University of York named Community University of the Year

Posted on Thursday 14 August 2025

The award, from the Daily Mail University Guide, highlights the University's commitment to being a force for public good and its significant contribution to the local community and beyond.

York Festival of Ideas is an annual two-week event that offers hundreds of free public events, both in person and online. It is one of the largest free festivals of its kind and is built on the belief in the power of education and ideas to transform lives. 

Joan Concannon, Director of York Festival of Ideas at the University of York, said: "We are incredibly proud to be named Community University of the Year. The award recognises our commitment to making a meaningful contribution to society, and the Festival is a brilliant example of how we work together with our partners to empower individuals and enrich lives, from our campus to the global stage. It's a powerful reminder that when ideas are shared freely, they increase understanding, build local pride and strengthen the bonds that make our community so special.”

Our award-winning Festival

The Community University of the Year award is designed to recognise universities that have a significant impact beyond their campus, acting as a catalyst for change and a force for good in society. 

Alastair McCall, editor of the Daily Mail University Guide, added: “The York Festival of Ideas has been a gamechanger for the University of York. It is one of the finest examples of how universities can positively impact their communities in ways that extend beyond teaching, research and economic clout. By harnessing the academic pull of the university, Festival organisers have created from scratch 15 years ago an event that is now a mainstay in the north’s cultural calendar.

“York could have set up another literary festival that would have done well but chose instead to create a much more ambitious event that spans literature, the arts, humanities, science and technology – pitched at all ages, at once diversifying the audience and extending the Festival’s potential footprint.

“The reach of the Festival is extraordinary. It attracts a live audience of 60,000 to over 200 events spread across a fortnight. The wider economic benefits of that for the City of York are immense. And the Festival’s online audience runs to many tens of thousands more, further spreading the university’s name.

"In recognition of the outstanding success of its Festival of Ideas, York is the Daily Mail Community University of the Year 2026."

Established in 2011, the Festival has been hosting big ideas and bright minds for over a decade. It is growing every year and since 2021, over 270,000 people have attended more than 1,250 events. There were over 200 events in 2025 alone. 

York’s community spirit 

The University’s commitment to public good is a core principle that guides a wide range of activities and initiatives beyond the Festival.

With over 300 student-run societies and volunteering projects, and students and staff from over 150 countries contributing to a diverse community, the University champions action for positive change.

Professor Ken Badcock, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, said: “The University of York was founded in 1963 with a powerful mission to serve the public good, and that principle guides us today. That starts on our vibrant and inclusive parkland campus, which provides an environment where people come together to share ideas and explore new possibilities, and extends far beyond. We are proud to share our knowledge and resources to be a good neighbour in our community and the wider world."