A conversation for staff and students at Durham University - contributions welcome, opinions wanted.
Welcome to another edition of Dialogue magazine.
While it’s been a tough few years for everyone, staff from across the University helped their colleagues and students facing issues brought about by the pandemic. Some of our colleagues have given Dialogue an insight into their experiences of working on campus during the pandemic.
You can also find out about: our new Staff Mental Health First Aiders and how they can support colleagues who are facing difficulties with their mental health; how a research team analysed engravings on stones and discovered they were created by firelight; and how over 99% of our research at Durham was rated as being on international quality, while 90% was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Dialogue has been in conversation with our Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and he told us more about his background, his career, why he was attracted to Durham University and his new role.
Also, our students and staff are bringing a whole host of theatre, music, dance and exhibitions across the city and beyond this summer with the return of ‘Summer in the City’. Be sure to read about the entertainment on your doorstep.
This is your magazine and starting with this edition, Dialogue is being emailed to you directly.
Please continue to share your stories with us at: dialogue@durham.ac.uk.
Dialogue highlights
Becoming the largest All-Steinway school in the UK
With a project spanning three years, Durham became the largest All-Steinway school in the nation in April. In the enviable position of having 61 Steinway pianos throughout the University in both our Department of Music and Colleges, all students, regardless of music experience, can now enjoy music at its finest, with these wonderful, world-class instruments.
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Greenspace Festival is here
Join us on Thursday 16 June 2022 for our second Greenspace Festival at Collingwood College. Meet the Energy & Sustainability Team, speak with our student societies and visit the vast array of stallholders who will be on hand to provide guidance and tips on all thins environmental. You’ll also have the opportunity to find out what’s going on in our local community.
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Looking after your mental health
We all have mental health. Sometimes we feel mentally well, while at other times, we might struggle, but we all need to be aware and seek help if we need it.
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Protecting cultural heritage
We’re launching a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) entitled Endangered Archaeology: Using Remote Sensing to Protect Cultural Heritage.
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Discover my world
Ancestors created intricate artwork on stones by firelight
A research team, involving PhD student Izzy Wisher from our Department of Archaeology, has analysed engravings on stones and discovered they were created by firelight by our ancestors around 15,000 years ago.
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International research collaboration to tackle climate change
We’re proud to announce that we have six new research collaborations with the University of Notre Dame, USA, which will help tackle pressing global issues such as climate change and how we can improve the use of solar energy.
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90 per cent of Durham research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’
The international standing of research at Durham has been confirmed in an exercise looking at the quality of research at the UK’s universities and its impact on society.
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Durham inspires
Colleagues tackle the trash on Earth Day
Every April, people and organisations across the world stop to consider their actions and get involved in activities to tackle the world's most urgent climate issues. Earth Day is an international celebration which aims to spark action to reduce the damage being done to the planet. And to mark this year’s event, staff volunteers from Research and Innovation Services headed off to the Durham coast for a big beach clean.
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Greenspace roundup
You may have noticed that the My Greenspace website has changed since we first launched. The new homepage makes it easier for you to track your impact, with a new action and streak counter, and total CO2 saved by your actions.
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Durham’s Covid heroes
While it’s been a tough few years for everyone, staff from across the University were at the forefront of helping other colleagues and students face the issues brought about by the pandemic.
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Let’s Connect!
Mental health week took place in May, and this year, the theme was about connecting with others.
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A summer of entertainment
Our students and staff are bringing a whole schedule of exciting theatre, music, dance and exhibitions to Durham with the return of ‘Summer in the City’, an entire season of entertainment taking place at venues across the city and beyond.
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Insights
Getting to know you
Having experienced racism and poverty in the area where he grew up, Dr Shaid Mahmood, our new Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), knows first-hand the positive impact higher education can have on people’s lives.
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