The University of Manchester

Co-author Dr Belén López-Pérez, Lecturer in Psychology at The University of Manchester, said: “Our findings suggest that what makes emotional support effective is less about who provides it, and more about how it is delivered. Providing people with specific, actionable steps, rather than general reassurance, is a key ingredient for effective support, whether that comes from a person or a chatbot.She added: “While a human might typically suggest going for…

Fathers who take sole responsibility for caring for their baby during parental leave are more likely to remain actively involved in childcare years later, according to major new research from The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.The five-year study found that periods of solo caregiving helped fathers develop confidence, practical parenting skills and a deeper understanding of the demands of childcare, leading to more equal sharing of work and…

Dr Chris Blount at the UK Space Agency said: “The Long Baseline Multistatic Radar (LMBR) project has been a fantastic example of innovation and collaboration by incredible UK and international talent, and an exemplar case of the capability multiplication through collaboration the International Bilateral Fund (IBF) seeks to achieve. The LBMR team have taken the thorny challenge of real time on-demand monitoring of space objects on geostationary orbit, and through…

A new study from The University of Manchester has offered the most comprehensive look to date at how the UK coordinates its response to economic crime, identifying the structural challenges that make this difficult to do well.The study examines the tensions that make these challenges resistant to easy resolution, and the enabling conditions needed for multi-agency collaboration to work more effectively. The research examined the work of the National Economic…

Researchers say children's rights and wellbeing must be placed at the heart of family court proceedingsChildren involved in private family law proceedings in England can experience serious harm to their mental and physical health because their voices are too often ignored or dismissed, according to new research led by the University of Manchester in partnership with SHERA Research Group members and The Survivor Family Network.The study argues that children are…

Andy Burnham became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom today.Styled as ‘King of the North’ for his successes as Mayor of Greater Manchester between 2017 and 2026, Burnham’s oversight of our region - which has been dubbed ‘Manchesterism’ - saw it become the fastest growing place in the UK. Now it is up to him to recreate the regional success of Greater Manchester on a national scale.As the eyes of…

The Hine study, covered by media outletscalls for policy and legal reforms, including the development of school programmes to teach children how to identify so-called “parental alienating behaviours.” The study has also been cited within official Family Justice Council guidance raising questions about the robustness of the evidence appraisal and guideline development process of the guidance, particularly given the methodological concerns with the Hine study that have since been identified.…

Honorary graduates 2026 Tim Booth[embedded content]Tim Booth is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, performer and author best known as the frontman of the band James. Over a career spanning more than four decades, James has sold more than 25 million records worldwide and earned recognition as one of Britain's most successful and enduring bands, receiving the Ivor Novello Legendary Award for songwriting. A former drama student in Manchester, Booth has also worked as…

Data collected at The University of Manchester's Air Quality Supersite has contributed to a major international study showing that increasing amounts of desert dust from North Africa are reaching Europe, with implications for public health and solar energy generation.The study, published in Nature and led by the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, found that concentrations of airborne desert dust have increased across Europe over the past decade.Researchers combined measurements from…

The report’s recommendations are centred on four priorities:1. A single, integrated data system: Creating a shared, Greater Manchester-wide view of learner journeys from education into employment, to enable better planning and accountability.2. A coordinated approach to careers and pathways: Providing a single source of truth for learners, improving understanding of both academic and technical routes and supporting informed choices.3. Employer voice embedded throughout the system: Moving to a more systematic,…

The John Rylands Library will exhibit on public display one of its most extraordinary treasures from 15 July 2026, bringing visitors face-to-face with the oldest surviving copy of Homer's Odyssey in book form anywhere in the world. The display, The Manchester Odyssey, opens just two days before the worldwide release of Sir Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film The Odyssey.Copied in Egypt in the 3rd century CE, when readers were beginning…

35 universities form new Defence Universities Alliance with the Ministry of Defence to develop new technologies and create opportunities for students and graduatesAlliance will boost defence industry skills across the UK and support vital research into new defence technologiesAlliance is part of £182 million investment in growing defence-related skills and opportunities across BritainThe University of Manchester hosted the launch of the new Defence Universities Alliance (DUA), a major UK-wide partnership…

A Netflix adaptation helped transform Heartstopper from a popular graphic novel into a global mainstream publishing success, according to new research from The University of Manchester and Princeton University.The study found that the release of Heartstopper on Netflix in April 2022 triggered a dramatic and sustained rise in book sales across eleven countries, introducing the series to new audiences and helping it break out of its original graphic-novel niche.Researchers analysed…

