table.

The 2025 QS World University Rankings for Sustainability place Durham 22nd out of 1,751 universities assessed across the globe.

We’re also ranked eighth in the UK and 12th in Europe.

The rankings judge universities against three main categories – Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance.

They are a key indicator of how universities are tackling the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges.

Sustainability through research

Our research is working to improve sustainability globally, nationally and regionally.

Our geographers are working to understand the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and Antarctic and the importance of sticking to global targets to limit temperature rises.

Our earth scientists are playing a key role in the UK’s National Geothermal Centre (NGC) to bring more geothermal heat and electricity into the renewable energy mix.

Research in our interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental and Energy Economics, which runs out of our Business School, is investigating large-scale system modelling of environmental and energy issues, as well as local policy design and correction.

And our MammalWeb citizen science project – involving Biosciences, Anthropology and Computer Science – won the National Biodiversity Network Group Award 2024 for its work in gathering information on UK and European wild mammals to support their conservation.

Sustainability for our community

We are working to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain by 2032 and net-zero CO2 emissions by 2035. We’re committed to being one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the UK to benefit our students, staff, visitors, and the wider Durham community.

We were highly commended in the International Green Gown Awards for our ambitious Biodiversity Strategy.

We’re a Platinum Hedgehog Friendly Campus with initiatives including the creation of grassland and wildflower areas to increase biodiversity, the introduction of hedgehog highways, and hedgehog awareness sessions for local schools.

And we’re investing in carbon-reducing measures in our buildings including the refurbishment of Boldon House, in Durham City, where gas-fired heating is being replaced with brand new air-source heat pumps, solar panels, improved roof insulation and updated windows.

Global influence – and beyond!

Our strengths in ESG research saw six of our researchers share their expertise with world governments at the recent UN COP29 climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

And we’re now taking our sustainability expertise into space with the launch of the Durham University Space Research Centre to support North East England’s growing space industry and lead on the sustainable exploration of the cosmos.

by

Office for National Statistics partnership boosts data careers and research

A group of people outside of the ONS Mou building

We are partnering with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to support aspiring data professionals. This collaboration aims to enhance career opportunities for students, paving the way for more and higher-quality job prospects for graduates.

Over the next three years, staff from the ONS, the UK’s national statistical institute which has a base in Darlington, near Durham, will deliver lectures and training for master’s students in Data Science and Business Analytics.

PhD students will also work alongside ONS experts on priority research projects. The partnership includes recruitment events, providing students with pathways to internships, and graduate jobs at the ONS. 

ONS staff will also benefit from this collaboration by accessing our Business School’s MBA courses and bespoke training programmes, enabling them to enhance their skills and qualifications. 

In a world that’s being driven by data it’s more important than ever that we not only inspire the next generation of data scientists and analysts, but that we’re giving them the best training and experiences possible. I’m delighted that the ONS and Durham University have come together to make this happen in what will be a hugely beneficial partnership for everyone involved.

Sir Ian Diamond
National Statistician

Driving collaborative research

The partnership will also strengthen research collaboration between the ONS and ourselves. Our academics will contribute their expertise to critical research projects in areas including economic statistics and methodology.  

A recent workshop we hosted brought together ONS and academic experts to identify key areas of focus for future research within economic statistics and methodology. 

Durham University produces research and graduates that transform the world. Our partnership with the ONS will further enable academic expertise to shape economic thinking and data methodology, while also providing exceptional opportunities for our students to build successful careers in data science and analytics.

Professor Karen O’Brien
Vice-Chancellor

Group photo 

Left to right: Professor Kieran Fernandes, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Development and Business Engagement, Durham University; Sir Ian Diamond, National Statistician; Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor, Durham University; Heather Bovill, ONS Head of Site for Darlington Economic Campus; Professor Martin Evans, Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Durham University.