For me, stepping back starts with understanding the real cost behind Black Friday. There’s the waste that often comes from “bagging a bargain” we didn’t actually need.

Research suggests around 80% of Black Friday purchases end up unused or thrown away after one use, and more than half of shoppers regret what they bought.

And it’s no wonder. The whole event is built on aggressive marketing and psychological pricing tricks that make it difficult to think clearly in the moment.

Consumer group Which? even found that 98% of Black Friday “deals” were the same price or cheaper at other times of the year.

The environmental side is just as striking: carbon emissions from deliveries rise by almost 94% compared with a typical week, and waste increases by around 25%.

The second part is remembering that most of us want something a bit more meaningful than another parcel arriving on the doorstep.

That feeling of guilt or disappointment after a rushed purchase isn’t just about the item. It often reflects the sense that the whole cycle leaves us a little empty. Especially in a year when it’s become so expensive simply to get by.

That’s where Giving Tuesday comes in. It’s a global movement that encourages people to support good causes rather than accumulate things that won’t matter for long.

Last year, Giving Tuesday raised almost £20 million for charities in the UK. In the United States, where it began, it raised £2.5 billion.

Maybe the difference in scale is fuelled by the same concerns that mean today in the UK fewer people are donating to charity than ever before. People want to feel confident that their support genuinely helps.

That it does, in fact, reach the people and communities we want to benefit from our generosity, rather than getting tied up in the costs of running a large charity.

But here’s why I think we’re right not to be swept along by big charitable gimmicks. The answer isn’t more one-off giving days. The truth is that real change doesn’t happen in 24 hours. It doesn’t follow a marketing calendar.

It happens slowly, steadily, in the hands of people who understand their communities better than any charity board or funder ever could.

And the small grassroots groups doing this work say that what they need most isn’t a sudden spike in donations. It’s steady, predictable support that lets them plan ahead.

That’s why long-term, small-scale giving can be so powerful. A few pounds a month isn’t dramatic, but it creates stability. It gives community organisations the confidence to look beyond the next crisis and invest in what they know will make a lasting difference.

 offers an approach built around exactly that idea. People contribute small monthly amounts – as little as £1.25, far less than a take-away coffee - into a shared fund.

That money goes directly to community-led groups in the UK and around the world, supporting local groups directly: the young people leading climate resilience projects, the women shaping their neighbourhoods and campaigning for social housing, the local organisers tackling loneliness, and the local organisations keep young people in school.

No glossy campaigns. No distant decision-making. Just practical, grounded support for people tackling the challenges they live with every day. That’s what generates change, not charity.

So if Black Friday feels overwhelming and Giving Tuesday feels a bit fleeting, there is another option. You can choose to be part of something that lasts longer than a sale or a hashtag. What we give doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful.

Giving a little, regularly, is what it takes to help communities build the change they know is needed. Showing up consistently - no matter how small – is so much more powerful than showing off once a year.

That what helps communities create the kind of change that outlives all of us.

________________

Nicola Banks is Professor at the Global Development Institute at The University of Manchester and Co-Founder of social enterprise, 

This piece was originally published by .

The research offers a pointed reminder that, in an era where symbolic gestures from global sporting bodies can carry enormous political weight, understanding the mechanics of narrative formation is essential. Debates around sport, reputation and political power are set to continue - and this work provides a crucial framework for interpreting them.

The researchers say progress on attendance since the pandemic has been slow - and for some children, things are getting worse. They’re calling for a joined-up approach that brings together schools, families and community services. This could include:

- Family Hubs which offer early help, advice and activities to support school readiness
- More flexible routes through education, like apprenticeships and internships
- Enrichment activities, mental health and careers support to support pupil’s broader engagement with learning
- Stronger relationships between teachers, pupils and parents
- Involving young people in decisions to increase their sense of belonging and safety

“Every missed day of school means a missed opportunity,” said Baroness Anne Longfield, founder of the Centre for Young Lives. “This research shines a light on the urgent need to fix attendance and make sure every child gets the education they deserve.”

The Child of the North campaign is a partnership between the N8 Research Partnership and Health Equity North which brings together universities across the North of England - including 91ֱ��, Leeds, Durham, York, Lancaster, Liverpool, Sheffield and Newcastle - to push for fairer futures for children across the North of England.

“If we want to give every child a fair start in life, we need to fix attendance - and that means fixing the barriers that stop children from feeling they belong in school,” said Professor Mark Mon-Williams, who leads the campaign.

From September 2026, graduates from both 91ֱ�� Metropolitan University and The University of Manchester will be eligible for a 10% fee discount on PGT programmes across both institutions.   

Together, they are the first UK universities to offer an alumni discount across separate institutions, marking a significant step forward in collaboration between two which will benefit graduates, while helping to grow 91ֱ��’s talent pipeline and economy. 

The new scheme will open opportunities for more students and answers the Government’s call in its recently published Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper for universities to work more closely together to support students and drive growth. 

Professor Malcolm Press CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor at 91ֱ�� Metropolitan University, said: “Here in 91ֱ�� our universities have a long history of working together for the benefit of our students, our city region, and our national economy.  

“Initiatives such as our joint alumni scheme represent tangible progress towards deeper, more strategic partnerships. We are committed to continuing this journey together and are actively exploring new opportunities to collaborate and strengthen regional collaboration to drive meaningful impact in local communities.” 

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester said: “We want to see flourishing communities where people have good quality jobs. More people having more chances to develop their skills and extend their education is an important way to do this. By creating this partnership, we are increasing the ability of people of all ages to access new knowledge and benefit wider society.   

“This partnership will also strengthen the ties that people in 91ֱ�� and across the world have with our two universities. This is just the start of a strategic relationship with 91ֱ�� Met that builds on our unique strengths.” 

Both The University of Manchester and 91ֱ�� Met trace their roots back more than 200 years to the formation of the 91ֱ�� Mechanics Institution in 1824, founded to educate the skilled workforce essential to 91ֱ��’s industrial revolution.  

91ֱ�� is now home to one of the largest student populations in Europe and the city’s excellence in higher education is evidenced through The University of Manchester’s ranking of 7th in the UK in the QS World University Ranking 2026 and 91ֱ�� Metropolitan’s position as Modern University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.  

The University of Manchester and 91ֱ�� Metropolitan’s joint School of Architecture is ranked the 5^th best in the world in the QS World Subject Rankings, and initiatives such as the Greater 91ֱ�� University Mental Health Service bring both institutions together with regional partners to support our students.  

The joint alumni discount will be available from September 2026 to anyone who has previously graduated from The University of Manchester or 91ֱ�� Metropolitan University  

Further information about the discount and how to apply will be available here in early 2026, including information on eligibility, participating courses, and how the alumni discount is applied. 

/study/masters/fees-and-funding/masters-student-funding/manchester-alumni-loyalty-discount/

Published in Brain, Behaviour and Immunity, the study adds to the emerging idea of the “gut-brain axis” – in which scientists suggest allows communication between the two organs in both health and disease.

The study casts more light on the biology of stroke, a life-threatening medical emergency that disrupts blood flow to parts of the brain often causing long-term effects to mobility and cognition.

Stroke patients are also at risk of secondary bacterial infections and often exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms including difficulty swallowing and constipation.

Increasing evidence suggests these gastrointestinal complications are associated with changes in the commensal microbiota – the community of “good bacteria” that normally keep our guts healthy.

The changes are seen both in stroke patients and in animal models of stroke, yet the underlying reasons for these gut symptoms and their importance for stroke severity or recovery have been poorly understood.

Previous studies from scientists who co-authored the current study have shown how signals from the nervous system may act to change gut immune responses following stroke.

The latest study, funded by the Wellcome Trust,  shows the axis may also work in both directions, with antibody-producing immune cells moving to the brain and the associated membranes during stroke – although the importance of this for stroke severity and prognosis is not yet known.

Using mice, the team studied the changes that happened in the small intestine after a stroke,  revealing populations of immune cells that make antibodies became altered in the first few days.

In particular they found that a specialised subset of cells that make an antibody called Immunoglobulin A (IgA) became hyper-activated. IgA acts to manage the populations of commensal bacteria that live in the intestine and determine gut health.

The researchers then found that mice lacking IgA do not exhibit the same degree of changes to the gut microbiome following stroke – suggesting altered immune function could in part explain some changes seen in the intestinal tract of stroke patients.

Lead investigator Professor Matt Hepworth from  the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunity and Inflammation at The University of Manchester said: “Stroke is a devastating neurological event but also has many long-term consequences that can leave the patient at risk of airway infection, as well as gastrointestinal complications.

“Working with neuroscientists, we were able to begin to uncover how the immune system in the gut becomes disturbed following a stroke, and how that might lead to changes in the way the gut deals with its “good bacteria”.

“We now think these immune changes might contribute to the intestinal symptoms and long-term complications seen in stroke patients.”

He added: “While the focus remains on stroke prevention, as well as early intervention to minimise the damage in patients who do suffer stroke we reveal new understanding of the secondary pathologies experienced throughout the body and that contribute to long-term complications for recovering patients.

“As immune-targeting therapeutics are increasingly used in the clinic, this opens up the possibility of treating immune driven disease symptoms following a stroke to improve patients’ quality of life.”

• The paper Cerebral ischaemic stroke results in altered mucosal antibody responses and host-commensal microbiota interactions  available . DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2025.106184.

The report, commissioned by Marketing 91ֱ��, Visit England, and the Growth Company, is the first detailed analysis of direct tourism emissions for a city-region in England. The findings reveal that international flights and domestic car travel are the biggest sources of emissions, alongside smaller impacts such as accommodation, and attractions.

Led by Dr Chris Jones and , the research also makes recommendations for how the region can grow a low carbon visitor economy in the region, supporting Greater 91ֱ��’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2038.

The framework will act as a guide for other destinations to conduct similar assessments and address common data limitations in the tourism sector.

a Research Associate based at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, said: “Tourism connects people with places and cultures, while supporting local economies and jobs. However, this value can’t come at the expense of our environment. In the climate crisis it is vital that the sector becomes sustainable in every sense of the word. Measuring tourism emissions is challenging, but it is important for identifying where change is most needed.

“By commissioning this research Marketing 91ֱ�� has taken an important and proactive step to decarbonise tourism. We hope that this work will not only support Greater 91ֱ�� to take action and reimagine what truly sustainable tourism looks like, but also inspire other destinations to do the same.”

Key findings of the report include:

• International travel dominates emissions: Although relatively low visitor numbers, long-haul flights from Asia, Oceania, and North America make a disproportionately large contribution to carbon impacts.
• Domestic car travel a major contributor: Trips by petrol and diesel vehicles account for the majority of domestic travel emissions, even on well-connected rail routes.
• Trip profiles matter: Analysis suggests the carbon footprint or a trip to Greater 91ֱ�� can range from under 10kg CO₂e for regional day-trippers to over 500kg CO₂e for long-haul visitors. Mostly because of transport options.
• Low-carbon infrastructure already in place: Most major attractions benefit from excellent public transport accessibility, increasing the opportunity for car-free tourism.

Recommended actions include:

• Promoting rail and ferry access from nearby European countries.
• Targeting tourism growth in markets accessible by low-carbon transport.
• Supporting accommodation providers and attractions to meet local energy efficiency targets.
• Encouraging car-free tourism through public transport integration and sustainable travel itineraries.

The research establishes benchmark targets aligned with Greater 91ֱ��'s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2038 and its aim to be in in the Global Destination Sustainability Index top 40, including phasing out petrol and diesel car visits and ensuring no net growth in aviation emissions until truly low-carbon alternatives become available at scale. It also supports Marketing 91ֱ��'s participation in the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.

Victoria Braddock, Managing Director of Marketing 91ֱ��, said: “Tourism is a significant contributor to Greater 91ֱ��’s economy, but we cannot overlook its environmental impact. As a destination, Greater 91ֱ�� is passionate about driving forward low-carbon tourism, and this report, in collaboration with the Tyndall Centre, is helping us set a standard for other English cities to follow through . Having clear objectives will help us to make a positive impact and support our partners to become greener in the process; all of which will contribute to our region’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2038 and keep our status as a leading sustainable UK destination.”

Girls vaccinated before the age of 16 were found to be 80% less likely to develop cervical cancer. The reviews also confirm that HPV vaccines are only likely to cause minor, transient side effects such as a sore arm. The reviews were supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Professor Emma Crosbie, Honorary Consultant in Gynaecological Oncology at Saint Mary’s Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, was involved in the new Cochrane reviews.

Prof Crosbie, who is also Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Co-Theme Lead at the NIHR 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Professor of Gynaecological Oncology at The University of Manchester, specialises in the screening, prevention and early diagnosis of gynaecological cancers.

She said: “Cervical cancer is an essentially preventable disease; we can prevent it through screening and vaccination. The Cochrane review looked at all the available evidence from all the studies that have been done so far looking at the effectiveness of HPV vaccination and its long-term safety.”

HPV is a family of common viruses, including the viruses that cause skin warts. Whilst many types of HPV are harmless, other ‘high-risk’ types can cause cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, vulva, vagina, and throat, and others cause anogenital warts.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and causes more than 300,000 deaths each year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. The new reviews confirm that vaccination against HPV can prevent most of these cancers from developing.

