Here are our top five Social Responsibility stories from the past month, celebrating the people and ideas making a positive difference across our University community. 

Firstly, our refreshed Stellify Award has launched for the new academic year. It gives undergraduate students more flexibility than ever to shape their own development, with more than 150 activities to choose from across the four themes of making a difference, becoming a global citizen, developing my skills and shaping my future. Through getting involved with Stellify, students can develop a strong sense of ethical, social and environmental responsibility while making a positive contribution to society. 

Secondly, we’re spotlighting the Innovation Festival. This event brought together researchers, students, entrepreneurs, investors and civic leaders to explore how ideas can become impact, showcasing the innovation taking place across the University and creating opportunities for new collaborations. 

Thirdly, we’re also marking Black History Month throughout October. This year’s theme is “Honouring our Communities”, and there’s a brilliant programme of events, from poetry workshops to seminars and lectures with guest speakers, inviting students, colleagues and the public to reflect, connect and celebrate together.  

Fourthly, from 17 October to 7 November, the Festival of Social Science returns with free events exploring money, finance and the cost of living, situating social science research in conversation with the everyday challenges facing individuals and communities. 

Finally, a new film celebrates Manchester’s Research Platforms: Creative Manchester, Digital Futures, Healthier Futures and Sustainable Futures. The film captures the breadth and depth of research expertise here at the University, showing how the Research Platforms bring people, disciplines and ideas together to tackle society’s most pressing problems and turn research into public good.