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Lisa Cartwright

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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.

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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.” 

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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.

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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.

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Northern Accelerator recognised as Place-based Knowledge Exchange Initiative of the Year

People accepting the Northern Accelerator Award collection

Northern Accelerator has been awarded the prestigious Place-Based Knowledge Exchange (KE) Initiative of the Year at the PraxisAuril Knowledge Exchange Awards 2024.

Having transformed research commercialisation across the North East and now grown to a collaboration of six universities, Northern Accelerator received the sector award at a ceremony in Bristol on 21 November.  

The recognition celebrates Northern Accelerator’s impactful work in driving economic growth, innovation, and social value through a strong partnership of Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, Teesside and York Universities.

Translating world-leading research into sustainable business

Northern Accelerator helps founding academics create R&D intensive, high potential spinouts in the North East and North Yorkshire, realising social and environmental impact from research, and helping create more and better jobs. By supporting technology transfer through a combination of training, funding, networking and executive leadership, the programme has significantly boosted the rate of commercialisation of academic research.

The shared vision of the partners, the founders and funders is that the programme will contribute to economic growth in the North East. To date we’ve launched over 50 businesses, with many now based in regional innovation hubs like Newcastle Helix and Durham’s NETPark.

Northern Accelerator is funded by Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund, and by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Durham County Council and The North East Combined Authority

Recognition from the knowledge exchange sector

Knowledge Exchange UK (formerly PraxisAuril) is a world-leading professional association for Knowledge Exchange practitioners. They support and enable professional knowledge exchange and commercialisation between universities and business, helping members stand out as the most effective practitioners in their field, anywhere in the world.

Place-based collaboration

The award underscores the growing recognition of the North East as a hub for innovation, research and development. By focusing on place-based knowledge exchange, Northern Accelerator has worked to ensure that the benefits of research commercialisation are felt within the region, contributing to job creation, investment, and regional regeneration.

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Two energy projects to receive £16.8m investment

Exterior of a NETPark building

Two green energy projects we’re involved in have secured a combined total of £16.8m in new financial support.

The North East Technology Park (NETPark) at Sedgefield, County Durham, and the Energy Central Campus at Blyth, Northumberland, will each receive a share of £16.8m North East Investment Zone (NEIZ) funds from the North East Combined Authority (NECA).

It is hoped the investment will further support the development of electric vehicles, battery technology and offshore renewable energy technology in North East England, creating thousands of new jobs.

More about NETPark

NETPark is one of the UK’s premier science and technology parks, with 40 companies employing 700 people. We have been central to its development, and it’s home to Orbit, our enterprise zone. 

The NEIZ investment of £11.3m will support NETPark’s £100m Phase 3 development.

More about Energy Central Campus

Energy Central Campus (ECC) is focused on developing the skills and talent to make Blyth a centre of excellence for the renewable energy sector.

The NEIZ investment of £5.5m will go towards the Energy Central Institute, an education and innovation facility within the ECC. We are a key partner in the ECI, and recently joined ECC board.

The North East is a manufacturing powerhouse, with a proud heritage, and our investments are unlocking jobs and training for local people in the industries of the future. 

Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor