Goal 2: Learning and students

The University’s learning and student activities play a key role in our approach to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Here’s a wider showcase of our work addressing Goal 2.

360 Degree Tour of University Botanical Gardens

The Firs, our botanical garden, is located on the University’s Fallowfield Campus where it is currently used to aid environmental research. The state of the art greenhouse facilities within the gardens are also used for issues relating to food security and climate change. The interactive 360 degree tour enables viewers to explore the greenhouse, select plants and learn interesting facts about them. The virtual tour is also an excellent online resource for both adults and children to learn about the various biomes located at The Firs. Additional information about habitats, photosynthesis and climate change are also available on the tour.

Manchester Central Foodbank

Since its inception in 2013, the UK’s first student-led and campus-based foodbank, Manchester Central Foodbank, has helped thousands of local citizens with food insecurity.

This included developing an online store and delivery system for vulnerable and isolated people, and providing 70,000 meals during the pandemic in 2020.

Study programmes

Our BA Geography students undertake a Food and Farming unit covering hunger, ethical consumerism, environmental sustainability, animal rights and social equity.

Biosciences undergraduates take a Plants for the Future unit exploring how plant biology can address social and environmental challenges.

Through a Green Biotechnology unit, students engage with the latest developments in sustainable food production, energy generation and pharmaceutical production.