Features: 2025

Yvonne Birks is Professor of Applied Social Care Research in the School for Business and Society. As National Director for the NIHR School for Social Care Research (SSCR), she guides a national collaboration delivering high-quality social care research throughout England.

Built on the belief that ideas and education have the power to transform lives and positively impact communities, York Festival of Ideas is one of the largest free festivals of its kind in the UK. The 2025 theme of ‘Making Waves’ perfectly encapsulates the spirit of innovation and dynamism which typifies York.

Helen Cowie is Professor of Modern History in the Department of History at the University of York. Her research focuses on the history of animals, and in particular how human–animal relationships have evolved and changed through time.

We believe in the power of education to transform lives. But belief alone is not enough - we are taking action. Establishing ourselves as the University of Opportunity in the UK is an achievable ambition and a key element of the next five years of our strategy.

Presented as part of the 2025 York Festival of Ideas' overarching theme, our twelve finalists will have just three minutes to explain how their research will be 'Making Waves' within both their field, and society.

Mariana López is a Professor in Sound Production and Post Production at the School of Arts and Creative Technologies, where she’s worked since 2016. With an interest in music stretching back to her childhood, her research combines sound design with heritage, wellbeing and audience equality.

The PhD Spotlight competition challenges postgraduate researchers to engage the public with their original and cutting edge research, through the medium of an interactive display/experience.