University Strategy 2030
A University for Public Good
Developed over an 18-month period of conversations and workshops with staff, students and stakeholders a new Vision for York was created in October 2021.
The new strategy provides a framework to think about what it means to be York and how we, as a community, can work together to deliver our aims as we look ahead to 2030.
Our University Strategy 2030 is based on four core principles and is focused around four key aims that inspire every area of university life - our research, teaching, support and community aspirations.
The four core University principles
Environmental sustainability
Improving environmental conditions is not only a prerequisite for societies and economies to flourish, it is also a powerful driver for research, education and partnerships.
Collaboration across multidisciplinary boundaries
Through the partnerships we create we put to rest the assumption that competition lies at the heart of progress.
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 challenges.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Freedom of inquiry and expression are central to intellectual advancement and to social and economic development.
Research excellence that drives discovery and inspires our teaching
- Maintaining our focus and drive for research excellence, recognising that it is our curiosity-driven, impactful research that sets us apart.
- Forging new international partnerships where research drives engagement and education.
- Achieving closer integration of our teaching, research, and engagement.
- Recognising our students are both recipients and drivers of discovery and new knowledge.
Supporting our research community
- Evolving a progressive research culture.
- Investing in next generational, exceptional researchers.
- Creating the right processes and systems to support research.
Engagement with industry for impact and income
- Building ambitious industry partnerships.
- Leveraging opportunities for impact and income.
- Building the infrastructure to support our industry partnerships.
Members of the University community can find out more about how we will achieve our aims by reading the full aims, outcomes and examples.
There are many projects and transformational initiatives in progress which are part of this aim, including:
Improving all forms of industry engagement from research collaborations to consultancy, to facilities access and beyond, and increasing the influence our research has on economic prosperity while also providing wider benefits to society.
A collaboration between research, teaching, policy, and our campus operations, ESAY brings together under one umbrella the environmental sustainability community at York.
Bringing together ambitious, enquiring academics and students with partners working at the forefront of mental health.
The design and implementation of a single, interconnected, institution-wide research support network and developing our pledge to develop an inclusive and supportive environment at York.
Transforming the whole student experience
- Developing our physical and digital systems, processes and services to deliver a consistent experience along the entire student journey.
- Making effective and consistent use of data to provide a personalised approach.
High quality, flexible, inclusive and accessible lifelong learning journeys
- Developing innovative pedagogies and curricula.
- Teaching and learning underpinned by technology.
- Developing new ways of studying.
- Preparing students for an ever-changing world.
- Providing personal development opportunities that enable students to benefit from lifelong learning throughout their futures.
Widening access locally and globally, and eradicating achievement gaps
- Diversifying our student community.
- Closing gaps in continuation, progression and awards across the diversity of our student cohorts.
- Increasing access to digital knowledge and resources.
- Expanding our distance learning community.
Members of the University community can find out more about how we will achieve our aims by reading the full aims, outcomes and examples.
There are many projects and transformational initiatives in progress which are part of this aim, including:
A new iconic building at the heart of campus, the ‘home’ of student life and a gateway to the University.
Taking a creative approach to delivering lifelong value to our alumni community; rethinking how we unlock our alumni capital.
- The seamless student experience initiative
Improving how our students physically and digitally interact with us, to provide a consistent, positive and easy-to-navigate experience.
Three new IntoUniversity learning centres will help children growing up in East Hull, Bridlington and East Marsh Grimsby to stay on track at school and realise futures they may never have dreamed possible. We are also exploring a learning centre in the the Westfield ward of York.
Redeveloping the structure of the academic year and improving our digital learning environment.
Local commitment on a global scale
We are building strong, collaborative partnerships in York and around the world. 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.
Partnerships with purpose
- Pursuing partnerships aligned to our principles.
- Creating empowering and engaging collaborations beyond disciplinary boundaries.
- Choosing partnerships and collaborations that inspire our teaching and innovate our research.
Partnerships designed to be different
- Forging our own path to finding partnerships.
- Having a different perspective to partnership benefits.
- Challenging any unconscious bias or academic arrogance.
Partnerships that make a difference
- Expanding local and regional partnership opportunities.
- Developing City and regional collaboration for public good.
- Sharing insight from real-world experience.
Members of the University community can find out more about how we will achieve our aims by reading the full aims, outcomes and examples.
There are many projects and transformational initiatives in progress which are part of this aim, including:
Bringing together regional businesses, entrepreneurs, students and researchers to nurture enterprising talent and help small businesses to grow.
A major strategic investment between the University of York and CITY College, Thessaloniki. Much like the York-Maastricht Partnership, this has been developed as part of our Global Partnerships commitment.
- IntoUniversity
Three new IntoUniversity learning centres will help children growing up in East Hull, Bridlington and East Marsh Grimsby to stay on track at school and realise futures they may never have dreamed possible.
- Research partnerships
We are developing areas for new research partnerships: Southeast Asia (Thailand), Africa (South Africa and Uganda) and North America (USA, Canada), building on our international university networks and consortia.
Creating a community without limits
We are building a diverse community that 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.
A sense of belonging and inclusion
- Creating an environment of opportunity and respect.
- Recognising our behaviours are just as important as our technical skills and developing inclusive, supportive behaviours in our workplaces, social spaces, and classrooms.
- Building awareness of what we mean by 'inclusive' and ensure we value the diversity of our community.
- Support freedom of inquiry and expression.
- Fostering a culture that values people.
The right environments to work and study
- Rethinking how we work, and how we teach and assess.
- Creating a collaborative and innovative campus.
- Embracing digital solutions and tools.
- Developing a safe space environment.
- Delivering a new student building.
- Providing opportunities for students outside the classroom.
Valuing individual talent in our staff and supporting their personal progression
- Valuing the whole person - viewing individual talent as what enables us to be successful.
- Addressing barriers to progression for colleagues wishing to further their careers.
- Developing diverse talent by developing talent management programmes across all grades.
- Valuing continuous contributions from colleagues not wishing to progress.
Members of the University community can find out more about how we will achieve our aims by reading the full aims, outcomes and examples.
There are many projects and transformational initiatives in progress which are part of this aim, including:
- The Student Centre
A new iconic building at the heart of campus, the ‘home’ of student life and a gateway to the University. - The Community without limits framework
Developing a culture and community framework for all staff. - LinkedIn learning and Careers development (staff)
Enabling personal and professional development and helping staff grow their career at the University of York.
Community stories
Our community are already putting our commitment to public good into action. Hear their stories and find out more about the inspiring work our staff and students are doing.
Resources
- Download the full strategy and know where we're heading, read the University of York Strategy 2020-2030 (PDF
, 1,356kb) - Read how we've turned our Aims to outcomes (PDF , 2,101kb)
- See how this all ties together, how our aims have become outcomes and what that looks like in practice (Google Doc).
- Find out more about Change Programme projects to improve the systems and processes which shape our teaching and research, our decision making and our financial sustainability.