The English Language Support Academy for Medics will work with the gynaecologists, surgeons, paediatricians, emergency medical doctors and GPs in 2025.

The Belfast programme is supported by REACHE, a 21-year-old medical education programme funded by NHS England that in 2024 has helped 123 health professionals, mainly doctors and nurses on their journey to regain their professional registrations in England.

The programme is being led by Dr Aisha Awan, Director of REACHE at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, and a clinical lecturer at The University of Manchester. 

Dr Awan said: “REACHE offers an excellent return on investment. Its nearly six times cheaper and takes half the time of training medical students in the UK.

“The fall of the Assad regime in Syria brings the plight of refugees and asylum seekers sharply into focus.

“But rather than wasting the experience of these skilled medical professionals when we need doctors and nurses desperately, REACHE supports them to be part of the solution to our national challenges.”

She added: “Refugee doctors have an average of seven years post-registration experience under their belt.

“With specialist language and acculturation training alongside strong pastoral support, they are well able  to fill the estimated shortfall of around 50,000 doctors in the NHS.”

According to REACHE, the recruitment of refugees and asylum-seeking doctors and nurses prevents them from becoming deskilled through inactivity in their host country.

That way they can then return to their nations after conflicts end and provide health services to traumatised citizens and rebuild their country.

• Image 1 : the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray welcomes a refugee group of doctors at the opening of the programme. From L to R they are  Dr Ghaleb Daher,  Lord Mayor, Dr Yasmeen Ahmed and Dr Mohameden Omer 
• Image 2: From Left to right they are: Jennifer Taggart, NHS service manager; Councillor Micky Murray; Aisha Awan; Dr Kathy Cullen, interim Centre Director, Queen's University

Circadian rhythms are our internal 24-hour body clocks. These natural cycles of physiological and behavioural patterns, if disrupted, can have adverse effects on ageing and related health issues.

The project, called CircadiAgeing, will focus on understanding how both the well-known molecular clock and the less studied processes in cell membranes influence daily changes in cell activity.

Through an interdisciplinary approach using cutting-edge electrophysiology, imaging, genetic analysis and computational biology, the research team hopes to develop ways to better understand and strengthen these biological clocks, to promote healthier ageing and potentially reduce age-related disorders.

, Senior Lecturer in the Division of Neuroscience, is a part of CircadiAgeing’s core team. 

Dr Belle said: “I am excited to be part of the CircardiAgeing research programme and fantastic team of world-leading researchers in circadian biology and neuroscience."

The programme, funded for 60 months, is a collaboration between Dr Mino Belle (University of Manchester), Dr Marco Brancaccio (UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London), Professor Hugh Piggins (University of Bristol), Professor Krasi Tsaneva-Atananova (University of Exeter), and Dr Alessio Vagnoni (King's College London). The project is led by Professor James Hodge (University of Bristol).

Professor James Hodge said: “We will take advantage of the powerful genetics and short lifespan of the fruit fly to determine the effect of age on the clock translating our finding to a nocturnal, and for the first time, a day active species of rodent using closely aligned computational models, innovative tools and protocols developed by our labs.

“We will employ, a holistic approach taking a multiple-disciplinary approach to understanding how the circadian clock works at every level across the whole life course. Finally, we will investigate evolutionary conserved interventions to rejuvenate rhythms and behaviour extending health during ageing, revealing ways to potentially allow our ageing population to continue to live well and independently.”

The funding comes from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), who have backed four groundbreaking research projects through their (sLoLa). The scheme supports innovative teams in pursuing ambitious, multidisciplinary long-term bioscience research.

“We look forward to a year of events, exhibitions and celebration as we mark the Library’s birthday at the same time as we complete the latest investment by the University; John Rylands Next Chapter will provide new meeting spaces, digital imaging facilities and world-class exhibitions spaces for everyone to enjoy,” Professor Pressler added. “I look forward to welcoming everyone to our great Library in 2025.”

Launching the Rylands’ new special exhibition gallery, The Secret Public examines the importance and influence of LGBTQ performers, artists and activists on mainstream popular culture. Inspired by the recently published book, The Secret Public: how LGBTQ performers shaped popular culture 1955 to 1979 by Jon Savage, the exhibition presents over 100 key pieces from his extensive collection of archive and research materials which form part of the British Pop Archive housed at the Rylands.

The Secret Public foregrounds the artists, public figures, social issues and political discourse from within which a lasting creative explosion happened and which is still felt today. The exhibition extends the date range of the book through to 1985.

Jon Savage, author and Professor of Popular Culture at The University of Manchester said: “These materials have been collected over a 40-year period and represent one of the largest private Queer archives in the country. I am very pleased to announce that they are now held within the British Pop Archive.”

May



The School of Social Sciences launched a new scholarship in May in memory of Politics, Philosophy and Economics graduate Laura Nuttall, who sadly passed away in 2023 after a long battle against cancer. In keeping with Laura’s dedication to helping others, and with the collaboration and support of Laura’s family, the School will award an eligible student from a less privileged background with a physical condition, long term illness or learning difference with a scholarship of £3000 per year for every year of their degree. 

Also in May, the Faculty announced that it had secured £2.73 million to enhance its research and teaching capabilities in the critical areas of AI, trust and society. The funding is being matched by £2 million from the Faculty itself, and the investment will go towards appointing an interdisciplinary team of six senior lecturer or lecturer-level academics, six post-doctoral research associates and six PhD students. 

June



In June, Professor of Physical Geography Jamie Woodward was named as one of the most impactful environmental professionals in the UK in The ENDS Report Power List. The annual report names 100 UK environmental professionals who have made the greatest impact in the past two years, with Professor Woodward one of the 10 academics identified as shaping the science on environmental issues. He was one of the earliest academics to raise awareness about the issue of widespread discharges of untreated sewage into UK rivers and waterways, and he has worked tirelessly to expose this scandal, engaging policymakers across Parliament and local government to ensure water companies are held to account for their illegal practices. 

In the same month Programme Director for MA Screenwriting Jonathan Hourigan won the Grand Jury Award for the International Competition at Sheffield DocFest for his film ‘At the Door of the House Who Will Come Knocking’ - the film follows an elderly man living in isolation in  Bosnia and Herzegovina, weaving together a tapestry of dreamlike visuals as it records the routines of his daily life.

July



July saw Steven Courtney, Professor of Sociology of Education and Director of Research at the 91ֱ�� Institute of Education, being given a major award in recognition of the enormous contribution he has made to educational knowledge, leadership and management throughout his career. Steven was given a Distinguished Service Award - the society’s highest accolade – by BELMAS, the leading global independent voice in education leadership. Winners of the award receive a lifetime membership, and are invited to join the Distinguished Service Award Advisory Board which meets twice a year to provide the society with insight and feedback in relation to their work.

Also this month, the University's Dr Ruth Lamont was appointed as the new Parliamentary Thematic Research Lead for Crime and Justice. She will be joining a cohort of 8 top researchers, selected by The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology and UK Research and Innovation, who will play a crucial role in bringing research and innovation to the forefront of Government decision-making. 

August



There was good news for the Faculty during the summer break, as eleven student teachers from The University of Manchester received the Primary Science Enhancement Award for Initial Teacher Education. Our students made up over 10% of the entire UK's winners, and after receiving the award, they are now able to start their careers with increased competence and confidence when teaching science and are equipped to take up future school leadership positions in science. 

September



The start of the new academic year was marked by the appointment of Professor Cecilia Wong as the new Chair of the UK2070 Commission, an independent inquiry into city and regional inequalities in the United Kingdom - has announced the appointment of Professor Cecilia Wong as its new Chair. Professor Wong - a distinguished academic and a Professor of Spatial Planning and Co-Director of Policy@91ֱ�� - will bring a wealth of expertise and an exceptional track record in urban and regional development to the prestigious role.

The month also saw the launch of several major pieces of research into a range of subjects including shortcuts being taken by architects, teenage social media use and older people not claiming benefits - each of these stories gained widespread media coverage drawing attention to important societal issues.

October



October saw the naming of our 26th Nobel Laureate, as 91ֱ�� alumnus Simon Johnson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for his groundbreaking research into understanding wealth disparities between different nations. Simon studied Economics at 91ֱ�� in the 1980s, and is now a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Also this month, the University inaugurated the Global Humanities Alliance, an initiative forged by eight international universities to raise the profile of humanities and social sciences across the globe. Academics from partner institutions gathered in person and online to mark the beginning of this collaborative effort at an inaugural meeting.  

November



The University announced a new £8 million research centre in November focused on equitable low-carbon living, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, which aims to address climate change challenges. The Centre for Joined Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST) will accelerate the understanding of a just transition by coordinating research into action at all levels of society.

The move of English National Opera to 91ֱ�� was also accompanied this month by the launch of a new partnership with the University which will invite the people of Greater 91ֱ�� to explore the opportunities for the artform, engage with new communities and discuss what it means to have an opera company based in our city region. 

December



The final month of the year saw Professor Claire Alexander being announced as this year’s winner of the Distinguished Service to British Sociology Award, which is given to the outstanding individual who has contributed most to the discipline by leading an extraordinary life as a sociologist.

In December researchers at the Global Development Institute were also awarded with £1.3 million by the Ford Foundation to establish a research observatory studying the role land rights play in a just transition to a decarbonised future. A team of GDI researchers will lead the observatory’s activities alongside co-investigators at the University of Ghana, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and the Federal University of Pará in Brazil.. 

These stories reflect the Faculty's commitment to addressing global challenges through research, education and social responsibility.

The University of Manchester kicked off its 200^th anniversary with the first of many celebrations. To mark the beginning of the bicentenary year, crowds of staff, students and alumni gathered to watch a wonderful pathway of light illuminate Oxford Road. Our Global Centres across the world also took part, by organising reunions and unique events (including a light-up tram) in Hong Kong, Dubai and Shanghai. While Light Up went global, astronomers looked to locations less terrestrial, as a team of researchers uncovered a new and unknown pulsar orbiting in the Milky Way. Back on Earth, the University’s proposal to redevelop the Fallowfield Campus accommodation was approved, and a biomedical Egyptologist discovered recording cards - thought to have been lost in World War Two - which detail one of the first ever excavations in Lower Nubia. January was brought to a close with an award of over £23.5m presented to the University to lead the delivery of doctoral programme training for psychologists.

February



In February, we celebrated two brilliant achievements: the city of Manchester was named a UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning, with the University recognised as a key partner. The University was also awarded accreditation status by the United Nations Environment Programme, making us one of only 20 universities worldwide to receive this accolade. As the months turned colder, a new study began which measured air pollution from domestic wood burners – the biggest sources of small particulate matter nationwide. Graphene research reached new heights as the first human trial revealed the ‘wonder’ material can be developed safely without acute risk to human health. With AI continuing to sweep the nation, the University joined a new research hub that will focus on developing AI tools to help revolutionise healthcare. To continue the bicentenary celebrations, the University launched the innovative Talk200 series, a podcast and lecture series which reflected on our past, celebrated our present and looked to our future.

March

To coincide with International Women’s Day, an immersive project combined academic research with art and activism, to spotlight inequalities faced by 91ֱ��’s diverse female population. Building on the University’s sustained support for doctoral training, we were awarded £30m for investment into training the next generation of science and engineering researchers. We proudly celebrated two academics this month: a postdoctoral researcher was awarded the prestigious L'Oréal UNESCO Award for Women in Science for her work in sustainable development, and an associate professor at the Global Development Institute (GDI) was awarded two grants for his project researching the African political economy. The GDI also announced they received a further transformational donation of £2m from the Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation.

April

In April, a Universities UK campaign highlighted the phenomenal success of Manchester students who were the first in their family to attend university. 91ֱ��’s  educational achievements were further celebrated in April as the University was awarded the title of University of the Year at the Educate North Awards. Down in Somerset, a 91ֱ�� palaeontologist identified bones found on a beach as belonging to a new species of prehistoric marine reptile - thanks to a discovery made by a local father and daughter. A new collaborative study revealed antipsychotic use in people with dementia is associated with higher risks of serious health outcomes compared with non-use. To round off the month, the Pet Shop Boys took to the John Rylands Library for an ‘in conversation’ event with Jon Savage, Professor of Popular Culture, to mark the release of their new album.

May



With spring underway and the summer months in sight, May ushered in a new season of bicentenary celebrations as a city-wide open-air exhibition, began the countdown to the Universally 91ֱ�� Festival in June. Spring also brought an exciting green landmark partnership, which could see the University source up to 65% of its electricity from a brand-new solar farm. The University announced a new scholarship in memory of Politics, Philosophy and Economics graduate Laura Nuttall who passed away in May 2023. Researchers continued to build on the work of Ernest Rutherford, by using his pioneering methods to produce a new form of silicon that brings us one step closer to scalable quantum computers. To bring May to a close, the University received a £1.5m donation from alumnus Sir Terry Leahy to fund research into regional inequality.

June



At the beginning of June, the University was named number one in both the UK and Europe - and second in the world - for meaningful contributions towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. We welcomed close to 10,000 visitors to our four day bicentenary festival, Universally 91ֱ��. With over 200 free, immersive events, the festival featured renowned figures like Professor Brian Cox and Professor David Olusoga, making it a truly unforgettable celebration. The University also celebrated four professors who were recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list for their extraordinary impact on the lives of people across the country. Meanwhile, archaeology tours returned to Arthur’s Stone - a Neolithic burial chamber with a trove of mysteries to unearth - for a final year of excavations. From down in the ground to up in the sky, engineers at 91ֱ�� designed a robot that can jump a record-breaking 120 metres high, which is more than the height of Big Ben. Scientists also discovered a surprising link between ancient biology and restricted human hair growth, which could progress treatments for hair loss.

July



With the summer months in full swing, Creative 91ֱ�� and Jodrell Bank hosted a day of literature events to celebrate one of the UK's most influential contemporary novelists, Alan Garner, and the Summer Solstice. July saw one of our most read stories; researchers used state of the art 3D imaging technology to determine the probable cause of death of a mummified crocodile. Scientists also found the restoration of upland peatlands to be a highly effective strategy for reducing downstream flooding. The University celebrated two academics who were honoured with Future Leaders Fellowships, by UK Research and Innovation, to progress research into cystic fibrosis and clean water supplies. As July drew to a close, the University turned to commemorate the end of Nancy Rothwell’s 14-year term as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University. To celebrate and honour her tenure, the Engineering Campus Development (MECD) was named the Nancy Rothwell Building at a special ceremony at the end of July.

August



While the academic year drew to a close, our teaching staff were busy celebrating two prestigious national award wins. For the second year in a row, we were awarded the Collaborative Award for Teaching by Advance HE, and the University also celebrated the announcement of a new National Teaching Fellow, Dr Minjie Xing. This year’s Academic Ranking of World Universities saw 91ֱ�� place at number 52, both a brilliant achievement and an important reminder to continue striving for improvement. Meanwhile, striking new research revealed people in the North of England are among the worst affected by Long Covid. Another ground-breaking study uncovered immune responses to gonorrhoea, which could potentially support the creation of more effective vaccines.

September



The new academic year started with a bang as MA student Grace Harvey won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the Paralympic Games in Paris. With students swarming campus once again, the University partnered with In Our Nature to launch the reuseable ‘Bee Cup’ scheme to continue efforts to reduce the University’s carbon footprint. A new study revealed ocean waves are far more indomitable and complex than previously imagined, which could alter our fundamental understanding of several ocean processes. The University proudly shared that Dr Bovinille Anye Cho received the prestigious Royal Society Career Development Fellowship, a programme aimed at developing underrepresentation in UK STEM academia. September concluded with the exciting unveiling of 91ֱ��’s new £1.7bn innovation district’s first building, Sister - primed to be a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity.