99% of procedures carried out in mice, fish, rats, and birds82% of procedures caused pain equivalent to, or less than, an injection69 research institutions and funders have proactively shared their 2025 animal research statisticsUnderstanding Animal Research (UAR) has published a list of the ten organisations, which includes the University of Manchester,  that carried out the highest number of animal procedures – those used in medical, veterinary, and scientific research –…

Even moderate doses — as low as 31 to 60 MME per day — were linked to a measurable increase in risk of respiratory depression.Additionally, the combination of opioids and gabapentinoids, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, was associated with a further increased risk in respiratory depression.Fentanyl’s high potency and rapid brain uptake help explain why it suppresses breathing more abruptly than other opioids.Oxycodone’s role in opioid‑related deaths in North America…

Liverpool’s year as the first UN Climate Change Accelerator City has shown that the cultural sector can be a powerful driver of climate action, but cities need the right expertise, data, governance and infrastructure to deliver lasting change, according to a new report.The evaluation, led by researchers at The University of Manchester’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), analysed nine real-world…

Universities need to rethink how they teach, assess and prepare students for employment as artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly important part of everyday life and work, according to a new study from The University of Manchester.The paper argues that AI is changing how people learn, work and make decisions, and that universities need to adapt to this new reality.The study suggests universities should move beyond concerns about plagiarism and chatbot…

We are delighted to introduce this year’s winners and their ventures –  £100,000 – SwiftCas Diagnostics We have developed simple, fast diagnostic tests that use CRISPR programmable nuclease technology to identify infections caused by a wide range of infectious agents, especially bacteria. Our approach can be easily adapted to detect different diseases, making it highly flexible. CRISPR diagnostic tests are accurate, affordable, and rapid. These tests will help doctors diagnose infections and make informed treatment decisions within hours of assessing a…

The University of Manchester will play a leading role in delivering new national infrastructure for UK life sciences.The University and the Earlham Institute have been appointed by BioFAIR to lead a new consortium to establish the Methods Commons, the first spoke of the £34 million BioFAIR programme.The Methods Commons will provide researchers with national-scale capabilities for the discovery, execution, sharing and reuse of the computational workflows, tools and notebooks that…

Researchers from The University of Manchester are advising Parliament on the growing energy and environmental impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres, as part of a new inquiry into their implications for the UK’s net zero ambitions.Data centres have been designated as critical national infrastructure due to their importance for economic growth, but their electricity consumption is projected to quadruple by 2030. The inquiry will assess how this increasing…

The way people in Manchester pronounce a single vowel sound can reveal their social class, according to new research from The University of Manchester.The study examined the pronunciation of the final vowel in words such as happy, baby, city and chilly – known by linguists as the "happy vowel".Key findingsThe pronunciation of the "happy vowel" remains one of the strongest indicators of social class in ManchesterMiddle-class speakers tend to use…

Julianne Antrobus, CEO, UKNNL, said: "I am looking forward to our collaboration with the University of Manchester moving from strength to strength as we work together to develop the next generation of nuclear talent and technology."The 2024 Strategic Review gave us a clear direction: become the partnerships-led national laboratory that government and the sector needs. One of the most important things we can do in pursuit of that is to…

This showed a promising sign that it may improve medication adherence.The findings highlight the challenges of tackling hidden non‑adherence, a problem that affects up to one in three people with high blood pressure and costs the NHS millions of pounds in unnecessary tests and treatments.The authors argue that larger trials are urgently needed to understand whether CAT‑based interventions could play a role in improving long‑term outcomes for people with hypertension.They…

Ancient Egyptian religion was not as fixed and unchanging as many people imagine, according to new research by Manchester Egyptologist Dr Huw Twiston Davies. His new book reveals that beliefs and funerary practices evolved even within a single generation, showing that ancient Egyptian religion was dynamic, adaptable and shaped by changing social priorities.The study focuses on tombs at Saqqara, one of Egypt’s most important burial sites, and explores how tomb owners…

The UK could face significant challenges if it follows the European Union's lead and introduces tougher restrictions on imports linked to deforestation, according to new research from The University of Manchester.The study examines how the EU's landmark Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) is likely to work in practice in Brazil's beef sector, which is one of the world's largest sources of beef exports and a major driver of tropical deforestation.Researchers…

Honorary graduates 2026  Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell served as President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester from 2010 to 2024, becoming the first woman to lead the institution. Her leadership strengthened the University’s role as a leading global-civic university, deepening its engagement with the city, region and international partners. An internationally recognised neuroscientist, her research has advanced understanding of brain injury and contributed to improved treatment outcomes. Alongside her academic work, she…

Atom Valley Innovation District The University is lead delivery partner in the £16.4m invested in the Atom Valley Innovation District, (AVID) a nationally significant advanced materials and manufacturing cluster. The investment will help to activate the innovation ecosystem needed to support the growth of materials-focused companies at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale.  Through the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS) within the new Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC), the programme will provide technical support, business…

