York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs)
University of York
York Interdisciplinary Modules
York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) offer students the opportunity to develop key skills and competencies in working across disciplines on contemporary challenges. The modules are led by academics from different departments to introduce different disciplinary perspectives to the specific topics of focus.
For the academic year 2024/25, Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) is once again offering a suite of sustainability-related YIMs which have been designed to equip students to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams to solve local, regional and global sustainability challenges.
Find out more about our four sustainability YIMs below or visit the electives module page:
Sustainability-related YIMs
Future of Food
- Available to 2nd Year undergraduate students
- In this module, you will develop an understanding of the food system, hear from food industry experts, and work in multi-disciplinary groups to create a solution to a food system related challenge.
- Module code: ESA00001I
Climate Crisis Action Lab
- Available to 3rd Year undergraduate students
- Working in multi-disciplinary teams, find out what it takes as an environmental rights investigator or campaigner to tackle a climate-related government policy or failure to act.
- Module code: ESA00003H
Sustainability and Policy
- Available to 3rd Year undergraduate students
- In this module, you will learn how policy engagement is used to tackle environmental and social challenges. You will work in multi-disciplinary groups and use engagement to help solve challenges faced around the world.
- Module code: ESA00004H
The Sustainability Clinic
- Available to all 3rd Year undergraduate students and postgraduates
- As part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will work on “live” real-world sustainability problems for a range of organisations including charities, businesses and NGOs, helping them to achieve their sustainability goals.
- Module codes (choose one): ESA00001H / ESA00002H / ESA00002M
The Future of Food
Develop an understanding of the food system and work in multi-disciplinary student groups to create a solution to a food system related challenge.
The current UK food system is giving rise to a growing social, health and environmental crisis. Much food production and our practices of food consumption are environmentally unsustainable.
A new kind of food system is needed which restores and regenerates the natural environment while also delivering safe, healthy, affordable food to all populations.
About the module
The module will introduce you to social, economic and environmental challenges in food systems with case studies covered in lectures and workshops. You will then work in multi-disciplinary teams to create a solution to a food system related challenge.
Teaching will draw on expertise from a range of disciplines and involve guest lectures from policymakers, food industry and leaders in civil society, ensuring different voices and perspectives across the food system are heard.
Who is offering this module?
Our Future of Food YIM is being offered by the Department of Biology and the School for Business & Society.
Who can take this module?
Our Future of Food YIM is available as an elective module from 2024/25 to 2nd year undergraduate students in semester 2 (subject to timetable/department availability).
Climate Crisis Action Lab
Place yourself in the shoes of an environmental rights investigator or campaigner and work in multi-disciplinary student groups to tackle a climate-related unlawful government policy or failure to act.
In this exciting module, you will be placed in the position of strategic environmental rights investigators and campaigners. Working with students from other disciplines, your team will work together on an issue presented by an external agency (such as an NGO) to understand a climate crisis issue at a strategic level.
For example, you might be asked to explore how to affect change at a national level in relation to the dumping of raw sewage into the UK’s rivers. To do this you will need to investigate the scientific evidence and background, the impact on local communities, and the possible legal or political solutions as well as any obstacles in the way of achieving a solution.
Who is offering this module?
The Climate Crisis Action Lab is a collaboration between the Departments of Chemistry, and Environment and Geography, and the York Law School.
Who can take this module?
Our Climate Crisis Action Lab YIM is available as an elective module from 2024/25 to 3rd year undergraduate students in semester 2 (subject to timetable/department availability).
Sustainability and Policy: Research, Engage, Change
Learn how policy engagement is used to tackle environmental and social challenges. Work in multi-disciplinary student groups and use engagement to solve challenges faced in developed and developing countries.
Our planet is facing urgent, planetary and life-threatening challenges: climate change, wildfires, droughts and floods, air, water and land pollution, extended biodiversity loss.
The science-policy interface has always been the space where theory turns into action. This space is now more important than ever as time is running out for humanity to solve those critical challenges that are affecting both environmental and human health.
About the module
In this module, you are presented with a series of environmental and social challenges and will focus on policy engagement to solve challenges faced in developed and developing countries.
Working in multi-disciplinary student groups, you will use evidence, research and science as a way of communicating with different audiences in order to achieve the biggest and most effective impact.
