North America
We’re proud of our wide-ranging North American collaborations.
Long-standing collaborations
From our historic links with Dr Martin Luther King Jr to cutting-edge research on the intersection of food, health and climate, we're proud of our transatlantic connections.
We work across North America with:
- academic institutions
- students
- community leaders
- businesses and enterprises
- non-profit organisations
We are also proud to welcome more than 200 students from North America. They contribute to our academic excellence and global university community.
Newcastle and Pittsburgh - a global placed-based partnership
Newcastle and Pittsburgh universities are working with partners around the world to help shape a sustainable, just and inclusive future.
Newcastle University will host the partnership’s second collaborative conference on 19 - 20 October 2022. It will explore and share best practices on how universities advance place-based approaches through community and student engagement. The conference will also look at how to measure impact and show accountability.
Healthier lives, healthier planet
Newcastle University is partnering with UC Davis to deliver a joint online course for students at both institutions. The focus is around the UN Sustainable Development Goals of:
- zero hunger (2)
- good health and wellbeing (3)
- climate action (13)
The course allows postgraduate students to work together across continents. They can draw on the latest research exploring links between food, health and climate.
Commitment to social justice
We are committed to embedding our core values of social justice and equality, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. Newcastle University has a long-standing tradition of honouring social justice campaigners.
In 1967 we awarded an honorary degree to Dr Martin Luther King Jr, the only UK University to do so during his lifetime.
The naming of The Frederick Douglass Centre is a continuation of the legacy work that began in 2017. Newcastle University commemorated the 50th anniversary of Dr King’s visit and Frederick Douglass’ stay in Newcastle in 1846.
To continue advancing our social justice goals, we signed a MoU with the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience in November 2021. This strategic partnerships supports:
- student internships with member sites
- joint workshops and professional development
- knowledge exchange
Archaeologists date earliest known occupation of North America
A team of archaeologists led by Newcastle University analysed ancient coprolites (fossilised excrement). This confirmed the earliest known humans in the Americas were from a pre-Clovis culture near Oregon in North America. It dated back more than 12,000 years.
Find out more about earliest known occupation of North America
Advancing the study of Anthropocene
Academics from Newcastle University have developed a research network with:
- Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
- University of Leicester
- University of Exeter
They will explore the concept that we are living in a new geological era. Humans are altering the planet to such an extent that we are leaving a ubiquitous and permanent mark on the earth’s biological, hydrological, atmospheric and geological systems.
The Anthropocene Research Group has focussed its time on devising collaborations with local communities and municipal authorities in fields such as:
- food safety
- water quality
- traffic
- textile industry
Global opportunities
Newcastle University sponsors a wide range of exchange programmes with institutions across North America such as McGill University, University of Pittsburgh and University of Ottawa. We also champion virtual exchanges and collaborative online international learning opportunities with IUPUI.
We offer opportunities to travel to North America and other global destinations through:
- exchanges
- summer programmes
- volunteering
- work opportunities
International students
If you are an international student from North America, visit our International Students website.
You’ll find information about entry requirements, scholarships and more for your country.
International Coalition of Sites of Conscience
We have a strategic partnership with the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC). We’ve placed student interns at several ICSC member sites, including Preservation Virginia’s Scotchtown in the USA. Students actively promote social justice and a universal culture of human rights. They work to:
- empower marginalised communities
- counter hate speech and violent extremism
- preserve the memory of victims of human rights violations
