Insight and Research
Here at the SU, we’re committed to producing high-quality research which informs our projects, campaigns and priority work to represent students and the issues they face.
If you would like to use any of our research findings to inform your own campaigns or projects, please feel free to do so. You can also contact any members of the Student Voice team for more information.
| Papers | Authors | Year | 30 second summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham Students' Survey 2024/25 | Alterline, Durham SU | 2025 | 849 Durham Students had their say in 2024/2025. They mostly agreed that student housing isn't afffordable and that a Durham University induction didn't set them up well as learners and citizens but it did help them have fun. Students' with disabilities and first generation students were less positive on many measures than other students. Most students loved their SU student groups, felt satisfied with the SU's Freshers' Fair , felt the SU represented their academic interests and that a collective body for students was needed. But they were more split on the big picture of the SU purpose and the effectiveness of its representatives, and while awareness of the SU's core services was high, these students didn't feel that the things most important to them - their academic success, cost of living and wellbeing - were the most important things to the SU. | |
| Induction and Orientation Report | Olivia Flavell | 2024 | Induction was named as one of Durham SU's stragetic goals to ensure that students get the best possible start at Durham University. In order to understand provision gaps in this area, the SU conducted Focus Groups with first year students to evaluate their induction experience and reflect on what could have been improved. We learnt that students have a stronger desire for community in spaces outside their college, and they often feel academically unprepared to behing their first year of study. Evaluating this feedback, reccommendations were put forward to tackle these two issues that resulted in a 'Best Practice' Induction Pilot. | |
| Housing survey | Alterline, Durham SU | 2024 | Affordability was top of mind for students when they looked for a property to rent. Substantial numbers of respondents felt that they did not have a choice in where to live. Students did not feel their student houses were good value for money, with mould, damp and poor complaint handling often cited concerns. Student described the impact of housing issues on their wellbeing and their studies as low. Most student relied on support from family and friends to afford their rent, and international students found the requirement for a guarantor challenging to meet. The survey ran over summer 2024 and had lower then desired participation, but insight was useful in establishing the Rate Your Landlord scheme. | |
| Insight for Student Leaders: All Student Survey | Coole Insight, Durham SU | 2024 | The pilot SU survey for all Durham Students' recorded student concerns about cost of student accommodation, mental health and the costs of living. Students who completed the survey were happy with their student group experience, feeling it added to their sense of belonging and helped them learn new things. We learnt that students are working more then ever, and that lack of time is often a barrier to engagement in extra-curricular activities. Respondents felt the need for an organisation for all students, and had a mixture of positive, negative and neutral feedback across different areas of the students' union. | |
| Leadership in Durham Report | Abigail Lewis | 2024 | n/a | |
Older reports
| Papers | Authors | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Future of Prince Bishops Place | Deborah Achaempong, Vasiliki Bathrelou, Ellie Scorah | 2023 | |
| The Housing conversation response | Dan Lonsdale, Vasiliki Bathrelou, Ellie Scorah | 2023 | |
| Reinventing Renting in Durham | Jack Ballingham, Vasiliki Bathrelou, Ellie Scorah | 2023 | |
| Mental Health Survey report | Jonah Graham, Vasiliki Bathrelou, Richard Bruce | 2023 | |
| Culture Commission | Seun Twins, Katie Shaw, Kim Schreck, Ellie Scorah | 2022 | |
| Student Funding Gap | Nicola Frampton | 2020 | |
| Housing report | Nicola Frampton | 2019 | |
| Cost of Attendance | David Evans, Nicola Frampton, Richard Bruce | 2019 | |
| Accommodation fees | Christine Stretesky | 2018 | |
