Donors and Supporters

Key Supporters 

University of York

We are proud of the University of York’s role in establishing and leading York Festival of Ideas. The Festival is an expression of the University’s commitment as a university for public good: through the Festival we demonstrate the major contribution of education to the economic, social and cultural vitality of York and Yorkshire. Together with our Festival partners we are committed to showcasing the importance and relevance of ideas and research, and to engaging with new and diverse audiences.

The University is pleased to support the Festival through the Higher Education Innovation Fund, which facilitates the communication of new knowledge and its benefits to society. 

Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is an independent social change organisation whose mission is to inspire action and change to solve UK poverty. JRF is therefore delighted to support York Festival of Ideas in its ambition to provide a platform for informed debate on key contemporary issues through a programme of accessible events.

This year marks 100 years since the death of York confectionery businessman, social reformer and philanthropist Joseph Rowntree. We are proud to work in collaboration with York Festival of Ideas to explore his remarkable life and the impact of his work through Festival Focus sessions on Making Waves: Building on Joseph Rowntree's legacy. 

LNER

For more than a century we have been bringing families and friends together across the UK by train. We provide vital transport links that connect cities along our over 900-mile-long route stretching from Aberdeen and Inverness to York and London. Our passion is to connect businesses and communities supporting them to thrive. Our ambition is to be the most 
responsible and sustainable way to travel for generations to come. 

We are proud to support York Festival of Ideas Discovery Zone family events (Explore Space @Discovery Zone and Discovery Zone) and to present Festival Focus sessions on Beyond the Tracks: Innovation and transformation.

 

Supporters and Donors

C & JB Morrell Trust and the Morrell Centre for Legal and Political Philosophy

The C and JB Morrell Trust is a core funder of the Festival. The Morrell Centre for Legal and Political Philosophy, which is generously supported by the Trust, is proud to sponsor a series of themed events on A World in Crisis? The Centre is dedicated to legal and political philosophy with a particular focus on toleration as an idea and as a practice. 

French Embassy in the UK

The Higher Education, Research and Innovation (ESRI) Department of the French Embassy in the United Kingdom is recognised as a partner for British Institutions and their French counterparts. The ESRI is very happy to work with York Festival of Ideas to present two events under the theme Driving Innovation that bring together leading academics from France and the UK.

York Central

York Central is one of the UK’s largest and most exciting city centre regeneration schemes. Located right next to the city’s railway station and the National Railway Museum, it is a project of world-class ambition which is set to create a brand-new quarter for our glorious city. York Central is proud to be able to support and sponsor York Festival of Ideas.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is the largest multidisciplinary professional engineering institution in the world. The North Yorkshire Network of the IET is a proud sponsor and collaborator of York Festival of Ideas. This year we will be supporting The Path to Net Zero.

Jane Moody Fund

With thanks to the Jane Moody Fund for supporting Making with Jane Austen and JMW Turner. Professor Jane Moody, who died in 2011, was founding Director of the University of York’s Humanities Research Centre and co-founder of York Festival of Ideas.

The Burgess Family

Ashley Burgess OBE and Gill Burgess are delighted to support Protecting Vision and Heart Health.

Professor Phil Harris and Mrs Irene Harris 

Professor Phil Harris and Mrs Irene Harris are very pleased to support two handling artefacts sessions for blind and partially sighted people, hosted by archaeologist Julian Richards. 

Athena Swan

The Athena Swan Charter recognises the advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success for all. The University of York was the first Yorkshire university to win the Athena Swan bronze award in recognition of its success in providing positive support for women scientists during their careers. The university has continued to hold a bronze award since 2006 and is now recognised for work undertaken to address gender equality and intersectionality more broadly. The University’s Athena Swan Steering Group is delighted to support He Said, She Said and When We Ruled: African queens and warriors.

The Northern Agenda

Read and listened to by policymakers from the North’s town halls to Whitehall, The Northern Agenda provides a bitesize guide to the stories that matter in our region from journalists outside the Westminster bubble. We are very pleased to work with York Festival of Ideas as a media partner.

Our thanks to those donors and supporters who wish to remain anonymous.

If you would like to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email the Festival team at yorkfestivalofideas@york.ac.uk.