York campus birds honoured in latest University World Rankings

Longboi the international superstar


The University of York was the subject of glowing praise for its “rich variety of wildlife” in the new Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2021.

 

Despite finishing in joint 133rd place, along with the University of Pittsburgh, the University of York was acknowledged for its abundance of flora and fauna across two campuses, leading to praise from The Times that the institution “champions biodiversity…within its lake, wetlands, tree trail and bird sanctuary”.

Via Instagram @longboiyork

Having been founded in 1963, York is one of the youngest universities to feature in these rankings, which list the top 150 institutions for higher education in the world.

York’s support of women scientists is also acknowledged. This is mentioned in reference to the 13 Athena Swan awards the institution has received thanks to their sustained commitment and support for women in this sector.

Other rankings of note include York’s impressive position of 10th for its impact on academic research in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, where it also obtained 14th place overall.

Students of York are known to revel in the campus’ nature-friendly environment, championing the geese native to campus as their own. However, they know full well to keep away from the lake, with all sorts of unknown horrors lurking in the murky green water.

Thankfully, York’s beloved geese have at last caught the attention of national media, after years of being the unsung heroes of Heslington. Although they have been missed in recent months, the geese will be given a warm welcome when some students return to York this month, with the academic year to start as normal in September.

 

Image Credits: @longboiyork & Bella Wild

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• All the new societies you can join this year at York

Students told to ‘remain vigilant’ as security breach affects University of York

• Why online exams are the best thing to come out of lockdown