Our world is facing unprecedented trials like never before, from climate change to a global pandemic, poverty to systemic inequality, and even widespread political polarization. An agent for positive change, York is leading among higher education institutions in addressing these challenges, now ranking in the Top 35 in the world for sustainability and making the world safer, healthier, more equitable and more prosperous – and, ultimately, a better place today and for future generations.

Each student’s career aspirations are as unique and diverse as they are. Through the many pathways enabled by the academic, research and development opportunities we offer, York is empowering aspiring changemakers with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to achieve their vast potential, pursue their career goals, and join our thriving alumni community of more than 370,000 and counting around the world as they use their York degree to create their own positive change.

Whether environment, biological, or cyber-security related, York University is tackling disaster and emergency management challenges through the advancement of multidisciplinary research and teaching, and collaborative initiatives such as working groups and global partnerships that address the urgent needs and interests of industry and government bodies.

From our Keele, Glendon and now Markham campuses, to our satellite locations across Ontario and abroad, York is an interconnected network unlike any other. An integrated ecosystem of contemporary learning, innovative research and unbounded collaboration, our campuses work together to create a York community that facilitates positive change on a large scale, providing students, faculty and the community alike with opportunities to immerse themselves in the diverse experiences and perspectives.

Environmental change is one of the most pressing issues facing the world today. As a community of changemakers, York University is championing initiatives and funding research that is making a positive impact on our environment.

With microplastics in our food, increasing risk of human-made disasters, and ongoing disruptions to ways of life in northern and Indigenous communities, the effects of cli­mate change and environmental devastation are rapidly becoming more evident, wide­spread and intense. It’s more important than ever for communities and individuals to take action.

Inequality has long been one of the core challenges of academia. Nowhere has this been more evident than in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or “STEM” disciplines. At York, we put our core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront of everything we do. We know that the only way to create positive change in both the York community and around the globe is to make sure that everybody has a chance to contribute.

Managing our water resources is key to maximizing social wellbeing, economic welfare, and sustainable ecosystems. York has built a space for passionate individuals to come together in pursuit of a future where everyone has access to this essential part of life.

Bees play a massive role within our ecosystems. Without them, our food chain would suffer. York University’s Faculty of Science is leading crucial research to help the bee population flourish.

Education is everywhere. It exists beyond the idea of just a classroom in front of students. Instead, it is an ever-changing value reflected in our social, cultural and intellectual diversity and our global communities. York’s Faculty of Education embraces this dynamism and provides an environment where students are encouraged to challenge the status quo to uncover new possibilities in the advancement of education, and become future leaders who will create positive change.

Technological advancements are taking place at a rapid pace – meaning tomorrow’s business professionals need to be prepared to understand, embrace and capitalize upon them to create positive change. Through the new Tech MBA program, the Schulich School of Business at York is paving the way for students to become the technology leaders of the future, poised to take charge of the digital age and equipped to design forward-thinking solutions.

Health is one of the most complex challenges we face today – and as our society confronts countless new social, economic and geopolitical realities, this has never been more true. Through a dynamic learning environment balancing academic and research excellence with soft skills development and prioritizing expert instruction and experiential opportunities, York’s Faculty of Health prepares visionary leaders who will navigate this ever-evolving landscape and create positive change.

Systemic inequities and racism continue to be ever-present and ever-evolving issues around the world – and by listening to and working with our on-campus community, York is taking steps toward positive, sustainable change for today and tomorrow. Through the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies’ Anti-Black Racism Strategy, we are breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for people and projects to ensure a safer, more supportive, equitable and just learning environment for all.

Faced with an ever-evolving creative landscape, students at York’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) are more than artists, performers and creators. They are innovative and diverse leaders who design successful careers that define the future of artistic and cultural discourse for long-lasting, positive change in today’s creative industries.

The law sometimes falls short of ensuring equal access and fair treatment for marginalized social, ethnic and cultural communities, undermining the overall integrity of the Canadian legal system. A dedicated agent for positive change, York is creating opportunities for Osgoode Hall Law School students to champion social justice and apply what they learn as part of their academic journeys toward advancing a more equitable and inclusive legal landscape.

Urbanization is a monumental force that impacts global sustainability. Although it poses immense challenges now and for the future, it also presents unique opportunities that demand our immediate attention. York’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change is seizing these opportunities by nurturing the bright minds and ground-breaking ideas responsible for creating sustainable, equitable and positive change within our urban communities and around the world.

From intellectual property and racial bias to misinformation, AI is changing the world at an accelerating pace. A massive seven-year interdisciplinary research initiative led by York University — backed by substantial federal research funding — is setting out to tame the unruly world of AI and other disruptive technologies, so humans can benefit equitably from advances in a machine-driven world.