Relocating the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology
Like many others in our sector, we continue to face increasing costs, including the impact of inflation and uncertainty in global markets. This is adding pressure on our financial planning. It is important we respond to this, by re-evaluating our immediate investment priorities while being mindful of our longer-term goals.
We have therefore taken the decision to temporarily pause this project, for a period of at least three years. This difficult decision is not taken lightly, and we understand it will have implications for our University community, not least for those who were waiting to utilise the new space.
We will create a new home for Physics, Engineering and Technology (PET), developing new facilities and space to support the new School’s ambitious plans in teaching, research and translational activities with industry and local enterprises.
Sponsors:
Professor Andy Dougill, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences
Key contacts:
Ali Thompson, Planning Officer (Sciences)
Michelle Squires, Faculty Finance Manager (Sciences)
PET Project Board:
Professor Andy Dougill, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences
Ali Thompson, Planning Officer (Sciences)
Michelle Squires, Faculty Finance Manager (Sciences)
Richard Fuller, Assistant Director of IT (Infrastructure)
Adele Christie, Finance Business Partner, Capital
Andy Tyrrell, Head of Department, Electronic Engineering
Kieran Gibson, Head of Department, Physics [Head of School of PET from August 2022]
Kevin Whelan, Director of Estates Operations
Claire Bennett, General Manager, York Science Park
Mike Richardson, Director of Estates Development
Simon Breeden, Head of Technical Services
Paul Bushnell, Head of Asset Management
What are we transforming?
Translating discovery research into technological applications needs a combined digital and physical infrastructure, and a purpose-built space to support this critical research for decades to come.
With this emphasis on translation, these developments will be synergistic with the transformative initiative to develop industrial engagement, offering the facilities and an environment to help forge new collaborations and partnerships.
New shared collaborative student spaces and working environments alongside state-of-the-art laboratory and research facilities will create an exciting space for undergraduates and postgraduates to develop their research careers, and a place to attract guest researchers or new start up companies.
The location of the new School will deepen existing collaboration, and enable better integration of research, teaching and technical support activities in physical sciences.
This is a phased relocation, and the first stage has already begun, with labs in the Biocentre and Church Lane Building supporting delivery of the new engineering programmes. This is being followed by development of a shared workshop space, before staged moves for the rest of the School as we design, refurbish and remodel existing buildings.
The move will bring wider benefits, too, generating significant cost savings by decommissioning older, high maintenance estate, and freeing up space for further development on Campus West.
Find out more about the development of the new School of Physics, Engineering and Technology.
Other initiatives
Find out more about the other transformational initiatives that will help turn strategy into action.
