Newsroom University of Manchester

University of Manchester ranked world's number one university for sustainability impact

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:15:00 +0100

��Vlog�ٷ� has been ranked first in the world for progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings.

The result places Manchester at the top of a global field of 1,603 universities from 114 countries and territories. It is also the eighth consecutive year that the University has ranked in the global top ten, making it the only institution to achieve that distinction since the rankings were launched in 2019.

The THE Sustainability Impact Ratings assess how universities are helping to address major global challenges through their research, teaching, operations and partnerships, measured against the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Manchester is one of the few elite global universities (40^th in the QS World University Rankings 2027) to also consistently rank in the top ten in both the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings (formally known as the THE Impact Rankings) and QS World Sustainability Rankings. This demonstrates not only the high standard of teaching and research at Manchester, but its positive impact on the world’s most pressing issues.

This year, the University ranked first for Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), which has been a key focus through initiatives like and the , which propel spinouts and patented work. And our research platforms, , , and , bring together people, ideas and infrastructure to boost civic engagement and societal impact.

The University also ranked first individually for Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Life Below Water (SDG 14) and Life on Land (SDG 15), in recognition of the many projects across the University focused on these areas.

As of September 2025, the University has supported the development of a major new solar farm, meaning 65% of its electricity demand will be matched from this renewable source - halving the University’s electricity carbon footprint. The University’s target is to reach zero direct carbon emissions by 2038.

The interdisciplinary work of the on projects such as and the are based on international research partnerships addressing some of the world’s greatest development challenges.

And its commitment to social responsibility, public and civic engagement is evidenced through four world-leading cultural institutions, commitment to co-creation through and patient panels and engagement programmes such as the and .

��Vlog�ٷ� has recently announced its new strategy for the next decade, From Manchester for the world, where our world-leading commitment to social responsibility sits as one of our five foundations. At home in Manchester, but with a global outlook, the University is striving to connect students to skills, community to ideas, and research to solutions that drive inclusive growth locally and scale globally over the next decade.

Fuelling the University’s bold ambitions for the next decade is a global fundraising and volunteering campaign, Challenge Accepted, which will help the University to continue to deliver real world change on issues such as climate, inequity and health. To find out more, and about ways you can contribute, visit the website.

A New Chapter for Collaboration: The 2026 Civic Universities Annual Report

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:12:38 +0100

Greater Manchester's universities contribute more than £4bn to the regional economy every year, educate 125,000+ students and employ more than 20,000 staff. But figures only tell part of the story.

Published today, sets out what that contribution looks like in practice, and how the Civic University Agreement is working to make universities’ civic activity more visible and consistently felt across the city region.

A Year of Progress

This year marked the first update to the agreement's shared priorities since 2021. Developed alongside the GMCA and shaped by what residents across all ten boroughs told the Greater Manchester Citizens' Panel matters most, the four refreshed priorities – Opportunity & Prosperity, Health & Wellbeing, Culture and Environment – reflect where GM's universities can make the greatest collective difference. For ��Vlog�ٷ�, this work is closely aligned with Manchester 2035 and our ambition to be a great civic university for the 21st century: values-led, socially responsible and committed to co-creating solutions with partners and communities, particularly with people and places higher education has not always reached. They also connect directly to the refreshed Greater Manchester Strategy, launched last summer, which recognises universities as a central part of the city region's ambitious ten-year vision.

Speaking at the time, then Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

“Greater Manchester’s universities make a massive contribution to our city region, one that goes far beyond educating students. These refreshed civic priorities reflect the breadth of our universities’ impact across our society and economy, from creating jobs and supporting business innovation to enriching our culture. We recently set out our vision for Greater Manchester’s next decade of growth and we know our universities have a vital role to play in our continued success.”

Behind the Figures

Between 2022 and 2027, GM's universities will train an estimated 9,500 nurses, 3,500 doctors and 8,500 teachers, the professionals our public services and communities depend on. But their contribution doesn't stop at graduation. Across all disciplines, 40% of graduates remain in Greater Manchester, building careers and putting their skills to work in the city region they studied in. To put faces to those figures, our universities worked with the to share the stories of five of them, whose careers show what the civic mission looks like in practice.

A safeguarding nurse supporting vulnerable teenagers, a GP who came to university through a widening participation programme and pledged his digital health technology to Manchester for free, a community physiotherapist helping people stay at home rather than going into hospital . All five studied here, and all five are now putting their skills to work for the city region which helped shape their careers.

Looking Ahead

The Greater Manchester Post-16 Skills Pathways project, developed in partnership with further education colleges, the GMCA and employers, will provide new insight into how learners move through the city region's education and skills system and where barriers to progression remain. Building on this, the Board will develop a five-year implementation plan over the coming year to turn its refreshed priorities into practical action.

As the agreement enters its next phase, the focus is not just on what Greater Manchester's universities achieve together, but how they communicate it. By working more visibly and with a collective voice, the universities can better champion the region’s strengths on a national stage, while ensuring their day-to-day impact remains firmly rooted in local priorities and genuinely felt across Greater Manchester. This matches ��Vlog�ٷ�’s ambition to be the partner of choice for those who share commitment to excellence and to turning knowledge into impact for the public good: open, values-led and focused on making a difference in the North and beyond.

See

Children’s mental health crisis risks fuelling ‘lost generation’

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:05:21 +0100

Health experts warn that children’s mental health in England has reached crisis levels, as a new report reveals children in the North are more likely to experience mental health difficulties than those in the South, according to a new report led by ��Vlog�ٷ�.

Nearly one in five primary school children are now experiencing a probable mental health disorder - more than double the rate in 2011 – according to analysis published today by Health Equity North on behalf of the Child of the North All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).

Children and young people growing up in disadvantaged communities, particularly across parts of the North of England, are more likely to experience cumulative adversity, poorer wellbeing, and reduced access to support.

The report, ‘Building a Preventative Mental Health System for Children and Young People’, shows that demand for support is rapidly outpacing capacity, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without help.

The report shows:

Around one-third of adolescent mental health problems could potentially be prevented through action on child poverty.
A record 850,000 children accessed NHS mental health support in 2025
Around 385,000 children are still waiting for mental health support.
Children with mental health difficulties are three times more likely to miss significant amounts of school, highlighting the impact on educational outcomes and long-term life chances.
One in four children referred for specialist mental health support are turned away.

The report authors, led by academics from ��Vlog�ٷ�, stress that these patterns reflect wider inequalities in poverty, housing, and access to community support and that the NHS “cannot treat its way out” of the crisis. Report recommendations call for a shift towards prevention, tackling the root causes of poor mental health.

The research also highlights how the consequences of adverse childhood mental health can lead to poor health and opportunities as an adult.

Without early and holistic intervention, it warns that rising mental health problems among children will continue to translate into higher levels of youth disengagement and long-term economic inactivity.

Professor Pamela Qualter, Director of Research (SEED) at ��Vlog�ٷ�, and lead report author, said: “Research shows that mental health inequalities begin very early in life, often before a child is even born. We see higher rates of perinatal mental health difficulties among parents in parts of the North, and these challenges can have lasting impacts on children’s emotional development and wellbeing.

“Children’s mental health is shaped by the environments and services that support them - including family circumstances, poverty, housing, and access to support. These factors accumulate over time, increasing the likelihood that some children face multiple and reinforcing disadvantages.

“If we want to reduce mental health inequalities, we need to think much earlier and much more holistically. Supporting parents, families and communities is one of the most powerful

ways we can improve outcomes for children and prevent problems from escalating later in life.”

Emma Lewell MP, Co-Chair of the Child of the North APPG, said: “Today’s mental health crisis among children and young people cannot be seen in isolation. It is closely linked to wider social and economic challenges, including rising school absence, exclusion, and increasing numbers of young people disengaging from education and employment.

“The impact of children missing school is particularly concerning as school disengagement is a key pathway into becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). There is also a pressing need to ensure that NEETs have access to sustainable employment opportunities, alongside sufficient placement opportunities to support participation in education, skills development and vocational training. Poor mental health, absence and exclusion reinforce each other over time - leading to higher risks of unemployment, poorer health outcomes and reduced life chances in early adulthood.

“If we are serious about tackling youth unemployment and reducing the number of young people who are NEET, we must start by addressing children’s mental health and the inequalities that drive it.

“Improvement is not a pipe dream - there are already many examples of positive action across the North, with charities, community groups and education services providing support for young people. These models can be replicated across the country to support health and school services in tackling these urgent issues.

“With targeted investment to support interventions to help those in need now, and a more prevention focused mindset for future generations, there is a chance to turn the tide. We are calling for stronger coordination across healthcare, education, local government and the voluntary sector to deliver a more joined-up, preventative system that supports children earlier and reduces long-term inequalities.”

Hannah Davies, Executive Director of Health Equity North, said: “Children’s mental health is not just a health issue – it is a social and economic issue that requires coordinated action across society.

“Improving outcomes will require sustained investment in tackling child poverty, strengthening family support, improving inclusion and belonging in schools, and rebuilding youth and community services. These are not ‘nice to have’ interventions – they are critical to preventing problems before they escalate.

“This report makes clear that without early, coordinated action, we risk experiencing a lost generation, with a cycle of disadvantage that will affect not just individuals, but our economy, education system and communities for years to come. The evidence is also clear that with the right investment in prevention, we can change the trajectory and give more children the chance to thrive.”

Read more about the report findings and its recommendations here: https://www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/childrens-mental-health-crisis-risks-fuelling-lost-generation The full report can be accessed at https://www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/app/uploads/Building-a-Preventative-Mental-Health-System-for-Children-and-Young-People-Report-June-2026.pdf

Creative Manchester appoints new Director

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:49:26 +0100

Currently a Professor and Head of Enterprise (Academic) at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Michelle will take up her new roles on 14 September 2026.

As Director, she will lead the strategic direction and development of the University’s Creative Manchester interdisciplinary research platform, bringing together academics, cultural partners and communities to advance creative research, practice and innovation. She will also be responsible for fostering partnerships, strengthening external engagement and enhancing the University’s impact across the creative and cultural sectors.

Michelle brings considerable research and creative industry engagement experience to the role. Her research practice explores audience response to live and recorded music, neurological response to music listening, music and time, perception of contemporary music, entrepreneurship, and music and Parkinson’s disease.

Her research on ‘What makes live music special?’, in collaboration with the University of Manchester, was featured in UK Research and Innovation’s ‘101 jobs that change the world’ series. She was Principal Investigator of the £1 million RNCM StART Entrepreneurship Project, exploring the most effective ways to train creative industries students in entrepreneurial skills.

She is a Fellow of Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK), chaired the subject association for music in higher education, MusicHE, and was a member of the Advance HE Aurora Advisory Group.

Her publications include multiple journal articles and book chapters, and a co-edited volume entitled Music and Time: Psychology, Philosophy, Practice. She is joint Editor-in-Chief of the journal Psychology of Music.

Michelle won the I Love Manchester Alan Turing Award in 2025 for innovation, creativity and smart thinking, and was a finalist in the Northern Power Women Awards in the People with Purpose - Public Sector category in 2026.

Professor Fiona Devine, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Manchester, said:

Michelle said:

GEIC expands innovation capabilities with new bioengineering laboratory

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:12:26 +0100

The Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) has expanded its facilities with the opening of a new bioengineering laboratory, creating new opportunities for industry collaboration and accelerating the development of next-generation technologies at the interface of advanced materials and biology.

The new laboratory has been designed as a shared research and innovation space, providing GEIC partners, researchers and technology developers with access to specialist facilities that support a growing range of bioengineering applications.

Built to Containment Level 2 (CL2) standards and approved for Genetically Modified Organism Class 1 (GM1) work, the facility significantly broadens the scope of projects that can be undertaken within the GEIC. The addition strengthens the Centre's ability to support organisations seeking to develop and scale innovations that combine advanced materials, biotechnology and engineering.

The laboratory opens new possibilities across a range of application areas, including biosensing, antimicrobial technologies, environmental monitoring, mineral extraction, healthcare and sustainable industrial processes. Supported by GEIC's experienced team of application specialists, the facility will help partners accelerate the development and commercialisation of new technologies.

The new facility complements the GEIC's existing capabilities in materials development, de-risking and scale-up, providing an environment for multidisciplinary projects that combine biological and advanced materials.

Since the opening of the GEIC in 2018 we have had to be responsive to industries and the market’s needs. This new bioengineering facility shows our commitment to investing in keeping the GEIC a relevant world class facility. – Phil Hirst, Technical Manager, GEIC.

The bioengineering laboratory reflects the GEIC's continued evolution in response to emerging industry needs, creating new opportunities for collaboration and the translation of research into commercial applications. It further strengthens the GEIC’s position as a leading hub for advanced materials innovation and industrial partnership.

To discover how the GEIC can support your next project, explore our full range of capabilities:

Natural symbiosis: how plants and microbes share vital nutrients in fragile ecosystems

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:08:11 +0100

Nitrogen is essential for all living organisms, but in many ecosystems it is in short supply. Plants and soil microbes both rely on nitrogen to grow, leading to intense competition below ground.

In a new study published in , researchers investigated how different forms of nitrogen are used by plants and microbes in alpine heath environments.

Different strategies below ground

Using stable isotope labelling to track nitrogen movement in the field, the team – including Dr Ellen Fry, lead author for the paper – found that plants and microbes use distinct strategies to access this critical nutrient.

Plants primarily absorbed simpler, inorganic forms of nitrogen – such as ammonium and nitrate – and transported them from roots to shoots, where nitrogen accumulated over time.

In contrast, soil microbes showed a clear preference for more complex organic forms, particularly amino acids.

This division of labour reduces direct competition between plants and microbes, enabling them to coexist more effectively even in nutrient poor soils.

A dynamic system over time

The study also found that nitrogen cycling is highly dynamic. Nitrogen taken up by plants was rapidly moved through tissues, while microbes processed organic forms and influenced what eventually became available to plants.

Importantly, the researchers found little evidence that plants take up large organic molecules directly. Instead, these are likely first broken down by microbes and then reused by plants in simpler forms.

The team also observed that faster growing, more dominant plant species tended to take up more nitrogen overall, highlighting how competition between plant species influences nutrient use within ecosystems.

Implications for climate and ecosystem health

Alpine and heathland ecosystems are often cold, nutrient limited environments where small changes in nutrient cycling can have large ecological impacts.

By showing how plants and microbes partition nitrogen based on its chemical form, this research provides new insight into how these ecosystems function and persist under challenging conditions.

The findings could also inform efforts to manage soils more sustainably, by improving understanding of how nutrients move through ecosystems and how biodiversity is maintained.

This research was published in: Soil Biology and Biochemistry

Full title of the paper: Nitrogen partitioning between plant species and soil microbes in alpine heath

DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2026.110127

URL:

Researchers discover new way to control ice growth using polymer nanoparticles

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:44:22 +0100

Ice formation can damage biological samples, tissues and materials during freezing and thawing. In nature, specialised molecules known as ice‑binding proteins prevent ice crystals from growing too large, helping organisms survive in extreme cold.

Scientists have long tried to replicate this behaviour using synthetic materials, but most designs have focused on how molecules interact with ice at their surface.

In a study published in , the team – led by – have shown for the first time that the internal structure of polymer nanoparticles, rather than their outer surface, plays a key role in controlling ice growth. This was a collaboration with Professor Steve Armes FRS at Sheffield Univeristy.

Looking inside the particle

The team created a library of polymer nanoparticles using a scalable technique known as polymerisation‑induced self‑assembly. These particles consist of a water‑exposed outer layer and a hidden inner core.

Surprisingly, the researchers found that changing the chemistry of the inner core dramatically altered how effectively the particles inhibited ice recrystallisation – the process by which ice crystals grow larger over time.

Particles with “soft” cores showed significantly higher activity, strongly suppressing ice growth, while those with more rigid cores were less effective.

Even more strikingly, chemically locking the core structure removed this activity entirely.

A new design principle

The findings challenge the conventional view that only the surface of a material interacts with ice. Instead, they show that internal mobility and structure within nanoparticles can influence how ice crystals behave.

The study suggests that individual polymer chains within the particles may play a role in interacting with ice as conditions change during freezing and thawing.

Applications from medicine to materials

Materials that control ice growth are important in a wide range of applications, from preserving cells and tissues to improving the texture of frozen foods and developing anti‑icing coatings.

By providing a new way to design these materials, the research opens up opportunities to develop more effective, scalable and cost‑efficient alternatives to natural antifreeze proteins.

The work also establishes a broader framework for designing functional nanoparticles, showing that internal structure can be as important as surface chemistry in determining performance.

This research was published in: Chemical Science

Full title of the paper: Core-block engineering enables control of ice recrystallisation inhibition in polymer nanoparticles

DOI: 10.1039/D6SC02659A

URL:

Urine drug test may boost adherence to blood pressure medications

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:19:00 +0100

The largest ever UK trial of a urine test used across the NHS to spot when patients skip their medication has shown it may improve adherence to treatment.

Led by researchers at ��Vlog�ٷ� and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the study investigated the efficacy of a urine test which detects the presence or absence of blood pressure lowering medications — known as chemical adherence testing, or CAT.

They tested the hypothesis that the test would help in regular administration of blood pressure lowering medications and bring their blood pressure under control after its results were discussed with patients.

Known as the study, it was the largest randomised trial of its kind bringing together 12 recruitment centres in the UK.

The study was funded by the British Heart Foundation and is published in on 16/06/26

CAT uses a special technique called liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect specific drugs or their metabolites in blood or urine samples.

It is mainly used in hospital hypertension and renal/cardiology clinics when doctors want to verify medication adherence in patients with resistant hypertension - the medical name for high blood pressure.

The researchers recruited 130 adults with hypertension who were taking at least two blood pressure medicines but were found to be non‑adherent after their urine was tested using CAT.

Participants were randomly assigned either to receive their CAT results alongside a personalised discussion about why they were missing doses, or to continue with usual care.

After a median follow‑up of nearly three months, average systolic blood pressure - – the pressure in your arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood out - was not significantly different between the two groups.

While the adjusted systolic blood pressure in those who received the CAT intervention was approximately 5 mmHg lower than in the standard of care group, this difference did not reach the level of statistical significance.

Those who received the intervention, however, became more adherent to the prescribed blood pressure lowering medications 3 months after the intervention.

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 also add that the technology may yet prove valuable as part of a personalised approach to managing chronic conditions where missing medications is common.

The Chief Investigator of OUTREACH is , Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at ��Vlog�ٷ� and Honorary Consultant Physician at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

He is also Integrative Cardiovascular Medicine Co-Theme Lead at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), which partly supported the research.

He said: “Sharing the results of the CAT with the patients and the discussion for the reasons behind missing their blood pressure lowering medications appears to help in improving adherence.

While there was a trend for this improved adherence to favour lower blood pressure, we could not detect a statistically significant signal in blood pressure.