Prof Crosbie said: “Unfortunately, year on year, we have seen a drop in the number of people taking up vaccination. HPV vaccination is incredibly safe. The work we have done with Cochrane show there are no negative long-term health impacts associated with vaccination. Many millions of people have now been vaccinated with the HPV vaccine, and we have not seen any safety issues.”

Watch this video to hear Professor Crosbie discuss the importance of the HPV vaccine, alongside senior author, Dr Jo Morrison and Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, Laura Pope who was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Clinical trial evidence supports effectiveness and safety

The first review focused on randomised controlled trials and included 60 studies with 157,414 participants. They found that all HPV vaccines were effective in preventing infections that can lead to cancer and other HPV-related conditions, with no evidence of serious safety concerns.

Because cancers caused by HPV can take many years to develop, most studies did not follow participants long enough to measure direct effects on cancer itself. However, vaccines such as Cervarix, Gardasil, and Gardasil-9 reduced precancerous changes in the cervix and other tissues in people aged 15 to 25 years, as well as the number of people needing treatment for HPV-related disease. The vaccines that included protection against the relevant HPV types significantly reduced the risk of anogenital warts.

Short-term side effects like mild pain or swelling at the injection site were common, but serious side effects were rare and occurred at similar rates in both vaccine and control groups.

“Clinical trials cannot yet give us the whole picture on cervical cancer, as HPV-related cancers can take many years to develop,” says Hanna Bergman, co-lead author. “That being said, the evidence from these trials confirms that HPV vaccines are highly effective at preventing the infections that lead to cancer, without any sign of serious safety concerns.”

Real-world evidence confirms long-term protection

The second review analysed evidence from 225 studies involving more than 132 million people across multiple countries. It looked at observational study designs, including population-level studies comparing outcomes before and after introduction of the vaccine. Findings show that HPV vaccination clearly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer and pre-cancerous changes of the cervix. The results came from studies of various designs across different follow-up periods.

Girls vaccinated at or before the age of 16 were 80% less likely to develop cervical cancer than unvaccinated girls. The review also found substantial reductions in pre-cancerous changes (known as CIN2+ and CIN3+), and in anogenital warts, which are also caused by HPV infection. Reductions were greater in people who received the HPV vaccine at or before the age of 16.

Importantly, the review found no evidence to support claims that HPV vaccination increases the risk of serious adverse events. By cross-referencing alleged adverse events with real-world follow-up data, the review team found no relationship between reported serious side effects and HPV vaccination.

“We now have clear and consistent evidence from around the world that HPV vaccination prevents cervical cancer,” says Nicholas Henschke, co-lead author. “An important finding was that the commonly reported side effects of the vaccine, often discussed on social media, were found to hold no evidence of a real link to vaccination.”

Global impact and next steps

Together, the two Cochrane reviews provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date evidence on HPV vaccination to date, drawing from both large-scale real-world studies and rigorous clinical trials. Evidence shows that HPV vaccination is a safe and highly effective public health measure, capable of preventing cancers that affect hundreds of thousands of people every year.

The findings underscore global recommendations to vaccinate both girls and boys, ideally before the age of 16, to achieve the greatest protection against HPV-related cancers. Protection is strongest when vaccination occurs before sexual debut and exposure to the virus.

However, the authors also note some evidence gaps. Most research has been conducted in high-income countries, meaning more studies are needed in low- and middle-income settings, where cervical cancer is more common and screening programs are lacking; it is in these countries that HPV vaccination will have an even more positive impact. However, to achieve the World Health Organisation’s ambition to eradicate cervical cancer, high rates of HPV vaccination, cervical screening and treatment of pre-cancers detected by screening remain crucial.

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for the prevention of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases: a network meta-analysis is available
• Effects of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes on community rates of HPV-related disease and harms from vaccination is available

In February this year, Oliver (Ollie) Chu, was treated for Hunter syndrome in a clinical study being delivered at Royal 91ֱ�� Children’s Hospital (RMCH) in collaboration with the 91ֱ�� Centre for Genomic Medicine at Saint Mary’s Hospital – both part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) The trial is managed and sponsored by the University of Manchester.

Children with Hunter syndrome, a rare, inherited condition also known as mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), have an error in a gene, meaning they cannot produce an important enzyme that breaks down complex sugar molecules. Over time these sugars build up in organs and tissues, leading to joint stiffness, hearing loss, breathing and heart problems, developmental delays and cognitive decline, resembling childhood dementia. Hunter syndrome can be life-threatening, with life expectancy typically between 10 and 20 years. Currently the only licensed drug that can help to improve life for children with Hunter syndrome is Elaprase – a weekly enzyme replacement therapy that takes approximately three hours, that children must take for their whole life. Approximately 50 patients in the UK receive Elaprase, which costs around £375,000 a year per patient. The drug can reduce mobility and organ problems but cannot improve mental decline.

Now, several months on from the procedure, Ollie has fully recovered from the transplant, and his parents and the 91ֱ�� researchers are excited by his progress.

The clinical study at RMCH is investigating a one-off gene therapy which involves removing the child’s stem cells, replacing the faulty gene and re-injecting the modified cells into the patient. These stem cells can produce high levels of the missing enzyme and also reach the brain.

Professor Rob Wynn, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and Director of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Programme at RMCH and joint clinical lead, said: ““For many years we have performed bone marrow transplant for children with Hunter Syndrome and similar illnesses. However, these are difficult procedures that can only deliver as much enzyme as the donor’s blood naturally has.

“Gene therapy is not only safer and more effective, but it enables us to use the child’s own cells which cuts out the need to find a donor, and means we can produce more enzyme for the patient.

“The principles of using gene therapy of blood cells to treat patients with this disease can be applied to many other conditions which offers exciting prospects for patients and healthcare professionals. Our medicine is becoming safer, and better, and that can only be a good thing!”

Professor Simon Jones Consultant in Paediatric Inherited Metabolic Disease at the 91ֱ�� Centre for Genomic Medicine at Saint Mary’s Hospital,  joint study lead, said: “Since having the gene therapy Ollie is no longer having weekly Elaprase infusions, but instead of seeing levels of the previously missing enzyme dropping we are seeing very high levels in his blood, and this is an extremely encouraging sign that the treatment is working.

Professor Jones, who is also a Medical Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 91ֱ�� Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at RMCH, added: “I have worked in researching treatments for children with rare genetic diseases for over twenty years and I have sadly seen many children lose their lives to these devastating conditions. This is a truly exciting development which could lead the way for treating similar genetic conditions and bring hope to other families.”

Ollie Chu is the first of five young children with Hunter syndrome to participate in this study. The research is jointly funded by the University of Manchester and by LifeArc, a self-funded, not-for-profit medical research organisation, and developed by researchers at MFT and The University of Manchester, working in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), where patients’ cells are taken to be modified with the missing gene in their specialist laboratories.

Ollie’s story

Ollie was diagnosed with Hunter Syndrome after five-year-old brother, Skyler, was found to have the condition.

Ollie, who lives in California with mum Jingru, dad Ricky, and Skyler travelled to the UK to be part of the research, after tests showed he was still in the early stages of the condition.

Ricky said: “Although it was a big commitment to travel to the UK, of course we want the best for our children, so when this opportunity came up in 91ֱ��, we discussed it as a family. Due to Skyler’s age, he was not eligible to take part in the 91ֱ�� trial and is taking part in a different study in the United States. That has meant splitting up the family, but it was something we were willing to do for Ollie to have the opportunity to be in this trial.

“There are very few times where your child can have a reset on life so if you can give them that chance, then it’s just something you do.

“Ollie is doing great since having the gene therapy. We have seen dramatic improvements, and he continues to grow physically and cognitively. Our hope for Ollie because of this treatment is that he will continue to make his own enzymes and live a normal life without infusions.

“We’re excited for Ollie’s future. Seeing the difference for Ollie pre-and post-transplant has made us believers.

“We will be forever grateful to the entire research team for allowing us to be part of this research. I’ve been a huge advocate of this trial. The medical team is very transparent and provides all the information that they can.

"We think it’s wonderful that there is research being done on rare conditions. Our priority is our children but knowing that this could result in helping other children around the world is very meaningful for us. We hope that one day, a treatment becomes available for all children at all stages of Hunter syndrome.”

Brian Bigger, Honorary Professor at The University of Manchester, academic lead said: “This therapy was developed over the course of 10 years at the University 91ֱ�� and seeing this now tested in patients by the clinical team at MFT has been incredibly rewarding.”

“We developed an improved method of stem cell gene therapy which adds a short tag to the missing enzyme, allowing it to cross the blood-brain-barrier and improve the amount of enzyme delivered to the brain. This helps break down complex sugars that build up in the brain and aims to prevent the devastating dementia-like decline seen in children with severe Hunter disease. Parents have told us that this symptom is the most important factor to improve quality of life for their family.”

• Philanthropic support from individual donors and not-for-profit medical research organisations such as , has been essential in driving this progress forward. Philanthropy helps to bridge critical funding gaps and translate breakthrough science into life-changing therapies. To learn more about the University's fundraising for research, visit: Challenge Accepted.

Meningiomas, which account for around 3,500 new cases in the UK each year, are often discovered by chance during brain scans. While most never cause harm, some eventually require surgery or other treatment. Until now, it has been difficult to know which patients will be affected, leading to years of unnecessary monitoring for some and delayed treatment for others.

Researchers developed the in 2019 based on data from around 400 patients under neurosurgical care at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool. The tool considers the patient’s comorbidities, functional status and imaging characteristics of the tumour, to work out the risk of tumour progression, and need for treatment. The tool has now been tested on more than 1,200 patients from 33 hospitals across 15 countries, with follow-up periods of up to 15 years. The results showed that patients could be reliably grouped into low, medium, or high risk of tumour progression.

Low-risk patients were found to have only a one in twenty-five chance of needing treatment, while the risk was one in four for medium-risk patients and one in two for those in the high-risk group. Most progression was seen within the first five years, while older or frailer patients were found to be very unlikely ever to require treatment.

, study co-lead, former Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool and currently a Neurosurgery Registrar and PhD Fellow, University of Manchester & Salford Royal Hospital said: “This study is an important step forward in personalising care for people with meningiomas. For the first time, we can give patients with an incidental meningioma clear answers about their individual risk, helping avoid unnecessary scans for some, while ensuring that others get timely treatment.”

The findings suggest that high-risk patients may benefit from early intervention, medium-risk patients should continue regular monitoring, and many low-risk patients could be safely discharged with advice on what symptoms to look out for.

91ֱ�� lead, concluded: “It’s important that now we test the IMPACT tool in real-time with patients in clinics, with funding being sought to bring it into routine practice. The ability to offer personalised care will bring not only health benefits to patients but also cost savings to the NHS and wider economic growth.”

• The paper, ‘ was published in Jama Oncology DOI 10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.4821

The trophy, designed by internationally acclaimed 91ֱ��-born designer was unveiled during a special event celebrating both the city’s creative heritage and the University’s role as a hub for arts, design, music and performance. The University of Manchester’s , home to the renowned - the UK’s first large-scale, dedicated collection for the preservation and study of popular, counter- and youth culture - helped frame the significance of the occasion. 

At the event, attended by fashion, music and drama students from across the University, guests witnessed the first public reveal of the iconic trophy and took part in an in-depth Q&A with Williamson. The conversation, led by , Head of Collections, Teaching and Research at the John Rylands Library, offered students and attendees unique insight into the designer’s creative process, his career journey, and what it means to see the BRITs come to his home city. 

Williamson’s design draws deeply from 91ֱ��’s identity. Crafted in amber-toned resin reminiscent of the golden honey of the worker bee, the city’s enduring symbol of resilience, the trophy sits atop a globe representing the global reach and influence of British music. 

Heather Cole from the John Rylands Research Institute and Library added: “It was a privilege to host Matthew Williamson and introduce our students to the creative thinking behind this year’s BRITs trophy.  

At the John Rylands Library, and through the British Pop Archive, we are committed to preserving and celebrating the cultural movements that shape British identity. Seeing a 91ֱ��-born designer lead this new chapter of the BRIT Awards resonates strongly with our mission, and it was inspiring to give students direct access to such an influential figure.” 

, taking place on Saturday 28th February at 91ֱ��’s , marks the first time the ceremony will be hosted outside London. This year’s trophy places 91ֱ�� and the University, firmly at the centre of the BRITs’ new era. 

Matthew Williamson joins a distinguished list of creatives who have shaped the BRITs trophy, including , , , , , , , . Each year, the BRITs commission a leading artist to reinterpret the iconic statue, ensuring it remains a dynamic symbol of British creativity. 

As the BRIT Awards begin their first-ever chapter in 91ֱ��, the University’s involvement underscores its commitment to celebrating and fostering the city’s rich cultural landscape while offering transformative experiences for its students. 

Most national strategies emphasise supply-side technological solutions such as electrification and renewable energy generation. But the research, published today in , finds that supporting demand-side solutions, such as social and behavioural changes to how people travel, work, heat their homes, and consume goods, could cut total UK energy demand by between 18% and 45% by 2050 compared to today.

These demand-focussed pathways would continue to maintain quality of life while costing around half as much as technology-led pathways.

The finding is the result of a unique collaboration between academics from The University of Manchester, University College London, University of Leeds, and University of Oxford and members of the public, which informed a published by the UK Government Office for Science in 2023.

