About the York Graduate Research School

Established in 2015, the York Graduate Research School (YGRS) connects more than 2,000 postgraduate researchers across all disciplines and brings together the support you need to make the most of your research project.

Alongside your department, we help you engage with York’s dynamic research environment. We offer high quality training, peer to peer support, professional development advice, and opportunities to engage others with your research. We also advertise teaching positions within the University and bring you the latest news and activities for PGRs on our community blog.

The Dean

Professor Kate Arnold has been Dean of York Graduate Research School since September 2020.

An ecologist by background, for 20+ years she has carried out research at the interface of science, policy and regulation. Current projects, based in York's Department of Environment and Geography, are investigating the effects of environmental change, including chemical contaminants and habitat management, on wildlife.

From 2018-2020, she worked for Defra heading up an EU exit strategy team focusing on circular economy and single use plastic policies.

Read Kate’s blog posts and YGRS newsletter updates.

YGRS vision

York Graduate Research School (YGRS) seeks to develop and promote a new approach to postgraduate research embedded in York’s principles of public good, equality and collaboration. Our aspiration is for York to become a vanguard in attracting, developing and inspiring diverse, talented postgraduate reseachers (PGRs).

Read our vision

Tackling ethnic inequalities

YGRS is leading a region-wide project to help improve opportunities for under-represented postgraduate students.

We're part of the Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE) which has been awarded funding from the Office for Students and Research England to tackle ethnic inequalities in access to postgraduate research.

Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE)

YGRS partners

We award over £7m of studentships each year through UK Research and Innovation. We work with Doctoral Training Partnerships and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), including the White Rose College of the Arts and Humanities, the White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership, and the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Fusion Energy Science and Technology.