York University launched its University Academic Plan 2020-2025 (UAP) to challenge the university community to elevate York’s contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Now in its fourth year, the UAP continues to serve as a blueprint for action, positioning York as an agent of positive change in a world facing a convergence of unprecedented trials from climate change, a global pandemic, poverty, systemic inequality and political polarization.
We are pleased to present York University’s fourth annual report demonstrating our deep commitment to sustainability and the well-being of the communities we serve As a Canadian university that is leading on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), York is committed to action that will right the future Our research, academic innovation, student learning experience and global partnerships are catalyzing positive change for local and global communities
In 2023, York accelerated its timeline and is aiming to achieve net-zero emissions on Scope 1 and 2 and to significantly reduce Scope 3 emissions by 2040 – a decade sooner than its previous commitment The new aspirational target is part of York’s renewed sustainability policy, which includes a commitment to develop and implement a process to track, measure, evaluate and report progress toward net-zero emissions To support this ambition,
York recently released its own comprehensive emissions data assessment from the Ecological Footprint Initiative – a group of York’s scholars, students, researchers and collaborating organizations working together to advance the measurement of ecological footprints and biocapacity – making it the first Canadian institution to do so
The University also launched its Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2023-2028, further cementing the university’s leadership in issues of social justice and realizing the vision of a welcoming, diverse and inclusive learning environment
This year’s report highlights the University’s progress throughout 2023, selecting meaningful stories and metrics that demonstrate how Canada’s 3rd largest university is advancing the 17 SDGs and solving the significant global challenges of our times
“York University proudly stands as a global leader in sustainability, recognized among the top 35 institutions worldwide for advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the latest Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. Our commitment to sustainability is embodied through groundbreaking research, inclusive educational practices and impactful partnerships that transcend borders and disciplines. Together, our students, faculty, course instructors, alumni and staff are sparking positive change, ensuring our collective efforts contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for all.”
Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor
Progress on the Goals
36+ years of advocacy for refugees at the Centre for Refugee Studies
427.7 acres of protected land on Las Nubes Eco-Campus
59.1% of co-authored papers published with international collaborators
RESEARCH AWARDED
$111 Million from External Sponsored Research
$50 Million from Tri-Council Research
York University-led Connected Minds, a $318.4 Million first-of-its-kind inclusive next-gen technology research initiative
Highlights
PARTNERSHIPS
Highlighted in Canada’s 2023 SDG Voluntary National Review for social achievements
Proud member of United Nations Academic Impact, Higher Education Sustainability Initiative and Sustainable Development Solutions Network Canada
THE Impact Rankings 2024
Top 35 in the world out of 2,100+ universities
38.5% of courses relevant to SDGs
Sustainability
Introduced a new Sustainability Framework that outlines the governance and accountability structure for overall implementation of the sustainability policy and strategy.
1,521 SDG-relevant publications in 2023
1,000+ participants in York’s Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living. Learn more.
• Make recommendations on new policy and resources
• Award Innovation fund
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How we Educate
York takes leadership in Indigenous studies
In celebration of National Indigenous History Month and the United Nations Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), the Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages (CIKL) launched a collection of Indigenous language resources, focusing on the languages currently spoken by First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples The collection can be found on the CIKL website in two parts, each with its own webpage One focuses on general resources – from in-phone apps to online videos – for 38 distinct Indigenous languages belonging to six language families The second is dedicated to language learning at York University, identifying language teachers and researchers, as well as courses focused on Indigenous language learning The launch of the website coincided with the end of the 2023 Congress of the Social Sciences and the Humanities, in which the Faculty of Education showcased the Wüléelham program Translated from Lenape, Wüléelham means “Making Good Tracks,” and the program has led many Indigenous students on a journey to becoming educators and academics themselves Its options – the Waaban Indigenous teacher education program and the master’s and PhD cohorts – were developed to highlight the specific strengths of urban Indigenous communities Learn more about Indigenous language programming
Casita Azul Library offers a hub for community education programs in Costa Rica
York University’s Las Nubes eco-campus focuses on hosting students for experiential education opportunities and improving rural livelihoods with an emphasis on environmental conservation Casita Azul, the little blue house, is in the unique position of not only operating as an academic library in service to the Las Nubes mission, but also as a community hub that strives to provide opportunities for the local population of the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor while advancing the SDGs Located in the heart of Santa Elena, Casita Azul resides in a donated space in a building owned by ASADA (a local water
association) and provides access to the internet, housing books, computers and other materials needed to align the library’s offerings with the needs of the local communities The courses and programming offered at Casita Azul directly focus on serving the articulated needs of the local communities Workshops facilitated by local experts include creating mosaic ornaments with glass and wood, how to start a small business, healthy best practices after COVID, and creating art with recycled materials Learn more about the Casita Azul Library
Teaching Commons leader in bringing DEDI lens to classroom
York University’s Teaching Commons (TC), the office that provides leadership in the pursuit of engaged teaching practices centred on the student learning experience, is also a leader in fostering an awareness of how to incorporate a decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusion (DEDI) perspective into pedagogical practices As reflected in its statement of practice, the TC team has embraced equity, decolonization, diversity, inclusion and accommodation, and continues to bring equity-informed pedagogy to the York University faculty, introducing relevant ideas and practices through its workshops and courses TC’s DEDI activities include a monthly Teaching and Learning community of practice (CoP) sessions that allow members to share what’s on their minds TC also held its first DEDI conference this past spring with the help of an Academic Innovation Fund grant During the past academic year, TC supported Susan Dion, associate vice-president Indigenous initiatives, in delivering Decolonizing the Academy, a course that discussed this shared responsibility and what it means to decolonize teaching and learning from a pedagogical perspective Learn more about York University’s Teaching Commons
York boosts funding for black and Indigenous scholarship
Dr Jean de Dieu Uwisengeyimana is one of two recipients of the 2023 Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowships for Black and Indigenous Scholars, pursuing a cutting-edge project affiliated with VISTA (Vision: Science to Application), a program which aims to advance vision and produce applications that generate positive health, and societal, technological and economic impacts for Canada and the world The fellowships, in combination with the York Black Research Seed Fund, York Incentive Grant for Black Scholars and Black Scholarship and Funding for Black Scholars and Black Scholarship: Events and Outreach Activities, demonstrate York’s commitment to removing systemic barriers and combatting anti-Black racism in education, and promoting and highlighting Black and Indigenous excellence in research and curriculum across the university Funded by the Vice-President Research and Innovation office, these programs aim to address historical inequities, fostering the talent and impactful work of Black and Indigenous researchers to reflect the diversity of our communities and help shape the next generation of scholarship Learn more about this funding opportunity
DARE to innovate: LA&PS student’s research brought to life
The Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (LA&PS) offers the Dean’s Award for Research Excellence (DARE) for undergraduate students to do paid summer research with the supervision and mentorship of a faculty member It is a means for students to bring together liberal arts and a professional education, applying their knowledge in order to develop new skills and gain a richer learning experience These goals were exemplified by a collaboration between DARE recipient Kayla Saunders who, with students in the Digital Culture and the Humanities course, developed an annotated bibliography of recent films and published works (fiction, non-fiction and poetry) created by Indigenous artists in Canada from 2000 to 2022 The collection invites interrogation into the gaps and biases that still exist in the digital world and how best to teach students how to promote marginalized communities Learn more about DARE
Curriculum Innovation
BEST Startup Experience 2024 brings together students to address SDG goals
In March 2024, more than 200 students took part in the BEST Startup Experience 2024 hosted by Lassonde’s BEST Program This initiative was designed to foster collaboration and innovation through experiential learning Throughout the weekend, 48 teams of students worked on exciting projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) Projects spanned diverse areas of interest and encouraged
students to create meaningful change with their solutions The winning team envisaged a smartphone-controlled shopping cart to help shoppers that face mobility restrictions Students who took part in this experience can now go on to work with the BEST Concept to Launch Program, where they can receive ongoing support and resources to further develop and implement their projects Learn more about the BEST Startup Experience
LA&PS Learning Design Lab a resource for work-integrated learning
The Learning Design Lab (LDL) is an initiative designed by the LA&PS Teaching and Learning team to support and advance teaching and learning in LA&PS Collaborating with the LA&PS Office of Experiential Education, the first iteration of the LDL workshop series was held in winter 2023 and focused on exploring strategies, tools and best practices for incorporating work-integrated learning (WIL) in different teaching contexts By bringing community partners into conversations about course activities or assessments, instructors and teaching assistants can help students build stronger connections to various partners
and communities, as well as strengthen student engagement with course material In the workshop series, over 70 faculty members learned from the Teaching and Learning Team on the pedagogical aspect of the placements, helping faculty design assignments and meet learning outcomes of WIL The Experiential Education team focuses on the structure of placements and works closely with faculty to oversee the WIL agreements once their WIL courses launch, to ensure student safety while on the job Learn more about the Learning Design Lab
Upskill digital storytelling at Glendon
Raiman Dilag, director of information technology services (ITS) at York University’s Glendon College, and his team are working to ensure their students have access to the most current technology to enhance their storytelling capabilities They made this possible through an Academic Innovation Fund grant that allowed them to create a new eight-week extracurricular course – XR Storytelling in Extended Reality / XR Accroche Narrative en Réalité Étendue – that provides interested Glendon students and faculty with an introduction to virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), 360-degree cameras, podcasting and 3D printing Each of these technologies, independently or in combination, are valuable for storytelling in a digital era The course will familiarize students with these key tools and require them to work on a group project to show their facility with one or more of the technologies The project will also reinforce teamwork skills and, in true Glendon nature, is conducted in English or French by the bilingual XR technology co-ordinator Learn more about this initiative
E-learning tool expands access to experiential learning
A virtual learning tool co-developed by Osgoode Hall Professor Stephanie Ben-Ishai is offering a glimpse into how technology could help transform the teaching of law Ben-Ishai, who developed the technology in partnership with Western University law professor David Sandomierski and a team of software developers, is already using the virtual learning tool to help teach contract law to her students The project was supported by a $100,000 grant under the Ontario government’s Virtual Learning Strategy initiative The audio-visual technology, called Teaching and Learning Law in the Metaverse, anticipates potential responses to questions and pushes students to come up with questions themselves, providing automatic feedback along the way After completing user testing and quality-assurance work in February, the research team submitted the virtual learning tool to the Ontario government’s eCampus Ontario site for open access and will continue to pilot the technology in the classroom Learn more about this project
Sustainability in the Classroom
York’s SDG Toolkit continues success
York’s SDGs-in-the-Classroom Toolkit enables the pan-university interdisciplinary infusion of the SDGs into classrooms at York University, which reinforces the commitment to make positive change for students, campuses and our local and global communities Using the SDGs as a pedagogical framework for the student learning experience strengthens its application to education, links purpose with impact, and encourages students to take the first step to right the future Every program and faculty
member is able to identify how their classrooms can welcome an SDG discussion, activity or lesson The Toolkit will help increase the already high number of SDG-relevant courses at York The 2022-23 SDG Course Mapping exercise revealed that 38 5% of York courses are already relevant to at least one SDG – a number that will continue to rise as the SDG Toolkit is used Learn more about the SDG Toolkit
Advancing YU: Connection, community and career pathways for Black and women students
Michele Johnson, associate dean, students, in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), says that Advancing YU, a unique mentorship program, creates amazing opportunities for third- and fourth-year Black and women students in LA&PS “This program gives these students the opportunity to access mentorship and support, along with connection and networking,” Johnson says “We have two streams: one for Black students and one for women students Given long-standing and deep-seated prejudices and barriers, many Black and women students often face great challenges beyond acquiring their degree – creating networks, getting into their preferred field of study and even obtaining relevant
and helpful letters of reference This program allows students to connect with mentors who are also former York students and who therefore understand our University’s community ” In 2023, Advancing YU paired quartets together, so that “students’ networking goes one degree beyond themselves, into another quartet with another mentor,” Johnson says “We are committed to learning from and tweaking the program each year as we respond to the experiences and feedback from the program’s participants ” Along with mentorship, students also gain valuable experiential education Students develop their networking, time management and communication skills, and adaptability Learn more about Advancing YU
York U ranked most culturally diverse performing arts education in Ontario
York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) is ranked No 1 among Ontario universities and colleges for offering the most culturally diverse music and dance undergraduate programs, according to a 2023 report by Toronto-based non-profit organization Community Researchers The research report, Cultural Diversity in Ontario’s Performing Arts Education, analyzed 77 performing arts programs and more than 6,000 performing arts courses available in colleges and universities in the province “We are proud to see the longstanding work of our faculty, staff and students reflected in this report, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to expand the visibility of York’s performing arts to reflect the great diversity of our University and communities,” says Sarah Bay-Cheng, dean of AMPD “We look forward to welcoming audiences to attend and witness the great talent here,” she says, noting the accolade affirms York University’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity and positive change in performing arts education Learn more about AMPD
Bringing education to life at Lassonde in creative ways
Lassonde’s Education Innovation Studio (LEIS) partners with professors and learners to tackle educational challenges and positively impact experiences across three domains: elementary and secondary education; post-secondary education; and executive and professional education LEIS partnered with Professor Alidad Amirfazli of the Mechanical Engineering department and galvanized a cross-functional team of learning experience designers, educational developers, e-learning developers, graphic designers, programmers, educational technologists and a postdoctoral fellow to tackle the challenge through an agile innovation process His goal to foster community and share his work with other engineering educators meant the team itself would adopt a community-based learning approach to the project to ensure the end products would increase the value of education in the discipline The team experimented with the Fluid Dynamics course by introducing a virtual escape room classroom activity to assess students’ learning methods and problem solving Learn more about LEIS
How we Partner
York takes academic leadership at Congress 2023
York University’s Keele Campus welcomed more than 10,000 guests and over 400 volunteers from May 27 to June 2, 2023, when the University hosted Congress 2023 in partnership with the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences The seven-day event – Canada’s largest academic gathering and largest fair trade event in North America – brought together scholars, graduate students, policymakers and community members to identify and discuss the decisions we need to take today to build a better world for all, as part of the conference’s theme “Reckonings and Re-imaginings ” The theme was implemented as a guide for knowledge sharing during the hundreds of events taking place at the Keele Campus, including presentations, panels, workshops, art exhibits, community activities and more Learn more about Congress 2023
York researcher makes air quality discovery
An international team of researchers – including York University Assistant Professor Elizabeth Clare – has found that data in the form of environmental DNA (eDNA) are being collected globally by ambient air quality monitoring stations Until now, it was thought that the infrastructure for monitoring biodiversity at national and global scales did not exist Previously, no one had considered that these air quality monitoring stations could be collecting and storing eDNA data on birds, bees, ticks, fungi, insects, plants and mammals across the globe as a byproduct of their regular function monitoring atmospheric pollutants and dust The discovery is a game-changer for global efforts to protect and promote biodiversity “One of the single biggest issues facing the planet today is the accelerating loss of biodiversity,” says Clare, who was a corresponding author on the paper published in the journal Current Biology under the title “Air-quality networks collect environmental DNA with the potential to measure biodiversity at continental scales ” Learn more about this research