October



October saw our annual Foundation Day, which celebrates the coming together of the Victoria University and The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. This years’ celebrations were particularly significant, as the event also marked the University’s 200^th anniversary and inauguration of our new President and Vice-Chancellor, Duncan Ivison. At the start of the month, the University launched Unit M, a new capability to connect and catalyse the innovation ecosystem in 91ֱ��. Celebrations did not stop there, as the University proudly announced alumnus Simon Johnson was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics for his research into wealth disparities. The University was honoured to host the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit 2024 in our bicentenary year, attracting more than 650 delegates from over 80 countries. A busy October drew to a closed with the University marking 20 years since the Nobel-Prize winning ‘wonder’ material graphene was first isolated.

November



At the beginning of November, the University announced a new £8m research centre in the North of England which will focus on building a greener future. Championing  climate action down south, a Professor attended the Reception for International Sustainability at Buckingham Palace, to share her expertise and contributions in decarbonising the music industry. We also announced a world leading orthopaedic surgeon will be joining our staff as Vice-Present and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. New rankings released by Clarivate recognised fourteen researchers across fifteen subject areas at the University as among the world’s most influential academics, based on the number of ‘Highly Cited’ papers they have each authored. The University celebrated a $1.3m donation from alumna Judith Sear to accelerate the University’s cancer research impact.  Building on our legacy of research excellence, the University announced the £28m investment in the Bicentenary PhD studentships and fellowships, with a £10m matched funding scheme encouraging continued philanthropic support. 

December


 

Coming to the end of our busy bicentenary year, it is only right that we highlight a few final achievements of 2024. At the beginning of December, students from different universities across Greater 91ֱ�� gathered to address the environmental challenges that are threatening the health and prosperity of our region. A team of University scientists celebrated their pioneering study into the vascular causes of dementia, which was named Research Story of the Year at the British Heart Foundation’s annual Heart Hero Awards. In a brilliant move to boost sustainability on campus, the University launched a preloved marketplace for students, using the app Hazaar. We celebrated Professor of Sociology, Claire Alexander, who was this year’s winner of the Distinguished Service to British Sociology Award. To finish the year on an exceptional note, the University reaffirmed its status as a global leader in sustainability by retaining its top ten position in the 2025 QS World University Sustainability Rankings.

As we reach the end of 2024, the University would like to express its heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made our bicentenary year so memorable. The remarkable achievements, awards, and ground-breaking research we've celebrated this year would not have been possible without the support of our exceptional community here at 91ֱ��. Now looking ahead to 2025, The University of Manchester is excited to embark on its third century of innovation, impact, and excellence. With the continued support of our outstanding students, staff, and alumni, we will build on our legacy and continue shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

The duration reduction of around 10% could provide significant cost savings to health systems, limit unwanted drug side-effects, reduce overtreatment and reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance in individuals, across communities and internationally.

The study was commissioned and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and its leading partners were The University of Manchester, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust and Warwick Medical School’s Clinical Trials Unit,  who specialise in research in emergency and critical care.

Chief investigator Paul Dark, Professor of Critical Care at the University of Manchester will present the findings to a global online audience at the prestigious this week (10/12/24), where it will be scrutinised and debated by some of the world’s leading experts in the field.

The research team are also to publish their peer reviewed findings in JAMA-  one of the world’s leading medical  journals today

According to the charity Sepsis Research FEAT, around 50,000 people are estimated to die of sepsis in the UK each year, which develops when the body's immune system overreacts to an infection and starts attacking its own tissues and organs.

Accounting for 100,000 hospital admissions a year in the UK, it is estimated that there are 49 million cases and 1 million deaths a year globally.

Recognising sepsis and starting antibiotics  early are crucial but until now the recommended duration of such treatment has been uncertain.

The only available option recommended for doctors currently is to use their judgement  to decide when to discontinue the potent  broad spectrum antibiotics, usually reserved to treat the condition.

The new decision support system is based on a simple blood test, carried out daily and available in most  NHS hospital laboratories.

It tests for levels of a circulating protein called procalcitonin (PCT), which is produced as part of the body’s immune system responses to bacterial infections.

Higher levels indicate a greater likelihood of bacterial infection and sepsis, with subsequent falling levels indicating favourable responses to treatments

A computer automated response, based on the PCT levels from the blood test,    advises doctors whether to discontinue antibiotic treatment or not.  A further commonly measured circulating inflammation protein (C-reactive protein or CRP) was also tested.

The randomized controlled trial was based at 41 intensive care units across the UK, involving 2,760 adults from January 2018 to June 2024.

It compared 918 patients on a  PCT protocol with 924 patients on a  C-reactive protein (CRP) and 918 patients on current standard care.

Clinicians responsible for managing patients received daily standardized written advice on either standard care or on PCT or CRP biomarker-guided antibiotic discontinuation.

The protocols in the study were uniquely designed to  conceal laboratory test results  from clinical  staff to reduce potential bias and patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups.

The team found that a PCT protocol reduced total antibiotic duration by 10% and all-cause mortality, a key patient safety measure, was the same as standard care .

There was no difference in total antibiotic duration between standard care and CRP protocols..

Professor Dark, who is also an NHS Consultant in Critical Care Medicine at Salford Royal, said: “This simple protocol, if implemented, could significantly change the way sepsis is treated and safely help to combat antimicrobial overuse and resistance-  one of the world’s leading health challenges.

“It is also a powerful illustration of how precision medicine can make a real difference to patient care  when treatment is tailored to  individual test results  of each patient.

“It’s also important to acknowledge that this study would not have been possible without the generous contribution  of patients with this life threatening condition who like all of us, are committed to finding better ways to deal with sepsis.”

He added: “Sepsis has been at the forefront of policy makers minds ever since the publication of 2013 Health Service Ombudsman report which focused on sepsis patients who were not treated urgently enough.

“Ever since then, developing better diagnostics and treatment guidance for GPs and hospital clinicians to help them recognise sepsis at an early stage has been a national priority.

“This trial has been planned to address NICEs recommendations so that its results will inform their future guidance on antibiotic duration in sepsis.”

Sepsis Research FEAT trustee Beth Budgen developed sepsis as a result of a seemingly innocuous Strep A infection on Christmas Day 2022, resulting in quadruple amputations.

She said: “Within 24hrs I was fighting for my life and have been left with life changing injuries as a result. If this can happen to me, it really can happen to anyone. It really is that scary

“The University of Manchester study is one of several significant projects currently being undertaken in the UK in the field of antibiotic treatment for sepsis patients - an extremely important area of research which Sepsis Research FEAT fully endorses.

“The priority setting partnership exercise that the charity recently completed with the James Lind Alliance will also now be crucial in ensuring that the best research into sepsis takes place UK-wide.”

Professor Gavin Perkins, Warwick CTU Trial Lead said: “Sepsis claims tens of thousands of lives each year in the UK.  The findings from ADAPT-sepsis will help doctors ensure that critically ill patients with severe infections get the right duration of treatment with life-saving antibiotics.”

• Critically ill patients recruited to the trial had already commenced antibiotics for sepsis, so the study does not provide evidence for biomarker use in initiating antibiotic therapy.
• The University of Manchester, University of Warwick and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust researchers would like to thank the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) for help delivering the study in the NHS and the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme for funding the trial.  The collaborative  co-investigator  funded team  in this national study are linked here    .  We would also like to thank Abbott and Roche Diagnostics for their contracted support to assist NHS laboratories participate in the study. 
• Beth’s story is available to read in full and she also appears on the Sepsis Research FEAT  . The PSP outcomes page on their  website can be found .

With an overall score of 98.3 out of 100—an improvement from last year’s 98.0—the University ranks 9th out of 1,751 institutions, placing it within the top 1% of universities globally. This achievement builds on 91ֱ��’s reputation as the only university in the world to feature in the top 10 in both the QS Sustainability Rankings and the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which measure progress towards the vitally important (SDGs). 

The UK has 26 universities in the top 100 globally and more top 10 universities than any other country or territory. 

The QS Sustainability Rankings were launched in 2022, these rankings evaluate ESG performance through research, teaching, public engagement, and university operations, using data from policies, case studies, staff and alumni surveys, and research outputs. 

The University’s strong position reflects the commitment to ongoing research excellence and the contributions of highly-cited researchers working towards the SDGs in areas such as the 91ֱ�� Environmental Research Institute, the Global Development Institute and the Sustainable Consumption Institute. 

The University was able to demonstrate its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion through policies like the Dignity at Work and 91ֱ�� Policy and its ambitious 2038 Decarbonisation Plan, which includes a landmark deal to build a solar farm with 104,000 panels supplying 65% of the University’s electricity. 

In teaching evaluations, our taught programmes have been recognised as highly valuable, such as the MSc in Climate Change, delivered by the School of Environment, Education and Development, to equip students to address climate and nature crises. 

The University’s public engagement programmes, such as the award-winning Poverty Matters programme which engages communities to tackle pressing social issues like child poverty, contribute highly to the institution’s positive societal impact. Last year the University was also awarded a award by the (NCCPE), which recognises universities’ engagement with the public. 91ֱ�� is only the second university to be successful in achieving the Platinum award.  

Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement, said: “This independent ranking by QS draws on a range of evidence of our social and environmental impact across research, teaching, public engagement, and university operations. This excellent result reflects the work of thousands of staff, students, alumni, and external partners and should be a source of pride for our whole community.” 

Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility, added: “We want to be a world leader in social responsibility and environmental sustainability. This latest assessment of our impact by QS helps ensure people around the world are attracted to partner with us, or come here to work and study, because of our reputation for social responsibility. Well done to everyone in our community who has contributed to this success.” 

Explore how The University of Manchester is advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals by visiting . 

Further details on the QS Sustainability Rankings’ methodology and weighting are available on the . 

Unit M is designed to address all aspects of the innovation challenge – from R&D through to innovation adoption through to talent and skills – by making the University’s world-class research, innovation assets and talent more accessible to all. It aims to address key regional and national challenges in productivity, innovation adoption, and economic inclusivity.

Earlier this year, Lou Cordwell OBE, was appointed Professor of Innovation at the ) at , and Special Advisor to the Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor. Lou brings a wealth of experience in fostering innovation, economic transformation, and cross-sector collaboration. As CEO, Lou will lead Unit M’s mission to maximise the University's impact for the benefit of the region’s economy and society.

Lou began her career working for WPP before founding the 91ֱ��-based digital design studio magneticNorth (mN). In 2021, mN merged with Fluxx, creating the UK’s leading design and innovation consultancy, . She previously developed the strategic masterplan for Sister, one of Europe’s most ambitious innovation district projects. She has spent the past year jointly leading the University’s Regional Innovation Review, which provides an in-depth analysis and roadmap for how the University can create a world-class inclusive innovation ecosystem in the region. 

Lou is also Chair of and an angel investor, particularly focusing on female tech founders. Lou was awarded an OBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours for services to the creative and digital economy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lou to lead Unit M,” said Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester. “Her leadership and expertise will be instrumental in ensuring Unit M achieves its ambitious goals of driving inclusive growth and strengthening 91ֱ��’s position on the global innovation stage.”

Unit M’s launch comes at a pivotal time as the UK grapples with pressing economic challenges. By helping to accelerate the University’s impact, and leveraging 91ֱ��’s strengths as a leading city for innovation, the initiative will foster dynamic partnerships, create new jobs, and attract investment while addressing social and economic inequalities.

Speaking of her new role Lou said: "I’m absolutely delighted to be asked to lead the Unit M team and mission. The University is one of the region’s most important innovation assets and the Unit M ambition to help drive innovation-led growth will be a central theme of the University's future strategy. I'm looking forward to working with colleagues across the University as well as local and global partners to deliver exciting new opportunities for our region."

Unit M will align with and complement existing innovation capabilities across the University, including the Innovation Factory, the Pankhurst Institute for Health Technology and the Turing Innovation Catalyst, as well its sector leading business engagement, student entrepreneurship, and flexible learning teams. It will act as the University’s interface into the region’s investment zone and innovation districts, including the University’s recently launched joint venture, Sister and the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, along with other place-based partnerships. It will also partner closely with external capabilities, including the Greater 91ֱ�� Combined Authority (GMCA), local councils and other institutions. 

Unit M is now live and actively engaging with entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers eager to shape the future of the region.

For more information about Unit M and partnership opportunities, visit

At the awards hosted in Birmingham on 28 November, The University of Manchester and the University’s Students’ Union was recognised for the support provided to students during the cost of living crisis in 2022/23.

One-off payments totalling over £9million were made available to all students in November 2022, which 90% accessed. Targeted additional support was allocated to some students in February 2023 which, at the time, many other universities were not in the financial position to provide.

Overall, an unparalleled package of support of over £10million reached students through a wide range of interventions in the academic year. These included cosy campus spaces, free breakfasts on Wednesdays and holistic support initiatives.

Kelly-Ann Mallon, Head of Access, Student Employability, Success, and Development at The University of Manchester, who attended the awards on behalf of the University, said: “This recognition is a testament to the incredible teamwork and collaboration across the University that allowed us to respond swiftly and effectively to the cost of living crisis.

“The collective commitment from all areas of the institution ensured that we could provide the right support to our students. This award is not only a recognition of our efforts but a reflection of how much of a difference this initiative has made in the lives of our students, and it’s truly rewarding to see that impact acknowledged."

Overall, an unparalleled package of support of over £10million reached students through a wide range of interventions in the academic year. These included cosy campus spaces, free breakfasts on Wednesdays and holistic support initiatives.

The University’s community of donors play a significant role in supporting students experiencing cost of living challenges.  Initiatives such as the Cost of Living Support Fund ensure those facing hardship have access to immediate financial support. Gifts from donors also support programmes such as the 91ֱ�� Access Programme and Undergraduate Access Scholarship, enabling more students than ever to access life-changing opportunities here at 91ֱ��.

The effects of this response to the crisis stretched beyond the University, making waves in Westminster discourse and impacting policy.

Today, the University’s efforts continue to positively influence conversations around financial support for students across the UK, while the University itself remains dedicated to helping students reach their full potential.

Lexie Baynes, Union Affairs Officer, University of Manchester Students' Union said: "I'm so proud that this collaborative piece of work between the University and Students' Union has been recognised by Times Higher and the sector.

“To me, the key takeaway here is that colleagues at the University and the Students' Union elected Executive Teams worked in partnership on a direct and deliverable package of support for our 48,000 students during the cost of living crisis and financial pressures, putting students' needs at the forefront of our actions. Huge congratulations to all those involved in the work, and the current Students' Union team looks forward to continuing to work in partnership, to ensure that any barriers students face can be overcome."

Anna Lomas, Employer Engagement Manager at The University of Manchester and chair of the group in charge of directing student support said: “Colleagues from across The University of Manchester and the Students' Union are delighted to be recipients of this award and to be recognised formally for the hard work and commitment they gave to supporting our students with the challenges they were facing during the escalating cost of living crisis. 

“Our sector leading and truly collaborative approach demonstrates our collective dedication to student experience at the University. Thank you to everyone who contributed their energy, experience and expertise.”

The University of Manchester also received the award for Research Project of the Year: STEM for its work developing the world’s first bedside genetic test to prevent babies from going deaf.

One in 500 babies carry a gene that causes permanent deafness when given gentamicin, an antibiotic which is commonly used in intensive care. Researchers from 91ֱ�� developed the rapid bedside test and trialled it on 751 babies in neonatal units in 91ֱ�� and Liverpool, and the NHS is exploring how the test can become part of routine clinical care. The technology could potentially save the hearing of 180 babies in the UK every year.

