Research
A research team from the Alliance Manchester Business School and Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIOIR) is working on a project for The Productivity Institute: ‘Addressing the net-zero and productivity challenges: How could the housing and construction sector play a key role?’. The team is looking to develop a more precise understanding of the productivity challenges in the construction sector and hope to uncover ways in which more sustainable practices can deliver productivity improvements. The research project focuses on solutions for the UK market and involves extensive collaboration with industry. Importantly, the ultimate aim is to help advance towards the UK’s net-zero target and improve productivity growth targets.
The University Living Lab applies the expertise of students to real-world sustainability challenges through developing student research projects with external organisations to help meet sustainability goals. The University Living Lab was created after Dr Jennifer O’Brien from our University’s School of Environment, Education and Development and Academic Lead for Sustainability Teaching and Learning was awarded a Higher Education and SDGs Challenge Grant by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). In 2022, over 40,000 staff and students at our University were nominated for The Earthshot Prize for their practical action on climate change. The Earthshot Prize utilizes the massive global force for sustainability to produce change whilst shaping the decision makers of the future. In the last two years, the University has saved CO2 through active travel, shaped municipal climate change policy, increased biodiversity and enabled ethical consumption whilst empowering and equipping the future workforce of a net zero world.
Learning and students
Each year, the University’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH) hosts the ‘Talking Science Competition’ where second year undergraduate students and above are invited to share their ideas on how science can create a healthier, fairer and greener world, creating a unique opportunity to talk about a subject that really matters to them. Winners are selected by a panel made up of Faculty academic and professional services staff, alumni and sci comms students.
Every Year we host the annual Sustainability Challenge Photography competition where we ask students to submit a picture that raises awareness of a sustainability issue that they are passionate about. Alongside this, the challenge encourages students to express their opinions and critically engage with issues relating to climate change.
Public engagement
A free exhibition at Manchester Central Library curated by University of Manchester Art Gallery and Museum Studies students invites people to consider how materials have shaped medicine and healthcare, from the 19th century to the present day. The exhibition demonstrates how scientific knowledge has advanced the instruments and equipment used within medicine to suit sterilisation and disinfection standards. The displays also illustrates how new materials help healthcare become more accessible and question the affect they have on our planet.
Our University finishes top 5 in the UK and first in Greater Manchester in a global cycling competition for Cycle September. Staff and students cycled almost 19,000 miles across over 2,000 rides, with over 2 tons of CO2 avoided by cycling instead of driving.
Operations
Our University regularly donates abandoned bikes to local charities to support important community initiatives that aim to reduce the number of bikes that end up in landfills. The local charities refurbish and repair the bikes to sell at an affordable price, or give them away at no extra cost to those in need. By ensuring we manage abandoned bikes effectively, it not only frees up space in the shelter and Sheffield stands, but also enables us to support important community initiatives.
Manchester University Press (MUP) regularly works with audiobook producer ‘Sound Understanding’ on many titles to make the daily lives of readers more sustainable. MUP’s audiobook programme focuses on releasing books aimed at a general readership interested in society and the world around us. MUP is committed to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as part of its social responsibility strategy.