York collaborates on new app to help women experiencing abuse
A new app developed by a collaborative research team that includes York University Assistant Professor Karen Campbell aims to help Canadian women experiencing partner violence and abuse The iHEAL app was designed as a free, secure, bilingual resource for the more than 40 per cent of Canadian women who are victims of abuse, says Campbell, a registered nurse in York’s School of Nursing Features of the iHEAL app include risk and health assessments, grounding exercises and safety features to attend to women’s physical, spiritual and emotional safety and well-being The app also provides information about services that women may find helpful, with links to more than 400 of these resources across Canada, personalized to the woman’s province or territory Learn more about this collaboration
School of Continuing Studies celebrates its new, state-of-the-art building
York’s School of Continuing Studies unveiled its new home at 68 The Pond Road on the Keele Campus, is a testament to the growth of the School as well as the need for continuing education options to respond to the growing skills gaps and talent shortages in Canada The six-story, 120,000-square-foot, 50-classroom building serves as an example of how a post-pandemic learning space can blend in-person and virtual learning formats using the latest technology to support the needs of students The structure was built to ensure complete adherence to sustainability in design The building has achieved LEED Gold Certification from the Canadian Green Building Council and meets the City of Toronto Green Standards Strategies used include a high-performing façade system, a direct outside air system with heat recovery ventilation, and daylight harvesting The building is well positioned to achieve net zero in the future due to its low energy consumption Additionally, the building was designed according to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and sustainability Learn more about the building’s LEED status
York convenes Collaborative Cybersecurity Workshop
York’s Behaviour-Centric Cybersecurity Centre (BCCC) convened the Understanding Cybersecurity Series (UCS), a comprehensive knowledge mobilization program aimed at addressing the critical issue of cybersecurity resiliency Founded by School of Information Technology Professor Arash Habibi Lashkari, UCS operates under the premise that tackling cybersecurity challenges effectively requires the creation of efficient and relevant tools in collaboration with industry partners The program aims to promote public education and awareness, making cybersecurity knowledge digestible, understandable and accessible to a broad audience UCS supports and educates various stakeholders, including IT systems and cybersecurity students, academics, researchers, developers and industry professionals Furthermore, it sought to disseminate research findings in a user-friendly way to engage with the broader community and foster cybersecurity literacy The two-day collaborative cybersecurity workshop between the Behaviour-Centric Cybersecurity Centre (BCCC) at York, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) and Kobe University of Japan represented a concrete manifestation of the UCS program’s mission Learn more about BCCC
Climate Governance
York accelerates net zero goal
With bold ambition to become one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada, York University is accelerating its timeline and aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 – a decade sooner than its previous commitment
To support this ambition, York recently released its own comprehensive emissions data and ecological footprint assessment from the Ecological Footprint Initiative – a group of York’s scholars, students, researchers and collaborating organizations working together to advance the measurement of ecological footprint and biocapacity – making it the first Canadian institution to do so More than $2 million from the federal government through its
Decarbonization and Incentive Program will help York upgrade its Energy Management Information System
Additionally, York launched the Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living, an innovative, open-access program that gives participants (more than 1000 so far) the opportunity to learn from six of York’s world-renowned academic experts about a diverse range of topics related to sustainability The series tasks participants with making tangible sustainability-focused changes in their daily lives based on tips from each professor towards earning a first-of-itskind Digital Badge in Sustainable Living Learn more about York’s commitment to net zero
Osgoode contributes to climate governance
Leading legal thinkers from around the world gathered at Osgoode Hall Law School’s Jack & Mae Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security in October 2023 to consider how transnational business laws could be changed to make global corporations more sustainable Titled “Addressing the Sustainability Impacts of Corporations”, the gathering of experts in business and international law looked holistically at corporate, international and foreign investment and governance regimes for ideas on how to narrow regulatory gaps and foreground accountability mechanisms Acknowledging that much remains to be done to encourage corporations’ advancement of social benefit within their operations – including the promotion of public accountability and enforcement of
new human rights due diligence laws – speakers addressed the increasing regulation of businesses for human rights impact, including through decarbonization and mandatory supply chain disclosure, as ways to help reduce inequality and increase social safety These are issues that the law school itself is foregrounding through its pro bono Environmental Justice and Sustainability Clinic, in which faculty members and upper-level law students work to advance environmental justice and sustainability with a variety of clients Often working in partnership with external legal service organizations and public interest-oriented lawyers, the clinic has supported individuals, communities, NGOs, municipalities, First Nations and social enterprises Learn more about the impacts of this event
York addresses climate impact on vulnerable communities
