University of York, United Kingdom

The University of York Sustainability Clinic

The University of York Sustainability Clinic brings together students and our local community to tackle pressing sustainability issues. Working in teams, students are given a project brief that has been co-produced with a community organisation, charity, SME or local government, focusing on a sustainability challenge faced by the organisation. All projects are designed to develop students’ employability skills while adding capacity to local organisations to tackle the challenges of environmental sustainability.

To date, 300 students and 51 partner organisations have participated in Clinic projects. Students are given training in project management, team working, planning and specialist skills, and are supported by postgraduate facilitators. Project themes include biodiversity consultancy; education; heritage and culture; and sustainability action planning.

Initially piloted as voluntary activity, from 2023/24, the Sustainability Clinic will be available as an interdisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate elective module. The Sustainability Clinic has been developed in partnership by Careers and Placements, the Baroness Hale Law Clinic, York Environmental Sustainability Institute and Environmental Sustainability at York.

What the Judges Thought

The University of York’s Sustainability Clinic is an outstanding example of student engagement in sustainability. The project’s integration into the curriculum and its focus on community impact make it a model for other institutions. This capacity-building project empowers students through involving them in real world sustainability projects that have a tangible benefit to the environment and wider society. 

What it Means to Win

"Our vision is to be a university for public good, which is why we are proud to win this award for this initiative – engaging students with a chance to learn and put into practice sustainability skills, while also making a sustainable difference to local communities and businesses."

Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor and President

Top 3 Learnings

1. We work with the community to find areas where students can meaningfully add value.
2. We have worked to extend our reach to more rural areas within our region.
3. We provide students with structured learning opportunities and a high level of support.