Hidden non‑adherence remains a major and costly problem in hypertension care, and our findings underline the need for larger, longer‑term trials to understand where CAT‑based approaches might still add value.”

Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation and senior author on the study, said: “High blood pressure is the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the UK, where it is associated with 50 per cent of heart attacks and strokes. This means it is crucial that people take medications to treat it as advised by their doctor.

“We hope that this personalised approach to monitoring adherence can help address the many reasons why people may not be taking their medication properly, and support them to do so in future. This study showed signs that this strategy may help improve adherence, but to properly judge its effectiveness, a larger study is needed.”

The paper: Chemical adherence testing-guided intervention versus standard of care in patients with hypertension who are non-adherent to antihypertensive treatment in the UK (OUTREACH): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial is available . DOI

A decade of deposits

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0100

The is a vital piece of infrastructure underpinning the mediated deposit service that the Office for Open Research provides to University of Manchester researchers.

It’s essentially a very simple form that researchers can use to tell us information about their outputs. We then go and create a Pure record on their behalf, and ensure compliance with important Open Access policies, including those of funders like UKRI and Wellcome, and for the national research review exercise, the REF.

Facilitating Open Access for over ten years

The Open Access Gateway went live all the way back in March 2016 as part of the Library’s support package for the HEFCE Open Access policy, the first national UK mandate for Open Access. This means we’re celebrating A Decade of Deposits!

Over the last ten years we reckon we’ve processed over 22,000 Author Accepted Manuscripts (AAMs) from over 5,000 individual users. That’s equivalent to the seated capacity of the Royal Albert Hall (!) - a testament to the dedication of our expert Open Access service team who review and process all manuscripts deposited via the Gateway. 97.8% of journal articles and conference proceedings submitted to REF 2021 met Open Access requirements, and the OA Gateway’s streamlined deposit process played a key role in supporting that success.

Our aim has always been to keep the form as simple as possible, as we appreciate how busy Manchester researchers are. As a result, the Gateway hasn’t changed very much over the years. We still just ask for:

A copy of the Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM);
The type of output being deposited;
The name of the journal;
The acceptance date.

That’s all we need! The Gateway does now also allow researchers to apply for Open Access funding and opt-in for referral to the University’s Media Relations team, but you can skip those if you’re really in a rush.

Expansion to the Open Research Tracker

The Open Access Gateway was the first element of the , the platform we’ve subsequently developed to provide more holistic support to researchers and research leads to understand and manage their own and departmental Open Research activities. Researchers can to check the compliance status of their own publications, and Departmental leaders and administrators can Tracker access to view data from their department or subject area to support REF and funder reporting.

In 2025 we launched the Research Indicators Gateway, which enables researchers to request a range of reports provided via our These offer a variety of options for requesting analyses to better understand the reach and impact of research outputs. To request a report, please visit the

Development work is also underway to expand the Tracker to include information, and we’re exploring the potential of the Tracker to support our Manchester Open Research Environment (MORE).

Here’s to another decade of deposits!

More information

Check out the : deposit your Author Accepted Manuscript, apply for Open Access funding, or request referral to the University’s Media Relations team.
Explore the : find out how the Tracker supports researchers and research leads to understand and manage Open Research activity.
Find out more about the and our support offer.

Steve Carlton, Open Research Librarian: Open Access

Nuclear Early Career Researcher Conference launched

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:03:34 +0100

The Dalton Nuclear Institute hosted its first Early Career Researcher (ECR) Conference, bringing together more than 80 researchers from across ��Vlog�ٷ� and partner CDTs.

The event was hosted by the Dalton Champions team – early-career colleagues who support and strengthen the Institute’s nuclear research community.

The Dalton ECR Conference showcased the breadth of modern nuclear research, with presentations spanning space reactor development, fusion energy safeguards, advanced nuclear materials, and the application of artificial intelligence in nuclear safety case automation.

The event was opened and closed by Deputy Director of the Institute, Professor Clint Sharrad, who said: “The Conference highlighted Dalton’s commitment to fostering the development of the nuclear ECR community who displayed outstanding leadership qualities from the way they prepared and delivered the conference itself. We’re proud of our Dalton Champions team for coordinating such a successful day that really showcased the incredible breadth of research taking place at Manchester and the impressive talent of our ECR community.”

Keynote sessions were delivered by Professor Ali Tehrani, Principal Nuclear Safety Inspector at the Office for Nuclear Regulation and Visiting Professor at Imperial College London, and Dr Nejdet Erkan, Senior Nuclear Engineering Researcher at the UK Atomic Energy Authority. Professor Tehrani discussed the regulatory challenges and opportunities associated with artificial intelligence in nuclear applications, while Dr Erkan addressed severe accident assessment in fission systems and design challenges in fusion energy.

Recognition was given to outstanding early career contributions through the Best Oral and Best Poster Presentation awards. The Best Oral Presentation was awarded to Nour Hammoud for her work on a structured framework assessing proliferation-relevant characteristics of fusion systems, including tritium handling, neutron-driven material production risks, and safeguards considerations across magnetic, inertial, and magneto-inertial confinement concepts.

The Best Poster Presentation award was shared between Elsa Verheul – “Modelling magnetohydrodynamic effects on dendritic solidification in fusion steels during additive manufacturing”, Bengu Su Ates – “Investigating ductile fracture mechanisms in SA508 steel using in situ X-ray tomography”, and Nick Williams – “Unstable magnetic reconnection self-generates turbulence”.&�Բ��;

The conference organising committee was: Ahmadreza Farrokhnia, Farouq Alatassi, Francesca Brooks-Ward, Charlotte Brown, Dilek Kale, Maria Kapousidou, Ruairi McCabe, Matthew Rogers, Jake Smith, Anastasia Vasileiou, Matthew Warner, Saleh Zaila, and Qasim Ali.

Trust, FAIRness and impact:

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:46:40 +0100

This Open Research Perspective, contributed by Dr. James Bird, Technical Specialist in Research IT, explores the relationship between research trustworthiness, evaluability and impact, using data accessibility as one practical lens. It argues that while Open Research has improved the reach of research outputs, greater attention is still needed to ensure those outputs are genuinely assessable, reusable and trusted. Against that backdrop, James considers how Electronic Research Notebooks (ERNs) could help strengthen research workflows and support more FAIR, trustworthy research.

Disclaimer

I must clarify right from the start that this Perspectives article intentionally avoids providing definitions of research quality, value or impact. The purpose is not to wade into the debate on what they may mean, or how any might be used for the purpose of research assessment. Each should be interpreted in its most general sense, as they are referenced only to explore where research trustworthiness may enter the (intentionally, oversimplified) equation. The hope is that I might convey the role that software can play in supporting trustworthy research output generation. Hopefully it is recognised that on this basis, the metrics discussed are used responsibly ( at a minimum) and are not genuinely being used for any formal research assessment.

Framing "impact": An oversimplified model

For this exercise, I will make several modelling assumptions; simplified conditions intended to make the real-world challenge more tractable for this framing.

Greater reach equates to connecting with a greater proportion of the world.
An individual research output has a maximum value of “impact”, independent of time, which relates to some inherent value of that output to the world.
Tying the first two together, I suggest that that maximum value of "impact' should be reached at a rate that correlates to both the reach and trustworthiness of that output.

The basic framing is therefore simple: the more people who can both reach and trust an output, the greater the rate at which maximum "impact" is reached. There are no doubt numerous other variables, and there is no suggestion of a clear linear relationship. One final implied assumption is that for this basic model, we need not be concerned with who is reached; the greater the cross-section of society accessing the research, the greater the absolute number of individuals that can make use of it.

Defining trustworthiness

Egon Guba and Yvonna Lincoln are often cited (Amin et al., 2020; Stahl and King, 2020; Ahmed, 2024) as the first to define the core components of trustworthiness in qualitative research, as Credibility, Transferability, Dependability and Confirmability, in a book published in 1985 (Lincoln and Guba, 1985). There is also an earlier article from 1981, formally credited to Guba alone (Guba, 1981), which states the same four components.

Jumping forward 45 years, perhaps the most recent distillation of decades of Metascience on trustworthiness was published this February (Nosek et al., 2026). The authors attempt to define a framework for research at large which both maps to, and updates those previously recognised components to suggest trustworthy research must be: Accountable, Evaluable, Evaluated, Well-Formulated, able to Control Bias and Reduce Error. The authors claim that these components are relevant across three levels: 'the research itself, researchers conducting and evaluating the research, and organisations including institutions, funders, and journals–facilitating and supporting the research'.

Evaluable research

I'm going to home in on the evaluable facet of trustworthy research, which I will argue bears some relationship to its 'FAIRness' (Wilkinson et al., 2016). Whether the research can be evaluated depends on:

Firstly, whether it is Findable and Accessible (both of which should correlate to reach).
Secondly, what exactly is shared. Arguably, everything and anything should be shared that led to the findings. The trustworthiness framework (Nosek et al., 2026) suggests plans, data, materials, code and outcomes be shared.
Finally, how all these outputs are shared. Interoperability and Reusability (i.e. FAIR) should ensure that they are evaluable.

always appears in my mind when thinking 'FAIR', and no doubt reminds many of us of a time we sought to evaluate or reuse outputs.

Is our research evaluable and FAIR?

To explore in our local context whether our research outputs are evaluable, below I have tried to use a so-called 'trust marker' to assess some aspects of the Findability and Accessibility of research data. The trust marker I will use, so-called within the ^*, is the presence of a Data Availability Statement (DAS) in publications.

