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Education and research

As a leading teaching and research institution, we are well placed to make a significant contribution to tackling sustainability worldwide. We were recently ranked 2nd in the UK, and 17th in the world, by Times Higher Education for the impact of our research in environmental and ecological sciences.

Environment Department

Our Environment Department is a world-leading centre for teaching and research on sustainable solutions to the world's environmental problems. It also hosts the Stockholm Environment Institute at York, part of a major international research organisation committed to implementing global sustainable development.

• Environment Department
• Stockholm Environment Institute

York Environmental Sustainability Institute

YESI brings together researchers from many different disciplines so they can undertake the research needed to tackle major environmental issues, such as biodiversity and ecosystem services, climate change and green energy. 

• YESI

Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence

Our Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence is a world-leading research centre that promotes the development and implementation of green and sustainable chemistry, and related technologies, into new products and processes.

• Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence

Other teaching and research areas

Environmental and sustainability themes are embedded in our undergraduate programmes, and feature prominently in research across many departments.

• Education for sustainable development (Department of Educational Studies)
• Ecology and evolution research (Department of Biology)
• Developing sustainable livelihoods in post-war areas (Post-War Reconstruction and Development Unit)
• Sustainable development and social inclusion (Department of Social Policy and Social Work)
• Workplace cycling cultures and the National Cycling Strategy (Science and Technology Studies Unit)

In the news

• The University of York has announced a new partnership with one of the UK's principal museums of historic buildings.

  The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum delivers two well-established MSc programmes building conservation and historic building techniques and the new agreement means that they will now lead to degrees awarded by the University of York.

• New apprenticeship opportunity offers hands-on building conservation experience 
  
  The North York Moors National Park Authority, English Heritage and the University of York are launching an apprenticeship scheme for three young people aged 16 to 19. With support from York College, the two-year apprenticeships will offer hands-on experience in a range of building maintenance and conservation skills and are expected to start by Easter 2012.

Key contacts

• Environment Department
  environment@york.ac.uk
  01904 432999

• Stockholm Environment Institute
  01904 432897

• YESI Co-ordinator
  Debbie Coldwell
  deborah.coldwell@york.ac.uk
  01904 328866

• Department of Green Chemistry
  01904 322511