A University for Public Good

A Strategy for the University of York to 2030

Our aims

By 2030 we will:

Research York Illustration

Deliver curiosity-driven and action oriented research

Embracing complexity and uncertainty that arise in an increasingly interconnected, rapidly changing world.

By investing in people and systems to advance curiosity-driven research and its action oriented applications we are at the forefront of providing the evidence base and practice that are required for communities – here at home and abroad – to flourish.

Provide education that empowers

Transforming the whole student experience to create high quality, flexible, inclusive and accessible lifelong learning journeys.

The University of York nurtures and fulfils ambitions, and prepares students for an ever-evolving world. We design innovative pedagogies and curricula, underpinned by technology, widen access locally and globally and eradicate achievement gaps.

Education York Illustration
Community York Illustration

Create a community without limits

A diverse community that reflects both wider UK society and our principle of internationalism, fosters a sense of belonging, and operates at the highest academic and ethical standards.

By establishing an inclusive environment, removing barriers to progression for our staff and students, and creating physical, virtual and cultural spaces that facilitate rich exchanges, we transform perceptions and enable a culture of possibilities where new knowledge is generated and everyone can thrive.

Demonstrate local commitment on a global scale

Building strong partnerships to expand and share knowledge for local impact on a global scale.

By promoting collaboration beyond disciplinary boundaries, and with diverse people and entities from across society, we combine relevant expertise and experiences, generate synergies for lasting benefit, and expand the reach of our research and education.

Partnership York Illustration
Environment and Geography Building
YorNight Event
Environment Students Field Trip
Aerial shot of Campus East
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Environment and Geography Building
YorNight Event
Environment Students Field Trip
Aerial shot of Campus East

Objectives

What do we want to get done?

Embracing complexity

Bold and creative thinking that changes lives for the better in an interconnected, rapidly changing world.

Expanding and sharing knowledge

Building mutually beneficial partnerships that expand and share knowledge for local impact on a global scale.

Unleashing potential

Unleashing the power of a diverse community that reflects the world around us, and that fosters a sense of belonging.

Transforming learning, widening access

Revolutionising the learning experience for all, to enable a lifelong journey of growth and development.

Objectives

What do we want to get done?

Embracing complexity

Bold and creative thinking that changes lives for the better in an interconnected, rapidly changing world.

Expanding and sharing knowledge

Building mutually beneficial partnerships that expand and share knowledge for local impact on a global scale.

Unleashing potential

Unleashing the power of a diverse community that reflects the world around us, and that fosters a sense of belonging.

Transforming learning, widening access

Revolutionising the learning experience for all, to enable a lifelong journey of growth and development.

Enablers

What are the practicalities that will underpin strategic change?

Culture and community

Culture that promotes ambition, collective purpose, courage and the continued improvement of all that we do.

Digital and physical infrastructure

Innovative and welcoming environments and spaces complement each other to support and benefit our community both in person and online.

Financial autonomy

Diversified earnings, strong financial performance, and attention to the use of resources to ensure we meet our ambitions. 

Agile and aligned structures and processes

Organisational design that ensures smooth and effective day-to-day operations and empowers us to meet the challenges that arise. 

Enablers

What are the practicalities that will underpin strategic change?

Culture and community

Culture that promotes ambition, collective purpose, courage and the continued improvement of all that we do.

Digital and physical infrastructure

Innovative and welcoming environments and spaces complement each other to support and benefit our community both in person and online.

Financial autonomy

Diversified earnings, strong financial performance, and attention to the use of resources to ensure we meet our ambitions.

Agile and aligned structures and processes

Organisational design that ensures smooth and effective day-to-day operations and empowers us to meet the challenges that arise.  

Principles

These principles speak to the moral compass that guides our actions

Inclusion

Freedom of inquiry and expression are central to intellectual advancement and to social and economic development. Upholding them is tantamount to assuring that every single member of our communities – whatever their heritage, creed, or orientation – is treated with the respect we expect for ourselves, is afforded the same opportunities, and feels at ease with being in our midst.

Environmental sustainability

Improving environmental conditions is not only a prerequisite for societies and economies to flourish, and for people to live healthy and fulfilled lives. It is also a powerful driver for research, education and partnerships, because the complexity of the challenge requires distinctly new knowledge, fundamentally new ways of generating it, and radically new ways of acting on it.

Internationalism

We embrace global awareness and responsibility in all that we do. We seek partners with complementary skill sets, ambitions and networks, so that together we can address pressing and emerging environmental, social and economic challenges efficiently and effectively, wherever we are.   

Collaboration

Through the partnerships we create in research, education and engagement, we put to rest the assumption that competition lies at the heart of progress. Instead, it will be the collaboration across different disciplines, by people from different backgrounds and with different expertise and experiences, from York and around the world, that will ring in a new era of prosperity and health.

Principles

These principles speak to the moral compass that guides our actions

Inclusion

Freedom of inquiry and expression are central to intellectual advancement and to social and economic development. Upholding them is tantamount to assuring that every single member of our communities – whatever their heritage, creed, or orientation – is treated with the respect we expect for ourselves, is afforded the same opportunities, and feels at ease with being in our midst.

Environmental sustainability

Improving environmental conditions is not only a prerequisite for societies and economies to flourish, and for people to live healthy and fulfilled lives. It is also a powerful driver for research, education and partnerships, because the complexity of the challenge requires distinctly new knowledge, fundamentally new ways of generating it, and radically new ways of acting on it.

Collaboration

Through the partnerships we create in research, education and engagement, we put to rest the assumption that competition lies at the heart of progress. Instead, it will be the collaboration across different disciplines, by people from different backgrounds and with different expertise and experiences, from York and around the world, that will ring in a new era of prosperity and health.

Internationalism

We embrace global awareness and responsibility in all that we do. We seek partners with complementary skill sets, ambitions and networks, so that together we can address pressing and emerging environmental, social and economic challenges efficiently and effectively, wherever we are.   

Central Hall and Lake

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University of York Strategy Document