Partnerships

We work closely with residents, businesses and other organisations to make sure that the benefits of our success are shared by the local community. We have an 'open campus' policy where we encourage local residents to make use of our campus grounds and sporting facilities.

We also encourage and facilitate action on sustainability issues by our staff, students and partners.

Our staff

The University has launched a Green Impact programme, aimed primarity at syaff, to support and recognise their efforts to 'green' their working environment.

The University of York Sustainability Forum was formed by members of staff in 2009. It campaigns on sustainability issues related to the University's activities, with key focuses on transport, energy, biodiversity and food.

Our students

Through college and University life, and inspired by York's very active student community, students become engaged in a number of issues related to environmental sustainability, Fairtrade and social justice.

  • College activities - we encourage students in college life to be more environmentally responsible by providing information on energy efficiency and recycling in college and student handbooks and by funding the Student switch off college competition. Students audit departmental teams in our Green impact scheme. 
  • People and Planet - the University is encouraged through its student population to engage with the People and Planet agenda
  • List of student societies - this list illustrates the number and diversity of the student societies endorsed by University of York Student Union

Our local community

We work closely with local residents, businesses and City of York Council to ensure that the benefits of our success are shared by our local community. We encourage visitors onto campus and have created a wonderful local amenity with the woodlands and wildlife making up our campuses.

We are continuing to develop these facilities, with woodland and lakeside walks in progress as part of the new Heslington East campus. The latest edition to this is the 24 hectare woodland planted as one of 60 sites chosen around the country to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Other local and outreach benefits to the community include:

  • Our public lecture series - an annual series of guest speakers presenting lectures on various topics which are open to the public
  • Festival of ideas - the University works in partnership to celebrate the vibrancy of York, events are open to the public
  • Science trails - the University works with children at key-stage 4 to give an introduction to scientific research through a science trail around the University

The wider world

Our world-leading research into sustainability and environmental issues, recently ranked 2nd in the UK, has given rise to a large number of national and international partnerships between the University and other high-profile organisations.

Elizabeth Heaps, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Estates and Sustainability champion for the University at Diamond Wood, Heslington East

Did you know...?

  • More than 20,000 people visit campus every year to participate in activties like our public lectures series
  • Around 200 pupils come onto campus as part of the science trail

  • The 2011 pilot festival attracted more than 8000 people to over 20 events across the city of York.

Key contacts