The study uniquely placed policymakers at the centre of modelling four future scenario designs, guided by the experts. Together, they explored how different mixes of technology, lifestyle, and social change could shape the country’s energy system and costs:

• Atomised Society: Rapid tech growth drives high consumption, but it creates a divided society where the rich are protected and the poor face greater climate risks.
• Metropolitan Society: High growth and trusted AI enable efficient living, but this concentrates prosperity in cities, creating an urban-rural divide.
• Self-preservation Society: Low growth and outdated tech lead to a fragmented society, though some communities find comfort in the slower, traditional pace of life.
• Slow Lane Society: Despite low growth, strong community values and high trust promote repair, reuse, and major cuts in energy demand.

Analysis shows that all four futures deliver lower energy demand than today, but reductions vary. The Slow Lane Society achieves the biggest cut (around 45%), while Atomised Society delivers the smallest (around 18%). Energy system costs also vary: the most energy-intensive future could see costs rise 136% by 2050, while the lowest-demand scenario limits this to just 24% compared to today.

Crucially, higher-demand futures depend far more on large-scale carbon removal technologies, which are still unproven at scale, whereas lower-demand pathways could reduce the need for such measures by around 70%.

The researchers also held discussions with members of the public to explore how believable each scenario felt and what impacts people thought they might have on everyday life. Participants generally viewed Metropolitan Society and Self-Preservation Society as most realistic, while Atomised and Slow Lane Societies were seen as more aspirational. Interestingly, while policymakers described Slow Lane as somewhat restrictive, the public viewed it as hopeful and positive.

The team say their approach could help other countries design people-centred climate policies that balance technological innovation with social, demand-side change.

Beyond advancing ecological science, the research could provide vital tools for tracking soil carbon storage, monitoring land degradation, and supporting sustainable land management in the face of climate change. 

“This research opens up a powerful new window into Earth’s hidden biodiversity, providing a way to map and monitor soil biodiversity at large scales in a cost-effective way,” said Professor Bardgett.

A report released today (November 20, 2025) by Health Equity North (HEN) reveals that the relationship between health and productivity has become stronger over the last seven years, placing a huge financial burden on the economy and stagnating possible productivity growth.

The scale of the health-related economic inactivity crisis is greater in the North of England, with workers more likely to lose their job due to ill health, and those without educational qualifications facing a ninefold higher risk of losing their job if they become ill.

‘Health for Wealth 2025: Building a Healthier North to boost UK Productivity’ revisits the issues exposed in the landmark 2018 Health for Wealth report and explores how the landscape has changed over the last seven years.

It shows that regional inequalities in health, wages and economic inactivity have deepened since the 2018 report – a trend that began even before the COVID pandemic. This sharp rise in economic inactivity due to ill health, now at a record high, underscores the urgent need to put health at the heart of any strategy for sustainable economic growth.  However, there are some ‘good news stories’ in the North, with productivity growth strong in areas such as Greater 91ֱ��, Cumbria and parts of Yorkshire over the past few years.

In 2018, the Northern Health Science Alliance’s highlighted the link between the North’s poor health and poor productivity for the first time, and revealed that tackling health inequalities between the North and the South could generate an additional £13.2bn per year. Today’s analysis show that this figure has risen to £18.4bn per year.

Findings also show that improving physical and mental health through a variety of policy changes, proactive health programmes and empowering local authorities, could deliver transformative economic benefits - particularly in regions such as the North East, where improving population mental health alone could add £6.6bn to the economy.

The report, authored by HEN academics from Newcastle University, The University of Manchester, Lancaster University and Teesside University, shows that:

• If the health of the North was matched to the rest of the country, it could generate an additional £18.4bn a year - a 13% increase in economic gains found in the previous Health for Wealth report published in 2018 when accounting for inflation.
• People living in the North are two times more likely to lose their job following a spell of ill-health than those in the rest of England.
• In the North, workers with no educational qualifications are nine times less likely to remain employed following a spell of ill health compared with those with at least an A-level qualification, whereas in the rest of England, there is no statistically significant relationship between worsening health and remaining employed by educational attainment.
• £6.6bn could be added to the economy if mental health was improved in the North East.
• Workers in the North who experience ill-health suffer monthly pay losses that are nearly triple the national average – equal to 6.6% vs. 2.3% national average.
• Since 2018, all three northern regions have experienced, on average, more than double rises in economic inactivity due to ill health compared with London - rising by 22% vs. 10% respectively.
• Amongst people with long-term health conditions, the gap in economic inactivity between the North and rest of England has nearly quadrupled since the start of the COVID pandemic – increasing from a 1.1 percentage point difference to 4.2 percentage points (47% to 51.2%).
• The regional economic divide between the North and the South has increased since 2018, with gaps in total economic inactivity growing by 8% and in wages by 5%.
• The relative gap in productivity (as measured by GVA per head) has decreased by 2%, owing to the relatively greater increases in the North, particularly since the pandemic. However, the gap remains large, with 26% lower productivity in the North than in the rest of England in 2023. In particular, Greater 91ֱ�� and some parts of Yorkshire experienced the highest increases in productivity growth over the past two decades, with accelerated improvements since the pandemic. However, other parts of the North – including the majority of the North East – are continuing to be left-behind.
• The new report suggests that unless decisive action is taken, the North-South health and productivity divide will continue to widen, limiting the UK’s ability to deliver inclusive, sustainable growth.

Additional findings include:

Wages and GVA

• Overall, between 2013 and 2022, the average gap in GVA per head was approximately 30% lower in the North (£22,710 vs £29,379) – 36% of the gap can be attributed to the poor health in the North.
• Since 2013, the gap in economic inactivity increased by 8% (from 3.8 to 4.1 percentage points) and the gap in wages rose by 5% (from £54 to £57). The relative gap in productivity has decreased by 2%, with the Northern regions experiencing faster productivity growth by 1% since the pandemic.

Economic inactivity

• Since 2019, economic inactivity rates have been rising ten times faster than the growth of the working-age population. Economic inactivity due to ill-health is now at its highest levels, with poor mental health and musculoskeletal problems being the main cited reasons.
• Economically inactive people in the North are more likely to have mental health problems, to be younger and to live in larger families and more likely to be private renters.
• The economic inactivity rates due to ill-health in North East are more than double compared with the rates in South East (9.5% vs. 4.5%), with the remaining southern regions having similarly low rates around 5%. The North East has the highest rates of economically inactive women at 9.7% and 9.4% for men - compared to 5% and 3.9% respectively in the South East.

Mortality and morbidity

• Between 2013 and 2022, rates of mortality were 16% higher in the North than in the rest of England, with the rates of morbidity being 45% higher.
• Since 2013, the gap in morbidity between the North and the rest of England has increased by 62%, with the gap in mortality rising by 15%.

Health and productivity

• In the North East, potential economic gains from improving population mental health amount to £6.6bn in terms of productivity and household prosperity.
• To reduce the employment gap between the northern regions and the rest of England by 10%, population self-rated health problems in the North need to be reduced by 4.4%.
• The report urges government and business leaders to make health a central component of the UK’s productivity and growth strategy.

The recommendations call for targeted investment in mental health services, preventative programmes, and public health funding across the North of England, alongside reforms to benefits and employment support that promote health and economic participation. Authors also advocate for regionally driven strategies with embedded health targets to tackle inequalities and ensure place-based solutions align with national goals.

Lead report author Dr Julija Simpson, Research Associate at Newcastle University, said: “Since the last Health for Wealth report in 2018, the health divide between the North and the rest of England has not only persisted but deepened. This growing inequality is not inevitable, nor is it the fault of individuals – it’s the result of policy choices. Addressing this gap must be central to the government’s growth and wealth agendas.

“Health and economic performance are deeply intertwined: when communities are healthier, they are more productive, more resilient, and better able to contribute to long-term prosperity. Health policy is economic policy – and investing in the health of people in the North is one of the most effective ways to unlock the country’s full economic potential.”

Professor Clare Bambra, Academic Co-director of Health Equity North and Professor of Public Health at Newcastle University, said: “

“While many welfare and employment reforms are designed to reduce long-term benefit dependency and encourage people back into the workforce, these efforts will not work unless they are supported by sustained investment in public health, health care and mental health services. Without addressing the root causes of ill health in the North, we risk pushing people into situations of poverty - worsening their wellbeing and limiting their capacity to work – all while our economy continues to take the hit.

“To genuinely improve economic participation, we need to ensure that people are not only healthy enough to be able to work, but and also healthy enough to thrive in employment. The link between good health and a strong economy is undeniable – and policy must reflect that reality.”

Dr Luke Munford, Academic Co-director of Health Equity North and Senior Lecturer in Health Economics, The University of Manchester, said: “Investing in public health delivers extraordinary value for money. For every £1 spent, society can expect to see a return of around £14 in broader health and socio-economic benefits. That means every pound we invest in preventing illness, improving mental health, and tackling health inequalities pays dividends in higher productivity, stronger local economies, and reduced strain on the NHS.

“The evidence is clear: the government’s approach to health should not be seen as a cost, but an investment. By prioritising prevention and supporting healthier communities, we create the conditions for long-term economic growth and prosperity across the North and the nation as a whole.

“There are things we can learn from Greater 91ֱ��. Since devolution of health and social care, we have seen improvements in life expectancy, and this is now beginning to track through to increases in productivity and economic growth.”

Hannah Davies, Executive Director at Health Equity North, said: “There is a great deal of work being done across local government, central government, and the third sector to tackle the North’s health and productivity challenges – but the scale of the problem means there is still so much more to do.

“Our new analysis makes it clear that health investment is not just a social or moral priority, but an economic necessity. Poor physical and mental health are holding back the potential of millions of people and, in turn, the productivity of the entire UK. If we want a stronger economy, we must start by building a healthier nation. Prioritising mental health, prevention, and place-based support in the North will deliver lasting returns in prosperity and wellbeing.”

The report, Health for Wealth 2025: Building a Healthier North to boost UK Productivity, is available

Previously, little was known about the drivers of post-infection symptoms typically associated with severe viral infections, such as breathlessness and fatigue, but the study sheds light on what exactly might underpin these long-term effects.

“Serious viral infections like influenza and Sars-CoV-2 can cause long-term breathlessness and fatigue, though until now, the biological context to this has puzzled scientists,” said co-author Prof Tracy Hussell from The University of Manchester:

The study, funded by Wellcome and published in the journal Mucosal Immunology, also explains how inflammation may lead to aging in the lungs. 

The researchers found that following severe viral infection, a critical structure in the lung remains damaged, even after the symptoms and virus have both cleared. 

The structure, known as the basement membrane, is a thin supportive layer of extracellular matrix that anchors and separates cells from underlying tissue 

The basement membrane forms a barrier to line airspaces, support cells, and regulate fluid and cell movement. 

For the study, the lungs of mice with influenza virus were analysed by proteomic mass spectrometry, to identify potential protein biomarkers compared to non-infected mice.

The study also used peptide location fingerprinting, a technique developed by Dr Eckersley’s lab, which can identify damage across protein structures. 

They found that basement membrane proteins had reduced abundance and harboured structural damage following recovery from infection. 

That suggests post-viral damage is long-term, and that the membrane does not repair appropriately. The damage appeared patchy when observed histologically and resulted in leaky lungs.

 As similar structural damage was also observed by the scientists in aged lungs of non-infected mice, they propose that long-term, age-related complications may be caused by repeated inflammation.

Dr Alex Eckersley, from the University of Manchester said: “We’re very excited about our findings which reveal a new angle on why some viral infections have a long-term impact on lung health.

“Our study suggests that similar processes occur both when your lungs are exposed to a serious viral infection, and when you age.

“This means repeated viral infection could cause some people’s lungs to age more quickly.”

In many cases, the resolution of inflammation is incomplete, and the lung is thought to accumulate damage as a result over time.

By identifying evidence for this process, the  researchers hope to have found a new area of interest in developing therapeutic targets for treating long-term post-viral symptoms.

He added: “By identifying these persistent basement membrane changes, we provide an entirely novel area to target with new medicines to treat complications arising from viral infection.

“By providing new therapeutic targets, and opportunities to broaden our understanding of how relevant biological structures might be being damaged or struggling to repair, we can better understand, research, and medicate post-viral symptoms.”

• Lung basement membranes are compositionally and structurally altered following resolution of influenza infection is published in . DOI:

Previous research has found the risks of serious conditions like diabetes, renal and liver failure, fractures, and premature death, are particularly raised within the first 12 months of being diagnosed with an eating disorder. 

But new findings, published in the journal ,  highlight that these elevated risks can persist for years, even after the person is thought to have recovered from their eating disorder, with the researchers saying that timely interventions from multiple different health services are needed to improve patient outcomes.

The research team, led by Dr Cathy Morgan from 91ֱ�� with input from Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham OBE from Keele, were funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Greater 91ֱ�� Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC).

Using the the researchers studied anonymised electronic health records spanning from 1998 to 2018, linked to Hospital Episode Statistics data, and linked death records across England.

Their data covered over 24,000 patients with a diagnosed eating disorder which were each matched for age, sex, and GP practice, with up to 20 others who had not been diagnosed with an eating disorder (493,001 in total). They then tracked the patients’ mental and physical health over 10 years using the data to learn more about their health following initial diagnosis.

Their analysis showed that patients diagnosed with eating disorders were at a much higher risk of poor physical and mental health, and premature death. The greatest risks were within a year of diagnosis, but the researchers found that these risks persisted for years afterwards.

People with eating disorders were six times more likely to develop renal failure and nearly seven times more likely to develop liver disease within the first year of being diagnosed, as well as being at significantly heightened risks of osteoporosis, heart failure, and diabetes.

The risks of poor mental health were also higher within the first 12 months of diagnosis, with rates of depression and self harm being significantly higher during this period, with these heightened risks persisting after five years, albeit lowered.

The risk of death from any cause was also higher within the first 12 months and once again, these risks persisted for up to 10 years afterwards, although at a lower rate.

Dr Cathy Morgan from the University of Manchester, said: “This study highlights the substantial long-term effects of eating disorders. Raising awareness among healthcare providers about the lasting effects of eating disorders and the need for ongoing support in managing current symptoms and recovery is essential.” 

Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham OBE from Keele University, added: “Integration is needed across primary and specialist care – both mental and physical health services including nephrology, cardiology, and endocrinology. This is particularly important at the time of diagnosis of an eating disorder and whilst a person is under specialist mental health services.

“Our work highlights that monitoring a person’s health is vital even when management of the eating disorder has been completed and the person is thought to have recovered. This monitoring should take place in primary care (general practice) – so we highlight the need for education and training of primary care clinicians, but also the need for this work to be commissioned in primary care going forwards.”

• Adverse outcomes in patients with a diagnosis of an eating disorder: primary care cohort study with linked secondary care and mortality records is published in BMJ Medicine and is available .  doi:10.1136/ bmjmed-2025-001438

A delegation from The University of Manchester visited the State from 10-15 November where they met the Rajasthan Chief Minister, Health Minister and the Medical Education Secretary to sign the MoU. It formalises the collaboration between all partners who are focused on generating high-quality evidence that can inform policy and practice in Rajasthan, a state with a population of 80million.

The delegation comprised of academics including Professor Vimal Sharma, Professor Catherine Robinson and Professor Lucie Byrne Davis, leading experts in mental health and health psychology.

The partnership aims to create the opportunity for the partners to co-create solutions that improve screening for mental health and to understand the rates and causes of suicide and self-harm, and then to begin to implement change. Capacity building is an integral part of this as to deliver the services, a high-quality trained workforce is required to support.

The 91ֱ�� team met with Indian business and academic partners and shared the work the University has led in the state to help identify other possible collaborative education and research projects.

Planned early projects will address mental health and wellbeing among youth, rural communities, and frontline law-enforcement and healthcare workers.

As part of the visit, the 91ֱ�� team visited the Rajasthan Police Academy where they met the Director to hear about the impact of the high suicide rate amongst its force and leading a workshop with police on suicide surveillance, offering training on how to identify at-risk signs in colleagues and where to signpost them.

The RMC will also establish Rajasthan’s first registry for self-harm, interpersonal violence, and suicide. The 91ֱ�� delegation also met with academic partners from institutes and universities to plan next steps and implementation.

Professor Vimal Sharma, who was part of the 91ֱ�� delegation, said; “This work is vital in tackling the rising burden of mental health challenges and violence-related trauma, especially in underserved communities. By generating locally relevant evidence and scalable models, the RMC is not only strengthening public health responses in Rajasthan but also contributing to the global understanding of mental health.

“The insights and innovations emerging from this partnership have the potential to shape international policy, improve care pathways, and promote more inclusive, data-driven approaches to wellbeing globally.”

Through education, the RMC will explore opportunities to co-deliver The University of Manchester’s programmes in Rajasthan, co-design innovative curricula, and support faculty development. It will also offer intercalated and articulated degree pathways, enabling students to begin their studies in India and complete them in 91ֱ��, building a two-way flow of ideas and knowledge exchange.

Continuing professional development courses, including flexible online options, will help upskill the health and care workforce in emerging technologies and management methodologies, equipping them to meet the needs of changing healthcare systems to ensure better patient outcomes and more responsive care.

Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma, said: “I’m truly excited about this partnership with The University of Manchester as it is a powerful example of how global collaboration can help to tackle shared challenges in health and education. By bringing together our local knowledge and 91ֱ��’s international expertise, we are building something that can make a real difference—not just in Rajasthan, but around the world.”

This agreement marks a further step toward global collaboration, addressing shared challenges and advancing inclusive, impactful solutions in health and education.

The KTP2025 Conference and Awards were held in 91ֱ��, the birthplace of KTP, from 28 to 30 October and hosted by The University of Manchester, the University of Salford, 91ֱ�� Metropolitan University and Innovate UK.

In addition to the annual awards, there was a special ceremony to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of KTP, the KTP Golden Awards, which honoured the most exceptional people, projects and partnerships of the last five decades. Over 450 representatives from universities, industry, and Innovate UK gathered to celebrate and discuss the future of collaborative innovation.

Winning the ‘Driving Innovation for the Future’ category within the KTP Golden Awards was the University’s partnership with Arup, which helped to tackle strategic change in the built environment sector. Led by Professors Francoise Tisseur and Stefan Güttel from the Department of Mathematics, the project explored how Arup could radically innovate the simulation of buildings in an earthquake, to enable safer and more sustainable structural building in the future.

Since their launch in 1975, the UK Government has funded over 14,000 groundbreaking KTPs, uniting top businesses with researchers and graduates to solve real-world challenges, adding billions to the UK economy.

From 2010 to 2020 alone, Innovate UK invested £200m in 2,000 projects, adding £2.3bn to the UK economy. 

Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, Lord Vallance, said: “Knowledge Transfer Partnerships have long supported collaboration between our renowned universities, UK innovators and thriving businesses – from helping household brands to produce their goods more efficiently through to unleashing new discoveries that improve lives. They also demonstrate the benefit of public investment, with ambitious, Innovate-UK-backed projects across the country having added billions of pounds to our economy in the previous decade alone. I look forward to these partnerships supporting the next generation of cutting-edge innovations.”

Richard Lamb, KTP Programme Manager at Innovate UK, said: “Celebrating 50 years of the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme offers a valuable opportunity to recognise its enduring impact on UK innovation and economic resilience.

“By bridging academia and industry, KTP has extended vital opportunities to businesses and academic partners across the UK, reaching beyond London and the Southeast to drive innovation in fields ranging from STEM to the creative industries and pioneering areas like AI and quantum technology. This collaborative model has not only boosted productivity and growth but has empowered organisations of all sizes to innovate and thrive on a local and national scale. This 50th anniversary is the perfect occasion to reflect on the impressive impact achieved through the programme and its lasting legacy.”

KTPs at The University of Manchester are supported by the Knowledge Exchange Partnerships team within Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange. For a researcher or an external organisation looking to collaborate, the team can help explore how KTPs can bring innovation ideas to life — get in touch via kepartnerships@manchester.ac.uk to find out more.

With an overall score of 98 out of 100, 91ֱ�� is now 10^th globally and 5^th in the UK in recognition of its ability to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges - a shift from 9^th and 4^th respectively last year.

The University remains the only university in the world to feature in the top 10 of both the QS Sustainability Rankings and the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

Now in the fourth year, this year’s QS assessment is its most comprehensive yet, evaluating 2,002 universities, compared with 1,745 in 2024. It assesses Universities’ commitment to sustainability, evaluating them on everything from the impact that alumni are making in science and technology to solve climate issues, to the impact of research being done across the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). It evaluates the social and environmental impact of universities as a centres of education and research, as well as a major employers with the operational sustainability challenges of any large and complex organisation.

The University of Manchester has placed social responsibility as one of five foundations in its new strategy From 91ֱ�� for the world, and as one of the world’s leading research institutions, the University is driving global change through groundbreaking research, teaching, community engagement and responsible campus operations.

In the past five years alone, 91ֱ�� academics have produced more than 21,500 SDG-related research publications, accounting for 4% of all UK research on the goals.

Through teaching, students are empowered to address global challenges through accessible education, the Stellify programme and curriculum-embedded social responsibility opportunities.

The University holds a prestigious Platinum Watermark for excellence in public engagement and its work with cultural institutions including 91ֱ�� Museum, the Whitworth, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre and the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, aims involve and inspire local and global communities with the SDGs.

Meanwhile, its campus operations continue these values, from being a living wage employer and a leader in equality standards to its commitment to reach zero carbon by 2038.

Earlier this year, the University begun powering its campus with clean, renewable electricity from a major new solar farm, which means that up to 65% of the University’s electricity demand will now be met from exclusive ‘new-to-earth’ renewable infrastructure. The move will reduce University carbon emissions by 12,000 tonnes of CO2e each year - enough to power 21,000 homes.

Their symptoms are investigated less often, they receive less treatment, and have a poorer prognosis according to the study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Greater 91ֱ�� Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC). 

The results of the most comprehensive investigation ever carried out – using huge national datasets - are published today (insert date) in the journal The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. 

The study using linked primary care, hospital, and national cancer and death records from England, compared 180,911 individuals with a learning disability to over 3.4 million matched comparators. 

According to the study, people with learning disabilities were about half as likely to be referred for urgent investigation when they had ‘red flag’ symptoms that could be due to cancer. They were more often diagnosed after the disease had spread, when cure was not possible, and were less likely to receive surgery, radiotherapy, or systemic anticancer therapy. 

Life expectancy after cancer diagnosis was significantly shorter, particularly among those with severe learning disability or Down syndrome, with most dying within four years of diagnosis compared with nine years among those without a learning disability. 

The study found that several cancers were more common among people with learning disabilities. Rates of sarcoma were around twice as high, cancers of the central nervous system were three and a half times higher, testicular cancer was twice as high, and uterine cancer was about 70% higher compared with the general population. 

While some cancers, including melanoma, breast and prostate cancer were less common among people with learning disabilities, those affected had up to a fourfold higher risk of death after diagnosis, highlighting possible delays in diagnosis and inequities in access to timely and effective treatment. 

The research team also found that people with learning disabilities were over 70% more likely to develop cancer before the age of 50. This pattern was especially strong for nervous system, uterine, ovarian and digestive tract cancers. Oesophageal cancer in the under 50s, was more than five-fold higher in those with a learning disability. 

Lead author Dr Oliver Kennedy, Clinical Lecturer at The University of Manchester and The Christie said: “We already know that people with a learning disability face poorer health outcomes, but the burden of cancer in this population is poorly understood. 

“That is why this study, the most comprehensive population-based investigation of cancer in people with a learning disability, is so crucial to understand the immense challenges this vulnerable population group face in cancer care. 

“There is an urgent need for effective strategies to improve cancer detection and care”

Principal Investigator Prof Darren Ashcroft from The University of Manchester is Director of the NIHR Greater 91ֱ�� Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC)  

He said: “People with a learning disability frequently encounter barriers to healthcare access, such as communication difficulties and  diagnostic overshadowing, where clinicians might attribute new symptoms to an existing diagnosis instead of investigating other possible causes.

“These contribute to poorer health outcomes in general. On average, adults with a learning disability die 19–23 years earlier and it is widely accepted that 42% of deaths are considered preventable.

“This study highlights critical gaps and persistent uncertainties in cancer care for people with a learning disability that merit further investigation.”

Dr Kennedy added: “We suspect many people with learning disability experience missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis given the reduced likelihood of urgent suspected cancer referral following red-flag symptoms.

“This was probably why more cancers were diagnosed outside the urgent suspected cancer referral pathway, and more frequently at an advanced stage.

“Barriers such as lack of staff training, communication challenges and inflexible appointment systems may also contribute to these disparities.”

Jon Sparkes OBE, chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap, said: “We already know that cancer is the second most common cause of avoidable death amongst people with a learning disability.

“It’s unacceptable that late diagnosis and lack of urgent referral for treatment is costing people with a learning disability years of life.

“Melanoma, breast and prostate cancer are eminently treatable, yet people with a learning disability are four times more likely to die of them even after diagnosis. There’s something deeply wrong when people die for want of proper screening or treatment.

“The NHS must do better, with priority screening at a younger age and urgent referral for people with a learning disability, who we know are at greater risk of certain cancers.”

CASE STUDY:

Annabell Downey, supported by Mencap in Hexham, Northumberland has terminal cancer. She said:

“I’d gone to the doctor countless times with back pain but I found it hard to explain how bad it was. The pain scale didn’t mean anything to me and when I was asked if I could walk about as normal, I struggled to convey that sometimes I’d be fine, other times I’d be curled up in agony.

“And, though I’d had breast pain for some time, I didn’t realise it might be related.

“Someone without a learning disability might volunteer that information, questioning if there was a link – but it didn’t occur to me. No one ever asked if I had pain elsewhere until I was in hospital.

The  paper ‘Cancer diagnoses, referrals, and survival in people with a learning disability in the UK: a population-based, matched cohort study’, published in Lancet European Health is available

Interestingly, the index did not predict COVID-19 mortality or pandemic-related excess deaths - the researchers say this may reflect that some aspects of resilience – such as good transport links, mobility and strong social connectedness – can increase exposure risk during fast-moving infectious disease outbreaks.

