The White Rose University Consortium relaunches today with a new vision and mission focused on enabling individuals to thrive across three universities in Yorkshire. A strategic partnership between the universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York, the Consortium will support professional services colleagues and researchers, from postgraduate researchers to academics, by providing career development activities, fostering vibrant networks, championing cultural change and leading impactful projects.

This year, the Consortium will offer a new suite of career development programmes designed to equip individuals with the skills and confidence they need to navigate their career journeys successfully. Programmes launching this year include:

• Equity in Leadership – co-created with global majority staff to foster diversity in higher education leadership.
• Crucible programme – bringing together early career academics to create interdisciplinary opportunities.
• Prosper programme – supporting postdocs to proactively manage their career development within a supportive community.

White Rose will also be working with the Leeds Career Service to facilitate a PhD Careers Fair for all postgraduate researchers across the partner universities.

Alongside career development, White Rose’s new vision commits to strengthening communities across the partner institutions. The Consortium is building and promoting networks as well as a searchable database of colleagues who are working with White Rose to foster a sense of belonging and connection throughout the region. We are also launching the Community fund which aims to kickstart the creation of networks and communities across the institutions. 

Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of York and Chair of the White Rose University Consortium Board said:

Dr Karen Hinxman, Head of the White Rose University Consortium, added “We’re so grateful to the many individuals who contributed ideas and inspiration as we shaped the new direction for the Consortium. Their enthusiasm and keenness to collaborate really demonstrates the power of bringing together our great institutions to create practical solutions and amplify our collective voice. I look forward to creating more opportunities to work together.”

Established in 1997, the Consortium has launched various initiatives, including bottom-up research collaborations, doctoral training programmes, and library partnerships, collectively securing over £210 million in external investment. Moving forward, White Rose will actively engage with institutional, regional and national partners to propel positive change.

To find out more about the new White Rose programmes, networks and community, sign up to the Consortium newsletter or follow White Rose on LinkedIn.