Again, putting caveats at the forefront, I will not seek to instil much trust in these data, as the irony would be far too great. Without intending to discredit the tool or developers, I personally, at the time of writing, am unable to verify that the tool was trustworthy when the data was exported, in September 2024. I was unable to 'look under the hood' at the way in which the tool identified publications of which the University of Manchester researchers are authors, how they were categorised into Fields of Research, how the presence of DAS were confirmed, or how the contents of them were classified. Nonetheless, the tool was said to carry out these functions, which I have reinterpreted to generate the plots below. You can, however, evaluate my treatment of the data , if you wish.

Given the notable caveats, I will note some basic observations, such as the increase in the use of DAS over time, across all fields of research, on average (c.f. top-left figure). Looking outside the data, we generally know this to be true considering wholesale changes to the attachment of data availability statements to research publications. As for the classification of those DAS (c.f. top-right figure), we see that those identified as stating the data is 'available on request', 'location not stated', and 'not publicly available' trend upwards, whilst those statements classed as holding data either 'in online repository' and 'in supplementary files' trend down. On grouping the DAS classifications where we might presume the data associated with the publications are either directly accessible, or not required for evaluation ('in publication', 'in online repository', 'in supplementary files' and 'not applicable'), we observe a decrease in the proportion of publications containing immediately accessible datasets (c.f. bottom-left figure). Finally, on multiplying the mean percentage across all publications, independent of Faculty-alignment, which carry a DAS, with the percentage of DAS which indicate data accessibility, we arrive at a measure for the percentage of all identified University publications which point to immediately accessible datasets (c.f. bottom-right figure).

The implications of these findings, if they can be trusted, are those Findable publications (by the tool, at least) are increasingly using DAS. DAS adoption has not led to an increase in data Accessibility, as a proportion of overall DAS adoption, and the majority of DAS indicate data are not immediately accessible. The immediate accessibility of datasets within the growing number of DAS-containing publications, increased on average at a rate of ~1.5% per year, up to 9.2 ± 4.5% of all papers found in 2023.

To top and tail these implications, I'll state a few additional caveats:

The data provided clearly only cover the period 2018-2023.
Large error bars represent the relatively wide distribution of DAS usage across Fields of Research.
The sum of all DAS classifications for a given year is typically ~105% (most apparent in the bottom-left figure), so the tool is responsible for some double-counting.
No comment can be made on the Accessibility of data for which there was no DAS.
No comment can be made on the Interoperability or Reusability of presumed Accessible datasets.

Is this unFAIR?

On making the (presumed entirely incorrect) modelling assumption that non-DAS containing publications have inaccessible data, based on these data, it would take until 2085, on average, for all our research data associated with publications to be immediately Accessible. The growth in open access publishing has no doubt increased Findability and the reach of research outputs, but by the , have we struggled historically with meeting the broader principles, such as making "outputs [sic] freely accessible as soon as possible under conditions that maximise reuse to amplify social, economic and research benefits"?

The role of 'organisations supporting the research'

If there is some underlying truth to these assumptions and data, and the observed trends have continued, what might we be able to do about it? I want to explore how the third player in research trustworthiness, 'organisations [sic] supporting the research', might better support more evaluable, and perhaps therefore more trustworthy, research output generation. Optionally, this might be viewed as accelerating research 'impact' (by the oversimplified model provided) and increasing alignment to Open Research practice.

We know that the generation and collection of new data is a decreasingly analogue activity. We also know that research data has numerous start and end points: we're not generally short on data-generating equipment nor data repositories or journals. We're collecting more digital data to back up our research findings, and publishing in digital-only journals, but somehow those data pipelines are being disrupted. We seem to be short on a sort of cyber-glue which could bind it all. Surely one answer therefore lies in improving digital research infrastructure. Crucially, to support FAIR data publication, I feel we must enhance data coordination throughout the entire research lifecycle and across the numerous contributors and collaborators that typically need to engage along the way.

Enter Electronic Research Notebooks

From my biased perspective, as a prior Electronic Research Notebook (ERN) user for my PhD here at the University, one fix for this small aspect of the much bigger picture starts with providing trustworthy data-coordinating software for research. I am not the only one to think this, however. The idea has been around for decades and many publications exist on the topic (c.f. my final 'blog' post as part of a series ), industry are known to have adopted them more liberally than academia, and I know that many of you have too.

The software family of ERNs, or Electronic Laboratory Notebooks, ELNs, for lab-oriented products, can be positioned centrally to the research data lifecycle, to act as that cyber-glue across the digital research journey. The graphic below was produced to demonstrate just that. The ERN can sit at the centre of the research data lifecycle (), allowing metadata and data ingress and egress across the numerous programs researchers make regular use of. The labelled programs are known to be used at The University, but their placement is of course not restricted to any single phase of the lifecycle.

In this way, ERNs can coordinate data, metadata, protocols, inventories and more, across teams and collaborators, to ensure that when it comes to the sharing of research outputs, there need not be an extensive data-wrangling exercise to facilitate it. Audit trails, timestamping, digital signatures and user authentication are some of the ways that individual contributions are recognised throughout. Advanced searchability features can bring everything together on request, to be exported into an interoperable format, supporting long-term reusability. In short, they could pump some AIR into FAIR.

The ERN Project

A free to use, centrally supported ERN product is on the way (see our previous announcement ). If you wish to see what it will look like, you can get hands-on or watch a video on the project page . If you're intrigued enough to want to join the conversation and receive regular updates, you can join our Teams channel .

Footnotes

This article was written in a development version of the ERN software to be implemented. You can see how the ERN helped coordinate data for this article and evaluate my findings if you wish via Figshare: .

*The Dimensions Research Integrity app is now seemingly part of a much broader product, .

Dr. James Bird, Technical Specialist in Research IT

References

Ahmed, S.K. (2024) ‘The pillars of trustworthiness in qualitative research’, Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 2, p. 100051. Available at: .

Amin, M.E.K. et al. (2020) ‘Establishing trustworthiness and authenticity in qualitative pharmacy research’, Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16(10), pp. 1472–1482. Available at: .

Guba, E.G. (1981) ‘ERIC/ECTJ Annual Review Paper: Criteria for Assessing the Trustworthiness of Naturalistic Inquiries’, Educational Communication and Technology, 29(2), pp. 75–91. Available at: .

Lincoln, Y.S. and Guba, E.G. (1985) Naturalistic Inquiry. SAGE. Available at: .

Nosek, B.A. et al. (2026) ‘A framework for assessing the trustworthiness of scientific research findings’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 123(6), p. e2536736123. Available at: .

Stahl, N.A. and King, J.R. (2020) ‘Expanding Approaches for Research: Understanding and Using Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research’, Journal of Developmental Education, 44(1), pp. 26–28. Available at: .

Wilkinson, M.D. et al. (2016) ‘The FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship’, Scientific Data, 3(1), p. 160018. Available at: .

MIB researcher awarded BBSRC fellowship to advance carbon‑efficient biomanufacturing

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:44:10 +0100

Micaela is among recognised for innovative research addressing key challenges in the UK bioeconomy. Her project focuses on the persistent loss of carbon as carbon dioxide during microbial metabolism, which places a ceiling on product yield and affects both the sustainability and commercial viability of bio-based manufacturing.

Improving carbon efficiency in microbial manufacturing

Microbial platforms are widely used to produce fuels, chemicals and materials from renewable feedstocks. However, much of the carbon consumed by microbes is lost as carbon dioxide during metabolism, limiting carbon efficiency and contributing to emissions. Micaela’s research aims to tackle this challenge by exploring mixotrophy, a metabolic mode in which microbes can use both organic carbon sources and carbon dioxide at the same time.

By co-assimilating CO₂ alongside sugars or waste-derived feedstocks, mixotrophic microbes have the potential to retain more carbon within the production process. This could improve product yields, reduce emissions, and make biomanufacturing more economically viable.

Supporting a more sustainable bioeconomy

Despite its promise, the diversity and efficiency of mixotrophic metabolism remains poorly understood, and its potential is largely underutilised in biotechnology. Through her fellowship, Micaela will investigate this metabolic capability in greater depth, identifying and characterising new microbes capable of efficient carbon co-assimilation. Her work will focus on organisms found in high-CO₂ volcanic soils, using advanced genomic, cultivation and analytical approaches to uncover and evaluate previously untested strains. This interdisciplinary programme will be hosted by Professor Sophie Nixon and draw on continued collaborations with Professor Neil Dixon, the University of Iceland and the Technical University of Denmark.

The project will generate new insights into how carbon flows through microbial systems and identify strains with strong potential for industrial application. By defining the conditions that maximise carbon retention, the research will establish a comparative framework for designing next-generation low-emission bioprocesses.

This fellowship strengthens MIB’s role in developing sustainable biotechnology solutions, contributing to efforts to reduce industrial emissions and support a circular, carbon-efficient bioeconomy.

Navigating trust and tension in scholarly communication

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:25:16 +0100

Open Research Specialist Liz Kavanagh-Warnock reflects on the recent UKSG conference and how infrastructure, funding pressures, and community are shaping the future of Open Research.

(United Kingdom Serials Group) is an international association of scholarly and academic publishers, libraries and tech companies, which hosts an annual conference every year that regularly attracts over 900 delegates. This year I was one of them, travelling to Glasgow for the first time to represent the Library and the Office for Open Research, and to learn more about how the sector is responding to challenges, developing new policies and technologies, and shaping the future of research accessibility and discoverability.