The team believes their findings could help shape future public health policy. While deprivation measures like the Index of Multiple Deprivation will remain key tools, resilience-based measures may help councils and national bodies identify communities that need support - not just because of what they lack, but because of the assets they can build upon.

The researchers hope the index will be used alongside deprivation indices to guide investment in social infrastructure, voluntary sector capacity, community spaces and local connectivity.

The discovery, published in the journal , provides the first biomolecular data linking several extinct Australian megafauna species to their living relatives.

Led by at The University of Manchester, an international team analysed 51 fossilised marsupial bones collected from caves and swamps across Tasmania – one of the last refuges of these giant animals. Using an innovative technique called zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry (ZooMS), or collagen fingerprinting, the team was able to analyse fossils more than 100,000 years old – far beyond the age limit for traditional DNA analysis.

Dr Buckley said: “Until now, we’ve struggled to determine exactly how many of these extinct species were related because Australia’s hot climate destroys DNA over time. However, collagen proteins survive in much older and even extremely fragmented bones, allowing us to identify species and reconstruct the evolutionary relationships between extinct and living marsupials that could not be achieved through traditional methods.”

The most surprising discovery was that despite being wildly different animals, the koala and the marsupial lion - one of the largest meat-eating mammals ever to roam Australia - shared a common ancestor around 25-35 million years ago. This places the two animals much closer previously thought.

The research also provides new biomolecular data for two other extinct species – Zygomaturus trilobus and Palorchestes azael. Comparisons of their ancient collagen sequences confirmed that both belonged to the broader wombat–koala group, known as Vombatiformes.

The findings could help solve one of Australia’s biggest prehistoric mysteries surrounding the extinction of the continent’s giant animals.

During the Late Pleistocene, Australia lost nearly 90% of its giant land animals in one of the greatest extinction events in Earth’s history. Scientists are still debating whether the cause was climate change, human hunting, or a combination of both.

Because ZooMS can identify even tiny bone fragments and reveal their species, it could help scientists refine the timeline of when Australia’s megafauna disappeared and how long they overlapped with humans.

Dr Buckley added: “ZooMS also allows thousands of fossil specimens to be analysed quickly, so it could be a game-changer for the study of extinct species. We can now identify more fossils, improve extinction chronologies, and better understand ancient biodiversity.”

This paper was published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Full title: Collagen fingerprinting and sequence analysis provides a molecular phylogeny of extinct Australian megafauna

DOI/link:  

With arts subjects continuing to decrease in school timetables, the research provides compelling evidence for policymakers to rethink how creativity is valued.

“This analysis meaningfully contributes to the body of evidence on investing in arts and culture as an investment in young people’s future,” said Dr Maliha Rahanaz, author of the report. “Every young person deserves the chance to imagine, create and belong.”

●&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����; The campaign will mobilise more than half a million global alumni, supporters, staff and students with a target of raising £400M to drive transformative change.

●&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����; “Challenge Accepted” will focus on four core priorities: student inclusion and success; research with purpose; innovation and enterprise; and culture and community - accelerating the University's ambitious 91ֱ�� 2035 strategy.

The University of Manchester has launched a landmark £400m global fundraising and volunteering campaign to drive transformative change across research, student support, innovation and culture and back bold solutions to the world's most pressing problems.

"Challenge Accepted" marks a defining moment for the University as it looks ahead to its third century, building on 200 years of turning world-changing discoveries into practical impact - from splitting the atom, isolating graphene, challenging social norms, and building the first programmable computer.

Built in the world's first modern city, The University of Manchester has always pursued new ideas, creating knowledge for public good to shape the region and the wider world. But today's challenges demand more, which this campaign aims to address.

The launch follows the recent unveiling of the University's 91ֱ�� 2035 strategy, which sets out an ambitious vision to become the partner of choice for those committed to excellence and turning knowledge into impact for the public good. The fundraising campaign will accelerate delivery of this strategy, channelling philanthropic giving and volunteering support into four priority areas:

●&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����; Research with purpose: Backing researchers tackling today's most urgent problems - from quantum physics and cancer research to climate resilience and social innovation - getting breakthrough discoveries like cancer drugs out of labs and into patients more quickly.

●&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����; Innovation and enterprise: Connecting world-leading research with our innovation ecosystem, civic networks and entrepreneurial hubs. Supporting entrepreneurial students and staff to address global challenges in green energy, health equity and digital inclusion, with the ambition to become Europe's most impactful innovation network and drive inclusive growth for Greater 91ֱ�� and beyond.

●&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����; Culture and community: Harnessing the University's world-class cultural institutions - the Whitworth, 91ֱ�� Museum, the John Rylands Library and Jodrell Bank - as engines of inclusion and creativity, tackling mental health challenges, reaching 40,000 school children annually and creating spaces where marginalised communities feel welcome.

●&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����; Student inclusion and success: Removing barriers to access and supporting leadership and career success through scholarships, mentorship, wellbeing support and paid work opportunities, preparing students from all backgrounds to become the leaders and citizens who will change the world.

The campaign reflects the University's role as a great civic university for the 21st century in the digital age. By connecting brilliant people to work together - academics, students, partners, alumni and civic leaders - the University will deliver real-world change, both locally in 91ֱ�� and globally.

Professor Brian Cox, Professor of Particle Physics and Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science at The University of Manchester, is a Challenge Accepted ambassador. He said: "This is such an exciting moment for The University of Manchester, and for all of us whose work here depends on the generosity of philanthropists.

 "Their support drives the curiosity-led research that deepens our understanding of the world - from developing new cancer treatments and tackling climate change, to exploring the origins of the universe.

 "The truth is, we never know which discovery will transform our future - and that’s what makes philanthropy so powerful. Whether it’s funding a PhD, supporting a particular area of research or innovation, every gift fuels the people and ideas needed to tackle the challenges of our time.”

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: "At The University of Manchester, turning discovery into impact is what we do. Through this campaign, we're mobilising our entire community to deliver real-world change. The support of academics, students, partners, alumni and civic leaders will help us deliver the next life-saving medical discovery, the next leap in sustainable technology, and support the next generation of global changemakers.

"The great universities of the 21st century are going to be the ones that get their work out into the world and make a difference, faster. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has already supported 91ֱ��, and I warmly invite others to join us. The future won't be shaped by those who wait. It will be shaped by those who say: 'Challenge Accepted.'"

The campaign builds on existing momentum, with major gifts already accelerating high-impact research and expanding student support.

In 2024, The University of Manchester received a $1.3 million donation from alumna Judith Sear to accelerate cancer research impact. The generous gift, which was made to the North American Foundation for The University of Manchester (NAFUM), created the Sear Family Cancer Research Fund. The first initiative supported by the fund is a four-year Sear Family Cancer Research PhD, into which early-career researcher Gala Konteva has been recruited. Her research will focus on improving outcomes for lung cancer sufferers.

Also in 2024, Sir Terry Leahy pledged £1.5 million to fund research into regional economic disparities. The gift supports the Sir Terry Leahy Chair in Urban and Regional Economics. The role is part of Alliance 91ֱ�� Business School (AMBS), which oversees detailed research into regional productivity inequalities. The first appointment to the Chair was award-winning economist Professor Philip McCann – a specialist in the analysis of regional economic inequalities and the identification of new pathways to change the trajectory of the UK economy.

Through Challenge Accepted, supporters can engage directly with academic leadership, shape a meaningful legacy through named gifts and bespoke partnerships, and explore causes that reflect their passions - from discovery science to social justice.

For more information about the Challenge Accepted campaign and to start a conversation about how your support can make a difference, visit www.manchester.ac.uk/give

The study, funded by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC),  and led by researchers at The University of Manchester, introduces a more detailed way of simulating how urban areas interact with the atmosphere inside one of the world’s leading models, the Community Earth System Model (CESM), which scientists use to predict how the Earth’s climate behaves now and in the future.

Until now, these large-scale climate and Earth system models have treated cities very simply, grouping them into just a few generic categories such as “high density” or “medium density”. But cities differ enormously with a mix of buildings, roads, vegetation and human activity, which can significantly affect how heat is stored, released and transferred, with knock-on effects for heatwaves, air quality and energy demand.  These factors are often overlooked in current climate predictions and policy decisions.

The new model, published today in the , integrates a detailed urban classification system known as Local Climate Zones (LCZ), which distinguishes between ten types of built environments – from compact high-rise districts to open low-rise neighbourhoods. Each environment is defined by its building height, layout and materials and allows researchers to simulate how cities exchange heat and energy with the atmosphere in much finer detail.

Lead author Dr Zhonghua Zheng, Co-Lead for Environmental Data Science & AI at 91ֱ�� Environmental Research Institute (MERI) and Lecturer in Data Science & Environmental Analytics at The University of Manchester, said: “Cities, which host more than half of the world’s population, are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but they are also key to sustainable solutions. By using the Local Climate Zones approach, we can now represent the true diversity of urban areas, which is crucial for making accurate climate predictions. Improving how we simulate cities will help researchers and policymakers better understand urban heat stress and energy use, and design more effective strategies for the future.”

Yuan Sun, PhD researcher at The University of Manchester, added: “Incorporating LCZs into ESMs provides a bridge for communication between the environmental model community and urban climate adaptation actors.”

Tests carried out at 20 urban observation sites worldwide, including locations in France, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, showed that the new LCZ-based approach improved the model’s accuracy in simulating key urban heat processes. These include how city surfaces release heat into the atmosphere (known as upward longwave radiation) and the heat generated by human activity, such as air conditioning (known as anthropogenic heat flux), compared with the standard urban scheme.

The study also identified where LCZ-based models could be refined to further improve accuracy.

Sensitivity experiments revealed that rooftop reflectivity has the biggest impact on sunlight and heat in cities, while the layout and shape of streets and buildings, along with roof materials, also play key roles.

Understanding these factors in urban areas could help explain why some areas get hotter than others and could guide future urban design and climate adaptation strategies.

This research appeared in the

Full title: Enhancing Global-Scale Urban Land Cover Representation Using Local Climate Zones in the Community Earth System Model

DOI:   

The study found that the PBoC uses its financial tools in very practical ways to support China’s green industries. For example, it offers cheaper loans for renewable energy projects and allows banks to borrow more easily when they invest in approved green sectors. Since 2021, one programme alone has supported more than £120 billion in green lending.

By contrast, the Bank of England and European Central Bank have focused mainly on encouraging banks to think about climate risk, rather than shifting financial markets directly. The researchers describe this as an “indirect” approach that has little real-world impact.

What makes the Chinese case unique is how the government sets the direction - such as its pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 - and then expects the central bank to help deliver it. The PBoC still has technical freedom to design its own tools, but its mission is clear. One PBoC staff member told the researchers: “The government sets the goal. We decide how to get there.”

Dr Jackson says this offers an important lesson for the climate era. “We’re not saying countries should copy China’s political system, but we are saying that central banks around the world may need to rethink how they work with governments. In order to tackle climate change and adapt to its impacts, we need financial systems that can move quickly - not slowly.”

The report is based on extensive research and evidence from over 200 experts, practitioners, policymakers, academics and community representatives. 

Professor Pilkington’s remit was to scrutinise the evidence around the Government’s Prevent programme - which aims to identify and rehabilitate people at risk of radicalisation - drawing on her research expertise in youth engagement and the societal drivers of extremism.  

Referrals to Prevent increased markedly after 2015, when it became a legal duty for teachers, social workers, nurses and other frontline professionals to report people they believed to be at risk of being drawn into terrorism or extremism. Referrals jumped from a few hundred a year before 2015, to an average of 6,458 per year since 2015 and to a record number of 8,517 in 2024-25. 

More than two thirds of these referrals were for concerns that had no - or no clear - ideological dimension, meaning that a counter-terrorism intervention was not an appropriate response.  Almost half of referrals were for children aged 11-17, and a third had at least one mental health or neurodivergence condition.  

“It should constitute one element of a broader, more holistic and better resourced multi-agency safeguarding approach that addresses diverse drivers of violence and to which individuals are referred via a ‘big front door’,” Hilary added.

The Commission sets out 113 recommendations to modernise the UK’s counter-terrorism framework and strengthen its fairness, focus and accountability. 

The report concludes that while the UK’s counter-terrorism system remains world-leading, it has grown complex and overbroad. Key reforms are needed to ensure it remains effective, proportionate, and rooted in democratic values. As well as the recommendations concerning the Prevent programme, it also recommends that the government: 

• Narrow the legal definition of terrorism, ensuring clarity and proportionality.  

• Reform proscription powers, introducing time-limited reviews and stronger parliamentary and judicial oversight.

• Tighten terrorism offences, ensuring prosecutions are fair, proportionate, and grounded in clear intent.  

• Restore equality in citizenship law, limiting deprivation powers and ensuring fair treatment under the law.  

• Invest in social cohesion, recognising that inclusion and trust are vital to long-term security. 

The visit was made possible by alumnus and Blackpool FC owner, Simon Sadler, whose £1.5 million philanthropic gift has enabled the University to launch a transformative bursary programme for care-experienced students.

The Sadler Bursary provides an annual grant of £10,000 to up to 36 undergraduate students who have left care. The initiative addresses the significant barriers faced by care leavers in accessing and thriving in higher education. Nationally, only 14% of care leavers progress to university, compared to 47% of students from state-funded schools.

