Our Research
Our Research
Astronomy research at Durham University spans theoretical cosmology, observational astronomy, and advanced instrumentation, making it one of the UK’s leading centres for astrophysics. The university’s astronomy community is centred in the Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, where researchers collaborate across three major groups: the Institute for Computational Cosmology (ICC), the Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy (CEA), and the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI).
The ICC focuses on simulations and theory related to galaxy formation, dark matter, dark energy, and the large-scale structure of the Universe. The CEA specialises in observational studies of galaxies, black holes, and cosmic evolution using major international telescopes and space observatories. Meanwhile, the CfAI develops cutting-edge astronomical instruments and adaptive optics systems for facilities such as the Extremely Large Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. Together, these centres combine computation, observation, and engineering to address some of the most fundamental questions about the origin and evolution of the Universe.