Trust: in research, institutions and infrastructure

A theme that repeated across various sessions was the importance of trust in the sector, and how a lack of trust in the infrastructure and institutions who facilitate and publish research can potentially undermine trust in the research itself. Sessions on peer review, retractions, and ORCID all reinforced the idea that infrastructure is not neutral background work - it can easily affect how research is assessed, discovered and trusted. I especially enjoyed the session ‘’ by Ben Rawlins of the University of Kentucky Libraries, which resulted in an insightful discussion on what publishers ought to do when a Gold Open Access article is retracted, with an estimated $41 million worth of APCs paid for retracted research!

Where do we go when we’re being pulled in multiple directions?

Given the timing of the UKSG conference, it was no surprise that there was much discussion on the outcome of the , which had recently been completed following extensive negotiations with Jisc. Whilst there was significant and vocal appreciation for all the hard work put into the negotiations, especially by the Jisc data analysts and licensing managers, there was also explicit acknowledgement of the challenges the sector faces. Libraries face a difficult situation given the current funding climate in higher education, with affordability becoming a more significant factor for some institutions than other priorities, such as author choice and sustainability. This tension is one we encounter often both nationally and in our day-to-day work.

Fostering a feeling of community

It’s important to point out that although the topics of discussion are often serious and occasionally heavy, the general mood of the UKSG conference is always very positive and collegiate. It’s easy to feel siloed within our organisations or institutions, or as though we’re battling alone, so UKSG’s celebration of collaboration and community is important, especially for those early in their careers or working in smaller institutions (there were even some solo librarians present!). Meeting new people, as well as catching up with former colleagues, to share wins and losses, experiences and lessons, or just complain about how many metadata records you have to make, is an important and joyful part of the UKSG schedule.

I recommend attending UKSG next year if you can - it's a great conference to build connections, learn practical lessons, and contribute to the future of Open Research.

More information

are available to browse.
The call for speakers and topics for UKSG conference 2027 is , closing 17 July.
Our guidance on the ‘Big 5’ as well as our other publisher agreements is available via our .

Elizabeth Kavanagh-Warnock, Open Research Specialist: Open Access

Tombs reveal Ancient Egyptian religion was constantly evolving, book reveals

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0100

Ancient Egyptian religion was not as fixed and unchanging as many people imagine, according to new research by Manchester Egyptologist .

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 commissioned and decorated their burial spaces in ways that reflected both tradition and contemporary change.

Key insights

Ancient Egyptian funerary texts were not fully standardised during this period, and varied between tombs
Tomb decoration involved the choices and priorities of the tomb owner or commissioner
Religious practices and funerary fashions could change within a single generation
Local traditions shaped how beliefs were expressed in places such as Saqqara
Egyptian religion was flexible and evolving rather than completely fixed over time

Why this matters

Ancient Egypt is often portrayed as a civilisation governed by rigid traditions and unchanging religious beliefs lasting thousands of years.

However this research challenges that perception, revealing a society in which religious ideas and funerary practices adapted over time, even across the span of a single lifetime.

Rather than being rigid, Egyptian religious culture responded to changing tastes, priorities and local traditions.

A human story told through tombs

At the heart of the book is the idea that tombs were highly personal spaces.

The decoration, inscriptions and arrangement of funerary texts within tombs at Saqqara reflected the involvement of those commissioning them. While these tombs drew on established religious traditions, they also reveal changing fashions and evolving approaches to the afterlife.

Two tombs built only a generation apart could already show noticeable differences in style, emphasis and religious presentation.

What the research found

Drawing on archaeological evidence from Saqqara, the study shows that:

Funerary texts and images differed between tombs during this period
Tomb decoration reflected individual commissions rather than a single rigid template
Religious styles and practices evolved noticeably over relatively short periods of time

The findings challenge the long-standing image of Egyptian religion as static and entirely controlled from the top down by priests and kings.

Why Saqqara matters

Saqqara, the necropolis of ancient Memphis, provides an unusually rich record of religious and artistic change.

The book demonstrates how local traditions shaped tomb decoration and funerary expression, revealing how broader religious beliefs could be adapted differently within particular communities.

A different view of ancient religion

The research presents ancient Egyptian religion as:

Evolving rather than fixed
Influenced by local communities and changing fashions
Shaped through personal commissions and lived experience

In short, the study suggests that ancient Egyptians were not simply preserving ancient traditions unchanged - they were continually adapting them for new generations.

Publication details

The Transmission of the Book of the Dead in New Kingdom Tombs at Saqqara will be published in paperback by on June 25^th, but is also currently available to read online via .

UK urged to learn from EU deforestation law as study reveals global beef trade challenges

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0100

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 ��Vlog�ٷ�.

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 found that despite sophisticated monitoring systems and environmental regulations, major gaps remain between the EU's requirements and the way Brazil's cattle industry is governed, potentially limiting the effectiveness of the legislation.

The findings come as the UK considers strengthening its own approach to tackling imported deforestation. Environmental groups and policymakers have called for tougher measures on products linked to forest destruction, with the EU's legislation widely viewed as a potential model.

The EUDR requires companies importing products including beef, soy, cocoa, coffee, palm oil and timber into the EU to prove they are not linked to deforestation. Businesses that fail to comply could face fines and exclusion from the European market.

However, the researchers argue that regulations alone cannot solve the problem if they do not align with the governance systems in producing countries.

The study analysed how Brazil's public authorities, private companies and multi-stakeholder initiatives measure up against six key EU requirements, including deforestation-free sourcing, legality, traceability and transparency.

Three major barriers identified

The researchers identified three main obstacles to successful implementation:

- Differences in how forests are defined mean that large areas of Brazil's Cerrado savanna - an ecosystem under intense environmental pressure - fall outside the EU's definition of forest, creating what the researchers describe as a major loophole.
- Brazil's monitoring and traceability systems remain fragmented - although the country has extensive environmental and livestock databases, they are often poorly integrated which makes it difficult to track cattle throughout the supply chain.
- Changing global trade patterns may reduce the EU's influence - while Europe was once a major destination for Brazilian beef, China now buys around 60% of Brazil's exports, compared with around 5% going to the EU.

Risks of shifting rather than solving the problem

The researchers warn that regulations introduced by wealthy consumer markets can unintentionally shift compliance costs onto farmers and suppliers in producing countries, particularly smaller producers who may lack the resources to meet complex new requirements.

They argue that import regulations are most likely to succeed when accompanied by investment in traceability systems, technical support and cooperation between importing and producing countries.

Improving global cooperation

The researchers recommend closer cooperation between Brazil and consumer markets such as the EU, including better integration of environmental monitoring systems, support for small producers and greater harmonisation of definitions and standards.

They argue that such measures would help ensure that anti-deforestation policies deliver genuine environmental benefits rather than simply redirecting trade flows or shifting compliance burdens elsewhere.

What the experts say

"The EU's deforestation regulation represents a major shift in how sustainability is governed globally. But our findings show that regulations alone are not enough,” said lead author John James Loomis, a researcher at ��Vlog�ٷ�'s Global Development Institute and Fundação Getulio Vargas.

"The study highlights a wider challenge facing governments around the world – whether in the EU, the UK or elsewhere, efforts to tackle imported deforestation need to work with producer countries rather than simply impose new requirements on them,” said co-author Professor Khalid Nadvi, Professor of International Development at ��Vlog�ٷ�’s Global Development Institute and Head of the School of Environment, Education and Development.

"Effective environmental governance depends on cooperation, capacity-building and shared responsibility across global supply chains."

Publication details

The paper was published in journal Global Policy.

DOI:

University of Manchester recognised at national lifelong learning awards

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:35:15 +0100

The event brought together institutions from across the UK to share best practice, explore innovation in lifelong learning, and celebrate impactful partnerships that are widening participation and supporting learners at all stages of life.

The University was proud to be recognised on the national stage, receiving the Institutional Partnership Award for its collaboration with the Bank of England on the Teach Economics programme.

This flagship initiative is designed to support the teaching of economics in schools and colleges, equipping educators with the tools, resources and confidence to inspire the next generation of economists. A key ambition of the programme is to improve diversity within the subject, helping to broaden access and encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue economics through further study and into higher education.

The award recognises the strength of collaboration between academic, professional services and external partners, as well as the programme’s continued evolution and commitment to evaluation and impact.

Professor Ang Davies, University Academic Lead for Lifelong Learning, said:

The recognition reflects the University’s continued commitment to lifelong learning and to creating opportunities that enable learners from all backgrounds to engage with higher education.

Real-time microscopy reveals how semiconductor nanowires grow, and how bismuth seeds can speed their formation

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:00:00 +0100

Scientists from the at ��Vlog�ٷ� and Sun Yat-sen University, have captured the growth of semiconducting tellurium nanostructures in liquid in real time, revealing how tiny seed particles form, grow into nanowires and compete for material as the structures develop. The study, published in , also shows that adding bismuth seed particles can make tellurium easier to deposit under specific electrodeposition conditions used in the experiments.

The work focuses on tellurium, a semiconductor of interest for electronic, thermoelectric and optoelectronic applications, where performance depends strongly on the size and shape of the nanostructures produced. Although liquid-phase synthesis is a scalable and relatively low-cost way to make these materials, it has been difficult to observe exactly how anisotropic tellurium structures begin to form and evolve during growth.

Using liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, the researchers tracked the early stages of tellurium formation at the nanoscale. They found that tellurium first appears as spherical seed particles, which then give rise to multiple nanowires. During growth, nearby wires compete for available material, affecting local growth speed and branching. Across the experiments, local nanowire growth rates were measured in the range of 1 to 15 nm per second, depending on electron flux and the presence of neighbouring structures.

, corresponding author at ��Vlog�ٷ� and the National Graphene Institute, said: “This study lets us see, in real time, how tellurium nanowires emerge and evolve in liquid. By directly observing nucleation, growth and branching at the nanoscale, we can begin to understand how to control these processes much more precisely. That matters because the performance of tellurium-based materials depends strongly on their size and shape.”

A second key finding was that bismuth seed nanoparticles dramatically change how tellurium grows. In the microscopy experiments, bismuth increased the number of nucleation sites and promoted more highly branched, fern-like structures. Follow-up electrodeposition experiments confirmed that bismuth also lowers the reducing potential needed for tellurium deposition and can substantially increase the amount of tellurium deposited under the same conditions. Together, these results show how insights from real-time microscopy can guide more effective materials synthesis outside the microscope.

Dr Yi-Chao Zou, co-corresponding author, said: “One of the most exciting aspects of this work is that the behaviour we observed in the liquid cell translated into conventional electrodeposition experiments. We found that bismuth seeding not only promotes tellurium nucleation but also makes deposition easier and more productive at a fixed potential. That opens up new possibilities for designing tellurium nanostructures with tailored morphologies for future device applications.”

The study, a collaboration between Sun Yat-sen University, ��Vlog�ٷ�, the National Graphene Institute and Beijing Institute of Technology, suggests that real-time microscopy can do more than describe nanostructure growth. In this case, it identified a specific way to alter nucleation behaviour and improve deposition under defined experimental conditions. That could help researchers refine how tellurium nanostructures are produced for device-relevant studies, while keeping claims closely tied to the systems tested here. The team report the findings could help accelerate the optimisation of low-dimensional nanostructures for electronics, energy conversion and sensing applications.

University honours four outstanding individuals with honorary degrees

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:49:00 +0100

��Vlog�ٷ� has awarded honorary degrees to four individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to public life, culture, science and the continued growth and success of Manchester.

The awards were presented at a ceremony in Whitworth Hall on Thursday, 18 June, bringing together students, staff and civic leaders to celebrate achievement, leadership and the enduring partnership between the University and the wider city-region.

Honorary degrees are the university’s highest awards, recognising individuals who have made exceptional contributions that reflect the university’s values and create meaningful impact locally, nationally and globally.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of ��Vlog�ٷ�, welcomed the guest and honorees at the event and gave opening remarks, he said: “Today, we come together to celebrate and honour four exceptional individuals whose contributions have shaped our University, our city and society more broadly.

“Our honorary graduands are united by their commitment to Manchester and by the lasting impact they have had on the communities they have served. Through leadership in public service, culture, and higher education, each has helped to strengthen the city's reputation as a place of innovation and opportunity.”

As a global-civic university, Manchester is committed to working in partnership with its city and communities to advance social responsibility, inclusive growth and innovation. This year’s honorary graduates exemplify that mission, each playing a significant role in shaping Manchester’s reputation as a place of ideas, opportunity and positive change.

Honorary graduates 2026

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell served as President and Vice-Chancellor of ��Vlog�ٷ� 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 has played a key role in shaping the UK’s research and innovation landscape, while championing the role of universities in addressing global challenges and delivering local impact.

Sir Richard Leese

Sir Richard Leese served as Leader of Manchester City Council for more than 25 years, playing a pivotal role in the city’s regeneration and global rise. His leadership spanned defining moments in Manchester’s recent history, including the recovery following the 1996 terrorist bomb and the delivery of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Under his tenure, Manchester saw significant economic growth and the revival and repopulation of its city centre, helping to position the city as a leading example of inclusive urban renewal. He now chairs the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, continuing his contribution to improving outcomes for communities across the region.

Dr Maria Balshaw CBE

Dr Maria Balshaw is a leading figure in the cultural life of both Manchester and the UK. As Director of Tate Galleries from 2017 to 2026, she led a programme focused on artistic boldness, inclusivity and engagement with new audiences.

Her connection to Manchester is longstanding. She previously served as Director of The Whitworth at ��Vlog�ٷ�, as well as Director of Manchester City Galleries and Director of Culture for Manchester City Council. Her leadership has helped position Manchester as a globally recognised cultural destination, where creativity and access to the arts play a central role in civic identity and social impact.

Sir Howard Bernstein (1953–2024)

Widely regarded as one of the architects of modern Manchester, the late Sir Howard Bernstein devoted his career to public service in the city he called home. As Chief Executive of Manchester City Council for 20 years, he played a central role in shaping Manchester’s recovery, growth and long-term vision.

He led the reconstruction of the city centre following the 1996 terrorist bomb and was instrumental in delivering the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the regeneration of East Manchester. His work extended across major developments in transport, culture and infrastructure, as well as securing Greater Manchester’s landmark devolution deal.

Sir Howard’s legacy reflects a lifelong commitment to civic leadership and place-making, helping transform Manchester into a confident, globally connected city rooted in strong communities.

Together, this year’s honorary graduates highlight the vital role of collaboration, leadership and creativity in addressing the challenges of our time and delivering lasting social impact.

Through Manchester 2035, the University is strengthening its commitment to being a global-civic institution, working in partnership to improve lives, advance knowledge and support the continued success of Manchester as a leading global city.

Electrical control of spin signals demonstrated in graphene superlattices

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:12:08 +0100

Researchers at the , in collaboration with the National University of Singapore, have shown that the magnetic behaviour of electrons in graphene can be precisely controlled using electricity, revealing unusually large spin signals in a carefully engineered graphene system.

The study, published in , demonstrates how placing graphene close to a magnetic material can influence the spin of electrons without permanently altering graphene itself. By combining this magnetic proximity effect with graphene superlattices and operating at very low charge densities, the researchers were able to strongly tune how spins move through the material.

“This work shows that by combining graphene with nearby magnetic materials, we can gain a high level of control over electron spin using electrical signals alone,” said Dr Daniel Burrow, from ��Vlog�ٷ�. “In simple terms, we are learning how to pass information through graphene using the spin of electrons rather than their electrical charge.”

Electron spin is a quantum property that can act like a tiny magnetic compass needle. While conventional electronics rely on the movement of charge, spin-based approaches aim to use this magnetic degree of freedom to process and carry information, potentially reducing energy losses.

In the study, the team used cobalt contacts to induce magnetism in graphene through proximity, meaning the graphene itself does not become magnetic. They then injected and detected pure spin currents, allowing them to probe how spin transport changes across different electronic regimes.

Near the charge neutrality point, where graphene has very few mobile charge carriers, the researchers observed a clear reversal of the spin signal. This behaviour indicates that the magnetic proximity effect creates a spin dependent energy splitting in graphene, which governs how spins travel through the material.

Importantly, the same effect was also observed at additional neutrality points that appear when graphene is precisely aligned with hexagonal boron nitride. These so called superlattice features show that proximity induced spin control applies not only to graphene’s original electronic bands but also to those reconstructed by the superlattice structure.

“Our measurements show that the same underlying mechanism controls spin transport across all these regimes,” said Dr Burrow. “That tells us we are seeing a robust physical effect rather than something specific to a single device setting.”

The strongest signals were observed in a bilayer graphene superlattice device designed to open an energy gap in the electronic structure. In this specific system, the researchers measured spin polarisations approaching 50 per cent and nonlocal spin resistances exceeding 300 ohms. These values are nearly two orders of magnitude larger than those measured away from charge neutrality in the same experimental platform.

The study shows that low carrier density, combined with magnetic proximity effects and engineered band structure, can greatly enhance spin filtering and detection. While the work focuses on demonstrating the physics, the authors note that electrical control of spin at low power could be relevant for future spin based electronic technologies.

“This research shows that we can engineer graphene systems where spin signals become both large and electrically tunable,” said , a co-author of the study. “That opens up new ways to explore spin transport in two-dimensional materials and brings us closer to using these effects in practical devices.”

University of Manchester and MEC Students Celebrated at the Venture Further Awards 2026

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:58:57 +0100

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) at the University of Manchester celebrated the very best of student enterprise at the Venture Further Awards 2026, held on Tuesday 16th June at the iconic Whitworth Hall. Founders, judges, mentors, partners, alumni, colleagues and supporters came together for an evening defined by energy, ambition and the generosity of a community built around student entrepreneurship.

Now in its 23rd year, Venture Further is one of the most important moments in MEC's calendar - a celebration of creativity, courage and practical action. This year was the biggest yet: 29 finalists were selected from around 200 applications, competing for 11 awards across four tracks - Freelancer, Social Impact, Research-Led Disruption and Startup - for a share of a £200,000 prize pot.

The quality of pitches was exceptional. Finalists showed strong ideas, technical capability and the confidence to test, refine and communicate their ventures with conviction. From freelancers building businesses around their skills and reputation, to social impact founders tackling urgent societal and environmental challenges, to research-led innovators translating discovery into application, and high-growth startups with ambitious plans to scale - the breadth and depth of student talent was inspiring.

MEC's work is closely aligned with the University's 2035 strategy and its commitment to Entrepreneurship for All: an ambition that every one of the University's 47,000 students should have the opportunity to benefit from entrepreneurship education and graduate with an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative skillset. The Venture Further Awards demonstrate exactly why that ambition matters.

