About us
Our commitment to social responsibility is seen in the difference we make to society and the environment through our teaching, research, public engagement and operations – locally, nationally and internationally.
We’re unique among UK universities in having social responsibility as a core goal in our strategic plan, Our Future.
Our commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals is unmatched. We’re the only university in the world to rank in the top ten for social and environmental impact in every year of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings). Our social responsibility activities capture our unique Manchester spirit, motivating communities to research, teach and share their ideas and students to study with us.
We inspire, and are inspired by, our place in the thriving city-region of Greater Manchester, which is reflected in our strategic commitment to civic engagement.
Our social responsibility activities capture our unique Manchester spirit and heritage as England’s first civic university.
We undertake pioneering research that addresses grand societal challenges such as inequality, public health and sustainability. We attract talented individuals from all backgrounds and nations and support them to be responsible leaders and citizens of tomorrow.
We involve the public in our work and share our knowledge widely. And we manage our campus operations – our people, our resources and our estate – in ways that create social and environmental value.
We opened up university education to the working classes and removed religious tests for entry in the 19th century. Our former student Christabel Pankhurst established equal voting rights for women with the suffragettes.
We employed Britain’s first black professor, the Nobel laureate Sir Arthur Lewis. And we developed breakthroughs that have transformed lives in the areas of computing, cancer treatment, particle physics and two-dimensional materials.
Our priorities
Our Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement Plan has five priorities: social inclusion, prosperous communities, better health, environmental sustainability and cultural engagement.
Our plan
Download a copy of our Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement Plan.