Press Releases and Statements

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Three members of Yorkshire Universities join Defence University Alliance to strengthen skills and research

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 …

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Yorkshire Universities welcomes Northern Powerhouse Rail announcement

On Wednesday 14 January, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander announced plans for the Northern Powerhouse Rail. Yorkshire Universities (YU) has today welcomed the announcement by Government of new investment in transport infrastructure in Yorkshire, as part of a broader economic growth plan for the North of …

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Yorkshire Universities responds to the Autumn Budget

On Wednesday 26 November, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves presented the Autumn Budget. The Budget confirmed that Government will work closely with local leaders, universities, and Northern businesses on the Northern Growth Corridor to grow the economy and attract inward investment, with a plan for the Corridor to be set out by early …

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Report spotlights AI capabilities of Yorkshire Universities’ membership

Background Recent government policy has focused on the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) for the future of the UK’s economy and society. In January 2025, the UK Government published the AI Opportunities Action Plan. The Action Plan set out the government’s intention to create a number of AI Growth Zones across the UK to boost …

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Professor Charlie Jeffery appointed new Chair of Yorkshire Universities

Professor Charlie Jeffery CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of York, has been appointed as the new Chair of Yorkshire Universities. Professor Jeffery takes up the role at a significant time for Yorkshire Universities (YU), where he will oversee the delivery of the recently launched YU 2025–2030 Strategy. Bringing extensive strategic engagement experience from …

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Higher Education Compact to strengthen collaboration and drive regional growth

A new Higher Education Compact has been signed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and higher education institutes in York and West Yorkshire. The Compact represents a commitment between the region’s higher education institutes (HEIs) and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to work together to stimulate inclusive economic growth, drive innovation, and enhance social and …

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Yorkshire Universities launches new strategy to champion Yorkshire

Powering Place Unlocking Potential Yorkshire Universities (YU), the representative body for universities and higher education institutions in Yorkshire, has today (Thursday 25 September) published a new five-year strategy that will amplify regional strengths, unlock new investment and ideas, and strengthen partnership work to help drive benefits and positive impacts for people, places and business.  The …

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£3.4m funding secured for cross-regional AI Research Development Network

The AI Research Development Network (AI.RDN+) A joint project by the University of Leeds and Aston University has been awarded £3.4m by the Research England Development Fund to set up a network to assess publicly available artificial intelligence (AI) tools for PhD research. The AI Research Development Network (AI.RDN+) will bring together 20 universities from …

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Yorkshire Universities End of Year Report: 2024-25

Dr Peter O’Brien, YU Executive Director The end of Yorkshire Universities’ (YU) 2024/25 year coincided with the anniversary of the Government’s first year in office. As we headed into summer, the breadth of complex challenges facing Ministers increased, and we saw a plethora of new policy initiatives and legislation, including the 2025 Spending Review, Industrial …

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