IAS DURHAM

Welcome to the Institute of Advanced Study

Durham’s Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) is a home for growing 
big ideas. We support, promote and grow new and creative interdisciplinary ideas that transform our perspectives in challenging and provocative ways. We provide time, space, and resources to exchange and integrate ideas, knowledge and skills. We are a home to an inclusive, diverse and supportive community of scholars from Durham University and across the world.

Latest news

Call Launched for IAS 2026/27 Research Development Projects

Call Launched for IAS 2026/27 Research Development Projects

Applications are now welcome for IAS Research Development Projects (RDPs) for the 2026/27 academic year. Led by Durham academics, the scheme supports the early-stage development of ambitious interdisciplinary research initiatives. Further details on eligibility,...

Current projects 2025/26

Each year, the IAS supports ambitious and adventurous interdisciplinary projects tackling major research questions. Researchers from around the globe join Durham colleagues in collaborative teams to develop ground-breaking ideas, explore interdisciplinary synergies and develop new programmes of research.

Learn more about our current projects by following the links below.

This project aims to make a ground-breaking contribution to debates concerning climate justice, environmental politics, and narrative imaginaries in a changing world by interrogating the logic of what many now call ‘climate apartheid

This project explores the knowledge and impact of the research produced by PhD studies in UK universities

This project aims to understand how arts engagement can be used in organisations to reduce loneliness and increase mental health

This project takes an innovative approach to questions of value and well-being in eastern and southern Africa

Through an interdisciplinary approach to empathy, this project aims not only to deepen understanding of the past but also to explore the potential of empathising with future generations, offering new perspectives for addressing today’s societal challenges.

This project explores the future of Sunderland’s Jewish heritage sites. Should they, and can they be protected, and how can they benefit local communities? Can heritage help tell Sunderland’s story from a new perspective?

This project aims to understand the place of the human in a rapidly changing global environment in which security challenges present new stressors for human societies and technology plays a crucial mediating role.

Exploring one of the most pressing societal challenges today: how to fairly divide limited resources among those who need them. Whether it's public housing, natural resources, or life-saving organs, questions of fairness and equity are central to decision making.

Bringing together colleagues across disciplines and career stages to catalyse an experimental discussion and co-learning space around ‘decommissioning’ as a concept and set of practices.

Uniting bioscientists and historians to integrate historical and scientific study of edible plants and animals, to better understand the past, present, and future of human sustenance.

Publications

Recent publications

Recent articles, books, chapters and reports from our IAS Fellows.

Fellows' publications

Publications begun or published during IAS Fellowships.

Post-fellowship outputs

Publications catalysed by research conducted during IAS Fellowships.

Insights e-journal

The journal which captured the ideas and work-in-progress of Fellows who visited the IAS during its thematic framework (from 2006 – 2017)

Transformations newsletter

Browse previous editions of Transformations, the official newsletter of IAS Durham.