Evolving Society

Tom Clark, editor of 'Broke: Fixing Britain’s Poverty Crisis' leads a discussion about the scale of poverty, its impact and consequences, and the inequality in Britain today.

Join us as we discuss how we can grow our collective ability to imagine a future free from poverty, to reshape economic and social models driving inequality.

Join our panellists as they discuss the importance of imagination and hope in supporting a transition away from an economic model in which poverty continues to rise.

Our experts explore the complex dynamics between Africa and Europe, and the deeply-rooted social and political challenges that, if better understood, could pave the way for better collaborations and dialogue.

Our panel introduces a University of York project that challenges dominant, white, middle-class storytelling in archaeology and heritage, and spotlights the everyday stories of people who have immigrated to the UK.

Come and celebrate inclusivity and diversity with us at North Yorkshire’s biggest annual LGBTQ+ event, which returns with a colour-filled parade and festival.

Join our panellists from France and the UK as they discuss their experiences of cultural regeneration, examples of best practice and new approaches to research, creation and innovation.

Explore issues about ‘end of life’ with our expert panellists, including Yorkshire author Colin Philpott.

Travel back in time on this guided walking tour focusing on York’s industrial heritage and its colonial significance as ‘chocolate city’.

University of York researcher and activist Maddy Power exposes the inner workings of Britain’s food banks, revealing how religion structures food distribution and how Whiteness shapes the daily practices of food banks.

Renowned astrophysicist Joseph Silk discusses his inspiring vision of our return to the Moon and the importance of prioritising science in lunar exploration.

Focusing on democratic ownership solutions, our expert panel reflects on what it would look like to have economic institutions that worked to reduce inequality and create a more democratic economy.

Human geographer Anika Haque of the University of York discusses the importance of gender equality for sustainable development.

Our expert panellists discuss how reimagining the way we incentivise drug development could lead to innovation at a reasonable price.

Find out how a collaborative project between the Universities of York and Maastricht is helping to transform our food system through business model innovation.

Join us for a panel discussion on urban sustainability, focusing on how waste tyres are being made into new resources in the megacity of Lagos, Nigeria.

Find out about Thankonomics, a new concept developed by York-based author, Andrew Robshaw, who will explain how, through value and appreciation, we can challenge the fundamentals of business and economics.

Hear all about York Cycle Campaign’s manifesto, ‘42 Ways’, and find out how cycling in York can be made safe, convenient and accessible for everyone.

Philosophy professor Lawrence Shapiro explains why the tools of philosophy offer a powerful antidote to today’s epidemic of irrationality.

Authors Emily Hund and Paula Marantz Cohen discuss how social media impacts our conversations, intimacy and relationship dynamics.

Join community environment charity St Nicks to see river restoration in action as part of the York Cares Big Community Challenge, which aims to support river and wetland restoration at various locations across our city.

Cognitive neuroscientist Ana B. Vivas from CITY College, University of York Europe Campus discusses a new approach to improve learning in people with cognitive impairments.

Join community environment charity St Nicks to see river restoration in action as part of the York Cares Big Community Challenge, which aims to support river and wetland restoration at various locations across our city.

Join philosopher and theologian Peter Vardy for a lively discussion on some of life’s biggest questions, posed by his two young daughters.

Queer science fiction writer and researcher Bee Scott explores how science fiction plays are reinvestigating and challenging our assumptions about the future of queer life.

Participate in hands-on activities and tour the brand-new robotics laboratories and facilities at the University of York's Institute for Safe Autonomy.

Sports historian Duncan Stone discusses the history and future of English cricket in relation to social class, together with Kevin Tennent and Alex Gillett of the University of York’s School for Business and Society.

Join Edgar Buchanan of the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology to discover how University of York researchers are planning to create the first robot system that will design and produce other robots.

Learn about rescue robotics and discover how a laser-powered ‘puppet’ could tackle challenges of extremely harsh environments without sacrificing the mission.

A panel of experts discuss how the successes and failures of policy makers in the face of previous periods of economic change, both at home and abroad, can help us work out a plan to successfully navigate the economic challenges we are facing.

Using creative methods developed at the University of York, this workshop will allow you to reimagine the future of mobility and how to rebuild our city for a sustainable future.

Join archaeologist Jim Leary of the University of York for a fascinating exploration of our past that will make you look at the landscape around you with fresh eyes.

Award-winning health journalist Sarah Graham reveals the systemic and deep-rooted sexism within medicine, and explains what it will take to bridge the gender health gap.

Join our panel of experts to hear all about the groundbreaking ‘Pyramids of Life’ project that seeks to better understand how we can work sustainably to manage our oceans.

Join University of York Visiting Researcher Monika Zabrocka to discover how offering viewers more appealing, creative Audio Description formats allows us to reinvent this tool in entirely new contexts.

Join us for a guided walk exploring the flora and fauna of the University of York campus grounds.

Solicitor and former Chief Prosecutor Nazir Afzal provides insights into his 30-year-long groundbreaking career, the UK’s relationship with race and power, and more.

Travel back in time on this guided walking tour focusing on York’s industrial heritage and its colonial significance as ‘chocolate city’.

Delve into the topic of biodiversity and discover the nuanced relationships between humanity and nature with environmental writer Emma Marris and Chris Thomas, Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity at the University of York.

Environmental writer Louise Gray shares the stories behind our favourite fruits and vegetables, and why nothing is ever perfect.

Join us for a film screening and Q&A that will change your understanding of what development means.

Writer Alex Niven provides an in-depth exploration of the importance of the North of England in the modern era.

Come along to this panel discussion, hosted by Citizens Advice York, to engage with and better understand the workings of our justice system.

Science Museum Curator Glyn Morgan discusses the worldwide phenomenon of science fiction, revealing the scientific advances and imagination behind it.

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Michael Cashman, who made history - first as an actor, one half of the first gay kiss on a British soap, and then as a campaigner and politician fighting for gay rights.

Come along to this inspiring panel discussion and exhibition, captured by an artist’s live drawings, that will invite you to imagine what a rewilded York could look like.

Join us for a walking tour of sites and stories of significance to York’s LGBTQI+ communities past and present.

It's the 10th anniversary of York's Three Minute Thesis Competition! Be inspired and learn about the cutting-edge research at the University of York from ten of our talented PhD researchers in the live final of the competition.

Join cultural studies expert Kirsty Sedgman to find out how unfairness and discrimination got baked into our social norms, and why, sometimes, we need to act unreasonably to bring about positive change.

Our two panels explore a different approach to urban regeneration through inclusive growth and by harnessing the power of major employer institutions, education providers and social enterprise for more equitable and inclusive economic outcomes.