Research
Each year we launch a report which highlights how we are addressing key issues facing humanity as set-out by the United Nations. As the UK’s first university to have social responsibility as a core goal, we’ve developed a strategy to tackle the SDGs in four inter-related ways: through our research, learning and students, public engagement and operations.
Our latest SDG report shows that the University published over 22,000 pieces of research on the SDGs in the past five years, which is 4% of the UK’s entire share of publications. It details teaching and learning programmes that address the SDGs, such as our ‘Creating a Sustainable World’ interdisciplinary unit.
AquaPlan is an interactive web application that helps farmers, businesses, and governments improve agricultural water management and climate adaptation, while also helping to educate students and the public about issues of water security and food sustainability. The initiative received a Making a Difference Award for its outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability and a low carbon future.
Learning and students
The Venture Further Awards is an annual start-up competition for all students and recent graduates that offers a £100,000 prize fund. The competition introduces students to a world of support programmes, workshops, mentors and networks to grow their ideas. The entries need to be a viable and credible business proposal that has the potential to succeed. If the entry is successful, the student will be asked to pitch their business proposal to a panel of expert judges for a chance to win one of the cash prizes.
The city of lifelong learning approach is a movement of people, services, and place, to connect, validate and nurture learning, to support the city economy and to promote high quality and inclusive learning, for all aspects of our life.
Manchester has become a UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning, in recognition of outstanding efforts to make lifelong learning a reality for all, with the University of Manchester as a strategic partner. The University of Manchester is proud to be leading on digital skills as part of Manchester City Council’s lifelong learning approach.
Public engagement
We have partnered with Friends of Medlock Valley, a local community group, to promote biodiversity in inner city Manchester. Home to thousands of trees and open grasslands, the Medlock Valley is one of the city’s wildest and most ignored spaces, with few signs of the state or local authorities such as bins, benches or signage. This project aims to bring the University’s expertise and resources to scale up the group’s initiatives, with a series of workshops on historical memory through soil and trees, an appraisal of its ecological assets by staff in Earth Sciences at the University, and a durable set of information boards, wayfinders and artistic installations to embed the partnership within the community for years to come.
Our Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences is working with farmers in Malawi, some of the poorest in the world, to help share knowledge about plant and soil management through delivering free workshops and building a laboratory that will be the first of its kind in the country. Malawi is ranked within the five poorest nations of the world and one of the least developed. Its agricultural sector accounts for a third of its GDP and approximately 80% of its overall exports. Agriculture clearly holds great potential for enhancing the social and economic development of communities in Malawi.
Operations
Our Valuing Nature Action Plan aims to transform the University’s estate into a thriving environment where people and wildlife coexist, addressing both the climate and ecological crises. The plan focuses on creating biodiverse green spaces across campus to support pollinators, birds, hedgehogs, and other wildlife. It also emphasizes fostering connections between nature and the wellbeing of our staff, students, and the surrounding community.
The University of Manchester was named the UK’s most sustainable University at the QS EduData Summit 2024. We were awarded the title of ‘Sustainability Champion’ in celebration of our standout achievements within the area of environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.