Academics from Manchester Urban Institute at The University of Manchester have co-designed solutions that help to mitigate social exclusion with regards to public transport provided by the Greater Manchester Bee Network. They have co-produced a blueprint for community engagement and provided actionable recommendations to inform the development of more socially equitable services.

Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and chikungunya, are a significant health inequality and a major cause of poverty. In Africa, particularly in coastal Kenya, cases have risen sharply over the past 30 years. Understanding the factors behind disease transmission is key to effective management. 

Research by teams at The University of Manchester has highlighted high genetic diversity in forest Aedes aegypti and other forest Aedes species in Africa. Notably, differences in their odorant receptors are leading to increased feeding on humans. This diversity may result from interbreeding with domestic Aedes aegypti from outside Africa or the invasion of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes from Southeast Asia. 

This project, co-developed and led by researchers in Kenya and at The University of Manchester, will investigate these possibilities in the Tana River region and Kenya Coast. These areas contain forested regions near the port of Mombasa, a key entry point for invasive mosquito species. 

By integrating data on mosquitoes, viruses, monkeys, and humans across the coastal Kenyan landscape, the project aims to map disease transmission patterns. Identifying the environmental and socio-behavioural factors driving transmission will help the Ministry of Health improve surveillance efforts and support local communities in preventing and mitigating disease spread.

The Peer Support Awards offer an annual celebration of the incredible dedication and achievements of Peer Mentors, PASS Leaders, and Student Coordinators in the Peer Support community. The event recognises the pivotal role Peer Support plays in aiding first-year students though their transition into university life through guidance from student volunteers in higher years on the same course.

The University’s Faculty of Humanities has partnered with The Access Project, an organisation that supports young people from under-resourced backgrounds to raise their aspirations, access top universities and achieve social mobility.

Manchester Museum has introduced a Decolonise! Trail as part of its ongoing commitment to confronting the legacies of Empire and prioritising anti-racism, equity, and justice. The trail provides a more thorough, transparent, and inclusive account of the Museum’s collections, acknowledging the realities of empire and ensuring the Museum remains a space for critical reflection and open dialogue. 

Once a Month, created at the University of Manchester, is a student-led volunteer initiative tackling period poverty. They host monthly packing sessions to supply charities with period products and publish a monthly newsletter on topics such as menstrual health and the gender pain gap. The project’s success has led to its expansion across UK universities. 

In IT Services we have a strong commitment to reducing our impact on the environment. In a move to support local youth and promote digital equality, IT Services at the University in partnership with IT Provider, Stone Group, has donated laptops to the RAFAC 1263 (Rochdale) Squadron.

The Bicentenary inclusive recruitment campaign is an initiative contributing to our social responsibility objectives by diversifying the talent pools we recruit from. Designed to reduce unemployment and promote regional socio-economic development, this initiative reflects our commitment to creating a meaningful and lasting impact within Greater Manchester.