Recently appointed Director of the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Professor Samra Turajlić hugely welcomes the boost in funding.She said: “Having recently left London to move to Manchester, I am delighted that Cancer Research UK recognises the level of expertise at the Institute and the power of our cancer research partnerships in Manchester.“The extra investment will make a huge difference moving forwards and will help us continue to attract the…

One of the key contributions of the study is the work around the biological pathways that might link the eye to disease in the brain, blood vessels and heart.Genetic analyses showed that eye features are linked to genes involved in neurodegenerative disease pathways, including those related to Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and broader neurodegeneration.Physiological analyses linked eye features to blood pressure, blood vessel stiffness, and the function of the heart.‘Radiomic analyses’…

Many of the problems facing the more than 134,000 households living in temporary accommodation in England today - including more than 176,000 children - are part of a pattern of failure stretching back nearly 200 years, according to a major new report.The research reveals that poor conditions, lengthy stays, placements far from schools, work and support networks, fragmented responsibility and weak accountability have been recurring features of England's temporary accommodation…

The findings also present a significant opportunity – the UK has world-leading universities, strong research capability and businesses operating at the technological frontier. The UK can build on these by strengthening talent pipelines, improving collaboration and aligning policy with business needs.Talent and skillsBusinesses reported that the constraint on talent and skills is largely one of availability, not quality.Survey responses indicate that around one in five businesses (19%) are currently experiencing…

A major new study has found patients living in England’s most deprived communities are significantly less likely to be offered ‘social prescribing’, an NHS scheme designed to connect people with community support such as exercise groups, debt advice, arts activities and social clubs.Researchers from The University of Manchester analysed primary care records from more than 12 million NHS patients, and found referrals to social prescribing services were disproportionately concentrated among…

The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup could become the ‘most polluting ever’, according to a new report examining football’s relationship with climate change.The study, released ahead of this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, claims football’s governing bodies are prioritising commercial expansion over environmental concerns, saying the sport has become deeply tied to fossil fuel interests and unsustainable growth.Delivered by The University of Manchester, Loughborough University and…

"The information environment we operate in today is vastly more complex than it was in 2010," said Professor Michael Garrett, Chair of the IAA SETI Committee. . "In an era of deepfakes, automated misinformation, and instant global connectivity, a single unverified claim could trigger confusion or panic. These new protocols ensure that scientists maintain the highest standards of evidence before making announcements to the world."Adapting to a new era of…

Empowered Conversations uses evidence based psychological and communication theories to support carers to improve relationships and reduce stress.For example, it uses Mentalisation Theory, which is about understanding our own thoughts and feelings while recognising that others have their own minds with different perspectives.Professor Berry from The University of Manchester is also Mental Health Co-Theme Lead at the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and Co-Director of the Complex Trauma and Resilience…

Bangladesh has just approved one of the largest river engineering projects its history: the Padma Barrage, a vast river-control project intended to restore water in the country’s drought-prone southwest.It comes at a dangerous moment for South Asia’s rivers. China is building the world’s largest hydropower dam upstream on the Brahmaputra, India is accelerating its own dam-building programme, and the treaty governing Ganges water-sharing between India and Bangladesh expires in December…

One of the UK’s leading experts in patient care has received the Freedom of the City of London at Guildhall today, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to, and achievements in, healthcare and medical education. A highly experienced consultant and chartered psychologist, Dame Robina Shah DBE has spent over 30 years working across healthcare, medical education, patient safety, public service, social justice, and inclusion.She is currently Professor of Psychosocial Medicine and…

Thousands more young people across England could soon have a stronger voice in shaping their wellbeing support thanks to a £5.5 million grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to #BeeWell. Since 2021, #BeeWell has already listened to the voices of almost 200,000 young people across Greater Manchester and Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, working with over 320 secondary schools.   The partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund will last until spring 2030,…

An international team of scientists has used artificial intelligence and 35 years of satellite data to uncover the shocking scale of environmental destruction in one of the world’s most important ecosystems.The research, published in Biological Conservation, found that more than 493,000 square kilometres of land - an area larger than Spain - has been damaged by deforestation and fires in the vital transition zone between the Amazon rainforest and the…

ogether, they accounted for around 28% of the outliers, offering new leads for understanding how rare mutations contribute to eye disease.The findings provide an unprecedented resource for scientists studying the genetic roots of vision disorders, and are available to other researchers for accessThey also offer a roadmap for future research into personalised treatments and earlier diagnosis.Author Dr Jamie Ellingford, from The University of Manchester,  said: “Our study marks a major…