Professor Peter Slee, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, has been appointed as the new Chair of Yorkshire Universities (YU). From today (Tuesday 1 September), Professor Slee takes up the role of YU Chair, bringing his significant experience in senior leadership roles in higher education, and expertise in strategic planning and education policy, to lead YU …
Peter O’Brien, Jane Robinson and Helen Turner argue that as devolution moves to the centre of government, universities need to work more closely with regional mayors and authorities to shape place-based growth.
Calderdale Council has worked with students from across West Yorkshire to develop new ideas for improving road safety and everyday journeys across Calderdale. Senior leaders from Calderdale Council and university students from across the region came together in Halifax for the final stage of a project exploring how people think, feel and behave on Calderdale’s …
Dr Peter O’Brien, YU Executive DirectorDrawing on his personal and professional experience, Dr Peter O’Brien explores Andy Burnham’s vision for government and reflects on what this might mean for both Yorkshire and the higher education sector. The next leader of the Labour Party, Andy Burnham, has set out his principles and vision for how, when …
John reflects on the role of higher education in a fast-changing skills policy landscape, arguing that Local Skills Improvement Plans offer an opportunity to better connect employer needs with learner experience. Drawing on Yorkshire Universities LSIP roundtables, he makes the case for a more coherent skills system with graduates placed firmly at its centre.
Three Yorkshire Universities member institutions, the University of Huddersfield, the University of Sheffield and the University of York, have become inaugural members of the new Defence Universities Alliance. The Defence Universities Alliance (DUA) identifies universities with relevant expertise in teaching, research and innovation that are committed to working closely with Government to help build critical …
Steph Morris, YU AssociateSteph Morris examines the role of universities in driving economic growth and makes the case that universities must be properly resourced to maximise their potential as economic engines for their places. Universities as engines for growth Listening to Tom Riordan, Envoy for Northern Growth, speak at recent events, it is clear that …
It has been announced today (Monday 22 June) that Professor Charlie Jeffery CBE, Vice-Chancellor at the University of York, and Chair of Yorkshire Universities (YU), will take up a new role as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Southampton from October. Commenting on today’s announcement, Dr Peter O’Brien, YU Executive Director, said: “I would like to …
On Monday 8 June 2026, Yorkshire Universities and Calderdale Council launched a ‘Live Project’ pilot aimed at supporting safer and more inclusive roads across Calderdale and West Yorkshire. A new collaborative project, funded by Yorkshire and Humber Councils, is supporting efforts to create safer and more inclusive roads across Calderdale and West Yorkshire. The project brings …
Remarks by Dr Peter O’Brien on a panel at the launch of The Civic Exchange – University of Leeds on Thursday 30 April 2026. I have worked in partnership and collaboration roles for over twenty years. The structures and the institutional architecture may have changed, and they will continue to change, but the principles and …