Founder Fireside Chat

The evening began with a Founder Fireside Chat hosted by Dr Rob Martin, Programme Director of Enterprise Education at MEC. Taking to the stage was VFA alumnus Sid Sethi, founder of Specsart - who won £10,000 at the Venture Further Awards in 2018 while studying at the University of Manchester. Specsart set out to disrupt the UK eyewear industry with affordable, premium glasses and has since grown into a global brand: three UK stores, customers across 120 countries, and over 25,000 free eye tests delivered by the end of 2025. Sid has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 and recognised in the FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies 2025. His story set the tone for the evening - proof of what Manchester students can achieve when they back themselve.

Awards Winners

The Freelancing Track

Recognising students who have built self-directed careers offering professional services and creative expertise, this year's Freelancing Track winners demonstrated exceptional craft, business acumen and ambition.

The Creative Excellence Award | £3,000
Winner: Sophia Shen, Marketing & Design Services

The Service Innovator Award | £3,000
Winner: Jahanvi Tripathi, Stats and Stories

Freelancer of the Year | £4,000
Winner: Giuseppe Romano, Make IT STEM

The Social Impact Track

This track celebrates ventures driven by purpose - tackling real-world challenges in communities, environments and societies. This year's winners showed remarkable breadth, from sustainability to education to community wellbeing.

The Community Impact Award | £5,000
Winner: Lisa Udoh, SOLITAIRE

The Sustainable Development Award | £15,000
Winner: Gloria Cherono, Envirofly
Co-founder(s): Sharon Chepngetich

The Social Impact Venture Award | £20,000
Winner: Elizabeth Crompton, Real Life Learning

The Research-Led Disruption Track

Rooted in the University's tradition of world-leading research, this track celebrates ventures turning laboratory discoveries into real-world commercial opportunities - from deep tech breakthroughs to advanced materials innovation.

The Deep Tech Excellence Award | £30,000
Winner: Dr Jacob Samuel Thompson, ADDER-VAX

The Eli & Britt Harari Graphene Enterprise Award | £45,000
Winner: Mohamed Elsharkasi, Hollowgraf
Co-founder(s): Premlal Balakrishna Pillai, Rahul Raveendran Nair, Feng Yan

The Startup Track

The Startup Track celebrates scalable ventures with the potential to attract investment and enter new markets. This year's winners brought innovation across AI-driven tools, consumer health technology and digital platforms.

The Digital Innovation Award | £20,000
Winner: Katrina Zalcmane, Vea
Co-founder(s): Zahra Bhatti

The Consumer & Product Innovation Award | £20,000
Winner: Donglin Zhao, PawSano

The High-Growth Venture Award | £35,000
Winner: Uma Maheswari Mani Shrinivasan, Deft AI
Co-founder(s): Jayanth Reddy

A Word from MEC's Interim Director

“The Venture Further Awards never fail to inspire me. This year's cohort was exceptional - the quality of ideas, the rigour of the pitches, and the sheer determination of our finalists was a testament to what Manchester students can achieve. Now in our 23rd year, Venture Further has become one of the most exciting evenings in the entrepreneurship calendar, and this year was no exception. None of this would be possible without the incredible generosity of our judges and partners, who give their time, expertise and resources so that our students get the very best opportunities. I want to congratulate every finalist, and especially our 11 winners - but I also want to say to every student who applied: you took a step that matters. That courage is exactly what Entrepreneurship for All is about.” Lee Pugalis, Interim Director, Masood Entrepreneurship Centre

A Night to Remember

The awards ceremony at Whitworth Hall was made possible by the generous support of more than 100 partners, organisations and individuals who have supported MEC this year, including Unit M, the Innovation Factory, GM Business Growth Hub and NatWest. Their support ensures that events like Venture Further continue to connect student entrepreneurs with the networks, challenge and encouragement they need to go further.

Congratulations go to all 29 finalists. Only some names were called at Whitworth Hall on the night, but every finalist achieved something significant: taking an idea seriously, standing behind it, and inviting others to believe in it too. That is the mindset MEC wants every Manchester student to develop, whatever path they choose after graduation.

For more information about the Venture Further Awards and MEC's programmes, or to find out how to get involved as a partner, mentor or collaborator, visit www.entrepreneurship.manchester.ac.uk.

Interested in Entering Next Year?

Venture Further is open to all University of Manchester students and recent graduates. Whether you have a fully-formed business or just an idea you want to explore, now is the time to start thinking about your application. Join a community of ambitious student entrepreneurs and get access to mentorship, funding, and the support to take your venture further.

Register your interest for Venture Further Awards 2027:

New survey seeks women's experiences of travel and road safety in Greater Manchester

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:34:24 +0100

Women across Greater Manchester are being invited to take part in a major new study exploring how safe they feel when travelling around the region, as researchers seek to know more about the unique challenges women face on and around the region’s road and transport networks.

��Vlog�ٷ� and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have joined forces to launch a new survey asking women about their experiences as drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

The research will help build one of the most detailed pictures yet of women's experiences of road safety in Greater Manchester and help identify practical ways to improve safety, confidence and inclusion across the region’s transport system.

The project is funded through the Vision Zero Innovation Fund and is informed by the Gender-Based Violence Strategy. It forms part of Greater Manchester's wider Vision Zero ambition to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on the region's roads.

Researchers Dr Caroline Miles and Professor Rose Broad are leading the study, which will examine inequalities faced by women road users and explore how experiences of safety can differ depending on how people travel.

The team is particularly interested in understanding barriers that may affect women's confidence when using roads and transport networks, as well as identifying opportunities to improve safety for current and future generations of road users.

Women living, working or travelling in Greater Manchester are being encouraged to complete the short online survey and share their insights and concerns.

The survey will explore issues including:

Experiences of travelling as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist or public transport user
Feelings of safety and confidence while travelling
Worries about road safety and personal security
Barriers that influence travel choices
Ideas for improving safety and accessibility
Evidence to support future changes

The survey is the first part of a wider research project being delivered by ��Vlog�ٷ� on behalf of the Safer Roads Greater Manchester Partnership Board.

Alongside the survey, participants will have the opportunity to take part in follow-up focus groups to provide more detailed insights into their experiences.

The findings will be presented to the Greater Manchester Safer Roads Partnership Board later this year.

The researchers hope the project will help ensure women's perspectives are better reflected in future road safety policies, interventions and transport planning.

By capturing the insights of women from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and travel habits, the study aims to create a stronger evidence base to support safer, more inclusive streets across Greater Manchester.

“It is vital that everyone feels safe travelling on foot, by bike or in a vehicle, and we need to understand specifically how women experience Greater Manchester's roads so we can continue to address barriers they may face,” said Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester.

"Women use roads and transport networks every day, but their experiences are not always fully reflected in the evidence that informs road safety policy and planning,” said Dr Miles. “We know that concerns about safety can influence how, when and whether people travel, yet there has been relatively little research exploring these issues from women's perspectives.

“By listening to their experiences, we can build a clearer understanding of the challenges women face and identify where improvements could make the greatest difference.

"Road safety is about more than preventing collisions - it's also about ensuring people feel confident and secure when moving around their communities,” said Professor Broad. “The insights gathered through this research will help us understand what helps women feel safe, what creates barriers or concerns, and what practical changes could improve their experiences.

“We want the findings to support evidence-based action that makes Greater Manchester's roads and transport systems safer and more inclusive for everyone.”

Women interested in taking part can complete the survey by .

University of Manchester researchers recognised with Royal Society of Chemistry Horizon Prize

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:23:41 +0100

Researchers from ��Vlog�ٷ� have been recognised as part of an international team awarded a Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Horizon Prize for advances in solid-state battery technology.

The team, , received the Stephanie L Kwolek Prize for developing a scalable solid-state lithium metal battery architecture that integrates nanocarbon-enhanced cathodes with solid electrolytes.

The award recognises a collaboration between researchers at PETRONAS, ��Vlog�ٷ�, and Deakin University in Melbourne. Their work focuses on overcoming key barriers to the commercialisation of solid-state lithium metal batteries, including improving energy density, safety and manufacturability.

Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte found in conventional lithium-ion batteries with a solid alternative, offering potential advantages in stability and performance. However, challenges remain in ensuring reliable operation at scale. The team’s approach combines nanocarbon-enhanced cathodes with solid electrolytes to deliver a design that can be manufactured using processes compatible with industry.

The RSC Horizon Prizes, introduced in 2020, recognise teams working on innovative projects at the frontiers of the chemical sciences. The prizes highlight collaborative research that addresses global challenges and demonstrates significant progress towards practical applications.

Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “The purpose of the Horizon Prizes is to recognise those who are pioneering new techniques, technologies and discoveries. Our winners demonstrate how expertise from across chemistry and related disciplines can be brought together to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges.”

The Manchester researchers contributed expertise in nanomaterials and their integration into functional devices, building on the University’s strengths in advanced materials and energy research. Their involvement in the project reflects ongoing collaborations with international partners and industry to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies.

The prize is one of a number of Horizon Prizes awarded this year by the RSC, which form part of a wider programme recognising excellence in research, innovation and education across the chemical sciences.

Lost & Found in Translation: From Methods Fair Workshop to a Global Research Network

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:24:54 +0100

Lost & Found in Translation (L&FIT) is a collaborative network of postgraduate researchers (PGRs) and early career researchers (ECRs) initially based across the four North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) institutions. The network brings together researchers whose work involves qualitative interviews conducted across diverse languages, settings and disciplines.

The initiative was founded by , Lecturer in Arabic Cultural Studies (and scholar of Translation Studies) at the University of Manchester. Recognising that many PhD researchers were engaging with issues of translation often outside of Translation Studies, she identified a gap: cross-language research practices vary significantly across disciplines, yet opportunities for shared reflection were limited.