Dr John McDermott, NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Manchester said: "This award is a testament to the hard work of so many people from across the University and at the hospital. With the genedrive technology set to be rolled out across the country as part of PALOH-UK, we're excited to see how the impact of this intervention will continue to grow."

As part of the bicentennial celebrations, the University has announced the launch of its Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships – a transformative programme which will support the next generation of research leaders. 

As part of its investment, the University has launched a £10 million matched funding programme to catalyse philanthropic support and deliver a total of £28 million in new studentships and fellowships. It is inviting people and organisations who share its commitment to world-class research to join it in supporting the research leaders of the future.  

This landmark initiative highlights 91ֱ��’s commitment to fostering world-class research and to positioning itself as a global leader in innovation and academic excellence. By providing substantial support for both postgraduate research students and early-career researchers, the University aims to cultivate the brightest minds and catalyse pioneering research which addresses the complex challenges of today’s world.  

The Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships programme will offer funding across the University’s three core faculties: Science and Engineering, Humanities, and Biology, Medicine & Health. By supporting a wide range of disciplines, the University is promoting a broad and inclusive approach and ensuring that a diverse array of voices and perspectives are represented in its research community.   

From exploring sustainable technologies to advancing medical sciences and cultural studies, the initiative is designed to empower academics across many fields, helping to foster a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment. It reinforces the University’s status as a hub of intellectual and research excellence, as well as strengthening 91ֱ��’s legacy as a world-leading institution committed to empowering change-makers and visionaries. 

Recognising the importance of diversity and accessibility, the University invites prospective students and early-career academics from all backgrounds to apply for the prestigious awards. Recipients will gain access to a robust support system that includes dedicated mentorship, comprehensive training and a suite of career development resources. This unique combination of funding and career support underscores 91ֱ��’s commitment to nurturing a research community that reflects and addresses the needs of the global society it serves.  

“The Bicentenary Scholarships and Fellowships represent a significant investment in the future of research at The University of Manchester,” said Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research. “We’ve been committed to supporting students from all backgrounds since 1824 and will continue to do so for the next 200 years. This is about celebrating our rich history as well as ensuring that our legacy of innovation and excellence continues.”  

“91ֱ�� is a city like no other - a place where history and innovation meet, where diversity fuels creativity, and where our university stands as a beacon of discovery and opportunity,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Ivison. “As we mark our 200th year, this landmark programme demonstrates our commitment to shaping a future that reflects the dynamic spirit of this incredible city, and the importance of philanthropy in delivering this ambition.”  

For more information about how to apply, prospective students and researchers are encouraged to visit the Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships page of the University’s website. 

Individuals or organisations interested in exploring philanthropic opportunities through the £10 million matched funding scheme are encouraged to contact Olympia Kennard (Olympia.Kennard@91ֱ��.ac.uk) to begin a conversation. 

The two universities, which are both global leaders in a number of research disciplines, have revealed the new approach in support of efforts led by metro mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram to unlock the full economic potential of Greater 91ֱ�� and the Liverpool city region.

It will see the universities work increasingly closely to create groundbreaking innovations and develop the future workforce in areas that align to the two city regions’ shared priorities for growth - drawing on academic expertise in areas as diverse as healthcare innovation, net zero and the creative industries.

Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor at the , said: “Liverpool and 91ֱ�� have an incredible history of shared innovation, from being linked by the world’s first inter-city railway nearly 200 years ago to having, today, some of the world’s best research and innovation capability in disciplines including health and chemistry.

“The metro mayors have highlighted the advantages of these two great city regions working closely together for the benefit of their communities and the wider North West, and the closer collaboration between the University of Liverpool and the University of Manchester will work in the same spirit.

“Both universities have outstanding strengths in research and teaching, and through this partnership we will redouble our efforts to direct those capabilities to supporting regional business, innovation and skills development.”

The plans were announced at an event hosted by the University of Liverpool’s Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place, held at the city’s St George’s Hall, where Mr Burnham and Mr Rotheram spoke about their plans to transform the North’s political and economic role in the UK.

It comes as both universities work alongside the metro mayors and other partners through the Liverpool-91ֱ�� Railway Board to develop a brand new high speed rail link between the two cities.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: “There is a tremendous synergy between our two universities – and our cities - where thousands of our staff and students are dedicated to developing the knowledge and innovation that holds the key to generating genuinely inclusive growth and culturally dynamic cities.

“Our commitment to greater collaboration announced today will start by focusing on the high-value industrial clusters that span both city regions, driving the innovation and providing the skills and workforce that those industries need to deliver economic growth.

“This builds on both universities’ world class research and teaching, including a number of existing areas of collaboration, to enhance the whole region’s appeal to potential employers and investors, and deliver tangible benefits to local communities.”

The collaboration will also see the two universities seek opportunities to jointly engage other universities and colleges across the North West where strengths in research and skills align to the city regions’ priorities for growth.

Plans will initially include strengthening joint work between the universities on:

• Speciality chemicals and biomanufacturing, helping to build more sustainable supply chains for consumer products, and providing new routes to make medicines and vaccines.  
• Training the next generation of scientists and engineers for the civil nuclear industry in support of the transition to net zero
• Supporting and developing industries of the future including quantum technology.  
• Supporting the two city regions’ renowned creative industries, including a focus on music and literature, emphasising the role of creativity in enriching lives

Formed to challenge and disrupt the global conveyor belt market, Ecobelt Ltd is an environmentally ambitious company that champions environmental sustainability and fosters a circular life-cycle approach for belting use.

In the UK alone, 4,000 tonnes of conveyor belts are incinerated or sent to landfill every week.

The ‘Sustainable Materials Innovation for Net-zero’ award recognises Ecobelt’s patented innovative belt splice technology to address the main cause of belt failure. The technology extends belt lifespan from months to years, therefore improving the upstream sustainability by reducing the demand for new belts.

Through partnership and collaboration with The University of Manchester—supported by its UKRI Impact Acceleration Account and the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub at the Henry Royce Institute—Ecobelt tested the performance of their technology to develop an approach to repair damaged conveyor belts, employing a whole life-cycle environmental impact approach.

The judges from the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining commended Ecobelt’s technology, citing the robust research base and collaboration with partners as key indicators to Ecobelt’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Conveyor belts service virtually all consumer products, production and manufacturing facilities globally, driving a market valued at $6 billion (USD) annually, fuelled by e-commerce and industry 4.0.

Despite this, the industry has been remarkably stagnant in relation to innovation, sustainability and the manufacturing process of materials used in conveyor belts. As conveyor belts are fossil fuel based, manufacturing consumes huge natural resources whilst producing significant Greenhouse Gases – an issue that Ecobelt seeks to change.

Whilst Ecobelt’s next steps for commercial scale up are still unfolding, the technology’s potential for lasting impact in the industrial settings are clear.

Professor Michael Shaver, Director of the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub said: “Our world is driven – both literally and figuratively – by conveyor belts. Yet we don’t think of them as essential in championing 91ֱ�� as a sustainable city.

“Our eyes have been opened by this hidden gem of a local business: Ecobelt have tackled an invisible material flow that is essential to keeping our manufacturing and delivery systems moving by improving material repair, reuse and circularity. It has been a privilege to work on assessing the AnnStuMax technology and quantifying its impressive environmental credentials.”

The annual prize is one of the most prestigious museum awards in the world and , which is part of The University of Manchester, will compete against 41 museums from across the continent.

The nomination is a reflection on the Museum’s recent, values-led transformation, which led the New York Times to hail its ‘pivot to empathy-machine’. Described as the most ambitious museum transformation in a generation, it has been underpinned by a £15 million redevelopment, which was completed in February 2023.

Operated by the European Museum Forum (EMF), EMYA recognises new or redeveloped museums that showcase the best in excellence and innovation in their field. It aims to recognise museums that promote inter-cultural dialogue and community participation, demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, and show creative and imaginative approaches to the production of knowledge.

The winner will be announced in Białistok, Poland on 25 May 2025. Aside from the main prize, there are also categories that recognise Institutional Courage and Professional Integrity, Community Participation and Engagement, Environmental Sustainability, and Welcoming, Inclusion and Belonging.

91ֱ�� Museum Director Esme Ward said: "This nomination means an awful lot to the whole team at 91ֱ�� Museum because it recognises our efforts to make this a place where everyone belongs. The Museum’s redevelopment was about much more than just bricks and mortar, it was about transforming our spaces and our approach to ensure we’re the museum our city and communities need us to be."

91ֱ�� Museum is one of the largest university museums in the UK and a centre for research and learning. Built on values of inclusion, imagination and care, the Museum has undergone a transformation designed to bring communities together and build understanding between cultures. Its £15 million bricks and mortar redevelopment introduced new galleries, partnerships, visitor facilities, and sector-leading work around repatriation, restitution and indigenisation.

This includes the award-winning South Asia Gallery, the first permanent gallery in the UK to celebrate the experiences and contribution of the South Asian diaspora, co-curated with 30 inspiring community members. 91ֱ�� Museum has also transformed its Top Floor into an environmental and social justice hub, creating a space for collaboration with environmental and educational charities to address issues affecting communities within 91ֱ��. Pinc College, a specialist creative college for neurodiverse young people, has even set up its headquarters within the Top Floor.

Visitor numbers for the first year following reopening were up 157 per cent on 2019/20, with 57 per cent of those visitors new to 91ֱ�� Museum and more than one in seven (15 per cent) visiting a museum for the first time.

The projects are supported through £22 million of funding – of which each will receive £5 million - by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme.

The first project, CyberFocus, led by Lancaster University, will strengthen and deliver strategic investments in the region’s cyber ecosystem, fuelling the potential of the North West cyber sector and keeping the UK at the forefront of advance cyber security.

Danny Dresner, Professor of Cyber Security in the Department of Computer Science and the University’s academic lead for CyberFocus, said: “The volatile, risk-filled landscape of cyber security so often gives our adversaries free rein to innovate faster than those who create for the online safety of all of us."

CyberFocus brings together the universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Salford, 91ֱ�� Metropolitan, Central Lancashire, Cumbria and Liverpool.

It will also be supported by other partners including Team Barrow (Westmorland & Furness Council, and BAE Systems), Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Cumbria LEP, Greater 91ֱ�� Combined Authority and Lancashire County Council.

The project aims to act as a catalyst for cyber knowledge exchange across the North West, fostering a collaborative approach to research and innovation, and helping the region drive economic growth and improve cyber resilience.

CyberFocus aims to:

• Create 85 new collaborative partnerships
• Develop 400 new products, processes, or services
• Secure £40m additional funding for the region
• Train 300 individuals in cyber innovation skills

The second project, led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, focuses on nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence. It will connect academia with the supply chain, with the aim of decommissioning the country’s nuclear legacy, as well as developing technology that can be exploited by the nuclear fusion sector.

Barry Lennox, Professor of Applied Control, in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, is the University’s lead for this project.

The project will link Cumbria and Oxfordshire – its' university partners being The University of Cumbria, The University of Manchester and The University of Oxford – and hopes to mobilise significant knowledge and technology transfer between these areas.

Being the only research focused university with a research base in West Cumbria, The University of Manchester will also attempt to bring other universities into the region and support them, as they develop technology for the nuclear industry.

The project aims to:

• Create 200 business opportunities
• Establish 10 spin-out companies
• Generate 200 new jobs
• Engage 5,000 people in cluster-driven events

UK Science Minister, Lord Vallance said: “We are backing universities across the UK to home in on local strengths in research – from cybersecurity in Lancaster to maritime in Liverpool, offshore wind in Edinburgh to digital healthcare in Belfast – to support thousands of local jobs, boost skills and bring new technologies to market.

“This investment will allow innovators up and down the country to continue or expand their pioneering work to improve lives and kickstart growth in our economy with new opportunities.”

Other ongoing projects at The University of Manchester, funded by EPSRC PBIAA, include the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst (IBIC), which is a collaborative project led by the University, aimed at creating a cohesive ecosystem for Industrial Biotechnology innovation. 

UKRI also funds the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), which provides flexible support to progress the commercialisation and translational development of University research.

Developed by researchers at Saint Mary’s Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and The University of Manchester, in collaboration with 91ֱ��-based firm genedrive Plc, the rapid bedside test could save the NHS £5 million every year by reducing the need for interventions, such as cochlear implants.

The innovative test was first piloted at Saint Mary’s Hospital and Liverpool Women’s Hospital, in 2020 as part of the Pharmacogenetics to Avoid Loss of Hearing (PALOH) study. Following its success, the test was implemented into routine clinical practice at Saint Mary’s Hospital in 2022 and extended to all three maternity units at MFT, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital, and North 91ֱ�� General Hospital, in 2023.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) conditionally recommended the genedrive test for use in the NHS last year. It has since been implemented into routine clinical practice at all eight Greater 91ֱ�� neonatal units, with funding from Health Innovation 91ֱ�� (HInM). So far, the test has prevented the hearing loss of 11 babies at MFT and across Greater 91ֱ��, with 4,000 babies tested to October 2024.

As part of its recommendation, NICE identified areas requiring more information to determine whether the test should be recommended for use at all neonatal sites across the NHS. This includes how the test impacts the time it takes for a baby to be given antibiotics, how the results affect antibiotic prescribing decisions, and the technical performance and accuracy of the test.

Now, having successfully received £1.4m funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Office for Life Sciences, researchers at MFT will lead PALOH-UK, a new two-year study across 14 neonatal units, from large intensive care units to small special care baby units.  

Dr John McDermott, Clinical Geneticist at MFT and joint lead for the PALOH-UK study said: “We are incredibly proud to be leading this research at MFT, having already seen the difference this new genetic test has made across Greater 91ֱ��. We are excited to explore how it can be used effectively at other neonatal units across the UK.  

“The PALOH-UK study will demonstrate how the test can be used in a timely way to ensure babies get a safe, effective antibiotic without affecting normal clinical practice, on a much larger scale.”

Using a cheek swab, the test can identify in 26 minutes whether a critically ill baby admitted to intensive care has a gene change that could result in permanent hearing loss if they are treated with a common antibiotic, gentamicin.

While gentamicin is used to safely treat approximately 100,000 babies a year, one in 500 babies carry a gene change that can result in permanent hearing loss when given the drug.

The test replaces a previous method that traditionally took several days and is the first use of a rapid point of care genetic test in acute neonatal care. Babies found to have the genetic variant can be given an alternative antibiotic within the NICE recommended ‘golden hour.’

The 24 month, PALOH-UK study, due to start in November 2024 will be co-led by Professor Bill Newman, Consultant in Genomic Medicine at the 91ֱ�� Centre for Genomic Medicine, Saint Mary’s Hospital and Professor of Translational Genomic Medicine at The University of Manchester.

Professor Newman, who is also Rare Conditions Co-Theme Lead at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), said: “While we were delighted that NICE recommended the use of the genetic beside test, we understand that evidence is needed to understand implementation in smaller centres and in more diverse populations, which is what this study will do.

“We are looking forward to working with partners across the NHS to take this research to the next level and hopefully bring this test closer to implementation across every NHS neonatal unit in the UK.”

Dr Gino Miele, Chief Executive, genedrive plc, said: “We are delighted with the successful funding award to MFT, to address the areas where NICE has identified a need for further information.  We are proud to be at the forefront of pharmacogenetic testing in emergency care settings and look forward to working with all partners across the UK to progress implementation of this worlds-first rapid genetic test in neonatal settings, positively impacting patient outcomes and healthcare finances.”

Dr John McDermott, who is also a NIHR Fellow at The University of Manchester added: “It’s fantastic to see this research moving forward and highlights how genomic medicine can be integrated into routine clinical practice to improve healthcare outcomes. Most importantly, having this test available nationally will ensure no baby will go deaf unnecessarily.”