In recognition of these barriers, The University of Manchester offers extensive support for care leavers. Each student has a named contact who helps them settle into university life and provides advice around subjects such as housing and finance. The University also makes 52-week accommodation in halls available, and can act as a guarantor to private landlords.

Financial support, of which the Sadler Bursary is an important part, also covers living costs, access to sports and recreation, and an offer of becoming a paid student ambassador.

The Scholars were invited to Blackpool FC to enjoy full hospitality in the club’s boardroom, meet players and staff, and walk through the players’ tunnel onto the pitch prior to kick-off.

Simon Sadler, Owner of Blackpool FC, commented: “It was deeply moving to welcome the Scholars and to see them enjoying all that our wonderful club has to offer. These young people have overcome more challenges than many and the bursary is about giving them the support and encouragement they may need to pursue their ambitions with confidence.”

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, commented: “Thanks to Simon's generosity, the Sadler Bursary is a shining example of how philanthropy can help change lives by making education more accessible and inclusive. This visit to Blackpool FC was a celebration of that spirit and that mission. These students deserve every opportunity to thrive, and we’re proud to be supporting them throughout their journey.”

Daniel, one of the Sadler Scholars, added: “Growing up, my life felt contained in a dark tunnel, boundless and solitary. Now, as I step out of the Bloomfield Road tunnel, the future shines so bright. On this journey I am no longer alone.”

The Sadler Bursary forms part of the University’s broader commitment to supporting care-experienced and estranged students. In addition to financial support, students benefit from tailored guidance, accommodation grants, and opportunities to work as Student Ambassadors.

Led by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator Professor Kevin Munro, the research team surveyed a representative sample of over 2,000 adults in the UK about their willingness to test their own hearing at home and use pre-programmed or self-fit hearing aids.

Almost 9 in every 10 adults surveyed said they would be willing to test their own hearing at home if recommended by the NHS.

The majority also said they would be willing to try a hearing aid that was sent to them by the NHS either ready programmed or which required them to programme it for themselves.  

The current NHS pathway involves GPs making a referral for a face-to-face appointment with an NHS audiologist in a hospital or high street setting. The uptake of hearing care is low and slow and current waiting times are very long.

However, policymakers are encouraging self-monitoring of health, and for health services to make greater use of digital technology as well as provide care closer to home.

The findings are a positive indication that such an approach would be welcomed by at least a proportion of adults.   

A variety of apps and online tests are available for people to assess their hearing at home using their smartphone or tablet, and there are hearing aids that are available without the need to involve a hearing professional. However, these vary in quality, and not all have been properly evaluated.

The findings are published in the International Journal of Audiology.

The study was funded by an NIHR Senior Investigator award to Prof Munro and was supported by the NIHR 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

Prof Kevin Munro said: “If evaluated and shown to be successful for adults who prefer this option, DIY ear care has the potential to increase patient choice and shift care closer to home. It will also free up audiologists’ time to spend with adults who most need their help.”

However, Prof Munro cautions that more work is needed before the findings are rolled out into practice: “We have yet to evaluate whether this willingness will translate into reality or whether audiologists would be comfortable with this approach. We would also need to determine what support the NHS should provide to adults who opt to use these new pathways.”

Professor Gabrielle Saunders from The University of Manchester and Hearing Health Co-Theme Lead at the NIHR 91ֱ�� BRC, a co-author of the study said: “The main benefits reported in the survey include convenience, immediacy (not needing to wait for an appointment) and savings for the NHS. However, respondents raised genuine concerns that will need to be addressed including uncertainty about trusting the test results and feeling confident that they did the testing properly in the absence of face-to-face support.” 

Claire Benton, President of the British Academy of Audiology, said:   “The profession is keen to foster a culture of continuous improvement, and these findings are very interesting. It is clear there is a need to provide a variety of solutions to resolve the current pressures. If the benefit to patients is not inferior to current practice, this provides additional options that are potentially sustainable solution for the NHS.”

However, Benton went on to note: “These low-touch digital solutions will not be suitable for everyone. Also, we need to be reassured that we will not miss anyone with ear disease that requires medical attention.”

Professor De wet Swanepoel, editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Audiology said: "Traditional models of hearing care can no longer meet the near-universal demand among older adults. This study highlights that adults themselves recognise the need for more accessible, self-directed models of care — a shift that is both necessary and transformative for healthy ageing.”

According to RNID, 1 in 3 adults in the UK have some sort of hearing disorder, which is a total of over 18 million people. The prevalence increases significantly with age, with over half of people aged 55 or more having hearing loss. The number is projected to rise, with estimates suggesting 14.2 million adults will have hearing loss by 2035.

• The paper: DIY audiology at home: adults are interested in conducting self-administered hearing tests and trying fit-at-home hearing aids is published . The DOI of the paper is: 10.1080/14992027.2025.2576030.T

This year’s UN climate summit (Cop30) in Belém, Brazil, begins with a familiar dilemma: how can we tackle a highly political, long-term problem that involves every country of the world?

Governments, experts and activists have been trying to address since the early 1990s, yet global greenhouse gas emissions remain at .

Emissions growth may be slowing, but even pro-climate action strategies seem to be pulling in different – or even, antagonistic – directions. Our presents these antagonisms as a choice between “stability” and “politicisation” in climate governance.

According to those favouring stability, governments should lock in steady, long-term policies that place us on a predictable and gradual track to much lower emissions. Creating policies that commit us to a certain path should help businesses to invest in ways that meet this predictable trajectory.

However, if it is weakened and made inadequate by pro-fossil fuel lobbyists and governments, then the stable path can still meander into climate catastrophe. This is the course we are presently on.

On the other hand, for those pursuing the politicisation of climate action, it is better to encourage political conflict and protests that constantly create pressure for more significant and rapid policy change.

Such strategies can disrupt pro-fossil fuel lobbyists’ grip and expose strategies used by some political figures to dismantle the hard-fought climate goals already in place. But by encouraging increased politicisation of these issues, we may open the door to and others seeking to slow or stop climate policy action altogether.

Both schools of thought – stability or politicisation – have their supporters and detractors. Both have benefits and downsides. However, these have rarely been discussed in conversation with one another, until now.

At Cop30, these distinct strategies will be under the spotlight.

The stability or politicisation dilemma helps to explain why building a strategy that works over years and decades creates difficult questions, not only about policy design but approaches for different organisations and states. These challenges change according to which level of government, which country, and which economic sector is in play.

For instance, it is easier to push for politicisation and conflict when you’re not a member of a marginalised or racialised community already facing to political participation.

Conversely, it is hard to avoid having to engage in politicisation and conflict in areas where there are deep historical power structures that need to be challenged. For example, in the UK, land ownership concentration blocks – both because landowners want to keep peat moors dry to maximise their grouse shooting revenue, and because the land concentration means they are very powerful within the British state.

Tension between timeframes

Our traces these dynamics across a range of cases, from the fossil fuel industry in the US to strategies used by the and ; from to environmental justice ; and from arguments about to generation.

International relations expert previous UN climate summits have been shaped by this clash in strategies, right back to the Kyoto protocol, the 1997 agreement that set emissions targets for economically developed countries.

Whereas the EU was previously the driving force behind depoliticisation of negotiations, more recently, countries such as India and China are also pursuing such strategies. As Allan warns, this may delay the implementation of climate policies as more states debate how best to progress.

In Belém at Cop30, similar dynamics will be at play. Efforts are ongoing to implement the 2015 agenda and process. Core issues remain on how to ensure regular reporting of emissions, alongside questions around who pays for the consequences of climate change.

At the same time, there will be a continued politicising push by certain countries and social movements. States such as the US, Saudi Arabia and their allies will be trying to politicise the negotiations to stymy progress. Meanwhile, social movements will be protesting to keep the pressure on negotiators and promote climate justice for those who are hardest hit by climate change.

, Senior Lecturer in Politics, ; , Professor of International Politics, , and , Professor of Global Governance & Human Security,

This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .

The study informs a process that takes place in many countries worldwide where women are overburdened with care responsibilities. As populations age and family structures change, how societies value and share care work may become one of the defining social issues of the century.

The authors also raise concerns over the discontinuation of the Thai national time-use survey by the National Statistical Office. They advocate for its urgent resumption, stressing that time-use data is critical for understanding gender inequality, strengthening the care economy, and helping the government monitor its progress toward the SDGs. Without such data, key dimensions of unpaid care work remain invisible in policy design and economic planning.

The study in older animals  showed that the placentas of male but not female offspring had increased cell damage from a biological state called oxidative stress. 

Oxidative stress occurs when harmful molecules called free radicals build up faster than the body can clear them. 

It is associated with a range of pregnancy complications including fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia, both of which increase the risk of stillbirth. 

The study demonstrated reduced weight in both female and male fetuses in older mice, but the placental alterations were sex-specific. 

The scientists are conducting further studies in mice to confirm these findings  and also carrying out a parallel study to see if similar sex differentiated mechanisms exist in human placentas from mothers of advanced maternal age (AMA), defined as age 35 and over. 

The study, published in the journal Reproduction and funded by Tommy’s and the Medical Research Council, also discovered placental mitochondria -  the biological batteries that power cells-  were working at a reduced rate in the placentas of both male and female pups but that there were more of them. 

Mitochondria are a major source of free radicals. Reducing their rate of activity at the same time as increasing their numbers is a way they adapt to prevent further oxidative stress while maintaining the supply of energy needed for cells to work properly.

This could mean that the adaptation in placentas from females was more successful than in placentas from males because oxidative stress was not increased in placentas from females of older mice. 

Although scientists know AMA increases the risk of placental dysfunction leading to  fetal growth restriction and stillbirth, little is known about the mechanisms that cause it.

Lead author Dr Michelles Desforges from the University of Manchester  said: “Some impacts of advanced maternal age appear common to both sexes but this data suggests some may be sex specific.

“Evidence that sex differentiated placental dysfunction occurs in a range of risk groups -  including diabetes or obesity- has been around for some time.

“This, however, is amongst the few to delve into the sex differentiated processes which increase the risks of adverse pregnancy outcome in animals of advanced maternal age.

“In 1980, only around 6% of pregnant women in the UK were aged 35 and over. However this figure has now risen to 25%. This represents a massive societal shift and it is important that we understand the reasons why these pregnancies are more vulnerable to fetal growth restriction and stillbirth.

“But it is important to stress, however, that though advanced maternal age comes with  increased risks for some women, the  majority of mums aged 35 and over have normal pregnancies and healthy babies.”

Principle investigator Dr Mark Dilworth added: “Studies in mice are particularly helpful as they allow us to compare male and female offspring in the same pregnancy. In addition, these studies provide an important basis for future studies intent on developing therapeutic strategies for preventing fetal growth restriction and stillbirth.”

• Sex-specific alterations in placental mitochondria, oxidative damage and apoptosis in mice of advanced maternal age” is available .DOI: 

Scientists have developed a simple, low-cost method to drive key chemical reactions, which could make large-scale drug manufacturing, faster, more accessible and affordable.

The new study, published in the journal today by The University of Manchester, describes how complex light or electricity-mediated methods currently used across modern chemistry could be replaced by those driven by a simpler technology - heat.

By heating two common, inexpensive chemicals together, the researchers triggered ‘electron transfer’ reactions that chemists use to make many of our everyday products and medicines.  

Lead researcher, , Lecturer in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at The University of Manchester, said: “Our goal was to develop a broadly accessible and low-cost way to promote electron transfer reactions for industrial applications.

“By using something as simple as heat - something every chemistry lab already has - we’ve created a process that can be scaled more easily and used by companies without the need for expensive, specialised equipment, opening up new possibilities for chemists all over the world.”

Many modern chemical reactions rely on photochemical (light) or electrochemical (electricity) technologies to kick start ‘electron transfer reactions’ – a process that involves transferring electrons between molecules to make medicines, or other essential materials. Although these high-tech methods are powerful and effective, they can be difficult to scale up for industrial use as they require specialist reactors and costly infrastructure.

The 91ֱ�� team’s new approach achieves the same result using only heat and two widely available chemicals - a type of azo compound and a formate salt. When heated together in a standard industrial reactor, these reagents naturally form a highly reactive molecule known as ‘carbon dioxide radical anion’ - a simple yet powerful species capable of driving a wide range of chemical transformations.

Working with Dr James Douglas from AstraZeneca, the research team successfully demonstrated the scalability of the developed method  and tested it on a variety of other chemical reactions used in drug discovery.

, Lecturer in Computational & Theoretical Chemistry at The University of Manchester, added: “Radical chain chemistry underpins so many areas of science and manufacturing, so we hope this simple initiation method will be of wide use across both industry and academia. Beyond large-scale applications, it could also become a valuable tool for researchers studying new chemical reactions.”

This research was published in the journal . 

DOI: 10.1038/s44160-025-00919-z

The University of Manchester is globally renowned for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and learning, and commitment to social responsibility. We are a truly international university – ranking in the top 50 in a range of global rankings – with a diverse community of more than 44,000 students, 12,000 staff and 550,000 alumni from 190 countries.  Sign up for our e-news to hear first-hand about our international partnerships and activities across the globe. 

Researchers at the 91ֱ�� Breast Centre, based at The University of Manchester, found that blocking the effects of the hormone progesterone, using ulipristal acetate, a drug already used on the NHS, may reduce the risk of breast cancer developing in women before the menopause, with a strong family history of the disease.

