Strategic aims
The original five strategic aims were used in the early phases of the strategy development as a foundation for further conversations and workshops to evolve the strategy.
Archived here for reference, the aims have now been replaced by four new aims that will be revealed in greater detail as part of the new University Strategy launch October 2021.
For reference the five original aims were:
- Research with relevance and reach
- Ethical and empowering education
- Positive and productive partnerships
- Lasting legacies
- Agile, able and aligned.
Aim: Research with relevance and reach
Vision: Our research and our students: what it's all for | Responding to society's biggest challenges | Collaboration for public good
What we hope to achieve |
Principles |
|---|---|
| Our research is driven by curiosity, creativity and innovation, and is guided by our principles of rigour, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and public good. |
Equality, diversity and inclusion Public good |
| We measure our research success by the difference we make and the impact we have on pressing and emerging economic, social, and environmental challenges. |
Sustainability Equality |
| Building and drawing on a diverse set of local and global networks, we bring our knowledge to the world, and return back what we learn to the University thus stimulating our research and informing our teaching. | Internationalism |
| Our students are recipients and drivers of discovery and new knowledge where, through a culture of mutual respect and love of the unknown, we work in partnership to find better ways to help and heal the world. | Sustainability |
| We effectively mobilise our University-wide capabilities in areas of research strength, working collaboratively across disciplines to focus on global issues to tackle real world problems. |
Sustainability Equality Collaboration Internationalism |
| Through a progressive research culture we show and grow exceptional leadership in research, by supporting strong career paths - from student to professor, and in particular developing the capabilities and experiences of our PGT and PGR community. |
Collaboration Sustainability |
Aim: Ethical and empowering education
Vision: University of public good - ‘Citizens of the world’ | Our research and our students: what it’s all for | Opportunity for all to achieve their full potential | How we will work (collaboration across disciplines) | Public good with international reach
What we hope to achieve |
Principles |
|---|---|
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At the centre of our teaching and learning philosophy is the freedom of exploration, thought and expression. We support lifelong student journey for both personal and professional growth. Through our focus on widening participation we are opening up opportunity for all. |
Equality, diversity and inclusion |
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Our global perspective is reflected in our approach to widening participation. |
Internationalism Equality, diversity and inclusion |
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Our global approach is reflected in our campus and our curriculum, creating opportunities for students to develop their skills through international/cross-cultural experience during their time with us. |
Collaboration Internationalism |
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Our innovative approach to education delivers learning through the lenses of sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion. Thereby broadening horizons, exchanging world views and experiences, and instilling a sense of curiosity, justice, humanity and public good. |
Sustainability Equality, diversity and inclusion |
| Our University brings together students from a wide array of academic disciplines, so they encounter different ways of understanding the world around us and new ways of shaping it for public good. |
Collaboration Public good |
| Our graduates emerge with a desire to contribute to the public good, and an understanding of how their knowledge and experiences can contribute. | Public good |
| All aspects of our teaching, learning and assessment are grounded in research. | Collaboration |
| Internationalism sits at our core facilitating a diverse community from all over the world that includes local, national and international staff and students who feel a strong sense of belonging to the University community and who benefit from a wide range of inclusive educational opportunities. |
Collaboration Equality, diversity and inclusion |
| Advancements in the way we support students and academic delivery for different types of learning is enabling us to expand the models by which we teach, creatively blending emerging technologies with personal mentoring and lifelong learning opportunities. | Equality, diversity and inclusion |
| Students are valued as individuals and become partners in their learning, co-creating their degrees and enjoying the breadth of knowledge and expansion to their thinking that both disciplinary and interdisciplinary teaching and learning delivers. | Collaboration |
| Our integrated student experience recognises the diversity of different student journeys and the value of student-life outside of the classroom, blending academic learning with life skills, research and recreational activities. Meaning our students reach their full potential at whatever stage of life they join us, and leave being able to adapt to a changing world. |
Sustainability Equality, diversity and inclusion |
| Our University community makes York a home-from-home for staff and students. A place or space where we offer a supportive and encouraging environment aimed at self-progression and achievement for all. |
Equality, diversity and inclusion |
Aim: Positive and productive partnerships
Vision: Public good in City and region | A community of shared purpose
What we hope to achieve |
Principles |
|---|---|
| Our community has a shared purpose for public good | Public good |
| We embrace a global approach in all that we do, while keeping true to our Yorkshire historical roots. | Internationalism |
| The diversity and richness of our University community resembles the world in which we live, promoting equality of opinion and perspective, and giving credibility to our international community contribution. |
Internationalism Equality, diversity and inclusion |
| We recognise that every member of our community has the responsibility and should be empowered to help shape a future that enables all to flourish. |
Equality, diversity and inclusion Public good |
| Our relationship with the City, our industry and international partnerships have helped create ‘living classrooms’ where real world experiences help shape our research and teaching. |
Collaboration Sustainability |
| With a reputation for creativity, entrepreneurialism, innovation and influence, the University is central to the success of the City and region. |
Collaboration Public good |
| We use our research and innovations to inform and influence local, national and global investment and policy decisions to bring positive changes to society, and likewise we use insight from our partnerships and engagement to challenge, refresh and drive on our research. |
Collaboration Public good |
| Investment in our infrastructure and facilities support a new generation of sustainability leaders pushing the boundaries of responsible sustainable research in all aspects – environmental, socio-economic, technological and cultural. |
Sustainability Public good |
| We magnify our impact through local and global engagements and partnerships, encouraging boldness, ambition and innovation in the ways we create, share and apply knowledge. |
Internationalism Collaboration across disciplinary boundaries |
| Through partnerships with small- medium sized businesses, industrial partners and social enterprises we drive research and innovation forwards delivering real world impact for public good. |
Collaboration Public good |
| Our Alumni engage with our vision and are partners in an ongoing relationship. We support their life-long personal development, while supporting our student community through mentoring, sponsorship and career opportunities. Key Alumni are partners in funding and advancement opportunities for the institution. |
Collaboration Equality, diversity and inclusion |
| We generate knowledge through conversations and collaborations, interacting with networks locally and globally to share insights and develop skills for a rapidly changing world. | Collaboration |
Aim: Lasting legacies
Vision: A community of shared purpose
What we hope to achieve |
Principles |
|---|---|
| The University is a beacon for environmental sustainability. | Sustainability |
| Through personal growth and lifelong learning, our community promotes the agendas of healthy people, healthy societies and a sustainable environment for all. |
Sustainability Public good |
| From York come future civic and sustainability leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals equipped to meet the complex challenges of a rapidly changing world. Their actions are transforming the economic, social and environmental futures for society. |
Sustainability Public good |
| Our students will have a life-long affiliation with the University, becoming active members of our alumni community and returning to the University throughout their careers to re-skill or continue their personal development. |
Sustainability Collaboration |
| Our research responds to our founders’ challenge of contributing to the amelioration of human life and conditions through a lasting impact on society, locally, nationally and globally tackling real world problems. | Public good |
| Our scholarships enable life changing opportunities to students from diversified backgrounds enabling a lasting legacy of students leaving York and entering society who have a positive impact on the world. |
Equality, diversity and inclusion Public good |
Aim: Agile, able and aligned
Vision: The need for agility | To help us achieve our vision | How we will work
What we hope to achieve |
Principles |
|---|---|
| We have become more agile in the way we work breaking down bureaucracy but maintaining our high standards of quality and governance. | Enabling aims where strategies will emerge to transform the University and place it in a position to drive the Public Good agenda |
| We have aligned our ways of working to maximise efficiencies and the benefits from working together to a shared set of aims. | |
| We are a community of shared purpose with a people centred culture. | |
| We have a philosophy of approach to problem solving that is driven by curiosity, challenge and innovation | |
| Our environment is one where collaboration is key to driving agility and our ability to adapt rapidly to changing contexts. | |
| Our culture is supportive and inclusive, encouraging diversity of thought and approach, developing confidence and capability across all staff groups. | |
| An empowering leadership approach built on trust that enables new and flexible ways of working. | |
| We have an infrastructure (including technological) to support and underpin our desired outcomes for all the strategic aims. |