• Image: using the genetic test

Each individual on this prestigious list has achieved remarkable and far-reaching influence in their field of research across each of the University’s three faculties. The key data in the ranking is the number of ‘Highly Cited’ papers they have each authored. These papers proudly rank in the top one percent by citations for their field and publication year in the Web of Science over the past decade. The rankings, built on rigorous citation analysis and refined by expert judgment from the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), are a testament to their outstanding contributions.

The University of Manchester continues to lead on the global stage, during its 2024 Bicentenary year the University has celebrated its excellence in research, education, and engagement—transforming lives, communities, and innovation worldwide.

The University’s Highly Cited Researchers are at the forefront of tackling global challenges in environmental research, physics, engineering, social sciences, immunology and clinical medicine. From the 91ֱ�� researchers featured in the top one percent ranking, 6 are categorised as ‘cross-field’ demonstrating the importance of their work on multiple fields.

University of Manchester Highly Cited Researchers 2024:

David Pendlebury, Head of Research Analysis at the Institute for Scientific Information at Clarivate said: “The Highly Cited Researchers list identifies and celebrates exceptional individual researchers at The University of Manchester whose significant and broad influence in their fields translates to impact in their research community. Their pioneering innovations contribute to a healthier, more sustainable and secure world. These researchers’ achievements strengthen the foundation of excellence and innovation that drives societal progress.”

This small fraction of the researcher population contributes disproportionately to extending the frontiers of knowledge and contributing to innovations that make the world healthier, more sustainable and drive societal impact. 

In 2024, an impressive 6,636 researchers from institutions in 59 countries and regions earned the title of Highly Cited Researchers, a distinction that highlights their extraordinary impact and innovation.

Highly Cited Researchers 2024 by country/region:

To find out more about this league table go to the .

, Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health

In a book I wrote with a colleague on organisational failures () the inability of many of them to confront their failures, except to say a meaningless “we’re sorry”, is legend.

We highlighted the many cases of organisations in the private and public sector apologising profusely for a high-profile failure, but not taking any personal or organisational responsibility for it. We concluded, after looking at hundreds of organisational failures, that the very act of apologising is itself in crisis.

Organisations are confused and gripped by a range of anxieties. They worry about the consequences of apologising, including the humiliation that comes with admitting wrongdoing. And their (unfounded) fear of inviting litigation often prevents them from giving apologies when they’re most needed.

Crisis communication is becoming a costly business and often the conclusion is that it’s easier not to apologise at all. When an apology is forthcoming, it happens too late or in a wording so cautious as to be stripped of all meaning for the victims.

And in a multimedia age, the fear of potential damage to an organisation’s image and brand will encourage them to be less open and transparent about their failure.

In the case of the Church of England, there may be a number of additional obstacles which may have inhibited organisation leaders from confronting the appalling behaviour of John Smyth over the years. The now deceased barrister , many of whom he met via his work with the church.

First, the church is meant to be the “moral” role model of the country. So to admit to itself or to the outside world, that this kind of behaviour exists within its own structures may be difficult to acknowledge or to confront.

Second, the church is a highly hierarchical organisation. People further down the hierarchy might want to cover up their failures to protect their career ambitions or to protect the church’s image and reputation. This may help explain why people did not come forward, despite open concerns about Smyth.

Justin Welby has in the wake of a review that found evidence that Smyth’s crimes had been covered up by the church since the 1980s. Welby said he took responsibility for the “conspiracy of silence” within the church since 2013, when police had been notified about the abuse but the allegations were not properly followed up by the church.

But there are practical questions to ask about who was responsible for managing this process to ensure that proper safeguarding was put in place. In other words, who had delegated responsibility for this particular individual and situation? Welby may be morally responsible but that doesn’t quite answer the question of who failed to act at the time. This shows lack of senior leadership by the church, who have a duty of care for those under the guidance of the church.

As Helen-Ann Hartley, the Bishop of Newcastle, has , there appears to be a lack of willingness among many bishops to confront the top leadership of the Church over their accountability for their lack of leadership on this safeguarding issue. This may come down to their personal career concerns or not wanting to rock the proverbial boat.

These organisational shortcomings were highlighted in the review of the church’s response to the Smyth case. The review warned of excessive deference to senior clergy in leadership roles and failures of leadership and accountability in safeguarding.

This will all require a serious culture change programme in the future. But as Machiavelli wrote in the Prince: “It should be borne in mind that there is nothing more difficult to arrange, more doubtful of success and more dangerous to carry through than initiating change. The innovator makes enemies of all those who prospered under the old order, and only lukewarm support is forthcoming from those who would prosper under the new.”

Change will be needed, nonetheless, and this situation has provided the church the opportunity to seriously explore its leadership and organisational culture – a process that should not stop at the resignation of the archbishop.

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

Ashley joins us from The University of Sheffield where he is Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Health. In this role, Ashley has delivered fantastic student experiences, with the university ranking highest in the NSS rankings for 2023 and 2024, and the Faculty of Health above the mean for the university. Ashley is deeply dedicated to fostering a supportive and high performing work environment, and in previous roles has championed initiatives in employee relations, promoted career progression and making meaningful progress in equality, diversity and inclusion. 

Consistently ranked in the top 10 in the world, and first outside of the USA for his research in arthroplasty (joint replacement), Ashley’s research has informed the national guidance on joint replacement and many of his papers as well as his impact case study were assessed as world-leading for REF2021. 

Ashley holds the contract to analyse the National Joint Registry for the UK, and has advised the Spanish and Italian governments, along with the Dutch Orthopaedic Association on establishing their own arthroplasty registries. 

Together with his academic and research activities, Ashley also holds the position as Honorary Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Non-Executive Director, both at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.  

Elected as Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2018, Ashley is a member of the Medical Schools Council and a member of several boards and committees, including the External Scientific Advisory Board to the Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, the Committee of the Evaluation of Medicine and Health Sciences of the Research Council of Norway, and until recently the Steering Committee for the National Joint Registry for 11 years. 

Professor Blom said: “It is a privilege to join The University of Manchester and I am excited to join a university and a faculty dedicated to creating a dynamic research and teaching environment that reflects a fast-changing world. I bring a strong commitment to delivering outstanding experiences and outcomes for students, creating the conditions for staff to do their best work, and working with partners to make impactful contributions to society.” 

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: “Ashley is a tremendous appointment for our university. His strong track record of leadership and innovation across student experience, research, and social responsibility will bring energy and focus to the Faculty and University as we develop our new strategy and collectively lift our ambitions and performance.” 

The NorthWest Doctoral Programme in Biosciences (NWD) unites the strengths of the Universities of Manchester and Liverpool, to train a diverse community of motivated, inquisitive bioscientists for tomorrow’s workforce.

Alongside the partnership between 91ֱ�� and Liverpool university, NWD is also in collaboration with industrial partners Boots No7, Unilever, Waters, and Bionow, who will all provide training and research opportunities.

NWD will centre on four scientific and cross-cutting themes that bring together the complementary strengths of UoM and UoL in areas critical to the UK scientific, societal and economic landscape: Discovery Bioscience, Agrifood & Sustainable Systems, Engineering Biology & Industrial Biotechnology, and Advanced Tools and Technology.

NWD will offer PhD students a strong sense of community and team-led research, face-to-face training - including mandatory training in digital/AI skills - networking events and individualised training plans.

The programme also recognises that many biosciences doctoral graduates pursue careers beyond research. To aid students looking at careers elsewhere, the NWD will be underpinned by innovative PhD-to-workforce programmes - PhD-PROSPER and BIOBRIDGE – which will empower PhD students to plan, develop, and pursue future careers across diverse sectors.

Rasmus Petersen, Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and academic lead for NWD said: "I am delighted that the BBSRC has made this award to our new Doctoral Training Programme: an innovative new partnership between the University of Manchester and University of Liverpool, in collaboration with industry and charity partners.

Professor Peter McCormick from the University of Liverpool said: "We are delighted to win this award in conjunction with our partners at the University of Manchester. Together we build on our tradition in the North West of England in training world class researchers in the biosciences arena. The proximity of our partnership allows the students to take advantage of both our facilities and will enhance the cohort community."

As NWD is committed to accelerating equality of access and opportunity, the University will work in partnership with social mobility charity to engage and create opportunities for those currently underrepresented in UK doctoral training. This will include a significant institutional investment into Widening Participation Masters bursaries.

Doctoral Landscape Awards are funded by UK Research and Innovation, who are investing more than £500 million across universities to support doctoral training.

Prospective postgraduate researchers can register their interest and receive updates about the programme .

, which aims to improve the way prosthetics for people who have suffered traumatic limb loss work, wowed the judges at the (iGEM) 2024 Grand Jamboree.

The non-profit iGEM Foundation hosts an international student competition each year to promote education and collaboration among new generations of synthetic biologists.

Human-machine interfaces are becoming more advanced, with new technologies harnessing the body’s electric signals to control devices.

Artificial limbs, known as myoelectric prosthetics, are directed by electrical signals generated by muscle contractions in the residual limb, which can be translated to motion.

However, heavy batteries and motors in myoelectric prosthetics can cause excessive sweating and make the electrodes slip from their contact points, resulting in discomfort and imprecise limb movement.

To solve the problem, the team proposed using synthetic biology to create tiny specially designed wires that work with skin cells.

They engineered a type of bacteria – Escherichia coli – to express tiny, hair-like structures known as pili (e-pili) found on electricity conducting bacteria called Geobacter sulfurreducens.

By combining the Escherichia coli with a protein-binding peptide, the team created nanowires that specifically target and bind to proteins at the skin’s surface, potentially enhancing the precision of an artificial limb.

The 91ֱ�� iGEM team were Damian Ungureanu, Devika Shenoy, Francisco Correia, Janet Xu, Jia Run Dong, Usrat Nubah, Yuliia Anisimova, and Zainab Atique-Ur-Rehman.

, said: “I’m delighted our team won gold at the iGEM 2024 Grand Jamboree for an innovation which could make a difference for people who need artificial limbs.

She added: “I have supervised the 91ֱ�� iGEM teams together with Professor Rainer Breitling since 2013.

“Our teams, based in the (MIB), have been very successful and have achieved a gold medal all but one of the years that we participated - which is quite an achievement.

“In 2016, the team also scooped the special award for ‘Best Computational Model’ and were shortlisted for the ‘Best Education and Public Engagement’ award.”

This year’s 91ֱ�� iGEM team worked in the MIB labs throughout the summer, with financial and logistical support from the MIB, School of Biological Sciences, School of Social Sciences/Department of Social Anthropology, School of Arts Languages and Cultures, and the Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub.

The team also worked with the (AMBS) to comprehensively explore the social and economic implications of their ideas using a (RRI) approach.

The competition provides an interdisciplinary learning opportunity for students outside biology, by encouraging participants to think beyond their lab work.

Damian Ungureanu, second year Biochemistry student, said: “Working with people from different cultural and academic backgrounds has allowed me to substantially develop my communication skills. Even though this was a synthetic biology project, the human practices aspect was just as important as the science. Winning the gold medal felt like the culmination of one year of hard work.”

Devika Shenoy, second year Biomedical Sciences student, said: “I am grateful to have gotten the opportunity to work with so many like-minded individuals and under the guidance of skilled advisors and PIs. iGEM has truly broadened my horizons and understanding of how science and synthetic biology can be used to solve world issues.”

The lecture, which celebrates the significant contributions made by women to the study of the Natural Sciences, was delivered in collaboration with the prestigious Linnean Society of London.

Hosted by Dr Maggy Fostier, Faculty Associate Dean for Environmental Sustainability, Professor Bamford took the audience on a journey from her industrial roots in Essex to her conservation work in Costa Rica and Panama, offering insight into the world of plant science and environmental issues like climate change along the way.

She described how her childhood interest in botany had been inspired by wild orchids growing in an abandoned chalk quarry in her local area in Essex. Her passion for plants and wildlife eventually led her to conservation work in Central America, where she has helped protect critically endangered amphibian and bird species from extinction.

She said: “It was a great honour to give the 2024 Irene Manton lecture. I wanted to show the importance of taking every opportunity to engage with wildlife and conservation, even in an abandoned chalk quarry reclaimed by nature, and the importance of connecting with people and their communities in order to conserve  endangered species."

Taking place at 91ֱ�� Museum, Professor Bamford’s lecture attracted an audience of academics, conservation enthusiasts, and students from local schools and colleges.

Robbie Blackhall-Miles, former Vice-President of the Linnean Society, also told the gathering that British botanist Irene Manton studied for her PhD at the University of Manchester and went on to an influential career which included becoming the first female President of the Linnean Society.

Amanda was joined by Matt O’Donnell, the Museum’s Curator of Herpetology, who spoke about his own work as a frog conservationist. He carries out  important frog research and conservation projects in Costa Rica. He also brought along some particularly popular contributors – several live tropical frogs from the Museum’s vivarium!

With the aim of the lecture being to encourage young people to explore a career in the natural sciences, Professor Bamford’s story demonstrated the impact conservation work can have on animals, plants, and the humans who protect them.

The new tool -  now used across the world - was developed by research fellow Dr Richard Naylor who made it possible to use zebrafish larvae to easily and quickly screen new drugs for treating different kidney diseases. 

Replacement, reduction and refinement – known collectively as the 3Rs -  are an increasingly important area of biological research. 

By law scientists must demonstrate they have adhered to the principles of the 3Rs before their project license is granted by the Home Office. 

Dr Naylor will pick up his award today (14 November) at the second ever University of Manchester  3Rs symposium, organised by the University’s animal unit, where  scientists will hear about the latest advances in 3Rs science. 

Using organisms that are not able to feed independently and are therefore considered to be minimally sentient - the judges recognised the tool as a novel alternative to mammals but also for its ability to reduce animal numbers and enhance the care they receive. 

Kidney disease is a major cause of illness and accounts for 10% of all deaths in humans. 

Protein in urine is produced when kidneys do not work properly and is easily tested in humans with a simple dipstick. 

Zebrafish- which have similar genetics to humans and possess 80% of human disease-causing genes - are a popular species used by research scientists because they produce large numbers of eggs (200 to 300 per week per female), which develop externally. 

In the past it was virtually impossible to test for protein in the urine of zebra fish larvae because the tiny amounts of urine produced are immediately diluted in the fish tank. 

However, a new genetically modified zebrafish larvae model, designed and generated by Dr Naylor and his team, contains a luminescent molecule called NL-D3 in its blood. 

When kidneys are damaged, NL-D3 leaks out of the kidneys and into the urine. NL-D3 can easily be detected in embryos using a luminometer which measures the light produced by urine in the water. 

As a result, scientists can now easily test for the level of protein in high numbers of the organisms which - at less than 5 days old - are not considered to be fully sentient under the law. 

The team tested the new tool by generating a zebrafish model of Alport syndrome, a kidney disease characterized by protein in the urine, publishing their results in the prestigious journal . 

In Alport zebrafish, levels of NL-D3 increased but could be subsequently reduced using captopril, a drug that lowers blood pressure, demonstrating the efficacy of the tool. 

Dr Naylor said: “Finding 3Rs solutions to animal research is incredibly important because as scientists we care about the welfare of the animals we are privileged to work with. 

“That is why it is so exciting we have demonstrated how is possible to conduct fundamental research on kidney disease without necessarily relying on mammalian models. 

“Testament to this, we have had seven research groups in the US and Europe request embryos be sent to them. 

“And even more excitingly, we are currently collaborating with a large pharmaceutical company to model acute kidney injury and screen drugs to treat it.” 