A groundbreaking social innovation initiative that aims to drive positive change at the intersection of climate change, housing and poverty reduction launched at York University’s Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC), thanks to funding from Gore Mutual Foundation and a partnership with Social Innovation Canada (SI Canada) The $1-million fund, announced in October 2023, supports the development of the Climate and Equity Lab at York to better understand the impacts of climate change on vulnerable Canadians in urban environments In Canada, climate change is imposing an increasingly disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups, and factors such as poverty significantly impact the likelihood of recovering from extreme weather events “The research from the Climate and Equity Lab will serve as a crucial tool to inform policymakers, offering clear innovation and investment opportunities developed in collaboration with the communities most affected by climate change,” said Alice Hovorka, dean of EUC Learn more about this social innovation initiative
York hosts successful 2023 Climate Change Research Month
In March 2023, York University’s Organized Research Units (ORUs) hosted the second annual Climate Change Research Month with a series of events aimed at generating awareness of climate change research and mobilizing the campus community to take action All events were open to the public and featured a swath of interdisciplinary speakers and researchers from York and partner organizations Featured speakers examined topics ranging from the impact of climate change on global health and economies, climate-related migration and immigration, and political and social responses to the climate crisis In conjunction with this event, York has also developed a guide for other universities, NGOs and institutions to host their own climate change research month events so as to further advance global study and awareness Learn more about how to plan your own Climate Change Research Month
How we Live, Learn & Work
York community digs in at Keele, Glendon to create greener campuses
York University community members converged at both Glendon and Keele campuses to plant trees in celebration of Earth Month in April 2023 The event was organized to help drive positive change by creating a greener campus with restored ecosystems to help mitigate climate change Sponsored by the UNFCCC’s Youth Climate Report, the event was held in partnership with Regenesis and York’s Property Management Grounds, Facilities Services with grant funding provided by the City of Toronto A total of 214 trees were planted across both campuses, with the addition of a variety of native species such as sugar maples, red maples, black cherry, red oak, dogwood, hackberry, serviceberry, white spruce, white cedar, winterberry and more Learn more about this event
York Libraries hosts edit-a-thon to improve digital coverage of Black excellence
A joint campaign that addressed gaps in Black content on Wikipedia and Wikidata ran throughout February 2023 and featured an in-person edit-a-thon session at York University Libraries The Black Histories Wikipedia and Wikidata Edit-a-thon is a collaboration between York University, University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University and the Toronto Public Library, and brings together a group of interdisciplinary scholars and students to improve the coverage and quality of Black content online
through weekly synchronous sessions The edit-a-thon taught critical information and data literacy skills while diversifying online content It aimed to foster open scholarship and intentionally provides programming to engage with Black and racialized students The campaign is built upon partnerships across multiple institutions to provide experiential education for students (both event facilitators and participants) on current technologies Learn more about the edit-a-thon
Project creates transitional housing for homeless Black youth
The Black Youth Housing Project, associated with the Homeless Hub at York University’s Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, explores what housing models best support Black youth who are experiencing homelessness in York region The project is led by 360°kids, a non-profit organization that works to prevent homelessness by helping youth at risk, or in crisis, transition to a state of safety and stability While research on homelessness in Black communities is limited, the available data shows that Black youth are overrepresented in populations experiencing homelessness The Black Youth Housing Project looks to address, through research and action, a means to deliver a transitional housing model that could transform the lives of Black youth Its goals are to better understand how to provide culturally relevant services to Black youth experiencing homelessness Learn more about the Black Youth Housing Project here
YUeats introduces value menu to address food insecurity
York University’s campus food services provider, YUeats, has created new value meals meant to provide the York community with access to meals that are filling, nutritious and affordable The new on-campus value meal program launched in Central Square in Summer 2023, Winters and Stong Colleges in Fall 2023, and is available throughout the year at the University’s Glendon Campus Menus rotate daily and offer a wide range of options that cater to different dietary requirements and preferences “This initiative was launched to increase the availability of nutritious, culturally diverse and well-balanced hot meals to our York community,” says Dahlia Abou El Hassan, York’s in-house dietitian Learn more about the value menu
AMPD receives federal funding to support mental health or health and design students
The School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) received $200,000 to adapt and implement mindfulness practices for students, faculty and staff as a part of the Canada-wide Mindfulness Initiative Announced in February 2023, the funding – delivered over three years via the Public Health Agency of Canada – supports a comprehensive set of mental health promotion materials linked to a peer support network and various mindfulness training and practice programs The impetus behind the project is the realization that growing barriers to gainful employment, the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation are hardships particularly impacting students By facilitating mindfulness practices, some of those stresses can be alleviated or mitigated, thereby allowing students to more thoroughly commit themselves to their educations At AMPD, the investment expands programs like music for health and wellness With this community-based project, AMPD aims to promote mental health to students in a way that builds lifelong coping and resilience skills while in school and beyond graduation Learn more about the opportunities this funding provides
Living Labs
Student-led waste diversion project celebrates first compost harvest
The Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom (C4) student-led project to create a full-cycle composting system at York University distributed a metric ton of compost across the Keele campus, fulfilling its goal to divert organic waste from selected vendors at York The project creates a closedloop system by turning the waste that would otherwise go to landfill into useful compost that can be used on campus The harvest, which began with the revitalization of the decaying three-tier composting systems in the Maloca
Community Garden, is the result of woodchips received from the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, fruit and food from Grocery Checkout in York Lanes, as well as coffee grounds and more from the Starbucks locations on campus Partnerships with the businesses, and transportation of the waste to the Maloca composting system with a push cart, was all hands-on experience initiated by the students themselves – a significant objective for C4 Learn more about this project
Lassonde Facility explores how climate impacts infrastructure
Professors from York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering have established the Climate-Data-Driven Design (CD3) Facility for Built Infrastructure in order to become Canada’s leading field-testing laboratory for studying the effects of climate variability on the behaviour of materials, ensuring more resilient infrastructure in the future The CD3 facility project is shepherded by Liam Butler, Matthew Perras and Usman Khan from the Civil Engineering department through funding support from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation’s John R Evans Leaders Fund, and will look at how climate conditions such as chilling snow, rain, intense humidity and heat can negatively influence the behaviour of infrastructure materials
used in systems such as roads, bridges and tunnels The CD3 facility, located at York’s Keele Campus, will allow for outdoor testing and monitoring of natural and infrastructure materials to evaluate their performance under realistic conditions, using advanced sensing and data analysis techniques Using existing indoor lab facilities and artificial intelligence (AI) methods, data collected from outdoor experiments will be used to interpret the effects of climatic conditions on the tested materials and develop models to predict their future performance over a variety of time scales and climate change scenarios Learn more about CD3
York advances innovative decarbonization initiative at Glendon Campus
In service of its new target to achieve net zero a decade sooner, York University is exploring a transformative decarbonization solution for the Glendon Campus, along with new research and education opportunities In December 2023, the University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Noventa Energy Partners Inc to investigate implementing its revolutionary Wastewater Energy Transfer System (WET) at Glendon The WET technology uses city-owned underground sanitary lines as a heat source, creating thermal energy from wastewater –from sources such as showers, dishwashers and hot tubs This cutting-edge technology could position Glendon as York’s first net-zero campus in advance of the University’s 2040 goal A feasibility study for this project has been conducted, and the MOU signals the development of a detailed design report as a next step Learn more about this innovative initiative
Osgoode Investor Protection Clinic and Living Lab promotes investor protections
Osgoode’s Investor Protection Clinic and Living Lab (IPC), the first of its kind in Canada, provides pro-bono legal services to people who believe their investments were mishandled and cannot afford a lawyer The IPC was founded by Osgoode Hall Law School in collaboration with FAIR Canada, a non-profit organization that champions the rights of individual investors in Canada through advocacy, education and regulatory advancements The IPC provides legal advice to people who believe they have suffered an investment loss because of someone else’s wrongdoing or negligence Additionally, it acts as a Living Lab, collecting and analyzing research data in an anonymized way to inform public policy Learn more about IPC
Maloca Community Garden continues to grow
Located on York University’s Keele campus, the Maloca Community Garden features about 2,000 square feet devoted to both individual and communal plots for growing vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers according to the principles of organic agriculture The Maloca Community Garden was founded in 1999 by Angela Simone and Karen Okamoto Alongside other Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change students, they paved the way for the Maloca Community Garden to provide York University and the surrounding North York community the unique opportunity to grow and harvest food in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment The garden’s name – Maloca – comes from the multi-family longhouses built near the banks of the Amazon River At the centre of each house is a communal, spiritual meeting place, and the garden’s name reflects our group’s desire to create a sense of community The garden offers plenty of opportunities to attend workshops, learn about gardening, volunteer, plant, harvest, build relationships, give back to the community and, of course, socialize! Absolutely no experience is necessary – just an enthusiasm for getting outdoors and promoting environmentally friendly practices Learn more about the Maloca Community Garden
C4 partnership to tackle climate anxiety
York University’s C4: Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom program has partnered with GHD – an award-winning international company that offers engineering, architecture and construction services – and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to help students tackle climate anxiety Over the course of the 2024 winter term, up to 70 undergraduates worked with the partners to pursue multidisciplinary projects exploring the term’s challenge question: “How can we help young people in the Greater Toronto Area overcome climate anxiety, to be empowered to inform and drive our future pathways to an equitable and sustainable city?” As the students developed their collaborative projects, GHD and TRCA provided guidance throughout the term, including bringing in subject matter experts to participate, encourage and answer any technical questions that might arise Learn more about C4
Environmental Pulse Check
82% reduction in overall carbon emissions in investments
$103 million committed to sustainability-focused infrastructure funds
Inaugural Ecological Footprint Initiative Report
York University is taking steps today to meet our 2030 emissions reduction target five years early by 2025, including reducing use of the co-generation plant, optimizing building systems for heating and cooling and better use of occupancy data to manage energy use.
77% of waste diverted from landfills
Over 2 million water bottles saved with 75 water refill stations
785+ acres of protected greenspace
11 LEED Buildings
33 electric vehicle recharging stations
74% of students commute by public transit
22 projected received $297K from the Sustainability Innovation Fund
Learning with the Community
k2i academy’s Bringing STEM to Life empowers young minds
Bringing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to Life, a program run by the k2i (kindergarten to industry) academy at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering, allows students entering grades 11 and 12 to participate in a one-month paid summer research experience while earning an Ontario high-school course credit in physics or English This year, 100 per cent of high-school students earned their credit with a cumulative course median over 91 per cent across all programs Bringing STEM to Life, a work-integrated learning program, was
designed in collaboration with the Toronto District School Board, York Region District School Board and Peel District School Board, with a specific focus on providing opportunities for students from marginalized communities Black and Indigenous youth, students from priority communities and girls, who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM, were invited to take part in the program, to help break down systemic barriers and create more equitable access to STEM education Learn more about this program
Decolonizing, Indigenizing, and Making Space for Indigenous Girls
Young Indigenous Women’s Utopia (YIWU), a group of women from Treaty 6 territory that uses ceremony, culture and arts-based activism to combat gender-based and colonial violence, paid a visit to York University in 2022 They offered classroom presentations and workshops and held a launch for their book KÎYÂNAW OCÊPIHK (“we root” in Cree) Inspired by the encounter, a team of Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change scholars, Sarah Flicker, Amanda Golusha, L Anders Sandberg and Jennifer Altenberg – several of whom had initiated the visit as part of their ongoing participatory research work – collaborated with YIWU on the journal Girlhood Studies. The journal reflects on the transformative potential of using such tactics to disrupt prevailing colonial norms
and centre Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of being to empower Indigenous girls and women in educational settings The authors acknowledge that reciprocity, trust-building and care are essential and still needed to support the ongoing work of reconciliation and supporting Indigenous rights to self-determination Relationships were carefully fostered and activities facilitated that would safely and warmly welcome YIWU to York and to Toronto, including the provision of honoraria and entrance fees to cultural attractions to reduce barriers to participation This approach to hosting and to maintaining relationships offers a model for how to serve the needs of present and future generations by disrupting patriarchal and colonial narratives Learn more about this initiative
Together 2023 focuses on self-reliability, sustainability
The Schulich School of Business has successfully concluded Together 2023, its annual Entrepreneurship Bootcamp and Competition that bridges the innovation ecosystems of Canada and India Together 2023 was the third edition of the program, supported through an ongoing partnership between Schulich and Startup India (Government of India) and focused on the theme of “Self Reliability, Sustainability and Social Purpose ” The student entrepreneurs were handpicked from applications from over 17,000+ Indian colleges and 700 + universities with 21 shortlisted startups teaming up with Schulich students
and social purpose
from both Canada and the Schulich MBA in India Program The top 6 teams pitched live in front of an audience and judges, followed by a round of Q&A The winners of the competition were Team Stimuler, who were awarded $15,000 as a cash prize They developed an AI-based platform to help improve communication skills and English vocabulary with real-time feedback “This was the most impressive cohort of startups to date,” reports Schulich Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Executive Director Chris Carder “We’re already excited and gearing up for next year ” Learn more about this initiative
2023 projects funded through Sustainability Innovation Fund
A selection committee from the President’s Sustainability Council identified projects that advance climate action at the University for the second round of funding from York’s Sustainability Innovation Fund (SIF) The Sustainability Innovation Fund provides funding to support campus sustainability projects that help build a culture and practice of sustainability at York University and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) This round of funding awarded over $50,000 to projects that contribute to the University’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45 per cent by 2020, as well as achieving net zero and advancing SDG 13 (Climate Action) The winning projects reflect various ways to utilize the
campus as a living lab and address direct or indirect emissions through activities such as commuting, energy use, food consumption, waste management, behaviour change, awareness and engagement, and nature-based solutions “By supporting these projects, we are making significant strides towards creating a more sustainable community at York University and beyond,” said Mike Layton, chief sustainability officer “We’re also breaking down financial barriers to empower students, staff and faculty to become agents of positive change and take meaningful steps to reduce our impact on the planet ” Learn more about the winning projects
York Sustainable Living Ambassadors
York University’s Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living empowers individuals to take action in righting the future for a more sustainable world Aligned with the University Academic Plan Building a Better Future, York upholds sustainability – environmental, social and fiscal – as a vital compass for decisions and initiatives
Launched during the 2023 SDG Week Canada, this firstof-its-kind series offered faculty, staff, students and members of the public the opportunity to learn about sustainability from six of York’s world-renowned experts
Recognized as a sustainability leader in post-secondary education, York designed the innovative series as a free, open-access program featuring “microlectures” that focus on a diverse range of topics related to sustainability Those who complete the series, correctly answer test questions and commit to put their learnings into practice will earn a digital badge and become an “ambassador in sustainable living ” As an ambassador, individuals can inspire others to do the same, amplifying the impact Learn more about the Microlecture Series
How we Drive Impact and Research
Lake sediment research points to the legacy of pollution
EUC undergraduate researcher Altrisha Rodrigues conducted sediment research in 16 lakes surrounding a former gold mine outside the city of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories Through the examination of bioindicators such as the presence of insect species and zooplankton, Rodrigues determined that toxic arsenic dust released from the mining process continues to impact aquatic ecosystems in the region Although mining activities ceased in 2004, global warming is accelerating the melting of arsenic embedded in the permafrost, resulting in only minimal chemical or biological recovery of lakes having been documented The results produced from this research will be incorporated into a multi-indicator ecotoxicological study of the extent of arsenic contamination in the region Learn more about this important research
Connected Minds: One Year Later
Since Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society launched in spring 2023, the $318 4-million project has already achieved several milestones pushing forward the project – and York University – as a leader in socially responsible emerging technology The cutting-edge program aims to bring together experts Faculties to examine the ways in which technology is transforming society – dubbed the “techno-social collective” – and will work to balance both the potential risks and benefits for humanity Some of the program’s proposed projects include explorations into a more inclusive metaverse, virtual reality and community organizing, neurotechnologies for healthy aging, Indigenous data
