A Global Perspective: YESI Hosts Joint Symposium on Sustainable Futures

Posted on Friday 13 March 2026

On Monday 9 March, the York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI) hosted the Joint Symposium on Sustainable Futures, an online event bringing together international experts to explore the environmental and social systems and approaches that will define the next decade of sustainability science.

Breaking Down Silos for a Resilient World

Chaired by Professor Lindsay Stringer, MBE, Director of YESI, the symposium facilitated cross-border dialogue aimed at building a more resilient world. 

"Events like this are absolutely vital for the future of sustainability science. If we are to tackle the interconnected environmental and human crises, we cannot work in silos or within closed borders. By bringing together diverse voices and deep, contextual expertise from across the globe, we can challenge our assumptions and co-develop the truly resilient, equitable solutions our world urgently needs." Professor Lindsay Stringer

Insights from Environmental and Atmospheric Research

The symposium featured five research presentations spanning a range of global challenges. Representing the University of York's Department of Environment and Geography, Professor Rob Marchant explored the evolution of East African mountain 'water towers.' By integrating long-term ecological data with vegetation modelling, Professor Marchant illustrated how historical environmental shifts can help predict current vulnerabilities, protecting both high-altitude biodiversity and the livelihoods of dependent communities.

Following this, Dr Nausheen Mazhar from Lahore College for Women University (LCWU, Pakistan) discussed atmospheric systems. She highlighted that understanding how the atmosphere responds to human activity is essential for managing pollution and safeguarding public health, examining atmospheric behaviour through air quality analysis, aridity assessment, and greenhouse gas monitoring.

Bridging the Gap: Food Systems and Living Labs

The conversation also addressed the human elements of sustainability. Dr Margaret Aba Sam Hagan of Kumasi Technical University (Ghana) detailed the structural transformations required to create resilient global food systems. Through her 'living lab' approach, she explored practical strategies to bridge the gap between academic theory and agricultural practice to improve nutrition security.

Land Management and Technological Innovation

Addressing the complexities of terrestrial ecosystems, Professor Aliyu Barau of Bayero University Kano (Nigeria) challenged current reforestation paradigms in African drylands. He noted how prioritising fast-growing exotic tree species can deplete native biodiversity, particularly in grasslands, fuelling resource conflicts, advocating instead for broad-based solutions that take into account species ecological and environmental needs. Complementing this focus on land management, Dr Wisdom M.D. Dlamini from the University of Eswatini demonstrated the use of GeoAI and Earth-observation tools in bridging evidence gaps for the National Land Policy. His work in Eswatini identifies hotspots of biodiversity and land use change, informing the national land use policy to balance nature, food production and urban needs.

Collaborative Success and Future Outlook

YESI would like to thank our speakers, their respective institutions, and our engaged and diverse audience. The quality of the discussion was excellent, and the thoughtful questions posed throughout the event enriched the collaborative spirit of the day, prompting valuable networking and connections.

Note: The priority research questions co-developed during the symposium for each of these systems will follow shortly.