Dr Maria Kamper, Director of the animal unit at the University of Manchester said: “As Director of the Biological Services Facility, I am delighted to present our inaugural University of Manchester 3Rs prize to Dr Naylor and his team. 

“Their innovative work exemplifies our commitment to advancing scientific discovery while upholding the highest standards of animal welfare. The widespread adoption of this model by kidney disease researchers worldwide proves it is an outstanding achievement in the 3Rs space.” 

Replacing mouse models
Until now, protein in the urine as a marker of kidney dysfunction in disease and in response to drug treatments was mainly used in mouse models or from human patients. But with the new tool, the ability to use zebrafish to accurately monitor kidney dysfunction increases the appeal of pre-independent feeding stage zebrafish to model kidney disease for researchers worldwide. 

Fewer numbers needed
Previously, high numbers of embryos were needed due to high variability in methods used to test kidney dysfunction in zebrafish. The new tool, however, has reduced the number of procedures needed to be performed on zebrafish embryos to zero.  As the scientists now only need to analyse embryo medium, no animals are injected or are required to be anaesthetized. And fewer larvae are needed to achieve statistical significance. 

No need to anaesthetize the embryos
Before the paper was published, the only way to measure kidney dysfunction in zebrafish was to inject fluorescent dextran directly into the animals and observe how quickly the fluorescence was lost from the blood vasculature over the subsequent days. The approach meant having to anaesthetize zebrafish embryos repeatedly, which is now lo longer necessary.

• The paper A novel nanoluciferase transgenic reporter measures proteinuria in zebrafish is published in
• Images are of zebrafish larvae

The findings from a survey and interviews provide an important context to the retention crisis for pharmacy technicians, who are leaving their current employers or the role altogether in numbers. 

Published in the journal Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy this week, the study reveals their role is characterised by heavy workloads, inadequate staffing, and lack of support. 

A minority of the 603 respondents - 489 of which were women - also reported favouritism, bullying, and racism, especially in community pharmacies and some hospitals. 

The findings are a stark warning to policy makers that urgent action is needed to retain the 26,500-strong English pharmacy technician workforce. 

After formal recognition of the role in the early 2000s, registration was made mandatory in 2011, requiring two years of study. 

Pharmacy technicians are now regulated pharmacy professionals, who are taking on increasing levels of responsibility in community and hospitals, and increasing numbers are working in general practice. 

Government plans for newly qualified pharmacists registering as independent prescribers from 2026 and delivery of increasing levels of clinical services through community pharmacies will mean pharmacy technicians are needed to take on more responsibility to free up pharmacists’ time. 

However, according to NHS England, current workforce projections (Based on 2021 figure from Health Education England. Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Support Staff Workforce Development Strategy) suggest the number of pharmacy technicians will not meet the demand, which could lead to a vacancy rate of 9% across the acute and primary care sectors.

NHSE also estimates that vacancy rates in community pharmacies are even starker at 20% and rising. 

Lead author Dr Imelda , research fellow at The University of Manchester said: “Our study discovered many complexities behind the falling numbers of pharmacy technicians. 

“These include low pay, limited career advancement, lack of recognition by employers and stressful work environments, characterised by heavy workloads, inadequate staffing, and lack of support. 

“Our evidence shows that staff turnover is influenced by a multitude of factors such as career commitment, organisational commitment, job satisfaction and job stress.

“But as Government policy sees their role as increasingly important, these issues need to be resolved.”

Co-author and the study’s principal investigator Professor Ellen said: “There are challenges preventing pharmacy technicians from effectively fulfilling their expanded roles.

“One is the lack of clarity surrounding their roles and responsibilities, particularly in community pharmacy settings.

“But the heart of the problem could lie in the lack of adequate support and recognition of their inherent value, leading to job dissatisfaction and high turnover rates.

She added: “Employers need to address compensation disparities, offering fair and competitive wages that reflect the pharmacy technician's extended roles and responsibilities. 

“Prioritising career development opportunities, such as mentorship, demonstrates a commitment to pharmacy technician growth and job satisfaction. 

“Cultivating supportive and inclusive work environments is equally important. This involves fostering a culture that values pharmacy technician contributions and promotes work-life balance. 

“A stable, committed workforce, will benefit the organisation, the pharmacy technician’s workforce and ultimately, patient care.”

It was sent by the NHS England funded Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) to 11,762 people who had agreed to be contacted for marketing and evaluation purposes. 

The team also carried out 19 qualitative interviews to understand the views and experiences of pharmacy technicians and the factors that contribute to their intention to leave practice.

One of the respondents told the researchers:  “Within the career itself, I don't think pharmacy technicians’ role is very well described. People don't actually know what we do.” 

Another said: “I have left community pharmacy after 10 years of stress and bullying by customers, staff and management.”

And another commented: “you could get £3 an hour more stacking shelves in supermarket, which is pretty eye opening.…In pharmacy you make a mistake and you have got a whole raft of things that you need to be seriously worried about and that is only worth 30 pence more an hour.”

The paper Why are pharmacy technicians leaving?: Factors contributing to turnover intention and strategies for retention is available

The University is ranked in the top 25 globally for a broad including; Business Administration (5th), Geography (9th), Physics (10th), Sociology (11th), Dentistry & Oral Sciences (15th), Textile Science and Engineering (19th), and Metallurgical Engineering (23rd). Two other subject areas leapt into the top 50: Biotechnology (36th) and Political Sciences (48th).

The University is top among UK institutions for Business Administration, Metallurgical Engineering, Biotechnology and textile Science and Engineering.

The University’s subject ranking has improved on its position in 2023. The University is now ranked in 46 of the 55 subject areas covered by the AWRU, which encompass fields within Natural Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences. The University moved up the rankings in 21 subject areas, held its 2023 position in 9 and entered the rankings in two other subject areas for the first time (Library and Information Management in the 51-75 band, Communication in the 151-200 band).

Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research, said: “I am delighted that we are among the top 25 in seven subjects and have improved or maintained our standing in the majority of the subject areas which are evaluated in the AWRU. These results have been achieved thanks to the calibre of our researchers and the excellence of their research, research impact and international collaborations.”

The rankings are determined by metrics for five categories: World-Class Faculty (newly introduced this year), World-Class Output, High Quality Research, Research Impact, and International Collaboration. To be included universities must meet minimum publication thresholds for each subject between 2019 and 2023. For more information, please visit the Shanghai Rankings .

President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison said: “The results in the latest ARWU Subject Rankings demonstrate our dedication to research excellence and global impact across a broad spectrum of disciplines. Leading the UK in Business Administration, Metallurgical Engineering, and Biotechnology is an outstanding result, and is testament to our commitment to innovation and the talent we have in our academic community. We’re proud to see our research recognised not only nationally but globally, which speaks volumes about the collaborative, world-class environment here at 91ֱ��. Now our challenge is to build on this momentum, and continue to show the world that we are an institution on the move.”

These results underscore The University of Manchester’s research quality and impact, highlighting subject areas of strength in this global ranking. It follows the earlier announcement that The University of Manchester was ranked 52nd overall in the world out of more than 2500 of the leading higher education institutions in the 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

Launching in February 2025, the JUST Centre will work closely with communities in five regions of the North of England (West Yorkshire, West Cumbria, Merseyside, Greater 91ֱ��, and Tyneside) while also generating comparative research in other regions of the UK.  It will collaborate with partners across local, regional, and national government, business, and civil society to co-produce joined-up solutions to meet climate goals while improving citizens’ quality of life.  

It will use an innovative mix of data science and participatory methods to research and map existing low-carbon living initiatives and generate evidence about what works where, why, and for whom. This will enable researchers to support better government decision-making and demonstrate to all people and communities the real improvements in quality of life that are possible if we link decarbonisation with regeneration.

The Centre brings together a team of interdisciplinary social scientists at the Universities of Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Lancaster and Newcastle. The Institute for Community Studies at the not-for-profit organisation is the core partner.

Additional partners are Citizens UK, the Local Government Associations for England and Wales, the Scottish Sustainability Network, the British Chambers of Commerce, the NHS Confederation, the Runnymede Trust and the Institute for Government.

Commenting on the announcement, JUST Centre Director and Principal Investigator, Professor Sherilyn MacGregor said: “To meet the challenge of the climate crisis and the UK’s net zero targets, we need to decarbonise our economy and do so quickly, but without leaving whole regions or communities behind.  ‘Joined-up’ means bridging the gaps between myriad but presently disconnected, evidence-based interventions and policies focused on sustainability and net zero transitions.  

ESRC Executive Chair Stian Westlake said: “Our centres carry out interdisciplinary, cutting-edge research in the social sciences that seeks to change the world for the better. They allow ESRC to make sustained investments in strategically important areas, giving researchers the freedom to research topics in depth.

“The climate crisis is one of the most serious challenges the world faces. To successfully transition to a zero-carbon economy, we need to make sure no one is left behind. The JUST Centre will show us how to include everyone as we transform our country and economy, finding new opportunities and putting power in the hands of local communities.”

Stephen Aldridge, Director, Analysis and Data at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), adds: “Net zero poses both huge economic, social, and other challenges and offers no less huge opportunities for the UK - nationally and sub-nationally. To tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities, policymakers and others need evidence – especially evidence on what works and what works most cost-effectively.  

“The Centre for Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST) is precisely the institutional innovation we need and one I, my team and my department will work closely with across all policy areas. I look forward immensely to engaging with the Centre.”

Professor Paul Monks FRMetS, FRSC, FInstP, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said: “Achieving net zero by 2050 requires a wide-reaching transformation of the UK economy and offers an incredible opportunity for jobs, secure energy and growth all across the country. It will improve our health, our quality of life and our overall prosperity. We must support and empower people to participate in the transition. I welcome the establishment of this research centre and its work to ensure a fair, inclusive pathway to net zero.” 

The research, led by researchers at The University of Manchester and McGill University in Canada which analysed over 1 million patients newly initiated on opioids, found prescription of strong opioids was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to taking codeine.

 Strong opioids include morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone, as well as combination opioids. 

Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research the UK , the study findings, published today in  the journal Pain is one of the first to provide clarity on the comparative safety of different types of opioids across different countries. 

Additionally, patients taking 50 or more morphine milligram equivalents per day experienced an incremental higher risk of death. 

Morphine milligram equivalents are a way to compare the strength of different opioid medications to morphine which enables measurement of how much opioid a person is taking, no matter which specific drug is prescribed.

 The researchers also found that:

• UK patients on morphine had more than 12 times the risk of all-cause mortality compared to codeine users after adjusting for confounding factors. Similarly elevated risks were observed in the US and Canada after such adjustments. Elevated risks were also seen with fentanyl, oxycodone and buprenorphine.
• A history of depression and prior substance abuse were associated with an increased risk of death across all cohorts and in most subgroups.
• In the UK, the use of antipsychotics and benzodiazepine medications at the same time as an opioid was associated with higher risk of death across all three subgroups.
• Being on more than one type of opioid was associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality.. 

Dr Meghna Jani, NIHR Advanced Fellow and Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, The University of Manchester was the lead author of the study. 

She is also based at the North Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust  and a researcher within the NIHR 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre. 

She said: “It is understandable that some people do need to be prescribed opioids for pain especially in the short term given the limited options for pain relief. 

“What these study findings allow is for people to make more informed choices about the types of pain relief or specific opioid to get started on based on scientific evidence across multiple countries.” 

She added: “The morphine milligram equivalent thresholds at which the risks of opioid use are considered to outweigh the benefits, vary considerably across current international guidelines. 

“This study highlights the importance of closely monitoring patients on or approaching doses of 50 or more morphine milligram equivalents per day. 

“It also suggests having earlier, open discussions with patients on such doses to explore alternative treatments and provide additional support, especially for those with risk factors for serious opioid-related harms. 

“However instead of stopping the use of stronger opioids outright, shared decisions need to be made collaboratively between patients and healthcare professionals, considering each person’s unique situation”.

An embargoed copy of the paper Comparative risk of mortality in new users of prescription opioids for non-cancer pain: results from the International Pharmacosurveillance 91ֱ�� , published in Pain  - the journal from the International Association for the 91ֱ�� of Pain -is available

Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented in 14 years by promising to put an .

British governments typically see budgets as an opportunity to present policies providing short-term gain in terms of public popularity, even if they do little to improve Britain’s long-term economic prospects. Over the past ten years, governments have adopted and then abandoned , and .

The last Conservative government’s budget contained a range of tax cuts, most notably a 2p cut on National Insurance. Little consideration was given to the medium-term . Labour inherited a funding squeeze, alongside the need to balance the books over a five-year period based on the previous .

This kind of short-termism is a within British economic policymaking. A winner-takes-all, majoritarian electoral system encourages governments to over a longer-term economic strategy.

Here’s how Reeves is taking a different approach in her first budget.

1. Long-term strategy

Reeves has underscored Labour’s commitment to long-termism through various institutional reforms. The government had already announced the creation of to drive a new industrial strategy. This will now be accompanied by a new to provide private investment into infrastructure.

The launch of the will scrutinise spending decisions. And the Office for Budget Responsibility’s role in of capital investments, government policies and departmental spending will be enhanced.

2. Investing for growth

Alongside a few surprises such as an uplift to the minimum wage, increased tax on private jets and the continued freeze on fuel duty, the main theme of the budget was investment-led growth for the long-term.

To that end, Reeves has around debt to enable more headroom for investment. She also raised national insurance contributions for employers to fund this investment wave.

These measures will be used to plough such as engineering, biotechnology and medical science. The chancellor committed £1 billion into the aerospace industry, £2 billion into electric vehicle development, and £500 million into life sciences. In total, the public investment will amount to .

3. Infrastructure projects

Reeves also committed to funding a number of high-profile . On transport, the TransPennine Route upgrade, East West Rail, and HS2’s link into central London were all green lit. She also to build 1.5 million new homes in five years. Additionally, £20.4 billion in R&D funding was also protected in the budget.

4. Regional growth

The budget highlighted the importance of , reflecting Labour’s emphasis on continued devolution . Reeves has committed to providing an extra £6.6 billion to the devolved nations through the .

She also revealed that the would receive integrated financial settlements from 2026-27. These moves indicate some ambition and long-term vision around empowering devolved governments to drive regional economic growth.

5. Public services

Another long-term focus of the government has been “fixing the foundations” of Britain’s . Reeves linked low levels of investment to . As such, she committed to significant spending on education and health, alongside £1.3 billion to address the crisis of .

These measures signpost a renewed interest in an to address Britain’s economic weaknesses and drive growth. Both require a focus on the medium and long-term.

Remaining challenges

Collectively, these measure suggest some long-term thinking by Labour, but do they go far enough and will they stick?

Delivering on a long-term industrial strategy requires greater , especially between the Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade. But other departments too, will be key to driving long-term growth and must be brought on board with Labour’s approach .

And while the integrated financial settlements will empower the West Midlands and Greater 91ֱ��, the approach stops short of fully downloading financial independence to the regions. A focus on selective regions also only adds to in the powers regions have. A systematically thought-out approach that covers the whole UK would go further, but remains remote.

Finally, while the government has spent big on education and health, real departmental funding is only set to . Pre-budget, about the effect tight funding settlements might have for non-protected departments, especially when these cuts come to bite .

The spectre this raises for Labour is that a short-term squeeze on day-to-day departmental spending risks undermining the work it has done to secure long-term investment for growth.

, Research Associate; , Professor of Government Practice; , Professor of Public Policy

This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license - read the

However, the decision to raise tuition fees will not have been taken lightly; it is driven by the need to bring some long term financial stability to the sector and to maintain and enhance the quality of education and research of our higher education system.

