The University of Manchester

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…

Boosting resilience to illness, frailty and falls through physical activity will be key to keeping the country’s ageing population healthy and living independently for longer., the MPs said.This change will be fundamental to the Government’s objective of switching the NHS’s focus from treating illness to preventing it The report follows the cross-party Committee’s Healthy Ageing inquiry and recommends:Advice and social prescribing of physical activity should become a core, routine offering to…

A Manchester-based techbio company using AI and quantum physics to engineer better enzymes faster, has closed a £5 million seed funding round led by PXN Ventures with participation from Imperagen’s existing investors IQ Capital and Northern Gritstone.The raise brings Imperagen's total funding to £8.5 million and will accelerate research and development, expand its wet lab capabilities, and build out its go-to-market function over the next 18 months.Coinciding with the round Guy Levy-Yurista,…

The Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences comprises some of the UK’s leading medical researchers, each of whom has made substantial contributions to advancing patient health and care through research.Election to the Academy recognises excellence in science, leadership and the translation of research into real-world impact. This year we’re celebrating two such additions to the Academy - Professor Samra Turajlić and Professor Tim Somervaille of the Cancer Research UK…

People with a learning disability are at higher risk of developing bowel cancer, yet face significant barriers at nearly every stage of the care pathway, University of Manchester and Christie NHS Foundation Trust have found.The population-based study of more than two million people showed individuals with an intellectual disability are more likely to develop bowel cancer, especially before the age of 50.Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care…

Thousands of holes are appearing in the Pennine hills, as part of efforts to improve carbon storage by restoring damaged peatland.Peat itself is carbon rich and so as it grows it will help to capture the CO₂ that is produced by industrial fossil fuel use that is warming the atmosphere.Meanwhile, damaged or drained peatlands turn into a carbon source, releasing greenhouses gases themselves. About 15% of the world’s peatlands have…

A major French policy designed to make hotel prices more competitive online may not have worked as intended, but it did unlock cheaper deals for customers booking directly with hotels.A new study of European hotel markets finds that banning ‘price parity clauses’ – rules which stop hotels from offering lower prices outside major booking platforms – had little impact on publicly advertised online prices.Instead, savings appeared in less visible places…

Countries that are better prepared for climate change are becoming more attractive to international students while more vulnerable nations are losing their appeal, according to a major new global study involving researchers from The University of Manchester.The research analysed 1.15 million international student flows, and found that climate resilience is now an increasingly important factor in where students choose to study abroad.The findings suggest that alongside university rankings, jobs and…

On Wednesday, 6 May, the University of Manchester hosted its annual Making a Difference Awards ceremony to recognise and celebrate the inspiring social responsibility achievements of colleagues, students, alumni and external partners.The University’s social responsibility activity spans across its research, teaching, public engagement activities and University operations. The Making a Difference Awards highlight the extensive range of social responsibility initiatives across the University community and include categories such as environmental sustainability, alumni contribution, widening access and student success and equality, diversity and inclusion. By sharing ideas, time, expertise and innovation, these…

'Love Will Tear Us Apart' lyrics IAN CURTIS: INSIGHTVoltz Clarke Gallery, New York City25 June – 22 July 2026A major exhibition exploring the life and creative legacy of Ian Curtis will open in New York this summer, bringing rare archival material from the iconic Joy Division frontman to the United States for the first time.Ian Curtis: Insight presents an intimate and revealing selection of handwritten lyrics, photographs, personal letters, ephemera…

If you speak with a Northern, regional or working-class accent in Britain, you may still be judged before you’ve even finished your sentence.A new book by The University of Manchester’s Dr Alex Baratta has revealed how deeply ingrained accent prejudice remains in British society - from classrooms to job interviews - and why it’s time to challenge it.Key insightsAccent bias remains widespread across British society, including in educationPeople are routinely…

Years of chronic exposure of human skin to sunlight strongly disrupts its body‑clock rhythm, according to a pioneering study led by University of Manchester, No7 Beauty Company, a member of The Boots Group, and University of Pennsylvania scientists.The findings could explain how ultraviolet (UV) light triggers inflammation and damage in exposed skin, so-called photoageing, which breaks down its supportive structure, altering how its cells behave.Published in the Journal of Investigative…

Researchers from The University of Manchester are calling for urgent changes to how children and young people are asked to take part in research, warning that current consent systems often fail to reflect their voices, experiences and rights.The article highlights how traditional approaches - relying heavily on parents, schools and formal paperwork - can overlook children’s ability to understand and make decisions about research participation.Instead, the researchers argue for a…