Progesterone is a hormone that can drive breast cancer development. It promotes the growth of a type of breast cell, that has the potential to turn into breast cancer. It can also influence the environment inside the breast, making it easier for these healthy cells to transform into cancer cells.

Blocking these effects of progesterone could be a new way to stop breast cancer before it starts.

The study, published today in the journal Nature, found that taking ulipristal acetate helped block the growth of breast cells that can turn into cancer, called luminal progenitors. These cells are the starting point for triple negative breast cancer, a more aggressive form of the disease that is more common in younger women and black women. Previous research has shown that the risk of triple negative breast cancer coming back or spreading in the first few years after diagnosis, is higher than in other types of breast cancer.

Between 2016 and 2019, 24 women aged 34-44 with a family history of breast cancer took ulipristal acetate for a 12-week period. During the trial, they underwent breast biopsies, blood tests, and detailed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans before and after treatment.

The researchers were measuring changes in breast tissue to understand if the drug might have a protective effect against breast cancer development.

MRI scans showed that the breast tissue became less dense with treatment, which is important because higher breast density is known to increase risk of breast cancer. The team found that the treatment worked best in women who had high breast density before treatment started.

Researchers also observed dramatic changes in breast tissue.  They found that treatment significantly reduced the number and function of certain collagen proteins that normally help support breast tissue.  Overall, the breast tissue became less stiff, making the environment less favourable for cancers to develop and grow.

One protein in particular – collagen 6 – showed the most noticeable decrease after treatment. Based on their findings, researchers now think that it may directly influence the behaviour of luminal progenitor cells, that can give rise to breast cancer. 

All these changes suggest that the drug alters breast tissue in a way that makes it harder for cancer cells to develop and grow, therefore reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Clinical lead author, Dr Sacha Howell, Clinical senior lecturer at The University of Manchester, Director of Manchester Breast Centre and Consultant Oncologist at The Christie said: “We are profoundly grateful to the women who volunteered for this study. Our research, with them, provides evidence that progesterone plays a critical role in breast cancer development in high-risk individuals. By targeting its action, ulipristal acetate and other anti-progestins show promise as preventive treatments for women at increased risk.

“What makes this study particularly exciting is the combination of clinical imaging and biological analysis, which gives us a powerful tool to understand how prevention therapies work at both the tissue and molecular levels. These results lay important groundwork for larger trials to confirm the potential of anti-progestins in reducing breast cancer risk”.

Laboratory lead author, Dr Bruno Simões, research fellow at The University of Manchester and Principal Investigator at the 91ֱ�� Breast Centre said: “Our team was intrigued by how anti-progestins reshaped the breast tissue environment at the molecular level, reducing the number of tumour-initiating cells. We observed clear reductions in collagen levels and organisation, giving us direct insight into how targeting progesterone signalling can create conditions that make it harder for cancers to develop.”

“Our goal is to understand the biology underlying breast cancer risk factors so we can develop better strategies to reduce the number of women affected by the disease. This study is particularly exciting because it suggests that women with increased breast density, a well-established risk factor, may benefit most from preventive treatment with an anti-progestin drug.”

Co-lead author, Rob Clarke, professor of breast biology at the University of Manchester, Principal Investigator and former Director of the 91ֱ�� Breast Centre said: “The biological research behind the clinical study was a great example of team science, a major collaboration between investigators in 91ֱ��, Cambridge and Toronto coming

together to understand the breast tissue and cellular changes underlying this preventive treatment. The findings reveal biomarkers that could be used to gauge response to therapy and whether it will be effective in preventing breast cancer.”

Dr Simon Vincent, chief scientific officer at Breast Cancer Now, which funded the research, said: “We desperately need better risk-reducing treatments for women at high risk of breast cancer, that also protect their quality of life. And we need to explore all avenues, including existing drugs with the scope to be repurposed, to achieve this.

“Currently, these women have only two options to reduce their risk - surgery or long-term hormone therapy, both of which have a profound impact on their physical and emotional wellbeing.

“This research into ulipristal acetate is an important step forward, and aligns with our key strategic goal to accelerate the discovery of preventative treatments.  We now need larger, longer-term studies, so we can fully understand the potential of this drug to stop breast cancer developing.”

Grace Burton, 27, from Bromley London, underwent a preventative double mastectomy last year after finding out she was at high risk of breast cancer due to an inherited BRCA1 gene change at the age of 21.

Grace says: “Breast cancer has had a huge impact on my family - both my mum and my aunt were diagnosed, and knowing I was at high risk was always in the back of my mind. Having later gone through preventative surgery myself, I know how heavy and difficult those decisions can feel. That’s why this new research into preventative medication is so exciting, it offers hope for other women who might one day have less invasive options to protect their health.

“For those of us with a strong family history, the possibility of preventing breast cancer before it starts is incredible. It gives me hope that future generations may not have to make the same tough choices and can grow up with more options and less fear around breast cancer.”

Several of the authors were supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

The research is published in Nature and is  available

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09684-7   

The University of Manchester is globally renowned for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and learning, and commitment to social responsibility. We are a truly international university – ranking in the top 50 in a range of global rankings – with a diverse community of more than 44,000 students, 12,000 staff and 550,000 alumni from 190 countries.  Sign up for our e-news to hear first-hand about our international partnerships and activities across the globe. 

The University of Manchester is globally renowned for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and learning, and commitment to social responsibility. We are a truly international university – ranking in the top 50 in a range of global rankings – with a diverse community of more than 44,000 students, 12,000 staff and 550,000 alumni from 190 countries.  Sign up for our e-news to hear first-hand about our international partnerships and activities across the globe. 

Dr Yasmin hopes the findings will encourage international charities, donors and governments to rethink how they design and monitor conservation projects. “If we want sustainable development,” she said, “we have to stop speaking for people and start listening to them - especially those who are most often ignored.”

The annual list identifies the world’s most-cited researchers, offering an overview of the impact and influence of their work. This year, 551 91ֱ�� academics feature in the rankings, underscoring the University’s leading international research presence.

The data reveals the breadth of Manchester’s research impact, with scholars contributing to diverse and interdisciplinary fields such as advanced materials, social sciences, global health, ecology, and physics.

The Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientist Rankings draw on data from Elsevier’s Scopus database, incorporating citations up to the end of 2024. The rankings evaluate researchers using a range of metrics, including, co-authorship-adjusted citations and a composite citation score— providing a measure of influence beyond publication volume alone.

Developed by data scientists at Elsevier’s ICSR Lab in collaboration with Stanford University, the list—now in its eighth edition—has become one of the most respected indicators of research excellence worldwide.

Professor Rosalie David and Dr Roger Forshaw show in their book, published by Liverpool University Press  in paperback this month, how Western medical practice owes a debt of thanks to the Ancient Egyptians. 

Though previous works have highlighted the diseases that affected the Egyptians thousands of years ago, this is the first to be written from the perspective of the ancient equivalent of doctors, patients and nurses. 

According to the authors, the system can be seen as a precursor to the healthcare of today: the equivalent of consultants – with different specialisms-    and GPs treated patients either at home in the community or in something resembling hospitals. 

Nurses cared for patients and midwives -  usually women - were highly respected and according to one account were paid more than the doctors. 

Student medics , who were often male relatives of existing doctors,  were trained in temples. Discoveries of mummies also showed that patients who lived with long term debilitating  illness were presumably cared  for by nurses and support workers during their lives. 

If they needed the ancient equivalent of hospital treatment, patients stayed in small cells attached to a temple -  such as at the temple of Denderah in upper Egypt-  where they would be looked after by priest-doctors. 

The care  was paid for either in kind by the patients themselves-  who donated food or other items to the temple - or some assistance was provided by the State for particular groups -  almost like the state healthcare of today. 

The system was so successful that if you made it past the first 5 years of life, your  life expectancy was similar to that of many British people  in Victorian times-  between 30 and  40. 

What the authors call ‘rational’ treatments were given for problems that could be seen, such  as bandaging for broken bones. There was even a form of palliative care for the terminally ill. 

Balanites oil-   which is extracted from parts of the Desert Date tree  - was often successfully prescribed by community doctors to  treat bilharzia or Schistosomiasis-  a devastating disease caused by parasitic worms. The treatment was still used in modern medicine up to  50 years ago. 

However the less commonly used ‘irrational’ treatments, where it wasn’t possible  to see the origin of the disease such as mental illness- involved the use of spells and magic.

Much of the information about ancient Egyptian healthcare was derived by the researchers from medical papyri discovered  in different locations across Egypt.

The papyri give details on disease, diagnosis, and treatments, including herbal remedies, surgery, and magical incantations.

Only 12 of these medical papyri are known today from over 3,000 years of history: others undoubtedly existed and may in future be discovered during excavations or identified in modern library collections of papyri.

The economically successful New Kingdom (1550 BCE – 1069 BCE)  and the Greco Roman Period  from around the beginning of the common era, were probably the high point for healthcare in ancient Egypt said Professor David, though it probably existed from at least around 3000 BC she added.

The book, called Medicine and Healing Practices in Ancient Egypt, shows how European, Arabic and ancient Greek medicine all  have a direct lineage to healthcare  practice that was common 3000 years ago.

Professor David said: “We’re delighted our book is available in paperback, which means the public, medics and Egyptology buffs will not just enjoy it, but learn about the important contribution of ancient Egyptian healthcare to our systems of today.”

“Though punishments could be quite vicious if you transgressed the legal code, the perception that ancient Egypt was a violent and unpleasant  place is completely wrong.

“They believed in an afterlife where there was no aging, or illness-  but to get there you had to be on the straight and narrow.”

“That might at least partially explain why, for most of the time, it was a well-organised society which cared for its people in a way which far exceeded anything else in the ancient world.”

Images:

• The remains of a schistosome, the causative parasite for the disease Bilharzia, discovered in an Egyptian mummy. Parasite DNA was for the first time identified in this sample
• Sanatorium at Temple of Hathor at Denderah
• Cover of book: Medicine and Healing Practices in Ancient Egypt
• Statue of Sekhmet, lioness-headed goddess of medicine
• Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri where patients received medical treatment

One hundred years ago, a catastrophic flood carrying enormous boulders swept through part of Dolgarrog village, north Wales, destroying several homes, a bridge and the local chapel. Ten adults and six children lost their lives. The tragedy was widely and King George V sent a message of condolence.

This was not a natural . It was caused by the failure of two dams impounding the Eigiau and Coedty reservoirs on the Carneddau plateau, high above Dolgarrog, following a wet October. Overtopped by inflow from the Eigiau breach, the Coedty dam failed catastrophically, unleashing a flood of some 1.7 million cubic metres. There was no time to warn the village.

The Dolgarrog disaster followed a reservoir failure at , Scotland, in April 1925. Both brought attention to poor dam construction and inadequate maintenance practices, and led directly to the Reservoirs (Safety Provisions) Act of 1930.

The act sought to ensure the structural safety of large reservoirs by introducing legal requirements for regular inspection and certification by qualified engineers. It was the first attempt in the UK to regulate the design, construction, and maintenance of reservoirs through statutory safety measures.

Since Dolgarrog, the UK has had an excellent reservoir safety record. But in late July 2019, the evacuation of more than downstream of Toddbrook reservoir in Derbyshire, England, was ordered. Toddbrook had received a month’s rain in just two days.

Swollen inflows overtopped the dam’s emergency spillway, undermining its concrete slabs. A large cavity appeared on the spillway, exposing the dam’s core, raising fears of a breach.

A dropped 400 tonnes of aggregate on the Toddbrook spillway to reinforce the damaged section, while fire services used high-capacity pumps to lower the water level and reduce pressure on the dam. After several days, engineers declared the Toddbrook dam stable enough to lift the evacuation order.

The Toddbrook incident was one of the most serious near failures of a dam in recent UK history. It showed how extreme rainfall events can living downstream. , the fire incident commander, said: “We were in a situation where we had five times as much water going in than we could take out. We absolutely thought it could fail. It was a very, very tense night.”

Following this scare, in April 2021, the UK government commissioned an into reservoir safety. A was issued to owners of all large, raised reservoirs, making the formulation of emergency a legal requirement to ensure that they are prepared for an eventuality that could result in an uncontrolled release of water.

The threat from climate change

As who work on river processes and landforms, we are researching the landscape-changing effects of such dam breach floods, but also how topography can amplify the hazard to communities.

As the Dolgarrog disaster showed so graphically, reservoirs that drain into steep and narrow upland valleys present a particular hazard, especially where flows increase in speed and pick up destructive boulders. All aspects of the landscape setting should be part of flood emergency planning.

While the Toddbrook reservoir was compliant with existing legislation and had been recently inspected, it suffered “.” by local residents about how well it had been maintained. .

Most reservoirs in upland Britain were constructed in the 19th century under hydrological conditions that no longer hold. Embankment dams and older masonry dams can be especially vulnerable to erosion, seepage, slope instability or overtopping.

The most is overtopping where the spillway cannot cope with floodwaters. Reservoir safety may also be challenged by rapid or sustained water level lowering during droughts. As pore pressures change, and soils dry out and crack, embankment stability can be compromised.