L&FIT began as a small group of scholars from across the NWSSDTP which includes Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire, Lancaster and Keele Universities. These researchers initially came together to deliver a workshop at the Methods@Manchester 2025 Methods Fair. What followed was not a one-off event, but an ongoing conversation that continued well beyond the Fair itself.

Building on this momentum, the group secured a Catalyst Grant in summer 2025. This funding supported a programme of three workshops (February, April and May 2026) and a conference in June 2026. From the outset, the diversity of the network was striking, with participants drawn from disciplines including Biology, Human Geography, Business, Politics, Literature, IT and Translation Studies. Guest speakers from the supported the network by sharing their own expertise while signposting the group to the latest translation research publications.

By the second workshop, the network had already expanded beyond the NWSSDTP region, welcoming contributors from institutions in China and Morocco, alongside a visiting scholar from the United States. The third workshop deepened these conversations further, focusing on the role of the researcher within the research process, and on how to ethically represent the communities involved in cross-language research.

The L&FIT Conference

The conference programme reflected the breadth and ambition of the network. Originally planned as a one-day event, it expanded into a two-day format - including an online component - to enable wider participation.

Topics ranged from AI algorithms and idioms, speech recognition and sign language, to research in conflict zones and the emotional complexity of interviews that extend beyond words. Participants also critically examined broader structural challenges, including how the ‘big social sciences’ engage with cross-language production, interpreters being seen as a problem, not a help, when ‘money talks’ in different languages; academia ‘stuck’ in English.

A practising translator described the event as “diversified, well-structured and highly relevant to the current state of the Translation field”, highlighting the way it opened up new perspectives on both the challenges and possibilities of working across languages.

For those involved in organising the conference, the experience was equally significant. One Year 3 PGR reflected on the “professionalism and attention to detail demonstrated at every stage”, describing it as “the best experience I have had across no fewer than ten conferences and workshops this year.”

Why has L&FIT resonated so strongly?

Reflecting on the network’s success, Dr Abou Rached describes L&FIT as “academic community development in action”. Its impact, she suggests, stems from a combination of open collaboration, institutional support, and a shared recognition that translation is a vital component of academic research practice. Together, these elements have created “rich potential to become a sustainable hub of knowledge-sharing in the methods area and beyond.”

This sense of community is echoed by participants. One doctoral researcher noted that involvement in the network had encouraged greater reflexivity in their work, particularly in “keeping grassroots voices at the centre of research”. Another highlighted the personal significance of these connections, explaining that the network “made me feel less alone… and part of a community.”

Where next?

What began as a group of ten researchers across five North West universities has grown into an international network of around 50 scholars. Participants now span regions including North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Egypt), the Gulf (Qatar), China and beyond.

The network’s momentum has attracted strong support from the wider academic community. A guest speaker praised its success in “bringing together such a diversity of disciplinary perspectives” and emphasised the importance of sustaining this energy into 2026–27.

For many involved, the value of L&FIT lies not only in intellectual exchange but in the sense of belonging it fosters. As one Year 2 PGR reflected, being part of the network has been “truly inspiring” and has “renewed my enthusiasm for translation studies” another valued “how researchers from a wide range of fields are all, in different ways, contributing to language and cultural accessibility.”

Looking ahead, the network plans to first extend these conversations through a dedicated blog, continuing to create space for dialogue, reflection and future collaborations.

Where can I find out more?

You can read more about the workshops and conference , and while L&FIT does not yet have a LinkedIn page, you can explore posts from the conference, panel by panel, and post by post, !

University of Manchester in top 40 in QS World University Rankings 2027

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:30:58 +0100

��Vlog�ٷ� has been ranked in the top 40 universities globally in the .

The rankings assess more than 1,500 institutions worldwide across a range of measures, including research and discovery, employability and outcomes, international engagement and sustainability.

Manchester achieved an overall score of 84.6 and performed particularly strongly in international research collaboration, ranking 7th globally. The University also ranked 10th for sustainability, 28th for employer reputation and 32nd for academic reputation.

The results reinforce Manchester's position as one of the world's leading universities, recognised for the quality of its research, global partnerships, teaching excellence and real-world impact.

Manchester is also one of a small number of global universities that consistently performs strongly in both the global university rankings and the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which measure progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since these rankings were introduced in 2019, the University has been placed in the global top ten every year.

The University was ranked 35th in the . This year's rankings saw particularly strong competition from institutions in China and across Asia, reflecting the intensely competitive global higher education landscape.

QS is one of the world's leading university ranking systems. ��Vlog�ٷ� was ranked 56th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and 46th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025.

Find further information about where the University is ranked on our World Rankings page.

University of Manchester plays leading role in £50m Local Innovation Partnerships Funding for Greater Manchester

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:08:50 +0100

��Vlog�ٷ� has helped secure £50m to drive innovation-led growth across Greater Manchester.
The University is leading two major projects and supporting across the whole programme.
Funding will back growth in advanced materials, manufacturing, AI, health innovation and low carbon technologies.
The investment will help attract financial backing, create skilled jobs and boost regional growth.

��Vlog�ٷ�, working with partners across the Greater Manchester region and beyond, has played a leading role in securing £50m investment from UK Research and Innovation’s Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) that drives innovation-led growth across Greater Manchester.

The University is lead delivery partner on two projects and will be a delivery partner on the remaining three across the wider funding programme, .

Together the whole portfolio is worth £50m and covers nationally significant sectors including advanced materials & manufacturing, digital, cyber & AI, health innovation & life sciences, and low carbon technologies. These projects will attract private investment, create skilled jobs, support business growth and strengthen Greater Manchester’s position as a globally competitive innovation region.

The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) is a flagship UK government programme - delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) - investing up to £500 million to strengthen regional innovation economies across the country.

Forming a central pillar of the government's modern Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change, the Fund brings together local leaders, businesses and research organisations to build on regional strengths to create new jobs, drive innovation-led productivity and attract further public and private investment into communities across the UK.

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 services and access to specialist expertise to help companies scale up and adopt sustainable materials and advanced manufacturing technologies.

By connecting businesses with national research centres, universities and industry, the programme will accelerate collaboration, unlock new supply chain opportunities and strengthen the region’s ability to attract and grow innovative businesses.

The project is delivered in partnership with the Rochdale Development Agency, and the delivery consortium provides comprehensive access to the national advanced materials innovation ecosystem through the Henry Royce Institute, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), : NCC and CPI. The University of Greater Manchester will support the delivery of industry-ready skills packages.

Together, these activities will drive private sector investment in the Atom Valley Innovation District, generating skilled jobs, and build long-term economic resilience for the region.

GROW AI

The University will also play a key role in GROW AI (£12.8m). The project will be jointly led by the Centre for Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University and the Turing Innovation Catalyst at the University of Manchester.

GROW AI will rapidly scale the responsible and secure adoption of AI across Greater Manchester, unlocking faster commercialisation of research and delivering inclusive, high-value economic growth. Involving collaboration with the University of Salford, Lancaster University and numerous private sector partners, the initiative will fuse startup and research commercialisation with AI adoption by SMEs across priority sectors, bringing together the public, private and academic sectors to focus on key challenges at pace.

Utilising the networks, delivery expertise and academic excellence of the partner organisations, it builds on the region’s existing assets and is designed for rapid deployment. GROW AI develops the regional cluster at scale, supporting both new AI firms and existing businesses, so the wider economy can benefit from the AI opportunity. The project will also support the continued growth of the tech community at Sister, a new innovation district which is a joint venture between ��Vlog�ٷ� and Bruntwood SciTech.

The University's innovation arm, – a function designed to unleash the institution's full innovation potential – has supported the development of these two projects.

Delivery partner on three projects

��Vlog�ٷ� is also the delivery partner for indoor air quality and sustainability assessments in the Retrofit Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Centre (£8.56m) led by the University of Salford, the GM Wearables and Remote Monitoring Innovation Cluster (£5.5m) led by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and the Greater Data Accelerator (£6.7m) led by Health Innovation Manchester.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President & Vice-Chancellor of ��Vlog�ٷ� said: “This shows what Greater Manchester can achieve through collaboration between universities, industry and the public sector. We’re very proud to play a central role in this, working alongside our partners to turn research into innovation that supports business growth, builds new ventures and strengthens the economy.

"Our research, partnerships and innovation activity will increasingly create globally competitive clusters that attract investment, generate high-value jobs and position Greater Manchester as a leader in advanced materials, manufacturing, health innovation and AI. This is about connecting talent, ideas and industry - which ultimately means long-term, inclusive growth is felt across our communities.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Portfolio Lead for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth, said: “Through this significant investment in five pioneering projects we will translate world-class research and innovation into new jobs and opportunities that benefit Greater Manchester’s businesses and residents.

“By focusing on advanced materials and manufacturing, health innovation and AI, we are building on the strengths that already set our city region apart and creating the conditions for more businesses to innovate, scale and succeed here. This is the kind of investment and collaboration that helps us deliver long-term, inclusive growth, strengthening our economy and ensuring the benefits of innovation are felt right across Greater Manchester.”

Andrew Hodgson, Chair of the Innovation Greater Manchester Board, said: “I am delighted that Greater Manchester has secured such a significant investment and is the first region to have all its projects approved.

“This is testament to the maturity in Greater Manchester and the strong partnership that exists across the region. I would like to thank the partners for their support in the process. At IGM we look forward to continuing to collaborate with UKRI, supporting deployment of world-class innovations that impact lives throughout the region and beyond.”