Community and culture

Find opportunities to socialise, share your interests, connect with others and build new friendships.

You can find out about the groups, events and networks (both in person and virtual) that are available to members of our staff community.

An award-winning community without limits

Named Community University of the Year 2026.

Our staff are the foundation of our success. We're proud to be The Mail University Guide’s Community University of the Year 2026. This award celebrates our York Festival of Ideas and our collective effort to create a positive environment for everyone.

Whether you’re volunteering through York Cares or joining a staff network, you're part of a force for positive change.

Join our staff networks and groups

There are a number of social groups and networks for staff.

Some coordinate in-person events and activities while others are informal online social communities within the University's Slack workspace.

INCLUDE network

A group for colleagues with a disability or long-term health condition

York Sustainability Network

For staff, students and alumni

Women in Research Network

A space for women to discuss the particular issues they experience in the research domain

Family Network

A group for anyone at the University with dependants.

Men's Health @ York

Get together, take part in activities and talk about physical and mental health.

Rainbow Alliance

This EDI staff network holds monthly socials including lunch clubs and pub meet-ups.

Colleges Community Network (CCN)

The CCN provides social and development opportunities for all staff and PhD students.

Our community of colleges is open to staff and researchers as well as students, offering you the chance to feel more connected to the wider University community. You’ll be able to network, access shared staff common room spaces, and get involved in social activities and college projects.

Colleges Community Network

You can also get involved with college life by joining a Senior Common Room (SCR). To find out more about joining Derwent SCR, contact derwentscr@gmail.com.

Join our Slack groups

Veera posing by Central Hall, as featured on the #yorpaws Slack channel. Photo by Minna Lehtinen.

Connect on Slack whether you are working on campus, or from home:

Find peer support on #staff-autism-space, #rainbow-alliance
If you're feeling creative, browse #artandcraft
For nature appreciation try #yor-plants, #wildlifeofuoy
Chat health and wellbeing on #staff-mental-health-wellbeing-networking, #menopause-staff-chat
Animal lovers can head to #yorpaws, #catsofuoy
Sustainability champions and bargain hunters convene on #recycle-chat, #recycle-for-sale-or-wanted

Search for other groups or set up your own. Join the #slack-talk channel and look out for the monthly channel spotlights.

Find more staff networks

Sport and exercise

Want to make new friends while achieving your fitness goals? Whether you want to try something new, join a team or drop in to a pay-as-you-go class, York Sport has a wide range of activities for you to choose from.

Plus there are staff leagues in various sports, a weekly 5km parkrun, and fitness classes on campus.

Sport at York