York shortlisted for three prestigious Times Higher Education Awards 2026
Posted on Friday 4 September 2026
The University earned national recognition for its work in widening access to doctoral study, building safe and inclusive artificial intelligence systems and driving regional business growth.
Winners will be announced at the Vox in Birmingham on the evening of Thursday 26 November 2026.
Widening access
York was shortlisted for Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year for leading the Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education. The regional coalition includes the University of Bradford, University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.
The initiative has delivered results across the region, with applications for doctoral study from minoritised candidates jumping from 21% to 31.2% by 2024/25. Offer rates also increased across all five partner universities, while York completely closed its offer gap for doctoral candidates.
Professor Kathryn Arnold, Project Lead for the Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education, said: “Doctoral study has faced a deep inequity problem for a long time, but our regional partnership shows that real change is possible when universities act together. For us, this is about making sure every researcher feels seen, heard and valued.”
Embedding enterprise
In the Outstanding Entrepreneurial University category, York was recognised for supporting regional businesses and entrepreneurs.
Through a connected ecosystem including York Science Park, Phase One Incubator, Enterprise Works, Barclays Eagle Labs and the Innovate York programme, the University has supported 125 businesses, launched four start-ups and created new local jobs. The University has recently further strengthened this network through a new partnership with NatWest.
Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise, Partnerships and Engagement, said: “Being shortlisted for this national award reflects our belief that starting or growing a venture should be within reach for every student, academic and local business owner. At York, enterprise is about tackling real social challenges, supporting local communities and helping people across our region to thrive.”
Ensuring equality
York earned a third shortlisting for Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion through its Centre for Doctoral Training in Safe AI Systems.
The programme treats representation as an essential technical requirement to prevent artificial intelligence from inheriting social blind spots. By using anonymised recruitment and ring-fenced funding, the centre achieved 64% female offers in 2024/25 alongside increased recruitment from non-academic industry backgrounds.
Professor Ibrahim Habli, Director of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Safe AI Systems, said: “When the teams designing technology lack diversity, systems inherit blind spots that create real safety risks for the public. By changing how we recruit, our researchers are creating the robust safety standards needed to build genuine public trust.”
