Winners and highly commended 2026
We received over 140 entries for the 2026 Awards, and the judges had a very challenging task in selecting a shortlist.
Below is a full list of all the winning and highly commended entrants in each of the categories. The winners and highly commended entrants were announced at our Awards ceremony on 6 May 2026.
Outstanding benefit to society through research
Winner
Transforming Psychosis Care with Digital Innovation – CareLoop
John Ainsworth, Sandra Bucci and Shôn Lewis, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health; School of Health Sciences
Psychosis care faces a fundamental mismatch between need and delivery: most patients are reviewed only twice a year, and around 80% relapse over time. This project addressed that gap by developing a digital system that shifts care from crisis response to proactive prevention. CareLoop Health, a University of Manchester spin-out, is a NHS-endorsed digital therapeutic built on over a decade of clinical trials. The digital app offers real time symptom tracking that acts as an early warning system to predict when there is going to be a relapse. Secondly, it provides people with digital access to online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy support. CareLoop halves relapse risk, reduces admissions and is now being rolled out across multiple NHS trusts, supporting national and global scale-up.
Emerging impact winner
Intergenerational movement-building for more just urban futures
Daniela Cocco Beltrame and 25 co-researchers from the SDI Network, Faculty of Humanities; Global Development Institute
This participatory action research project co-produced knowledge with young people in informal settlements to strengthen urban social movements tackling inequality. Working with 25 youth co-researchers from five settlements in Nairobi and Harare, all members of the Slum Dwellers International network, the year-long process explored young people’s motivations, visions for change and roles in transforming their cities. Through 36 workshops, interviews, mapping and community feedback sessions, the project produced two co-authored city-level reports shared with academic and practitioner audiences.
Highly commended
Music in Mind: Transforming dementia care through a moments-based lens
Professor John Keady, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health; School of Health Sciences
Music in Mind (MIM) is a 20-week improvised music programme transforming dementia care through creativity and connection. Co-developed by Professor Keady in partnership with Manchester Camerata, the programme has been shaped by his research on “moments” as a conceptual framework: creating the moment, being in the moment, ending the moment and reliving the moment. Recognising each moment as personally meaningful has informed session design and refined MIM’s music therapy techniques. The work has established music cafés in local communities, co-designed scalable sessions with care homes, trained dementia champions, and launched a commissioning toolkit embedding music-based interventions in health and care systems, reaching over 11,000 participants.
Dalton Nuclear Policy Group
Faculty of Science and Engineering, Dalton Nuclear Institute
The Dalton Nuclear Policy Group (DNPG) provides independent, evidence-based insight to inform complex UK nuclear policy decisions critical to achieving Net Zero. DNPG brings together senior academics, industry leaders and researchers to translate research into accessible, policy-focused outputs. Since 2021, it has published influential papers on plutonium management, nuclear siting and renewables integration, directly shaping government debate. The Group has briefed Ministers and over 70 Department for Energy Security and Net Zero officials, contributed to policy roundtables, and developed a widely used decision-making toolkit, positioning the University as a trusted national partner.
Outstanding teaching innovation in social responsibility
Winner
Be Aware, Be Empowered
Sarah Knighton and Harsha Parmar, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health; School of Medical Sciences
Be Aware, Be Empowered embeds service-learning within pharmacy professional skills teaching to strengthen students’ confidence in leading cancer awareness conversations. Through a full-day training programme, co-delivered with volunteers from the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, students develop clinical knowledge, empathy and culturally sensitive communication skills. They learn to promote breast, testicular and bowel cancer awareness, support self-checking, and address barriers to early detection. Students then deliver campus awareness events, engaging the public in supportive health discussions.
Highly commended
Student-led Vaping Awareness PSHE Lessons in Primary Schools
Rebecca Marks and Dr Eleanor Balmer, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health; School of Health Sciences
This project delivers an innovative service-learning placement in which Graduate Entry medical students teach vaping awareness in local primary schools. Developed in response to requests from schools and a national absence of age-appropriate primary-level PSHE resources on vaping, the placement embeds social responsibility within the medical programme. Through structured, community-based teaching, students develop public health advocacy skills, communication with children and an understanding of health inequalities. Students act as positive role models, while schools gain high-quality, reusable resources to address an emerging health and wellbeing concern.
Transformative Oncology: transforming cancer outcomes through education
The Transformative Oncology design, development and delivery team, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health; School of Medical Sciences
The MSc Transformative Oncology is a fully online, part-time programme designed for working professionals aiming to transform cancer care. Developed by leading Manchester experts, it bridges cutting-edge science and clinical practice to advance precision oncology and improve patient outcomes. The curriculum emphasises diversity across patients, tumours and treatment access, alongside patient and public involvement, global inequalities and sustainability. Flexible, authentic assessments accommodate varied professional and educational backgrounds. In three years, 76 students from clinical, research, policy and industry settings have enrolled, reporting tangible changes in practice as they apply new knowledge directly within their workplaces to drive improvement in cancer care.
Outstanding contribution to social and environmental impact through entrepreneurship
Winner
Green Careers Mission
Greater Manchester Civic Universities Green Skills Working Group, Faculty of Humanities; Central Professional Services Division; colleagues external to the University
Green Careers Mission brings together Greater Manchester’s students, universities, employers and regional partners to address real-world environmental challenges. Developed through the Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement, it enables interdisciplinary student teams to co-create solutions to live industry briefs aligned with regional priorities such as clean energy, retrofitting and air quality. Working on genuine local challenges rather than abstract scenarios, students apply their academic knowledge in practice while developing vital green skills. Teams pitch their ideas directly to civic leaders and employers, gaining professional feedback, expanding networks and contributing to the city-region’s just transition to a more sustainable future.
Highly commended
EGSTradeHub.org: Global Platform for Inclusive, Climate-Aligned Trade
Dr Nicolette Butler, Faculty of Humanities; School of Social Sciences
EGSTradeHub.org is a global open-access platform that supports inclusive, climate-aligned trade policymaking. It brings together previously scattered evidence on Environmental Goods and Services into a single, accessible resource, addressing long-standing gaps in trade–climate knowledge. By translating complex research into clear summaries, practical guidance and digital tools, it enables under-resourced policymakers to quickly access reliable evidence and design informed, climate-responsive trade policies. Co-created with the UK Department for Business and Trade and shaped through engagement with World Trade Organization partners and stakeholders in Barbados and Thailand, the initiative strengthens equitable trade governance and advances fairer, greener global policymaking.
Accelerating Impact-Led Graphene Entrepreneurship
Graphene Innovation Engineering Centre (GEIC), Faculty of Science and Engineering
The Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) translates world‑leading graphene research into practical solutions for decarbonisation, clean water, sustainable housing and low‑impact manufacturing. Through specialist laboratories, pilot‑scale facilities and technical expertise, GEIC accelerates start‑ups and reduces time‑to‑market for deep‑tech innovation. Since its establishment, it has transformed the University of Manchester’s graphene commercialisation pipeline, contributing to more than 70 graphene ventures and enabling significant growth, investment and global impact. GEIC‑supported companies, including Graphene Innovations Manchester, Watercycle Technologies, HydroGraph and Vector Homes, are now deploying technologies that deliver measurable environmental and societal benefits in the UK and internationally.
Outstanding public engagement initiative: local/national/international engagement
Winner
Hulme Nannas: (in)visibility, community and urban change
Niamh Kavanagh and Tina Cribbin, Faculty of Humanities; School of Environment, Education and Development
Through this project, researchers at the University of Manchester collaborated with older residents in Hopton Court, a high‑rise social housing block in Hulme, to co‑produce the UK’s first “Naturally Occurring Retirement Community”. Through long‑term participatory work, the project supported tenants to identify priorities, reduce isolation and shape services that help people age well at home. This partnership led the housing association to convert a vacant flat into a resident‑run community space and supported a programme of social activities, creative workshops and public exhibitions. The project rebuilt trust between the University and local residents, improved wellbeing and established a model of best practice for engaging underserved communities.
Student Winner
Helping Infants and Parents to Protect their Oral Health (HIPPOH)
Helping Infants and Parents to Protect their Oral Health (HIPPOH) team: Zahra Shah, Haleema Khan, Esther Desouza and Maria Yusufi, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health; School of Medical Sciences
HIPPOH (Helping Infants and Parents to Protect their Oral Health) is a student-led outreach project that delivers practical advice to expectant parents in Greater Manchester. Working within antenatal centres and the MFT Hospitals’ Antenatal Programme, dental students provide accessible, preventative guidance that parents can implement from birth. By reaching families who may not routinely access dental services, the project helps to reduce early oral health inequalities. HIPPOH supports families while developing students’ communication and community engagement skills in a sustainable, transferable framework.
Highly commended
Tree of Life: How exploring diversity can create unity
Tree of Life exhibit co-development team: Suz Johnson, Binish Khatoon, Nusrat Ahmed, Mister Monroe, The Eastern Blok and the Fatima Women’s Association, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health; School of Medical Sciences
Health inequalities in breast cancer are evident in national screening programmes and primary care. In response, the Tree of Life project co developed a video installation with women from minoritised South Asian communities in Oldham. Using narrative therapy, the project created a culturally tailored and safe environment in which participants could share their experiences of identity, family and health. These authentic narratives were then transformed into a carefully crafted installation combining film, animation, music and interview. Exhibited at Manchester Museum, the work aimed to engage the public, amplify seldom heard voices and inspire communities to prioritise their health.
Rewilding Our Industrial Past: The Lower Medlock Valley
Cecilia Medupin, Sarah Cundy, David Bailey, Friends of the Medlock Valley, Faculty of Humanities; School of Arts, Languages and Culture
Researchers at the University of Manchester partnered with Friends of the Medlock Valley to transform a neglected green space in Beswick into a valued community park. Working with student volunteers, the project created one kilometre of new pathways forming Riverside and Sculpture Trails, uncovered historic cobbled streets, and installed benches, polytunnels, raised beds and a new orchard. Workshops on local history, ecology and biodiversity further strengthened community engagement. A website and QR code trail increased visibility and footfall, helping the Valley attract new visitors and partnerships. The project has empowered the community group to deliver its own events and secure future funding.
University of Manchester EHE Family Science: Curiosity Catalyst
Amanda Banks Gatenby and Sara Jackson, Faculty of Humanities; School of Environment, Education and Development
Curiosity Catalyst supports elective home‑educated (EHE) families across Greater Manchester to access hands‑on science learning, that is normally limited to schools. Co‑designed with parent volunteers, the project opens university labs, museum spaces and partner facilities to build confidence, skills and belonging for a rapidly growing EHE community. Working with Manchester Museum, SEED Labs and SEERIH, it offers science‑skills workshops, learner‑led “Science Shares” and online support through a moderated Facebook community. Since 2023, the initiative has engaged over 250 learners, created sustained pathways into STEM, empowered families to communicate science, removing access barriers for children educated outside the school system.
Outstanding public engagement initiative: contribution by our community partners (public contributors)
Winner
Driving Public Involvement in Teaching one step at a time
Lindsey Brown, Community Group
This project has transformed postgraduate scientific education by embedding working with people with lived experience directly into teaching and assessment. Over ten years, co‑designed training has helped students develop communication skills, understand patient perspectives and recognise the real‑world impact of their research. In MSc Clinical Immunology, students are trained and supported to work with public contributors, with each student meeting a patient whose lived experience aligns with their dissertation project. More than 700 students have benefited, supported by a growing community of trained contributors. The model has expanded to PhD researchers, demonstrating the value of public involvement across the research cycle.
Highly commended
Promoting Student Safety & Healthy Relationships: An ACN-SoSS project Community
Active Communities Network, Faculty of Humanities; School of Social Sciences; Colleagues external to the University
The School of Social Sciences partners with Active Communities Network to embed consent education and student safety into the first‑year experience. Each year, around 1,300–1,500 students attend interactive workshops exploring sexual consent, healthy relationships, boundaries, allyship and support services, with all participants receiving practical safety kits. Welcome Week pop‑up stands further engage students through games and activities that raise awareness of risks and available support. This proactive initiative promotes wellbeing, gender equality and a culture of respect across the School.
Outstanding public engagement initiative: Contribution by our cultural institutions
Winner
Recoverist Curators Exhibition
Dominic Bilton, Victoria Hartley, Francine Hayfron and Portraits of Recovery, The Whitworth
Recoverist Curators: Reimagining the World We Live In is a participatory exhibition at the Whitworth, co-developed with Portraits of Recovery (POR). The exhibition places recovery, rather than addiction, at the centre of its narrative and is the first of its kind in the UK. Six people in recovery, curated artworks from the Whitworth’s collection, using lived experience to challenge stigma and present recovery as creative and hopeful. An accompanying programme of participant‑led tours and activities expanded inclusion, visibility and wellbeing. With over 125,000 visitors, the project shifted representation within the gallery and introduced new recovery‑focused activity, including hosting Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Highly commended
Manchester Museum Celebrates
Lowell Wallbank, Rhianna Smith, Connor Murphy, Nusrat Ahmed, Ciaron Wilkinson, Manchester Museum
Manchester Museum Celebrates is a programme of events built around celebrations of cultural significance that are meaningful to communities within Manchester, designed to foster connection, cultural understanding and belonging in an increasingly polarised world. Developed with faith leaders, charities, community organisers and researchers, it brings thousands of people together for celebrations linked to cultural traditions represented in the Museum’s collections. Events such as community Iftars, Lunar New Year, Eid, Vaisakhi, Diwali, Vesak, Africa Day and the Mid‑Autumn Festival provide inclusive, joyful spaces that welcome first‑time visitors and underrepresented communities. By harnessing the Museum’s convening power, the programme breaks down barriers to engagement, strengthens long‑term partnerships and promotes mutual understanding across Manchester’s diverse communities.
Outstanding contribution to equality, diversity and inclusion
Winner
The Relaxed Graduation
Relaxed Graduation Ceremony Team – A Partnership with the Students’ Union and Student and Academic Services, A mix of staff and students from across the University
The University’s first Relaxed Graduation Ceremony created an accessible, inclusive celebration for students and guests who might find traditional ceremonies overwhelming. Co-designed by the Graduation Team, Students’ Union Officers and the Disabled Students’ Society, the event followed extensive research to understand student needs. The ceremony featured a smaller cohort of fifty graduates, a quieter atmosphere, inclusive design elements and a dedicated Quiet Room, followed by an informal reception. Its thoughtful, collaborative approach enabled graduates with neurodiversity, mental health challenges or disabilities to participate in a key university milestone. The event received exceptional engagement and ensured a positive, memorable experience for students and their families.
Highly commended
Decolonial Praxis
Professor Toni Haastrup, Dr Meghan Tinsley and Professor Andreja Zevnik, Faculty of Humanities; School of Social Sciences
The Decolonial Praxis Project challenges colonial legacies in higher education. The project reshapes how we collaborate across borders when engaging in research and teaching, by centring Global Majority expertise, challenging extractive partnerships, and co‑creating equitable approaches to knowledge production. Working with partners in Accra, Nairobi and Pretoria, the initiative brings together staff, students and artivists through collaborative workshops and community‑based convenings that value locally rooted knowledge. Key outputs include an open‑access decolonial toolkit, practical guidance for ethical international partnerships, and a University‑hosted living archive. The project strengthens partner‑led agendas, increases confidence to challenge exclusionary curricula and practices, and creates sustainable structures for ongoing collaboration and pedagogical change.
Women’s Speaking Club: Building, Voice, Confidence and Visibility
Emma Shiels, Lin Ma, Molly Lacey, Laura Earnshaw-Jones, Hannah Murphy, Suhani Kochar, Bharti Gupta, Lana Lai, Hannahruth Roberts, A mix of academic and Proffesional Services colleagues from across the University
The Women’s Speaking Club was created in response to staff demand for a safe and supportive space to build confidence in public speaking. Designed to address an EDI need, it supports women and less visible colleagues to strengthen their voice in meetings, presentations and leadership contexts. The Club offers regular interactive sessions combining practical coaching, structured speaking practice and constructive peer feedback. It has delivered 15 sessions and reached more than 900 staff, helping participants develop communication skills, increase confidence and take on more visible opportunities. The initiative also fosters community, belonging and cross‑role peer support across the University.
Outstanding professional services for social responsibility
Winner
Martin Harris Centre Breaking Barriers
Alex Shaw, Faculty of Humanities; Martin Harris Centre for Music
Over the past decade, the Martin Harris Centre has developed from an initial dementia friendly project into a wide-ranging programme to improve accessibility, inclusion and community engagement. The Martin Harris Centre now delivers relaxed performances with BSL interpretation, intergenerational music activities, school partnerships, and regular outreach in SEND and community settings. Work with Manchester Museum, Manchester City Council and GM Libraries has expanded its reach, while accessibility audits, staff training and adapted marketing have strengthened its inclusive practice. The project enhances wellbeing, reduces inequality and creates meaningful opportunities for students, staff and local communities.
Highly commended
School of Social Sciences Menospace: Supporting a Menopause-Friendly workplace
SoSS Social Responsibility team: Sarah Tiffany-Dodman, Noemie Rouault, Holly Wright, Stephanie Jones, Faculty of Humanities; School of Social Sciences
The SoSS Menospace initiative supports staff and postgraduate students navigating menopause and perimenopause in the School of Social Sciences. It offers informal meet ups, a digital community space, funded bone density scans, a curated book collection, and wellbeing kits that promote proactive health management and reduce stigma. Over 75 colleagues have engaged so far, with 45 benefiting from the bone density scans. The initiative supports proactive health management and has helped to create a safe, inclusive environment where staff and postgraduate students can discuss menopause openly, reducing stigma and isolation.
Outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability and a zero carbon future
Winner
The Bee Cup Scheme
The Bee Cup Team, Central Professional Services Division
The Bee Cup is a free reusable cup scheme launched by the University of Manchester Hospitality and Events team to cut the 250,000 disposable cups used on campus each year. Using Vytal technology, users borrow a cup through an app and return it within 14 days, achieving a 99.2 percent return rate. In its first five months, the scheme removed over 40,000 cups from waste and saved 3,500 kg of CO₂, with more than 6,000 users and 70,000 checkouts. The scheme has since expanded to Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music and is now growing to include reusable bowls for student dining.
Student winner
RooTable
Grace Garrick, Amelie Anastasakis, Flavia Vigliotti, George Wilson, University of Manchester Students’ Union
RooTable is a student led sustainable food initiative that grows organic produce using low waste, regenerative methods and donates it to community partners across Greater Manchester. Based at the Firs Botanical Gardens and Environmental Research Station, students take part in weekly gardening sessions that build practical skills in planting, harvesting, seed saving and food preservation. Fresh food produced by student volunteers is delivered by bike to organisations such as Emmeline’s Pantry and Healthy Me Healthy Communities. RooTable promotes food justice, reduces food insecurity and strengthens low carbon urban food networks while supporting student learning and wellbeing.
Highly commended
Leading environmental change in Radiotherapy
Dr Rob Chuter, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; School of Medical Sciences
The “Leading Environmental Change in Radiotherapy” initiative addresses the environmental impact of radiotherapy by evaluating and reducing the carbon footprint of clinical practice and research activity. Research shows that patient travel accounts for around 70 percent of the radiotherapy pathway’s emissions, leading to recommendations such as hypofractionation to reduce travel without compromising care. The initiative also assessed the carbon costs of international conferences, identifying air travel as the largest contributor and proposing sustainable alternatives. This work has informed national and European practice, supporting a multi-institutional working group and influencing greener approaches across radiotherapy centres.
BikoBikes
Will Renny, Owen Ineson, Court Harding, Scarlett Henderson, Isaac Law, University of Manchester Students’ Union
Biko Bikes is a student run workshop that makes cycling affordable, accessible and sustainable for students and colleagues. By restoring abandoned and donated bikes, offering low cost repairs and providing free second hand parts, the initiative reduces waste and removes financial barriers to active travel. The team delivers weekly repair sessions where bikes are fixed at cost neutral rates using reclaimed components, ensuring safety and extending bike life. A dedicated training session supports new volunteers and restores bikes for rental at just £1 per week. In a semester, volunteers typically complete over 500 repairs and rent out around 20 restored bikes, helping students travel safely, cheaply and sustainably to university.
Outstanding contribution to widening access and student success
Winner
Transforming the Commuter Student Experience at Manchester
The Commuter Student Engagement Team, Faculty of Humanities; Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Faculty of Science and Engineering; Central PS Division and University of Manchester alumni
Commuter students, who make up around 20% of undergraduates, have historically faced lower continuation, reduced peer networks and limited sense of belonging. This initiative reframes commuter students as a widening participation cohort and delivers institution-wide, student co created support to address structural disadvantage. The programme introduces postcode-based peer mentoring, tailored pre arrival engagement, dedicated commuter spaces and student partnership through a commuter society. Now supporting around 9,000 students annually, it has closed the long standing continuation gap, improved preparedness and belonging, and secured over £220,000 of institutional investment.
Highly commended
The Very Local Maths Project
The Very Local Maths Team, Faculty of Science and Engineering; Faculty of Humanities; School of Natural Sciences and Manchester Institue of Education
Very Local Maths (VLM) supports young people from disadvantaged communities who are disengaged from school mathematics, particularly those with SEND. Working with seven young people in Moss Side, an area affected by knife crime and exploitation, the project co‑designed creative workshops in photography, music, art, and employment to rebuild mathematical confidence and engagement outside school. Sessions connected everyday creative practices with mathematical ideas and culminated in a community showcase and wider peer sessions. VLM has increased educational engagement, reduced vulnerability to exploitation, and opened new volunteering opportunities. The project is now partnering with MathsWorldUK to scale to 180 young people over two years.
Supporting the UCAS personal statement reform to widen participation
Tom Fryer, Faculty of Humanities; School of Environment, Education and Development
UCAS personal statements are a barrier for applicants with less support and guidance. This project supported UCAS’ reform of the personal statement from the long-form essay structure to three structured questions. An evidence-based redesign of Causeway Education’s online platform helped 14,600 students navigate the new structured questions. Training and resources were delivered to over 200 teachers, including through Advancing Access, The Sutton Trust and more than 20 schools and colleges in Greater Manchester. Tools and guidance were also created for admissions professionals to improve transparency and challenge common myths. Through coordinated work with applicants, teachers and universities, the project has strengthened fairer admissions practices and contributed to widening participation across the system.
Outstanding alumni contribution to social responsibility
Winner
Services to children and their families in Manchester
Hannah Broughton MBE, University of Manchester alumna
Hannah, a University of Manchester alumna founded Twinkleboost, a charity equipping new parents from socio‑economically deprived backgrounds with the skills to support their child’s early communication and improve life outcome. She went on to co‑create The Therapeutic Forest, a social enterprise offering clinically led outdoor training and therapeutic woodland programmes, and Climbing Calm, which delivers accessible climbing sessions for autistic young people. Together, these organisations now support over 15,000 people each year. Their work ranges from trauma‑aware outdoor practice training to nature‑based dementia care and SEND family support.
Highly commended
Inclusive Metaverse Classroom Model for Access & Student Success
Zahy Ramadan, University of Manchester alumna
This project delivers an inclusive metaverse‑based classroom model that protects access to higher education during conflict and disruption. Built in Lebanon, it removes barriers linked to mobility, safety, infrastructure instability, and disability, enabling students to attend, collaborate, and be assessed through flexible hybrid pathways. Over 18 months, the model introduced a repeatable hybrid‑by‑design architecture, inclusive assessment methods, wellbeing‑centred community practices, and a full teaching toolkit for staff. It improved attendance to nearly 90 percent, achieved 100 percent course completion, strengthened belonging, and supported hybrid team projects.
DICE: Deaf Inclusion & Communication Engagement
Ryan Brewer, University of Manchester alumna
DICE (Deaf Inclusion and Communication Engagement) tackles language deprivation and social isolation among deaf children in Bolton. During school holidays, many children face long periods without meaningful communication at home, risking setbacks in language, confidence, and social development, and mainstream holiday clubs often cannot meet the needs of deaf children with high support requirements. In response, Ryan Brewer created DICE’s inclusive Communication Clubs, providing free transport and activities so children can communicate in BSL or sign‑supported methods. Between 2023 and 2024 the charity delivered more than 2,750 hours of support.