Climate change is increasing in many parts of the UK posing a threat to reservoir safety. Climate models tell us that intense rainstorms that cause flash flooding will be five times more likely by 2080. Steep upland catchments in hard impermeable rocks are especially vulnerable to flash flooding, and this is where much of the UK’s water storage infrastructure is located.

The Dolgarrog disaster was the last time anyone was killed in the UK by a dam failure. But if intense storms and prolonged droughts are the new normal for our climate, the risk to ageing upland water storage infrastructure will likely increase.

, Professor of Physical Geography, ; , Professor in the Department of Geography, , and , Professor of Physical Geography,

This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .

Everyone is welcome to join the conversation, whether you are a resident, visitor, student, or simply curious about the realities of migration.

To reserve your place, please register on .

The study by health economists at The University of Manchester and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater 91ֱ�� (ARC-GM), is published today in the journal Quality of Life Research.

The authors  also say that people from different ethnic groups with health conditions rated their quality of life differently, even when they reported similar prevalence of actual illness.

The findings bring us closer to confirming  what researchers have explored but where further empirical evidence was still needed .

Based on the data from General Practice Patient Survey in England — including 2.3 million White respondents, 160 thousand Asian, 70 thousand Black, 20 thousand of Mixed or Multiple background, and 60 thousand from Other ethnic groups — the findings have potential implications on the equitable design of health services and the way health outcomes are measured.

Though the survey data used in the study relies on self-reported long term health conditions to capture illness, the measure is thought to be more objective than other studies to date for England. It’s also the largest study to yet tackle differences in self-rating.

Lead author Dr Juan Marcelo Virdis from the University of Manchester said: “Our study found that certain black and Asian ethnic groups could be more likely to downplay different aspects of how health affects their lives.

“This is important because differences between perceived and actual health can affect how you seek healthcare health care and could, for example, delay a clinical consultation.

“But understanding these differences is crucial for designing equitable health services and improving outcomes across diverse populations.”

The researchers based their analysis on EQ-5D-5L, a standardized measurement tool developed by a group of European researchers called EuroQol Group (EQ) to measure health-related quality of life.

5D refers to five self-reported dimensions of health it assesses: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression.

And  the 5L refers to five levels of self-reported severity for each dimension: no problems, slight problems, moderate problems, severe problems, extreme problems/unable.

They analysed five distinct ethnic groups: White ethnic, mixed background, Asian, Black and Other who reported which  of  15 long term health conditions they had.

In some cases - such as Mobility for the Black and Other ethnic groups or Self-care for the Asian-  the tendency was to choose extreme categories. The study also explored differences within these broader ethnic groups, suggesting that heterogeneity may exist within them as well.

Though the reason why some ethnic groups report differently remain  unclear, some researchers speculate that we answer subjective questions on health by saying what is normal for us, influenced by our background and expectations.

Dr Virdis added: “Our research provides a scenario for further studies using objectively measured health conditions, such as biological risk factors, or objective measures of physical health such as grip strength. In addition, we were not able to investigate the mechanisms at play, so this could be a focus for future qualitative research.”

The paper Differences in rating of health related quality of life on the EQ-5D-5L between ethnic groups is published . DOI: 10.1007/s11136-025-04082-y 

The National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) has approved the University’s Quality Mark, which signifies a university has demonstrated support for the inclusion and success of students with care experience or who are estranged.  

The Quality Mark has been renewed for another three years. The framework covers the student lifecycle, from outreach through to graduation and beyond, institutional culture and leadership, and commitment to continuous improvement and future plans.  

Melissa Jacobi, Head of Access And Student Success and Development at The University of Manchester, said: “The NNECL renewal process was a fantastic way for us to capture, evidence and reflect on the many ways in which our University community cares and supports our diverse student body, and our many students who are navigating their university experience without family support, be they care experienced or estranged.  

This recognition is a reflection of how colleagues work tirelessly across The University of Manchester with genuine care and compassion for the individuals we are supporting, to provide help and ensure our processes enable students to make the most out of their time at 91ֱ��.” 

University of Sanctuary status has also been reaccredited, with the panel commenting on the ‘breadth of the opportunities, community collaboration, and the various pathways that facilitate access to sanctuary seekers’ at The University of Manchester. A sanctuary seeker is an individual seeking refuge or protection, such as from war, violence or persecution. 

Support ranges from financial aid, such as scholarships and tuition fee concessions, library study support and volunteering opportunities to help build transferrable skills. Awareness sessions are also run through the University’s partnership with 91ֱ�� City of Sanctuary for staff and students, while activities are held in schools and the local community during Refugee Week. 

Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement at The University of Manchester, who also chairs the University of Sanctuary Steering Group, reflected: “At The University of Manchester, being values-led and socially responsible is at the heart of everything we do. This is powerfully demonstrated by our renewed status as a University of Sanctuary, which recognises our deep commitment to supporting those seeking refuge — whether in our city region, our student body, or through our research and humanitarian work in the UK and beyond. 

Our reaccreditation reflects the collective efforts of our community: from extensive student volunteering with sanctuary seekers in 91ֱ��, to scholarships and bursaries that break down barriers to education, and the impactful research undertaken by our colleagues. We are grateful to City of Sanctuary UK for this recognition and look forward to building on this work in the years ahead.” 

To find out more about the support offered for students who are care experienced, estranged or sanctuary seeking at The University of Manchester, email wecare@manchester.ac.uk  

Part of the Greater 91ֱ�� Civic University Agreement (CUA), the priorities were unveiled this week at a special event at the Royal Northern College of Music, attended by civic leaders, university partners, members of the Greater 91ֱ�� Citizens’ Panel and Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council.

Developed in collaboration with the Greater 91ֱ�� Combined Authority (GMCA) and shaped by the Citizens’ Panel, the new priorities ensure the universities’ civic mission remains grounded in the needs of residents while also supporting Greater 91ֱ��’s long-term vision of becoming ‘a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life’.

The Greater 91ֱ�� Civic University Agreement (CUA), launched in 2021, brings together the University of Greater 91ֱ��, 91ֱ�� Metropolitan University, the University of Manchester, the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Salford, alongside the the Greater 91ֱ�� Combined Authority, in a shared commitment to align the strengths of the universities with the needs of the city-region, with a shared goal of improving the lives of people across Greater 91ֱ��.

Professor Jennie Henley, Chair of the Civic University Board, highlighted the importance of this partnership: “Our universities are not separate from Greater 91ֱ��; they are part of its fabric. These refreshed priorities are about reaffirming our long-term commitment to the people of this city-region. By working in partnership, we can achieve more together than any of us could alone, helping to build a Greater 91ֱ�� that is fairer, healthier, greener, and full of opportunity.”

The four new priorities focus on areas where the universities can make the biggest collective difference:

• Opportunity & Prosperity – widening access to education, creating lifelong learning pathways, supporting innovation, and helping people secure good jobs.
• Health & Wellbeing – training the next generation of doctors, nurses and social care professionals, supporting mental health initiatives, tackling health inequalities, and using research and expertise to put prevention at the heart of the region’s health strategy.
• Culture – celebrating Greater 91ֱ��’s cultural strengths, making arts and creativity accessible to everyone, and building the skills that keep the city region’s creative economy thriving.
• Environment – helping Greater 91ֱ�� reach net zero by promoting sustainability in learning and research, creating greener places to live, and preparing people for the jobs of the future.

Greater 91ֱ��’s universities already contribute over £4 billion to the local economy each year, educate more than 100,000 students and welcome millions of residents to concerts, lectures and public events. They also train the region’s future workforce, including an estimated 9,500 nurses, 3,500 doctors, and 8,500 teachers between 2022 and 2027.

Mayor of Greater 91ֱ�� Andy Burnham said: “Greater 91ֱ��’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 91ֱ��’s next decade of growth and we know our universities have a vital role to play in our continued success.”

By refreshing their priorities, the universities have renewed their pledge to work with civic partners and communities to make Greater 91ֱ�� a place where everyone can thrive. Explore our shared priorities for Greater 91ֱ��.

•  for Greater 91ֱ��

This list coincides with the publication of the Home Office’s report on the statistics of scientific procedures on living animals in Great Britain in 2024. 

The ten listed organisations were responsible for 1,379,399 procedures, 54% (more than half) of the 2,637,578 procedures carried out on animals for scientific research in Great Britain in 2024*. Of these 1,379,399 procedures, more than 99% were carried out on mice, fish, rats, and birds and 82% were classified as causing pain equivalent to, or less than, an injection. 

The ten organisations are listed below alongside the total number of procedures they carried out in 2024. Each organisation’s name links to its animal research webpage, which includes more detailed statistics. Case studies explaining how animal research has been used in recent medical research are also provided in the Notes to Editors section. This is the tenth consecutive year that organisations have come together to publicise their collective statistics and examples of their research.

Seventy-two organisations have proactively published their 2024 animal research statistics

UAR has also produced a list (see appendix) of 72 organisations in the UK that have publicly shared their 2024 animal research statistics. This includes organisations that carry out or fund animal research.

All organisations are committed to the ethical framework called the ‘3Rs’ of replacement, reduction and refinement. This means avoiding or replacing the use of animals where possible, minimising the number of animals used per experiment and optimising the experience of the animals to improve animal welfare. However, as institutions expand and conduct more research, the total number of animals used can rise even if fewer animals are used per study. 

All organisations listed are signatories to the , which commits them to being more open about the use of animals in scientific, medical and veterinary research in the UK. More than 130 organisations have signed the Concordat, including UK universities, medical research charities, research funders, learned societies and commercial research organisations.

Wendy Jarrett, Chief Executive of Understanding Animal Research, which developed the Concordat on Openness, said: “Animal research remains a small but vital part of the quest for new medicines, vaccines and treatments for humans and animals. Alternative methods are increasingly being phased in, but, until we have sufficient reliable alternatives available, it is important that organisations that use animals in research maintain the public’s trust in them. By providing this level of information about the numbers of animals used, and the experience of those animals, as well as details of the medical breakthroughs that derive from this research, these Concordat signatories are helping the public to make up their own minds about how they feel about the use of animals in scientific research in Great Britain.” 

Dr. Maria Kamper, Director of the Biological Services Facility at The University of Manchester, said:

"Scientific research involving animals remains essential in advancing our understanding of health and disease, and is fundamental to developing new medicines and medical technologies.

"At our institution, we prioritize transparency in animal research alongside a culture of exceptional care among our staff. Our approach is founded on collaboration and superior animal husbandry standards. We are dedicated to cultivating a sustainable environment where animal welfare, staff wellbeing, scientific excellence, and open communication with both stakeholders and the public are our highest priorities.

“This dedication aligns with the University of Manchester's broader mission to enhance education, knowledge, and wisdom for society's benefit.”

Case study:

Clotbuster drug is new hope for stroke treatment

A new clotbusting drug tested on mice has been shown by University of Manchester scientists to be significantly better at treating ischemic stroke than existing therapies.

The compound, developed by the scientists and known as caADAMTS13, could be a breakthrough for patients who have brain blood clots with an overabundance of platelets- the tiny cell fragments that help form clots and are often not treatable by existing therapies.

• One in 12 pupils (8.3%) reported being placed in isolation at least once a week
• The average time spent in isolation was 8.5 hours a week – more than a full school day
• Even after accounting for behavioural difficulties:
  -    Children with recognised special educational needs (an Education, Health and Care plan) were more than twice as likely to be in isolation
  -    Children on Free School Meals were more than one and a half times more likely to be in isolation
  -    Children who identified as LGBTQ+ were nearly twice as likely to be in isolation
  -    Black, Asian and mixed heritage children were more likely to be in isolation than their White British peers
• Isolated pupils reported reduced belonging, poorer relationships with teachers, and (for girls) lower levels of mental wellbeing than a very closely matched sample of their non-isolated peers.
• Schools with higher rates of suspensions also tended to isolate more pupils, undermining the idea that internal exclusion prevents more serious sanctions.

“Internal exclusion is happening every day in classrooms across England, yet it is largely hidden from view,” said lead author Dr Emma Thornton. “We know that it can provide an effective short-term solution for teachers dealing with disruption in their class, who want to create the conditions for all pupils to thrive. But our findings show that it is disproportionately applied to young people most in need of support, and leads to lost learning, weaker connections with teachers, and in some cases poorer mental health.”

#BeeWell is one of 40 organisations calling for a government definition of inclusion as measurable through data on the amount of lost learning - time spent away from the classroom through isolation, suspension and absence - and through pupil experience data, such as the #BeeWell data used in this study. The Inclusion for All campaign asks that the upcoming Schools White Paper should provide guidance and support schools to continuously improve and reduce the amount of time spent away from classrooms and peers.

“What’s needed is more research and practice-sharing on effective ways to set up internal spaces that are diagnostic, supportive and get children back to class as soon as possible,” said Kiran Gill, CEO of charity The Difference charity. “That’s why The Difference is working with schools across the country to better measure inclusion, and to set up spaces internally to support young people in crisis before their challenges escalate.  We’re excited to bring some of those school leaders together with #BeeWell and others at our annual conference IncludED in January to share strategies that are working, as measured by pupils’ own experiences.”

The research is part of the , a major study of young people’s wellbeing in Greater 91ֱ��, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, funded by The University of Manchester and partners including The National Lottery Community Fund.