Posted on 9 September 2021
The University of the Year category recognises institutions that have demonstrated “exceptional performance” during the 2019-20 academic year.
Leadership
In particular, the judging panel were looking for evidence of “bold, imaginative and innovative initiatives” and examples of creative leadership and management during the year.
The University’s shortlisted submission included:
In addition, academics from the University’s Department of Archaeology were shortlisted for the category Research Project of the Year: STEM.
The project was a collaboration between the Department of Archaeology, involving Professor John Schofield, Professor Joann Fletcher and Dr Stephen Buckley, and Royal Holloway, University of London, Leeds Museums & Galleries and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The team devised a novel approach to recreate an authentic vowel sound from the 3,000 year-old mummified remains of the Egyptian priest Nesyamun, whose documented ambition at death was to speak again in the afterlife.
The international partnership has implemented a three-year programme utilising interdisciplinary research to develop a new understanding of the African food system and help tackle global challenges of disease, poverty, climate change, and food insecurity.
The partnership operates across six sub-Saharan African countries, namely Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
“By looking out for each other and by working with our partners across the city and beyond, we showed how a community can channel this spirit of empathy and support into something extraordinary.
“Our shortlisting reflects a very proud moment, of a university and its city coming together to respond to a global crisis in the best way it can.”
Collaboration
The winners of the awards, which are known as the ‘Oscars of higher education,’ will be announced in November.
Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council and Chair of the York Outbreak Management Advisory Board, welcomed the shortlisting.
He added: “It is great news for the city that the University has been recognised in this way.
“Our collaborative approach has been essential in keeping people in the city safe and continues as we all look to help York recover from the pandemic.”
Innovation
Times Higher Education editor, John Gill, said: “This is the 17th year that the THE Awards will recognise the best of the best in UK higher education, across 20 categories covering all aspects of university activity.
“But this year’s awards will reflect a period of turmoil and innovation necessitated by the pandemic, making it quite unlike any previous year.
“For the first time this year, we have also extended our awards to include higher education institutions in Ireland, and we are delighted to say that we have had a record number of entries, reflecting the brilliance of universities across the whole of the UK and Ireland.
“With almost 600 institutions, teams and individuals nominated, it really is a fantastic achievement to make it onto this year’s shortlist.
“We look forward to celebrating the incredible response of university staff in exceptionally tough circumstances when we gather for the Oscars of higher education in November.”
Community
Patrick O'Donnell, President of University of York Students' Union, said: “I am delighted that York has been shortlisted, it truly reflects the vibrant, supportive and inclusive community we celebrate at York.
"Despite all the challenges faced over the last 18 months, students and staff have worked together to ensure that campus life has continued to thrive, and that all members of our University community are supported.
"We can be very proud of all that we have achieved by working together to seek creative and innovative solutions, with students at the heart of decision making."
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