About us

The York-Maastricht Partnership unites two of Europe’s most international universities in a strategic alliance that places collaborative research and impact at its heart. By bringing together expertise at the University of York and Maastricht University, we are creating an ecosystem designed to develop world-class talent and drive sustainable change in key areas for both regions.

We empower researchers, students and staff to transcend borders through tailored mobility grants, research seed funding, doctoral collaboration, and creating opportunities for professional knowledge exchange. We provide the infrastructure needed to tackle societal challenges together, from new research in sustainable food and farming to robots, healthcare challenges, and culture and heritage among others. The York Maastricht Partnership supports our academic community to scale up their ambitions and develop cross-border collaborations that will help lead the transition to a more sustainable future.

Our research themes

Robotics and AI

Culture and Heritage

Sustainable Planet

Biobased materials, Crops, future farming and sustainable food

Health and Imaging

Collaborate with us

We connect York and Maastricht researchers to tackle challenges in a wide range of areas related to our four key research themes. We organise introductions, networking events, research workshops and help researchers find funding for colleagues across both universities. We also help connect researchers to regional organisations and industry partners too.

Explore support for York-Maastricht collaborations

Governance

The York-Maastricht Partnership is governed by a joint board made up of staff from both the University of York and Maastricht University.

Prof. dr Pamela Habibović (Acting President, Maastricht University)
Prof. dr Jan Smits (Acting Rector Magnificus, Maastricht University)
Professor Charlie Jeffery (Vice-Chancellor and President, University of York)
Professor Ken Badcock (Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, University of York)

The board meets twice a year to approve strategic investments by the Partnership and set the strategic direction for the Partnership.

The board is supported by a Director, Katherine Benson, who leads the Partnership and is responsible for the delivery of the Partnership's strategy and objectives

Katherine Benson

Head of the York-Maastricht Partnership, University of York

Katherine Benson became Head of the York-Maastricht Partnership in December 2020. She works 50/50 across both universities, and is based in the International Office at Maastricht University and in the Research Directorate at York.

Her role at YMP builds on her experience of working to expand York’s global engagement through developing new research, teaching, and capacity building partnerships.

Before joining the University of York as a Global Partnerships Manager in 2017, Katherine worked at the International Strategy Office at the University of Oxford and has a background in research and teaching at several UK universities and with NGOs in the UK and Middle East. Katherine has a PhD in Medieval History from the University of Reading and MA from the University of York.