We welcome the accompanying rise in maintenance loans, which reflects the current economic realities and the rising cost of living for our students. Since my arrival in August, I have been clear that that any increase in tuition fees must be paired with enhanced financial support to prevent affordability from becoming a barrier to higher education.  In this spirit, we have recently reviewed our bursary eligibility criteria and significantly increased the income thresholds, allowing us to provide nearly 20% more scholarships and bursaries – an additional investment of £2.5million per year. Our ambition is to make 91ֱ�� accessible to everyone, so that talent and ambition, not finances, determine access to our university.

It will now be incumbent upon us to ensure that the student experiences we deliver at 91ֱ�� meet the expectations that students rightly have of us. This means increasing our efforts to deliver exceptional teaching, state-of-the-art facilities and technologies, and careers support. We recognise this responsibility and are committed to working closely with students over the coming months to ensure we capture their needs and expectations as we update our University strategy through the 91ֱ�� 2035 process.

Duncan Ivison
President and Vice-Chancellor

The researchers, from The University of Manchester publish their findings in the journal Child Development.

Children start to say words around their first birthday, and for a while only say one word at a time, though they rapidly build their vocabulary during their second year.

But the researchers found  they do not do this by adding a complete form of new words to their own personal dictionary.

Instead, they put a new word in their dictionary which has some, but not all of the meaning, slowly finetuning  it as they hear more language.

To show how children do this, the researchers set up a study in 91ֱ�� Museum, working with a group of three to eight-year olds.

An experimenter built either 4 blocks stacked up, or 4 blocks lined up flat on a table, and then the children were asked to respond to different size words by building a bigger, smaller or taller version.

The researchers compared how their structure differed from the experimenter’s in each dimension , using mathematical modelling  to describe what types of changes children made, and how patterns varied with age.

Three and four-year-olds tended to treat bigger, smaller, and taller with the same meaning: they built things that were bigger in all directions.

“It seems that when children first learn words, they pick up a general idea of what they mean- in this case, that the words mean a size change”, said co- author Dr Alissa Ferry,  a lecturer at The University of Manchester.

“This seems to be how we end up with children  calling a cow a dog, or all round fruit apples, even though they’ve never heard an adult do that. But with more experience they fine tune their word meanings.

“We do think all children go through this process of fine-tuning word meanings, but which words are fine-tuned and when depends on what they hear around them.”

“Size words”, explained Co Author Dr Katherine Twomey, also from the University of Manchester, “are trickier to learn because they describe relations between all different kinds of objects, which makes it harder to find what is common.

“That makes it easier for us to see how the meaning changes with age development.”

By around  age 5, the children generally worked out that smaller meant they should use fewer blocks.

But it was not until about age seven they reliably worked out that taller really means bigger but specifically in the ‘up’ direction.

Most of the 3-year-olds built bigger things when the researchers asked for smaller ones, though some of them seemed to work it out faster than others.

It was not until about age 7 when most of the children  knew that taller meant specifically ‘up’.

However some 3- and 4-year-olds already seemed to know that taller meant ‘up’, probably because they had exposure to those words more frequently in conversations with their caregivers.

Dr Ferry added: “Learning a language is a uniquely human experience; children just pick it up from being exposed to it.

“Yet, we don’t quite know how that happens, which is why we carried out this study.”

Also on the research team were four sixth form Nuffield Research Placement summer internship students who helped design and collect the data.

The paper Bigger Versus Smaller: Children's Understanding of Size Comparison Words Becomes More Precise With Age is published

Cancer Research UK is investing a total of £5.9 million to develop new radiotherapy technologies and techniques over the next five years. In close collaboration with The Christie, the funding will support University of Manchester researchers to discover ways to improve radiotherapy treatments with the use of virtual clinical trials.

A virtual clinical trial is a computer simulation used to predict how medical treatments might work. It creates "virtual" groups of patients based on real-life data and tests how different treatments or devices would perform. These simulations let researchers explore questions and test ideas at a faster rate than traditional clinical trials and without the need to involve real patients.

The grant, awarded this month, is the second wave of investment into the multimillion-pound Cancer Research UK RadNet radiotherapy research programme which saw 91ֱ�� chosen as one of just seven centres of excellence in a UK-wide network that will accelerate advances in radiotherapy research.

Professor Rob Bristow, Director of the 91ֱ�� Cancer Research Centre and Chief Academic Officer at The Christie, is lead researcher for the project. He said: “We are very proud that 91ֱ�� has been awarded this grant to continue our work on bringing the next generation of precision radiotherapy treatments to patients sooner. The funding supports basic and discovery science to develop new approaches using state of the art radiotherapy technologies to help more people survive cancer, with fewer side effects and a better quality of life after treatment.

Our work will investigate patient-specific genetics and the microenvironment of the tumour and apply this knowledge to the latest technologies in tandem with other therapies, including immunotherapy.

Importantly, we will also be delving further into the use of artificial intelligence in radiotherapy trials. Virtual clinical trials are a new and exciting way to preview and test out new ideas using computerised simulation and improve the results of clinical trials. They help reduce the risk associated with investing in large-scale clinical studies by allowing a better tailoring of trials to patients which makes the research trial process faster, safer and less expensive, and less burdensome on our patients.

“All of this is only possible with the world leading infrastructure and expertise we have built here in 91ֱ��."

One project will focus on the use of virtual trials to compare a form of pioneering proton beam therapy to standard radiotherapy using photons for lung cancer treatment.

Martin Storey, 70, from Wythenshawe knows all too well why radiotherapy research is so important. In 2009 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and treated with intensive radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy as part of a clinical trial.

The retired delivery driver went to see his GP after work one day when he was worried about being off his food. Countless tests found nothing of concern but eventually a scan on his lungs discovered a mass.

Now after 15 years in remission, Martin, who is married to Julie, 69, is delighted that funding is being awarded by Cancer Research UK into the development of advanced radiotherapy techniques, which he says helped to save his life.

The great-grandad who also has two children and six grandchildren said: “I feel blessed every day. Not everyone survives lung cancer, and I was one of the lucky ones to be able to go on a trial. Now thanks to research I’ve lived to be a great grandad. I think artificial intelligence is the future and if more can be done with virtual trials to improve the effectiveness of clinical trials, then it will help more patients, and more people will be able to survive their cancer like I did.”

Cancer Research UK and the Christie supported some of the earliest research into the treatment of cancer with radiation and pioneered the first use of radiotherapy in the 1920s. In its simplest form, this treatment works by blasting tumours with x-ray radiation, killing cancer cells by irreversibly damaging their DNA. Today, over 130,000 patients are treated with radiotherapy on the NHS every year.

Cancer is the number one cause of death in the UK*, and in the North West, around 44,100 people are diagnosed with the disease every year.**

In the 1970s, 1 in 4 people in the UK survived cancer for 10 years or more. But today, thanks to progress in research, it’s 2 in 4.***

Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, Dr Iain Foulkes said: “Cancer Research UK, and its predecessors, have been at the forefront of radiation research for the past 120 years. Thanks to research, radiotherapy treatment is becoming kinder, more precise and less intensive across different cancers. 

“This funding marks a new phase of our RadNet network, advancing research which will further accelerate improvements in radiotherapy treatment in the clinic. This funding will work alongside our investments in pioneering radiotherapy clinical trials to ensure more people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”

The database study, which looked at the records of 613 people who died by suicide among adult patients in England between January 2001 and May 2019, also found that more than 40% of those who died within two weeks of being discharged had at least one primary care consultation before taking their lives. It further revealed  that discharged patients who died by suicide were more likely to have diagnoses of anxiety, adjustment or related disorders, depression, or personality disorders, than schizophrenia. 

Researchers at the NIHR GM PSRC, University of Manchester and at Keele University, say the study, published in BJGP Open, highlights the opportunity  that general practices have in helping to reduce suicide risk among people recently discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. 

The research team has called for hospitals to arrange post-discharge appointments for patients with a GP as soon as possible and for GPs to be given more support, with the study also finding earlier visits are linked to lower suicide risk. 

The study’s principal investigator, Professor Roger Webb (NIHR Greater 91ֱ�� Patient Safety Research Collaboration, University of Manchester) said: : “These findings will inform healthcare providers, especially those in primary care. They indicate the need for GPs and mental health practice colleagues to provide timely enhanced support for discharged patients in helping to reduce their risk of dying by suicide as they return to living back in the community.”

Professor Carolyn-Chew Graham OBE, Professor of General Practice Research at Keele University, said: “The investigation revealed that most patients who died by suicide within a year of discharge engaged with primary care services, and that more than 40% of those who died by suicide within two weeks of their discharge consulted with a GP. This shows there are opportunities to monitor these patients following discharge and intervene during this risky transition period. 

“General practice has a key role to play in preventing suicides among people recently discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. Most recently discharged people do access primary care, and each contact presents an opportunity to reduce suicide risk.” 

In England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on transition between inpatient mental health settings and the community includes two primary care specific recommendations - the discharging hospital should consider organising a GP follow-up appointment within two weeks of discharge; and ensure that a discharge letter is emailed to the patient’s GP within 24 hours, and a summary sent within a week, subject to the patient’s agreement.

However, Prof Chew-Graham, who is also a practising GP, said this does not always happen, adding: “Letters often don't arrive in the practice for a few weeks after a patient has been discharged, and our practice is not contacted to ask us to offer a patient an appointment just after discharge.”

The researchers say clear communication and liaison between services is essential to provide timely support.

 

 [RW1]The study was led from UoM and it was funded by the GM PSTRC, so I reckon that the two institutions ought to be mentioned in the order that I’ve indicated here.

Professor Carolyn-Chew Graham OBE, Professor of General Practice Research at Keele University, said: “The investigation revealed that most patients who died by suicide within a year of discharge engaged with primary care services, and that more than 40% of those who died by suicide within two weeks of their discharge consulted with a GP. This shows there are opportunities to monitor these patients following discharge and intervene during this risky transition period. 

“General practice has a key role to play in preventing suicides among people recently discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. Most recently discharged people do access primary care, and each contact presents an opportunity to reduce suicide risk.” 

In England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on transition between inpatient mental health settings and the community includes two primary care specific recommendations - the discharging hospital should consider organising a GP follow-up appointment within two weeks of discharge; and ensure that a discharge letter is emailed to the patient’s GP within 24 hours, and a summary sent within a week, subject to the patient’s agreement.

However, Prof Chew-Graham, who is also a practising GP, said this does not always happen, adding: “Letters often don't arrive in the practice for a few weeks after a patient has been discharged, and our practice is not contacted to ask us to offer a patient an appointment just after discharge.”

The researchers say clear communication and liaison between services is essential to provide timely support.

An alarming level of microplastic fragments were found to be present throughout the intertidal mudflat sediments within the Medina Estuary, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).  

Microplastics are particles which measure less than five millimetres, and exist in an array of shapes and forms. They cause pollution by entering natural ecosystems from a variety of sources, including run-off from land-based sources and wastewater discharge from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).  

Liberty Turrell, who works as a volunteer for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, collected mudflat sediment from 16 sample sites during low tides for her BA (Hons) Geography dissertation. Analysis of the mud under laboratory conditions discovered three different microplastic shapes: fibres, fragments and beads. Microfibre was the most frequent occurring microplastic shape (99% of all microplastics were microfibres) occurring at all 16 sites.  

Microplastics pollution occurs in estuarine sediments around the world - however, the results from the Isle of Wight are particularly alarming. For comparison, the median value of microplastic concentrations found in the Medina Estuary exceeds the values of estuaries studied in China and India by more than two-fold. 

Jamie Marsh, director of nature recovery (Wilder Wight, Solent & Seas) at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said: “The estuary’s mudflats are of significant ecological importance. They support a diverse variety of wildlife providing habitats and breeding areas for a huge array of species including wading birds, crustacea, invertebrates and fish, all of which thrive within the Medina’s intertidal mudflats.  

“The discovery of the high level of microplastics, and of microfibres in particular, in this precious environment is truly staggering. Microfibres cause a significant risk to wildlife as they can easily bundle together. The entangled fibres form a clump and pose a great threat to marine species as the bundles act in the same way as larger plastic items by blocking feeding passageways in the gastrointestinal tract. This can obstruct the movement of food, disrupt the digestive process and cause eventual death.” 

The study also reveals that wastewater discharge from two CSOs with high annual spill rates is a major source of microplastic release into the aquatic environment, and are likely responsible for the immense quantities of fibres reported throughout the Medina Estuary. Dodnor Lane and Fairlee CSO’s together discharged wastewater into the upper estuary for 2,932 hours in 2023 (over 225 total spill events) according to Event Duration Monitoring datasets published by the Environment Agency.  

Professor of Physical Geography said: “Research at the University of Manchester has shown that the microplastic contamination of riverbeds is a clear signal that wastewater treatment is not taking place as it should. Effective treatment can remove up to 95% of the microplastic load in wastewater.  

“Microplastic contamination of the Medina Estuary is a concern because it is an area of ecological importance. The Medina Estuary receives high volumes of untreated wastewater from Southern Water assets and the presence of primary microplastic particles provides a clear link to the wastewater system."

"This research helps to resolve a global critical gap in the current studies of microplastics in estuaries," said report author Liberty Turrell. “Unfortunately, the results are shocking. The severe contamination of estuarine environments affected by wastewater discharge takes place across the world and sadly this includes the Isle of Wight. The results clearly show that the prevalence and abundance of microplastics found in the intertidal mudflat sediments highlights a severe contamination issue of the Medina Estuary.”

According to data published by the Environment Agency (2024), there were 464,056 monitored ‘spill’ events into waterways by water companies in England during 2023, a 54% increase from 2022. The 29,494 spills into waterways in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by Southern Water lasted a total duration of 317,285 hours (Environment Agency, 2024). Spill events are responsible for the release of huge quantities of microplastics into our waterways. 

This innovative programme, named Inciner-8-2-Net0, seeks to repurpose incineration waste in the UK and Singapore, with the aim of reducing the mounting strain on landfill and lowering the embodied carbon in cement and concrete mixes.

Inciner-8-2-Net0 will pioneer a method to accelerate carbonation, a natural process that turns CO2 into a solid form for use in construction materials, effectively locking away carbon.

The method was developed by The University of Manchester team - Concrete Materials, Resource Efficiency and Advanced Technology for Sustainability – a research group dedicated to attaining a Net Zero built environment, through exploring new materials and developing novel methods that optimise the use of concrete materials.

CREATES’ approach will involve the use of wastewater and CO2 from flue gas. Such a combination will enable the permanent storage of CO2 in the processed IBA, while improving its stability and making it suitable for construction application purposes.

, Chair in Net Zero in the Department of Civil Engineering and Management, leads , and is the principal investigator for 91ֱ��’s Inciner-8-2-Net0 team. , Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering and Management, is a co-principal investigator.

The University of Manchester’s team will work with industry partners and their academic partner, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, to create a technical solution for this excessive waste, that is more consistent and less harmful to the environment.

Inciner-8-2-Net0 is led by , a consultancy which works with leaders across both public and private sectors to help deliver positive social, economic and environmental impact.

The programme’s industry partners - Blue Phoenix, Carbon Upcycling, Marshalls, PanUnited, PCE and Recycl8 – will work to establish a commercially viable pathway to enable widespread adoption, offering clear guidelines for the construction industries in both the UK and Singapore.

Dr Meini Su said: “Utilising incineration bottom ash in construction is a significant step towards reducing the environmental burden of waste. By transforming this byproduct into a functional material, we not only conserve natural resources but also support more sustainable construction approaches.”

John Handscomb, Partner at Akerlof said: “This project exemplifies the power of multinational collaboration in solving complex global challenges. By turning waste into a resource, we’re not only addressing immediate environmental concerns but doing so in a way that is both impactful and scalable.”

The UK produces a staggering 3 million tonnes of processed incinerator bottom ash annually from waste incineration, which is not aided by the growing global pressure on waste management.

At the heart of this project is a vision set to shape the future of the construction sector, and its route to achieving Net Zero. The transfer of knowledge between the UK and Singapore will help to advance the construction industry’s transition to a circular economy, reducing both waste and emissions on a global scale.

The new , also the first of its kind in the UK, evaluated the specific clinical conditions that lead to the initiation of opioid prescriptions using data from nationally representative GP electronic health records.

The study team from The University of Manchester, The Northern care Alliance and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) publish their results in the journal Pain. The research was funded by NIHR and FOREUM.

The findings are published amid a backdrop of a considerable rise of opioid prescriptions over . A 48.9% increase in opioid-related hospitalisations from 2008 to 2018 has also been reported, paralleled by an increase in opioid-related harms over two decades.

From a statistical evaluation of over 2 million records of patients prescribed opioids for non-cancer pain, 61% were women and 77% were aged over 45.

The researchers also discovered a pattern of opioid use for respiratory conditions such as cough, infections, trauma and injuries such as sprains and strains, neurological issues such as headaches, and post-surgical pain.

The most frequent musculoskeletal conditions were osteoarthritis and lower back pain.

The most common surgical indications were total knee and hip replacements, followed by hernia repairs.

In 2021, previous research has shown that opioids were involved in nearly half (2,219) of all UK drug poisoning deaths.

Organisations including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Anaesthetists, currently suggest alternatives to weak opioids unless other types of pain relief is contraindicated.

Strong opioids are no longer recommended for or .

Joint first author of the study and research associate, Carlos Ramirez Medina from The University of Manchester said: “While our study does not aim to evaluate the appropriateness of opioid prescriptions, it uses nationally representative data to increase awareness of the possible reasons for opioid initiation in UK primary care and encourage a re-evaluation of prescribing practices."

Senior author of the paper is Dr Meghna Jani, an NIHR Advanced fellow and Senior Clinical Lecturer at The University of Manchester, Consultant Rheumatologist at Salford Royal Hospital.

She said: “Our study indicates that opioids are commonly prescribed in patients with musculoskeletal conditions, despite scientific evidence suggesting limited effectiveness, especially in conditions such as osteoarthritis.

“For chronic lower back pain and osteoarthritis in particular, the ongoing prescription of opioids may suggest a complex landscape of pain management given limited drug treatment options for these conditions and access to helpful interventions such as physiotherapy.

“The increasing proportion of opioid use in musculoskeletal conditions over time in our study may also be reflective of an aging population who are more at risk of developing conditions such as osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain.

“Making informed shared decisions between health care professionals and patients is especially important, especially in such groups where opioids may cause more harm due to side effects and interactions with other medicines.”

Primary care electronic health records from January 2006 to September 2021 were used from the Clinical Research Practice Datalink (CPRD) to identify opioid prescriptions.

She added: “We hope these findings will help inform targeted interventions in specific disease areas and future policies to support non-pharmacological interventions in the most common conditions where opioid associated harms outweigh benefits.”

Research led by University of Manchester academics funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater 91ֱ�� (ARC-GM), examined the attitudes of people from minoritised ethnic groups, young adults and those with long-term physical and mental health conditions toward the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Researchers found that a “perfect storm” of marginalisation and experience of structural inequalities led to distrust of the COVID-19 vaccination drive – and that marginalised communities felt ‘left behind’ by policy and decision-makers prior to and during the pandemic. 

The study, which is published , concludes that wider social inequalities, combined with experiences of marginalisation and discrimination, have long-lasting and widespread implications for vaccination uptake and health outcomes.

During the pandemic, Greater 91ֱ�� experienced higher levels of mortality from COVID-19, higher case rates and greater impacts to productivity than the national average – with disproportionately high COVID-19 mortality rates in the most deprived areas and amongst Black African, Pakistani and Black Caribbean groups.

For some study participants:

• The choice to not have the vaccine became almost a metaphor for political dissent against institutionalised failures.
• Elements of distrust appeared to be established prior to the pandemic – and enhanced due to intensified episodes of racism experienced over the course of the pandemic.
• Feelings of distrust were emphasised via the perceived mishandling of the pandemic by the government and paradoxical government policy-responses to aspects of the pandemic, including U-turns and mixed public messaging.
• Culturally insensitive public messaging and practices during the pandemic heightened longstanding and widespread disenfranchisement.
• Longer-term injustices were perceived to be further intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic - links were made between long-term failings for underserved communities and the disproportionate impact of the pandemic.
• Pushback against the vaccine was articulated via a sense of establishing boundaries against an oppressive system.

Stephanie Gillibrand, Research Fellow at The University of Manchester, said: “Existing research in this area tends to focus on the psychological or socio-economic factors that influence an individual’s uptake of vaccination. We sought to understand the complexities around vaccination motivations, exploring broader social and historical contexts or people’s experiences of marginalisation.

“We found that wider social inequalities, intersecting with experiences of marginalisation during the pandemic, have long-lasting and widespread implications when it comes to vaccination – and public health policy must recognise this broader context for future public health crises and vaccination drives..

“These implications may already be apparent, where new data has suggested that MMR vaccination rates are at a ten-year low since the start of the pandemic, and other childhood immunisations rates have also fallen.”

Although scientists knew one atom thick, two-dimensional crystal graphene existed, no-one had figured out how to extract it from graphite, until Professor Geim and Professor Novoselov’s groundbreaking work in 91ֱ�� in 2004.

Geim and Novoselov frequently held ‘Friday night experiments’, where they would play around with ideas and experiments that weren’t necessarily linked to their usual research. It was through these experiments that the two first isolated graphene, by using sticky tape to peel off thin flakes of graphite, ushering in a new era of material science.

Their seminal paper ‘, has since been cited over 40,000 times, making it one of the most highly referenced scientific papers of all time.

What Andre and Kostya had achieved was a profound breakthrough, which would not only earn the pair a Nobel Prize in 2010 but would revolutionise the scientific world.

The vast number of products, processes and industries for which graphene could significantly impact all stem from its extraordinary properties. No other material has the breadth of superlatives that graphene boasts:

• It is many times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible
• It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent
• It is the world’s first two-dimensional material and is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.

It’s areas for application are endless: transport, medicine, electronics, energy, defence, desalination, are all being transformed by graphene research.

In biomedical technology, graphene’s unique properties allow for groundbreaking biomedical applications, such as targeted drug delivery and DIY health-testing kits. In sport, graphene-enhanced running shoes deliver more grip, durability and 25% greater energy return than standard running trainers – as well as the world’s first .

Speaking at the , hosted by The University of Manchester, Professor Sir Andre Geim said: “If you have an electric car, graphene is there. If you are talking about flexible, transparent and wearable electronics, graphene-like materials have a good chance of being there. Graphene is also in lithium ion batteries as it improves these batteries by 1 or 2 per cent.”

The excitement, interest and ambition surrounding the material has created a ‘graphene economy’, which is increasingly driven by the challenge to tackle climate change, and for global economies to achieve zero carbon.

At the heart of this economy is The University of Manchester, which has built a model research and innovation community, with graphene at its core. The enables academics and their industrial partners to work together on new applications of graphene and other 2D materials, while the accelerates lab-market development, supporting more than 50 spin-outs and numerous new technologies.

Professor James Baker,  CEO of Graphene@91ֱ�� said: “As we enter the 20^th anniversary since the first discovery of graphene, we are now seeing a real ‘tipping point’ in the commercialisation of products and applications, with many products now in the market or close to entering. We are also witnessing a whole new eco-system of businesses starting to scale up their products and applications, many of which are based in 91ֱ��."

What about the next 20 years?

The next 20 years promise even greater discoveries and The University of Manchester remains at the forefront of exploring the limitless graphene yields.

Currently, researchers working with INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, with funding from the European Commission’s Graphene Flagship, are developing brain implants from graphene which could enable precision surgery for diseases such as cancer.

Researchers have also developed wearable sensors, based on a 2D material called hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), which have the potential to change the way respiratory health is monitored.

As for sustainability, Dr Qian Yang is using nanocapillaries made from graphene that could lead to the development of a brand-new form of , while others are looking into Graphene’s potential in grid applications and storing wind or solar power. Graphene is also being used to reinforce , to reduce cement use – one of the leading causes of global carbon dioxide.

Newly-appointed Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair, Professor Rahul Nair, is investigating graphene-based membranes that can be used as water filters and could transform access to clean drinking water.

Speaking at the World Academic Summit, Professor Sir Andre Geim said: “Thousands of people are trying to understand how it works. I would not be surprised if graphene gets another Nobel prize or two given there are so many people who believe in this area of research.”

Discover more

To hear Andre’s story, including how he and Kostya discovered the wonder material in a Friday night lab session, visit: 

To find out more about The University of Manchester’s work on graphene, visit: 

To discover our world-leading research centre, or commercial accelerator, visit

To find out how we’re training the next generation of 2D material scientists and engineers, visit:

• .

The new Hub for Advanced Long-acting Therapeutics (HALo) will focus on driving research, public and patient engagement, and the translational infrastructure required for the development and manufacture of new Long-acting therapeutics (LATs).

LATs are predicted to revolutionise treatment of health conditions by replacing extensive periods of daily pill taking with a single administered dose.

The approach addresses the issue of missed daily drug doses, which can cause a range of complications, from a lack of efficacy to pathogen resistance. They will also help patients stay on treatment, make it easier to achieve optimal dosing targets and reduce the burden on health systems.

The project is supported with an £11 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). As a key partner, The University of Manchester has been awarded £1.5m from the grant to lead efforts to advance multiple strands of LAT research.

The 91ֱ�� activity is an interdisciplinary team, led by , Reader in Sustainable Materials. Dr McDonald is Head of Environmental Sustainability and Engagement for the and is also Research Area lead for Chemical Materials Design within the .  

Alongside Dr McDonald is , , and .

The 91ֱ�� team will focus on:

• Developing innovative in situ forming implant technologies, which allow for a controlled release of medication directly at the site of need.
• Creating predictive models to evaluate drug release kinetics, helping to optimise LAT formulations for better patient outcomes.
• Quantifying the sustainability benefits of LAT medicines, including reductions in packaging waste and resource use, as part of a broader effort to make healthcare more environmentally friendly.

Dr Tom McDonald said: “Long-acting therapeutics have the potential to address significant challenges in drug administration by offering more convenient, effective, and sustained treatment options.”

LATs are emerging as the next landmark for healthcare management; pharmaceutical companies are realising the benefits for clinical outcomes and patient well-being. Such technologies are already in use in fields such as contraception, HIV therapy, and the management of mental health conditions.

By focusing on understanding the physical science that underpins existing successful LAT medicines, HALo will create new proof-of-concept LAT medicine candidates for diseases and conditions where no LAT option exists yet, such as high blood pressure and asthma.

HALo is led by Professor Steve Rannard at the and the Hub will primarily be hosted within its Centre of Excellence for Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT) - the world’s first academic centre of excellence focussed on LATs.

Professor Rannard said: “Long-acting therapeutics have the potential to simplify the administration of medicines, improve clinical outcomes and reduce the costs of healthcare provision.

“They are widely predicted to revolutionise disease treatment and healthcare management. HALo provides a much-needed focal point for new LAT developments in the UK and by working with partners it will ensure the UK is on the path to global leadership in this exciting new field.

“The outcomes from HALo will have far-reaching benefits globally and also enable CELT focus on low and middle-income country healthcare needs where LATs are expected to be transformational.”

HALo brings together academics, industry, clinicians and other stakeholders including patient groups and policy makers. Key partners of the project, include The University of Manchester, Queens University Belfast, the University of Nottingham, alongside the Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Alder Hey Children’s Foundation Trust and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

HALo is one of  that aim to transform healthcare through the development and application of revolutionary new technologies.

As and a habitable climate teeters, it’s understandable to feel despair.

Some of the world’s top climate scientists at the prospect of reaching 3°C by 2100. This hellish scenario, well in excess of the 1.5°C countries agreed to aim for when they signed the 2015 , would indeed spell disaster for much of life on Earth.

As a lecturer in sustainability, I often hear my anxious students bemoan the impossibility of building a way out of ecological collapse. However, the greatest danger is fatalism, and assuming, as claimed, that “there is no alternative”.

There is a vast ocean of possibility for transforming the planet. Increasingly, cities are in the vanguard of forging more sustainable worlds.

Car-free futures

Since the , the car has afforded a sense of freedom while infringing on the freedoms of .

Cars, particularly , are a major source of air pollution and . Motorways and have transformed Earth’s terrain and monopolised public space. For those of us in industrialised societies, it is difficult to .

Global sales of electric vehicles are projected to . Yet even these supposed solutions to an unsustainable transport sector require a lot of space and materials to make and maintain.

With cities set to host nearly by 2050, space and livability are key concerns. As such, and are beginning to reclaim their streets.

Between 2019 and 2022, the number of low-emissions zones, areas that regulate the most polluting vehicles in order to improve air quality and help to protect public health, in European cities. Research suggests that policies to such as congestion charges and raised parking fees can further discourage their use. However, providing viable and accessible alternatives is also crucial: as such, many cities are also widening walkways, building bike lanes and making public transport cheaper and easier to access.

An estimated 80,000 cars used to pass daily through the centre of , a city in north-west Spain. Mayor Miguel Anxo Fernandez Lores instituted a ban on cars in 1999 and removed on-street parking spaces. The city has since drastically reduced air pollution and hasn’t had a vehicular death in over a decade.

Living cities

Cement and concrete are to make major infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings and dams. The cement industry accounts for up to . Moreover, the open-pit quarrying of limestone, a key ingredient in cement, involves removing topsoil and vegetation which and increases flooding risks.

A burgeoning “” movement originated in in 2008 and has removed concrete and asphalt from cities including , and several cities , replacing it with plants and soil.

Depaving is an example of the wider movement which aims to restore natural habitats and expand green spaces in cities for social and ecological wellbeing.

Multispecies coexistence

A new by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) has documented in the abundance of monitored wildlife populations globally since 1970. Despite such unfathomable losses, many cities are being transformed into .

Prized for their fur, beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK by the 16th century. Their create homes for other species such as birds and invertebrates and help prevent flooding. Eurasian beavers have been since their reintroduction in the 1920s and 1960s, respectively.

In 2022, beavers were designated a in England. , London saw its first baby beaver in over 400 years.

Melbourne has launched a project to create in the city by 2028, with at least 20 local plant species for each square metre. An 8-kilometre long is also being created to allow wildlife to travel between 200 interconnected gardens and further help local pollinators flourish.

Living alongside larger predators brings unique challenges. However, as with any functional relationship, respect is key for coexistence. Los Angeles and Mumbai are two major cities that are mountain lions and leopards. Local officials have launched public education initiatives urging people to, for instance, maintain a safe distance from the animals and not walk alone outside at night. In cases where wildlife conflicts occur, such as who have lost livestock, non-lethal methods such as wolf-proof fences and guard dogs have been found to be than culls.

Environmental justice now

Cities, particularly in wealthy countries, are only a small part of the story.

At just over 500 years old, the modern capitalist system, imposed globally through , is a relatively recent development. Despite its influence, the visionary author Ursula K. Le Guin that “any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings”.

numbering 476 million across 90 countries represent thousands of distinct cultures that persist as living proof of the enduring possibilities of radically different ways of living.

tracks 4,189 worldwide. From keeping illegal miners at bay, to countless local communities and resisting the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure. Over the last few years, these place-based struggles have either stopped, stalled or forced the suspension of at least .

These examples demonstrate hope in action, and suggest that the radical changes required to avert climate and ecological breakdown are often a simple question of will and collective resolve.

Reality, like the future, is never fixed. Whether the world is depends on actions taken today. The terrain ahead will be full of challenges. But, glimmers of a better world are already here.

, Lecturer in Sustainability,
This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .

The festival is a key element of the Economic and Social Research Council’s () commitment to promote awareness of UK social sciences to new audiences.

The events shaping our world, from climate change to geopolitical tensions and civic protests, reveal how social science is more important than ever to understanding the world.  From big ideas to the most detailed observations, social science affects us all every day – at work, in school, when raising children, within our communities, from the personal and the local, to the national and global level.  

The ESRC Festival of Social Science offers a fascinating insight into some of the country’s leading social science research and how it influences or social, economic and political lives – both now and in the future.  Discover how it shapes public policy and contributes to making the economy more competitive, as well as giving people a better understanding of 21^st-century society.

Attendees at this year's festival will be invited to dive into ‘Our Digital Lives’ by exploring the fascinating intersection of social sciences and technology as we unravel the complexity of human-digital interactions.  Our carefully curated programme offers a compelling look at how social sciences illuminate our evolving relationship with the digital world.

Stian Westlake, ESRC Executive Chair, said: “The ESRC Festival of Social Science offers a unique insight into UK social science research and its relevance to individuals, society and economy.  There are hundreds of free events taking place across the UK and online, including The University of Manchester, 91ֱ�� Metropolitan University and University of Salford.  We hope you enjoy the events and finding out more about social scientists’ work.”

Join us to explore the work of social science from 19 October to 9 November.  Take a look at our range of free events for all ages and tastes!

For a complete calendar of events and details on how to register, we invite you to visit the .   

This festival was made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The Scholarship is aimed at first-year undergraduate students nominated by participating universities for the Scheme, and seeks to address the disproportionate under-representation of Black men from less socially mobile backgrounds in large commercial law firms and other careers in the City of London.

It is provided by global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and was launched in 2013 with support from Doreen Lawrence, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE.

Benefits include a 15-month development programme, mentorship, commercial familiarisation though work-shadowing and £5,000 towards study-related costs. For those who wish it, there is an alternative pathway to an interview for a trainee associate programme at the firm.

Annette Byron, Freshfields’ Partner for Social Mobility, commented: “I am delighted to welcome the new cohort to the twelfth year of the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme. This year, we had the honour of considering 78 outstanding candidates, all showing exceptional potential. We look forward to support our 12 new scholars as they begin their professional paths and continue to contribute to the enduring impact of the Scheme."

Arthur, who is looking forward to starting the development programme, said: “Being selected for the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship is an honour. I’m excited to learn and grow alongside such a talented group of scholars, and I hope this experience will not only advance my own ambitions but also inspire others to pursue their goals.”

"I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of all our candidates who participated in the assessment centres in London," Emma added. “Each of them demonstrated exceptional skill and professionalism, representing both themselves and the University with great distinction throughout the process.”

While on campus, DPM Heng and his delegation explored opportunities for future collaboration, particularly in the space of R&D and innovation. The visit to 91ֱ�� was the only non-London element of the DPM’s UK visit, alongside Cambridge; they visited the city due to its effective innovation ecosystem evident in the relationship between the university, businesses and local government.

DPM Heng observed a briefing by the and the before having dinner with President and Vice-Chancellor, Duncan Ivison. He also visited the 91ֱ�� Fuel Cell Innovation Centre and met with the UK Biobank.

As part of his visit to the city, DPM Heng met with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater 91ֱ��, to discuss views on how government, academia, finance, industry and talent can come together to grow vibrant and integrated innovation ecosystems.

The University of Manchester has a longstanding relationship with Singapore, welcoming many Singaporean students each year. Undergraduate exchange agreements are in place with the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University.

The International Development Division at The University of Manchester maintains good relationships with the various institutions across Singapore and arranges several visits to Singapore each year for colleagues from Faculties and Schools.

The International Development Division also has close links with the Singapore Students’ Society of Manchester who act as ambassadors at events, and there are also close ties with the active University of Manchester Alumni Group.

The Alliance 91ֱ�� Business School (AMBS) has had a presence in Singapore since 1992 and opened the , in Singapore, in 1999; with 400 active students and 1,500 alumni, the Centre offers MBA course and Masters Degrees.

The South East Asia Centre participated in the University’s bicentenary event, Light Up, in January 2024, by gathering current students and esteemed alumni for a jubilant reception.

Simon Johnson - who studied Economics at 91ֱ�� in the 1980s, and is now a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - won the prize alongside Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson in recognition of their work to analyse how institutions and the rule of law shape national prosperity.

Professor Johnson was born in Sheffield, and completed his undergraduate studies at Oxford University, before doing a master's degree at 91ֱ�� and a doctorate at MIT.

His career has included prominent roles at the Washington-based Peterson Institute and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he served as chief economist from 2007 to 2008 during the global financial crisis. He eventually returned to MIT as a professor, focusing on global economic inequality and policy.

Through their research, Professor Johnson and his colleagues have shaped global debates by demonstrating that democracies, which hold to the rule of law and provide individual rights, have spurred greater economic activity over the last 500 years. Their insights - derived from studying colonialism’s enduring effects on global development - have broad implications for economic strategies today.

Professor Johnson’s academic achievements have established him as a leading voice on global economic policy, which has now been further cemented by this honour. He becomes the 26^th Nobel laureate associated with The University of Manchester, either as staff or alumni.

“It is a surprise and a delight to win the Nobel Prize in Economics,” said Professor Johnson. “Getting my master’s degree at 91ֱ�� helped launch my professional career – and I will always be grateful to my teachers and fellow students in those years. Their guidance and inspiration (and many late-night conversations) helped push me down the road towards careful empirical work, bringing history to bear, and understanding the importance of building institutions that support inclusive prosperity.”

“This year’s laureates have pioneered new approaches, both empirical and theoretical, that have significantly advanced our understanding of global inequality,” said Nobel committee member Jakob Svensson. “Reducing the huge differences in income between countries is one of our times’ greatest challenges, and their insights show that democracies are - on average - better for promoting growth in the long run.”

The ‘Zero Carbon Without a Net’ initiative is part of the University’s Environmental Sustainability strategy which was launched last July, and subsequently won the 2023 . Now, the University is being honoured for its dedication to sustainability on an international scale.

The awards featured 95 finalists from 28 countries, with the University coming first in the ‘’ category, which focuses on assessing the steps that institutions are taking - or are planning to take - to reach their sustainability targets.

Recognising the innovative and pioneering initiatives in sustainability, the celebrate the projects undertaken by further and higher education institutions who are striving for a sustainable future.

The University’s initiative focuses on decarbonising its operations to secure a zero-carbon future by 2038. Progress already made includes:

• The landmark deal signed in May 2024 that will see up to 65% of the University’s electricity demand supplied through a brand-new renewables project.
• Completion of the first phase of building decarbonisation projects including the newly refurbished building which now has the infrastructure to support zero emissions.
• A further £25m pledged to decarbonise the University, taking the zero-carbon budget to £175m.

The Green Gown Award judges commented: “The University of Manchester’s “Zero Carbon Without a Net” initiative is candid and ambitious. The approach of clearly assessing reality in relation to ambitions is very important and ensures that the approach taken is sincere, going beyond intentions to focus on transformation. Its scientific approach, detailed planning. And substantial internal funding demonstrates a deep institutional commitment to sustainability.”

The University of Manchester’s Environmental Sustainability strategy builds on the University’s core goals of Teaching and Learning, Research and Discovery and Social Responsibility and stresses the need to embed sustainable practises into all University plans, policies and processes.

The strategy also highlights six priority operational areas, all linking back to the United Nations Sustainability Goals: Construction and Refurbishment; Risk and Climate Resilience; Responsible Procurement; Resource Management; Valuing Nature; Travel and Transport. 

“We are incredibly delighted to be recognised internationally for our decarbonisation plans, which are firmly grounded in science, with our zero-carbon target set in collaboration with experts from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research” said Julia Durkan, The University of Manchester’s Head of Environmental Sustainability. “This award not only acknowledges our ambitious plans but also celebrates the collective efforts of our colleagues who have made this initiative a reality.  We’re proud to be part of the international effort to tackle climate change, and we know achieving these goals requires continuous, urgent action and global collaboration.”

City of Trees is an independent charity that plant, look after and promote a culture of trees across Greater 91ֱ��. They work with volunteers across the region, as part of their ‘Citizen Forester’ programme to enhance green skills, boost health and wellbeing, and to help tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency.

Aligned closely with the University’s values and social responsibility agenda, both City of Trees and The University of Manchester are passionate about making the region even better, one tree at a time.

In the University's special bicentenary year, it is partnering with City of Trees on several initiatives:

• The University's International Relations team signed the first agreement City of Trees earlier this year, kicking off the partnership which has been growing throughout the bicentenary year. The new agreement and initiative is a positive step in looking at the small changes with big impact that we can make as an institution
• The new agreement and initiative was officially launched at the International Friends of Manchester Day on 10 October, whereby the University made a donation on behalf of each international delegate to City of Trees. City of Trees will then plant a tree in Greater 91ֱ�� to represent each international delegate who attended the event - signifying that international colleagues continue to be a crucial part of the growth and development of both the University and the city.
• For our 200th year specifically, the University is working with City of Trees to plant 200 trees across new woodland sites in Greater 91ֱ��.
• From 7-9 October the University hosted the THE World Academic Summit and chose to make a charitable donation to City of Trees on behalf of each delegate attending, to the total of £1,500.

The University of Manchester is truly excited to be supporting City of Trees and partnering with them on these activities, which will foster into the future.

The ��ö����ö�� is tangible proof of a mathematical theory, developed by Gábor Domokos and Péter Várkonyi from the Budapest University Technology and Economics, about the stability of solid objects. The ��ö����ö�� is a three-dimensional, homogenous, convex object that has exactly one stable and one unstable equilibrium, or balance point; if you put it down on a flat surface it will reorient itself until it reaches the one stable equilibrium point.

The mathematicians have chosen to gift one of the ��ö����ö�� pieces to the University with the unique serial number 1824, in honour of the University’s 200^th anniversary which is being celebrated throughout 2024. ��ö����ö�� 1824 is sponsored by Mr Ottó Albrecht, who has funded the ��ö����ö�� donation programme for many years. The piece stands at 180mm tall and is made from plexiglass. It will be exhibited in the Mathematics Department located in the Alan Turing Building.

��ö����ö�� 1824 was presented to the University at a ceremony on 10 October, by H.E. Ferenc Kumin, ambassador of Hungary, and was accepted by , Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering and , Head of the Department of Mathematics. The ambassador also had the chance to have lunch with Hungarian staff and students at the University and took a tour of the robotics lab.

Since its discovery in 2007, many ��ö����ö�� pieces have been donated to renowned institutions worldwide, including Harvard University, the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences, the Pompidou Centre and The University of Tokyo.

There are few ��ö����ö�� pieces in the UK; The University of Oxford, The University of Cambridge, Windsor Castle, The Crown Estate, University College London and Academia Europaea are the only institutions which currently have a ��ö����ö�� on display. The University of Manchester’s ��ö����ö�� 1824 is the first ��ö����ö�� to be gifted to an institution in the North of England.

Professor Andrew Hazel, Head of the Department of Mathematics, said: “It is somewhat unusual to have a mathematical object whose proof of existence can be realised in such a tangible way. The ��ö����ö�� is visually interesting and stimulates discussion between staff, students and visitors.”

Although discovered in Hungary, the ��ö����ö�� has connections to The University of Manchester. Some of the early research on the statics of solid bodies was pioneered by Sir Horace Lamb, who studied Mathematics at Owens College and was a Professor of Physics at the University between 1885 and 1920. Lamb wrote the influential textbook Statics, Including Hydrostatics and the Elements of the Theory of Elasticity, which describes methods that can be adapted to analyse the stability of the ��ö����ö��.

The ��ö����ö�� is also relevant for current research being undertaken at the University. Researchers working on granular flows and particle dynamics used the ��ö����ö�� as a test shape for computer codes, to verify the stability calculations used to analyse piles of grains.

H.E. Ferenc Kumin, ambassador of Hungary, said: “It is with great pride that we present the G1824, a remarkable embodiment of Hungarian ingenuity and problem-solving, in honour of The University of Manchester's foundation. More than a scientific marvel, for us, Professor Domokos' ��ö����ö�� represents Hungarian thinking and creative problem solving.”

History of the ��ö����ö��

In geometry, a body with a single stable resting position is called monostatic; the term mono-monostatic has been coined to describe a body which additionally has only one unstable point of balance.

The weight of the ��ö����ö�� is distributed evenly; and no simpler homogeneous shape exists with these properties. In fact, it is not possible for a convex, homogenous, solid three-dimensional object to have fewer than two equilibria.

The question of whether it is possible to construct a three-dimensional body which is mono-monostatic, homogenous and convex, was posed by Russian mathematician Vladimir Igorevich Arnold at a conference in 1995, in Hamburg.

In 2007, Gábor Domokos and Péter Várkonyi proved Arnold’s conjecture correct and created the first physical example, which became known as the ��ö����ö��. The discovered mono-monostatic shape is the most sphere-like shape, apart from the sphere itself; its name is a diminutive form of ��ö����, meaning ‘sphere’ in Hungarian.

��ö����ö��-like shapes can be seen in nature. Biological evolution developed a similar shape in the form of the shell of the , which self-rights when turned upside down. Domokos and Várkonyi spent time studying tortoises in Hungary, attempting to explain the shape and function of their shells.

After its creation in 2007, a series of individual ��ö����ö�� models were launched. Each individual ��ö����ö�� carries its own unique serial number, between 1 and the current year, and has only been produced once.

The first individually numbered ��ö����ö�� model (��ö����ö�� 001) was presented by Domokos and Várkonyi as a gift to Vladimir Igorevich Arnold on his 70^th birthday in 2007; Professor Arnold later donated ��ö����ö�� 001 to the Steklov Institute of Mathematics, where it is currently on exhibit.

The report, led by researchers from the Universities of Bristol, New South Wales, Glasgow, and 91ֱ�� and involving an international team of experts, is published today9/10/24).

Self-harm remains neglected worldwide.  There are at least 14 million episodes every year, with the greatest number in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

It is defined as instances of people hurting or injuring themselves intentionally, regardless of the reasons.

However, shame and stigma can often stop people from seeking help. Self-harm can occur at any age but is most common in young people and is increasing in this group.  Self-harming behaviour leads to an elevated risk of death by suicide. People attending health services only represent the ‘tip of the iceberg’ for self-harm. 

The Commission makes a number of recommendations that could change the experience of people who have self-harmed for the better.

They include suggestions for more compassionate and effective delivery of health and social care services as well as whole of government approaches to address the causes of self-harm and reduce stigma.

The commission also highlights the necessity of seeing self-harm through a global lens, responsible handling of the topic of self-harm in all types of media, and the involvement of people with lived experience in designing and delivering care.

Prof Nav Kapur, Professor of Psychiatry and Population Health at the University of Manchester has helped lead a number of NICE guidelines on self-harm and suicide prevention.  He co-led the Commission with Professors Paul Moran, Helen Christensen and Rory O Connor.  The report includes over 40 authors from around the world. 

Prof Kapur said: “It was great to be part of the team which produced this Commission.  I’ve been working in services for self-harm for 30 years but what was striking for me with this piece of work was the integration of mental health and public health with global, indigenous, and lived experience perspectives”.