This module will take a blended learning approach, including offline lectures and in-person workshops.
Who is offering this module?
This module is being offered by the Stockholm Environment Institute at York (SEI-Y).
Who can take this module?
Our Sustainability and Policy YIM is available as an elective module from 2024/25 to 3rd Year undergraduate students in semester 2 (subject to timetable/department availability).
The Sustainability Clinic
Help local and regional organisations and businesses achieve their sustainability goals. Work with students from a range of disciplines on 'live' real world sustainability problems.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will have the opportunity to work with local and regional organisations, government, community groups, charities or businesses to help them find a solution to or better understand a real-life sustainability problem that matters to them.
Problems will focus on a wide range of topics including:
- environmental quality and biodiversity,
- awareness raising and education,
- sustainable business, policy and regulation,
- heritage and culture
Your team will be supported throughout its project by dedicated training, a project facilitator and will have access to a team of experts from across the university who are available to provide advice.
Who is offering this module?
This module is offered by the new University of York 'Sustainability Clinic' which has been established through a collaboration between the Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY), Careers and Placements, the Baroness Hale Law Clinic and York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI).
Who can take this module?
The Sustainability Clinic is available as an elective module in 2024/25 to 3rd year undergraduate students in semester 1 and repeated in semester 2, and to postgraduate students in semester 2 (subject to timetable/department availability).
Please do not choose this module if you are a 3rd Year Environment and Geography student, as it is has already been included in your list of module choices.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to register for a YIM?
York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) are available to undergraduate or postgraduate students from all Departments and Schools.
Modules are offered to specific year groups and take place in specific semesters. You will need to check specific module details to make sure this works for your stage of study and programme.
You will need to complete an elective modules form to gain approval from your Department and School.
We also note that, as with other electives, it may not always be possible to grant your request to undertake an elective module because of timetabling or other constraints.
How can I register for a YIM?
YIMs are available to choose as elective modules in 2024/25. Students can apply for these modules by completing an elective modules form.
Who will I work with?
YIMs are predominantly project based and require you to work in multi-disciplinary teams with students from different disciplines. They have been designed to allow you to draw upon your own skills, knowledge and experiences to address a particular challenge.
In some YIMs, students also have the opportunity to work with external organisations. This could include community groups, small businesses, government bodies and/ or NGOs.
Can I 'dip-down' to take a YIM?
No. YIMs are currently available to students at the appropriate stage only. You can take Future of Food if you are a second year undergraduate. You can take the Climate Crisis Action Lab, Sustainability and Policy and the Sustainability Clinic if you are a third year undergraduate. You can also take the Sustainability Clinic if you are studying for an MA or MSc.
Do I need prior knowledge and experience to take a YIM?
You do not need any prior knowledge or experience in sustainability-related topics to participate in a YIM. These modules are available to all students and we welcome those with different disciplinary backgrounds.
I don't study a sustainability-related subject. Is an ESAY YIM right for me?
You do not have to be studying a sustainability-related course to study on an ESAY YIM. The modules are open to students from all subject backgrounds but you will need to complete an elective modules form in order to gain approval from your Department.
What are the benefits of taking a YIM?
YIMs equip students to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams to solve local, regional and global sustainability challenges. Each module is project-based, providing students with opportunities and experiences that can be used to enhance your CV.
Where can I find out more?
Please visit the module catalogue for full details of each YIM and how to apply.
Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY)
Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) is a University of York-based team that helps to connect the activities we are doing on environmental sustainability within teaching, research and campus operations to deliver new joined-up benefits and create impact within and beyond the University.
Through creating and leading collaborative activities, networking or providing resource support, ESAY aims to maximise our environmental sustainability impact with internal and external partners by working collectively rather than within individual parts of the University.
Examples of our work
1. York Living Labs (YLLs): Demonstrating the impact of research by adopting its operational recommendations to directly improve our campus. Both walking the talk and receiving the benefits
2. Sustainability Clinic: Helping external partners and clients achieve their environmental sustainability goals while also providing students with real-life experience
3. Researching into teaching: Linking research projects into academic courses
4. Translating research into practice: Supporting researchers get their works into policy and help make a difference
esay@york.ac.uk
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