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Research

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures functions as a single unit for research, gathering our eight language areas (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, Japanese and Russian) and Translation Studies, working within and across these to enable interdisciplinary investigations. Four areas of particular strength characterise our research activities:

We welcome applications for postgraduate study in the School’s language and research focus areas, especially where there are potential links to relevant Durham Research Institutes and Centres or to our research groups.

Research groups

The School of Modern Languages hosts six interdisciplinary research groups.
Three students working together

Centres and institutes

Explore our research centres in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
External shot of the front door leading into the institute of advanced study

Reframing European gastronomy Legacy through Innovation, Sustainability and Heritage (RELISH)

Find out more about this research partnership into culinary recipes and food culture. 

A group of people enjoying an open air city dining experience in Calcotada to celebrate the launch of RELISH

Inventing Futures

Find out more about work on the future-oriented consequences of past-oriented study. 

Image of a skyline with a shooting star in the horizon

Research News

Fusako Innami has been named runner-up for the British Comparative Literature Association's inaugural First Book Prize

Fusako Innami's book Touching the Unreachable: Writing, Skinship, Modern Japan has been named runner-up for the British Comparative Literature Association's inaugural First Book Prize 2025
Touching the Unreachable by Fusako Innami

Durham Film Festival 2025: Celebrating Student Talent and International Voices

The 2025 Durham Film Festival took place from June 11th to 14th, transforming various venues across Durham into lively hubs celebrating cinema. Highlights included an Open Air Cinema at Aidan’s beer garden, a Hollywood-style Speakeasy at Bar 33, and a formal award ceremony at Durham School.
three people in front of the BFI logo
Transformative Humanities

Transformative Humanities

Discover the Faculty of Arts and Humanities' new Transformative Humanities framework which brings together distinctive approaches to humanities research and education within the academy and across a wide range of partners and communities.

Visit the Transformative Humanities website