sovereignty and how human brain function changes when people interact with artificial intelligence (AI) versus each other In addition to seed grants and PhD awards given out, over the past 12 months, Connected Minds has expanded its roster of experts by onboarding 14 research-enhanced hires across York University and institutional partner Queen’s University The new additions are part of the program’s efforts to attract and retain the best talent, as well as a fulfillment of its commitment to add 35 strategic faculty hires, research Chairs or equivalent levels of support to its interdisciplinary research ecosystem Learn more about Connected Minds groundbreaking research
Lassonde faculty leading innovative solutions for cleaner water
Microplastics are contaminants of emerging concern, impacting the environment and human health through pollution Detecting these microplastics to achieve cleaner water is no easy feat, but York University faculty at the Lassonde School of Engineering are up to the challenge “Working in water management and sanitation, which relates to other disciplines, means you’re able to affect positive change,” says Stephanie Gora, assistant professor, Department of Civil Engineering “Water is not just about drinking water technology; it also interfaces with health and social considerations ” Aside from key research being conducted at Lassonde, impactful water-related experiential education opportunities are being provided to students One example is the three-day experiential workshop at the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) Built in response to the Walkerton Water Crisis in 2000, the WCWC teaches people how to use the equipment in wastewater treatment plants in a welcoming and team-based environment Learn more about Lassonde water research
York contributes $4.05 million to support
SDGs
York University funds groundbreaking interdisciplinary research through the Catalyzing Interdisciplinary Research Clusters (CIRC) program, which aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, global research excellence and world-class training opportunities With 2023 being its second year, the CIRC program supports critical research that can advance York’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) while enabling impactful contributions towards the University’s Strategic Research Plan and the University Academic Plan The research projects funded in 2023 advance knowledge in areas ranging from water remediation, management of infectious disease through technological innovation, the effects of climate change on ecosystems and human populations, visual neuroscience, and understanding the pathway from colonial genocide to building just relationships Learn more about the funded SDG projects
Serving the Community
York innovation hub receives $3 million to support women entrepreneurs
ELLA, run by the University’s innovation hub, YSpace, has received $3 million from a federal government program called Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) to expand support for woman entrepreneurs across the country
Since its creation, ELLA’s programming has supported 167 women, and its ventures have generated $15 9 million in revenue, raised $7 6 million in funding, and created 121 jobs The new $3-million funding from WES – announced on International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023 – will
enable ELLA to expand its services across Canada ELLA will now have three national programs supporting women across the country: ELLA Express, a program to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to launch their business; ELLA Ascend, which supports early-stage businesses; and ELLA Altitude, which supports national and international scale-ups Learn more about ELLA’s funding programs
York takes leadership in sustainable procurement
York University is a leader in social procurement – a process that considers how buying goods and services can positively impact the social well-being of communities and assist in reducing poverty, promoting economic and social inclusion, and supporting local economic development and social enterprises A new working group has been launched by Strategic Procurement Services to build awareness of and advocacy for social and equitable procurement practices across the university, creating impact across the province in developing sustainable supply chains One endeavour within this initiative is the Anchor YU course, highlighting the ways participants can champion social procurement within their respective staff roles alongside to contribute to community wealthbuilding and engagement This approach is strongly
reflected in the establishment of the Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) Accelerator Lab research unit within the George Weston Ltd Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains, Schulich School of Business The lab’s focus includes delivering innovative practitioner-oriented research, developing new tools and best practices to monitor global SPP implementation and impact, and creating new educational resources to address expertise gaps across public entities This enhances York’s established reputation in encouraging corporate social responsibility and working with local communities on current and future development opportunities Learn more about the Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) Accelerator Lab
International project promotes healthy cities and transportation
School of Kinesiology & Health Science Professor Alison Macpherson and postdoctoral visitor Emily McCullogh travelled to Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, to collaborate on CapaCITY/É, a joint project focusing on sustainable transportation interventions The CapaCITY/É project, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Australia’s National Health & Medical Research Council, is comprised of population and public health researchers from 10 jurisdictions across Canada and Australia – including York University Its goal is to explore transportation infrastructure with safe and inclusive design to support the uptake of walking, cycling and using public transit CapaCITY/É will lead analyses of implementation processes and outcomes, health equity and mobility impacts, as well as develop a novel framework to guide this meaningful work across cities and urban environments All ages and abilities (AAA) and speed management investments are key built environment changes that the CapaCITY/É team are looking at Learn more about this project
LA&PS prof harnesses potential of genomic medicine
Ian Stedman of the School of Public Policy & Administration is a co-applicant on a $15-million project that aims to disrupt the current health-care model through the development of a first-of-its-kind national genomics database The Pan-Canadian Human Genome Library (PCHGL), funded through a five-year grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, will bring together human genome sequencing initiatives across the nation to enhance the collective well-being of people in Canada The project provides an opportunity to empower patient partners in various aspects of the initiative and seeks to ensure their voices are heard in matters regarding technical decisions, ethics and policymaking The team already has commitments from a few groups willing to share – with patient consent – genomic data The hope is that within two years, the PCHGL will be close to launching Learn more about this project
How we Change the Future
COMMUNITY
SEXGEN committee responsible for advising and advocating around issues and concerns of sexual and gender diversity
25 years of hosting the UNESCO Chair for Reorienting education for sustainable development.
53,450 students including 9,300+ international students from over 178 countries
59 York research chairs, 37 Canada research chairs, 39 research centres.
350 global experiential learning partners and partnerships in over 60 countries
SUCCESS
$550,000+ in funding for international visiting research trainees (Mitacs & GAC)
Undergraduate graduation rate: 68.9% and undergraduate retention rate: 87.6%
$100M in total scholarships and bursaries 2023/24
Undergraduate employment rates: 6 months: 82.3% and 2 years: 92.7%