Researchers from The University of Manchester have worked directly with teenage girls to uncover what they believe could help turn the tide on rising rates of anxiety and low mood.From their early teenage years, girls are more likely to experience low mood and anxiety. They are twice as likely as boys to experience depression by age 15, and new evidence suggests this gap has been growing for more than a…

The reliable supply of drugs is fundamental to any healthcare system, yet shortages remain a persistent problem.Disruptions arise from a range of causes: manufacturing failures, fluctuating demand, regulatory changes and wars. Around 60% of drug shortages are linked to manufacturing bottlenecks, while insufficient reserves of both finished products and raw ingredients continue to leave health systems like the NHS exposed.The seriousness of the issue has prompted intervention at the highest…

Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US keeps coming back to haunt him. It has now emerged that Mandelson was granted security clearance by the Foreign Office, despite concerns raised during the vetting process. Top Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins was sacked over these revelations.Mandelson was controversial long before Starmer appointed him in 2024. A New Labour figure known as the “prince of darkness”…

A major international study involving researchers from The University of Manchester has found that rising global demand for beef is a key force behind deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.The research shows how consumer demand in countries around the world is directly linked to land clearing in Brazil, often through complex supply chains that are difficult to regulate. By combining economic and environmental analysis, the study reveals why current efforts to…

A Lego-style Iranian military commander raps over a gangster beat: “Our inbox is flooded with Americans saying they don’t watch the news. They listen to our songs instead since your media is full of sh*t.”This is the opening line of an AI-generated video which is part of Iran’s meme campaign – built around Lego-style animation and rap soundtracks, which have accumulated billions of views online. The line captures the strange…

It can feel as though there’s something mystic about acquiring a seat on the University Challenge team, a tap on the shoulder in a quiet area of the quad one day maybe, but according to Ray, that that isn’t so.“Growing up, my Grandma was always a huge fan of University Challenge, and when a friend of mine who’d been a contestant a couple of years before told me that they…

A new book by The University of Manchester’s Dr Pritish Behuria explores how Rwanda rebuilt its economy after the 1994 genocide to become one of Africa’s most frequently cited development success stories, while questioning whether its current growth model can deliver long-term prosperity.Key findingsRwanda has achieved rapid economic growth and built a reputation for effective state-led development, but the book argues that long-term prosperity may depend on deeper industrial transformation…

A major new international study led by The University of Manchester has revealed how policymakers around the world are becoming far more active in constructing affordable housing. Drawing on evidence from cities including Salford, Shanghai, Nairobi and Paris, the research shows how governments are stepping in where private markets have failed - reshaping housing systems, markets and state institutions in the process.Key findingsGovernments across the global North and South are…

Researchers at The University of Manchester have identified a range of key risk and protective factors influencing whether young people vape, drink alcohol, smoke or use drugs. Based on data from more than 30,000 pupils aged 12-15, the study provides one of the most comprehensive pictures to date of adolescent substance use in England, highlighting the importance of social, emotional and environmental influences.Key findingsPeer pressure, bullying and emotional difficulties are…

More than 175 researchers, innovators, investors and ecosystem leaders gathered at the Sister - Renold Innovation Hub in Manchester last week to explore how stronger regional collaboration can accelerate the journey from research to commercial impact.The event, Powering Research Commercialisation Across the North, hosted by the Innovate UK ICURe in partnership with The University of Manchester and NxNW Partners, marked a significant moment for the UK’s innovation ecosystem. It brought…

Former Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh came face to face with the life-changing impact of her bandmate Sarah Harding’s legacy — meeting a mum whose breast cancer was detected early thanks to research funded in Sarah’s name carried out by The University of Manchester, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).During an emotional visit to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and the Manchester…

A 6-year-old girl is one of more than 80 people worldwide who has finally received a diagnosis of a new condition following a landmark breakthrough by scientists and doctors in Manchester.Ava Begley’s parents say they feel “deeply grateful” that the researchers, from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and The University of Manchester (UoM), have made this discovery, which is one of the most common genetic causes of severe epilepsy.Delivered…

A team of scientists from Manchester and London have, for the first time, decoded the full range of mutations that drive tumour growth, which could pave the way for a new era in precision medicine, offering more effective treatments for thousands of people with cancer. A team of cancer genomics* scientists from The University of Manchester and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, forensically examined the genetic make-up of tumours in…