Staff and research students have been sharing their thoughts about how we engage with the public in our research, teaching and cultural activities recently as part of the renewal of our Gold Engage Watermark granted by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE). It is now time for us to renew our award and we have a final call for your support. If you are a member of staff or a research student, please take part in this survey by 31 March to share how well you think we support public engagement. 

On social inclusion, our Careers Service team have opened applications to Behind Manchester’s Doors – programme designed to support widening participation students with their employability. On 19 April we will be screening a premiere of the documentary After the Flood, which explores the role of the 18th century church in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the lasting impact of colonialism on modern society. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Directorate is inviting care-experienced students to We Belong – an event with our former Chancellor and Honorary Professor of Creative Writing Lemn Sissay. And our current Chancellor, Nazir Afzal OBE, delivered an impassioned contribution to our recent International Women’s Day (IWD) event.  

On prosperous communities, we’ve announced four new projects that have received a share of millions of pounds through the Greater Manchester Innovation Accelerator. The projects focus on the cutting-edge technologies around genomics, medical diagnostics, advanced materials and artificial intelligence and will support business innovation to improve Greater Manchester’s economic, social, health and environmental outcomes. And one year on from the publication of a report into the effects of Airbnb on housing in Manchester, housing organisations and University of Manchester academics are now collaborating around the need for new national legislation to protect housing. 

On better health, we are developing a major new partnership with the Kenyan government to make step changes in healthcare improvement. We’ve been using brain games to celebrate pioneering neuroscience research in Manchester. Raj Ariyaratnam, Professor of Dental Education and Global Oral Health, and Academic Clinical Lead for Oral Medicine, is actively ensuring we maintain and expand our international dentistry partnerships through his work overseas. Revised Standards for Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) have been developed with themes on inclusive opportunities, respectful relationships, and communications. A new Health Tech Matters podcast about technology and healthcare has been launched by the Christabel Pankhurst Institute. And the University is one of two pilot universities for ‘The Staying Safe Programme’ (TSSP), a new drug education initiative that aims to educate students about drug use and minimise associated harms.

On environmental sustainability, we’ve published a report into the climate impact of our endowment investments, revealing that by 31 July 2022, the carbon intensity of our endowment equity investment portfolio reduced by 55% from 2019, largely from the effects of our divestment from fossil fuels.  Professor Jamie Woodward has recently been engaging in public discourse around water companies and the lack of information citizens receive about their sewage discharge practices.  Our Sustainable Materials Innovation (SMI) Hub has been working with the Environmental Services Unit to produce compost used on campus grounds. And Sport have announced a partnership with JOGON, reducing the number of trainers being sent to landfills. 

Finally, on cultural engagement, a new video podcast exploring multilingualism and linguistic diversity across the globe has launched, as part of Manchester City of Literature’s International Mother Language Day 2023 celebrations. Ramadan Mubarak to everyone who is celebrating: we were delighted to hold our second Iftar – an evening of friendship and conversation across faiths and cultures – at our Manchester Museum where attendees could witness or participate in the traditional call to prayer break the fast together with delicious food. School children from across Greater Manchester visited Manchester Museum as part of British Science in March where our Biological Services Facility (also known as our animal research unit) engaged children, parents and teachers so they could ask detailed questions about animal research and the type of studies the BSF carries out. The Whitworth launched Care Lab in March – an AHRC funded project bringing together arts, health and social care researchers and practitioners together to explore care aesthetics. John Rylands Research Institute and Library is organising a Compassion and Care two day conference to bring together scholars, historians and practitioners to explore the experiences of children and young people in care through history. The Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre organised another Girls Night Out as part of International Women’s Day and are busy with preparations for the annual bluedot festival on 20-23 July. Manchester University Press (MUP) have launched a new podcast One Book at a Time. An international smartphone competition run by our Manchester China Institute and Creative Manchester is now open, with smartphone owners in the UK or China invited to submit photos on the theme of ‘family treasures’ by the evening of Wednesday 12 April. And the University’s Linguistic Diversity Collective, Creative Manchester and Manchester Museum are collaborating to hold a language-themed museum trail during the Easter holidays. 

As we navigate the current cost of living crisis, supporting our communities remains as important as ever. Our student volunteers play a key role in this – and this year’s Student Volunteering Week highlighted the positive impact they have across our local communities. And whether you’re a student, staff, alumnus or external friend of the University, please feel free to get involved in any of our upcoming events, exhibitions, conferences, lectures and performances by checking out our ever-evolving events programme.  

Dr Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility