The Russian government’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is of ever-increasing concern as the conflict and human tragedy escalates. We know that the ongoing war is especially worrying for our Ukrainian and Russian students and colleagues with family and friends directly caught up in the conflict. Prompted by the acute need for support for students and university staff fleeing Ukraine, and similar situations around the world we have established a new £5m emergency fund to provide scholarships for students and support university staff from conflict zones, initially over the next three years. This will help to provide support initially for students and academics displaced as a result of the war in Ukraine, but is also open to those from other countries affected by armed conflict. We have set up a dedicated Ukraine Response microsite with relevant updates on our position, what we are doing, how you can help, relevant news, and connections with experts on the invasion of Ukraine.

On social inclusion, we have published initial findings into our historic links with slavery, to better reflect and learn from this history and ensure that we are not similarly engaged in reproducing racial inequalities through our investments, curriculum, research and other activity. Our Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health were #BreakingtheBias by hosting their 5th annual International Women’s Day Event, with a talk by Professor Gina Rippon. Dr Eli Krull, a researcher at the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research at the University, has co-authored a teaching case on the organisational paradox of affordable housing insurance in flood-prone areas in the UK. And this month we launched the Manchester Magistrates Initiative, a new partnership aiming to diversify the Manchester Magistrates Bench through engaging young University of Manchester student leaders.

On better health, our flagship #BeeWell programme shared initial findings from the biggest survey of its kind in the UK, with more than 160 schools and 40,000 learners helping to inform the kinds of support that young people want and need, supported by professionals and their local communities. We’ve co-chaired recommendations published for information provision to those involved in reproductive donation. To celebrate British Science Week, we launched BioDiscovery, a special website of online resources developed by researchers, lecturers, staff and students. Our academics have conducted the first major study of egg and sperm donors since the move to identity-release donation in UK clinics. In its 9th successive year, the student-led DentMan conference took place in February, attended globally by over 200 people. And our Master’s student, Haady Brendan Hajar, has been awarded a prestigious British Neuroscience Association Scholarship.

On environmental sustainability, researchers from our Sustainable Consumption Institute and Tyndall Centre have co-produced a new report, Being Brave, which aims to reduce climate impacts of food procurement. Dr Johan Oldekop from our Global Development Institute has been awarded a grant of €2 million to investigate sustainable forest transitions. Pupils across Greater Manchester have been investigating air quality in their local area, thanks to a partnership between the University and the Royal Society. And voting opens soon for our Sustainability Challenge Photography Competition.

On cultural engagement, our Manchester Museum has announced author Anita Sethi as its first ever Writer-in-Residence. The UK-China International Photography Competition, run by the University’s Manchester China Institute (MCI) and Creative Manchester, is back for the fourth consecutive year. The Whitworth have partnered up with Afrocats to open their spaces and activities to new families in the city. On World Rewilding Day, Manchester Museum announced Wild, a new exhibition coming in late 2023. And save the date for our 2022 Community Festival, taking place on Saturday 25 June on the University campus.

Rounding up a bumper month, we were delighted to contribute to the UN’s Academic Impact global SDG Awareness Week with an event on partnerships to achieve the SDGs featuring BeeWell, our Productivity Institute, Queen Elizabeth Scholars and Living Labs initiatives which you can watch here.

And finally, a ‘be there or be square’ date for your diary is our annual Making a Difference Awards on Tuesday 10 May 18.00-19.30 where everyone is invited. As his term as Chancellor comes to an end, this will be Lemn Sissay’s last time with me as presenter and we plan to offer up moments of inspiration, newly commissioned poetry and traditional slapstick (but no genuine slaps).

Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility