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Celebrating 60 years

Our 60th anniversary gives us a moment to not only reflect on how far we've come, but how far we're going to go.

Since our foundation in 1963, we’ve been guided by a compelling purpose: being single-minded in combating inequality, championing social justice and advancing opportunity for all. And there is so much more to do - our future is limitless.

York Festival of Ideas 2023

This year we were excited to welcome audiences back to another Festival edition and celebrate the University's 60th year. The 2023 theme reflected this anniversary celebration: 'Rediscover, Reimagine, Rebuild.'

Offering over 150 mostly free in-person and online events, this year's Festival was an opportunity to rediscover, reimagine and rebuild our world and the systems governing it, and our lives and the relationships formed within it. All for a brighter and more stable future in which communities and the individuals within these, can not only survive but thrive.

We heard world-class speakers and experienced exhibitions, performances, music, films, guided walks, family-friendly activities and much more.

Big Community Challenge

York Cares is our partner for helping our community volunteer, and for our 60th year, we took part in a month-long environmental project.

In June, our Big Community Challenge helped transform wetland areas across the city, linking to the city's river heritage, as well as here on campus. We had a fantastic turnout of staff an students getting involved in this fantastic project, as well as bringing our own expertise to the table on how we preserve and improve biodiversity.

Valuing our people

Our people are what make us. We strive to be supportive and inclusive in everything we do.

We're continuing our philanthropic tradition and engaging with past students through initiatives such as York Unlimited.

We're building on our strong sense of social purpose to be a welcoming, safe space for all.

Staff, students and alumni taking part in the Great York Walk to raise money for Mentally Fit York and promote good mental health in the city's communities and beyond.

Nurturing our partnerships

At York we work together. We support not just our University community, but look outward locally, nationally and internationally to open up opportunities for all.

A shared purpose with York and the region

We support our community. We continue to help shape our place, supporting community wellbeing and York’s society, economy and health.