Interdisciplinarity & Returns: Manchester 2035 in Action

Bringing together researchers from across the University and colleagues from Creative Manchester, Digital Futures, Healthier Futures and Sustainable Futures, the series will showcase how interdisciplinary collaboration turns ideas into innovation, impact and real-world change.

Through case studies, panels, workshops and networking, participants will gain practical insights into funding, partnerships, research impact, emerging technologies and collaboration, while building the connections needed to develop new projects, publications and bids.

Whatever stage in your research journey, from curious newcomer to experienced leader, we welcome UoM staff and students interested in building connections, developing innovative research ideas, and working together to address society's most pressing challenges.

Registration link for all sessions notifications

1. Interdisciplinarity &: Creating Teams Where People Thrive

Leading interdisciplinary teams and creating psychological safety

Tuesday 8 December 2026, 12.30–2.30pm

First Floor, 1.01 Lifelong Learning Suite, Booth Street East Building, Booth St E, Manchester M13 9SS

Chair: Sarah Mander, Reader in Energy & Climate Policy, Equity Theme Lead, Sustainable Futures

2. Interdisciplinarity &: Finding Your People 
Finding collaborators and building cross-faculty partnerships

Wednesday 24 February 2027, 2–4pm

GA.056, Ronson Blended Theatre, located by the café, Nancy Rothwell Building, Booth St E, Manchester, M13

Chair: Sarah Marie Hall, Professor of Human Geography, Healthier Futures Co-Director

3. Interdisciplinarity &: From Ideas to Funded Projects 
Developing competitive interdisciplinary funding applications

Wednesday 21 April 2027, 1–3pm

GA.056, Ronson Blended Theatre, located by the café, Nancy Rothwell Building, Booth St E, Manchester, M13

Chair: Michelle Phillips, Professor of Music, Creative Manchester Director

4. Interdisciplinarity &: Partnerships Beyond the University
Working with communities, industry and external partners

Tuesday 25 May 2027, 12.30–3pm

GA.056, Ronson Blended Theatre, located by the café, Nancy Rothwell Building, Booth St E, Manchester, M13

Chair: David Topping, Professor of the Digital Environment, Digital Worlds Theme Lead, Digital Futures

 Why Attend?

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Build connections with researchers from different disciplines and sectors.
• Discover practical approaches to interdisciplinary working.
• Learn from real-world examples and case studies.
• Explore new methods, tools and technologies.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration, funding and impact.
• Exchange ideas and experiences in a supportive environment.

While each event can be attended as a standalone session, researchers are encouraged to participate across the series to maximise opportunities for networking, skills development and collaboration. Together, these sessions will help develop the relationships, knowledge and confidence needed to address complex challenges through interdisciplinary research.

Further details on each session can be found below:

 1. Interdisciplinarity &: Creating Teams Where People Thrive:
Leading interdisciplinary teams and creating psychological safety

Interdisciplinary teams can produce bold ideas, but differences in language, status, working practices and expectations can also make collaboration challenging. How can leaders build trust, encourage constructive challenge and create space for every team member to contribute?

A panel of interdisciplinary researchers and team-development specialists will share honest experiences of what has worked, what has not and how they have navigated difficult team dynamics. The session will conclude with a World Café, where participants can share experiences, explore common challenges and exchange practical ideas for strengthening interdisciplinary teamwork.

Objectives

·       Identify common barriers to trust, inclusion and constructive challenge in interdisciplinary teams.

·       Evaluate practical leadership approaches that support psychological safety and enable every team member to contribute.

·       Explore common challenges and exchange practical ideas for strengthening interdisciplinary teamwork.

Registration Link: Interdisciplinarity & Creating Teams Where People Thrive

2. Interdisciplinarity &: Finding Your People:
Finding collaborators and building cross-faculty partnerships

Your next collaborator may already be working at Manchester, but how do you find the right person and move beyond an initial conversation? Hear from a cross-faculty panel about how successful partnerships began, what helped them develop and what they wish they had known at the outset.

A facilitated Chats for Change session will help participants connect with potential collaborators through themed discussions and guided networking. Researchers will explore shared interests, challenges and opportunities, leaving with new connections and practical next steps for developing interdisciplinary partnerships.

 Objectives

·       Identify potential collaborators whose expertise, perspectives and interests complement their own research.

·       Apply practical approaches for initiating conversations and developing cross-faculty relationships beyond an initial contact.

·       Build a focused plan for progressing at least one promising interdisciplinary connection after the session.

Registration Link: Interdisciplinarity & Finding Your People

3. Interdisciplinarity &: From Ideas to Funded Projects:
Developing competitive interdisciplinary funding applications

What turns a promising interdisciplinary idea into a compelling funding application? Join Platforms colleagues for a panel discussion exploring the realities of building cross-disciplinary bids, from finding the right opportunity and shaping a shared research question to assembling the team and demonstrating genuine added value.

Participants will leave with a clearer funding proposition, useful connections and practical next steps towards a competitive application.

Objectives

·       Identify the features of a compelling interdisciplinary funding proposition and a genuinely integrated research question.

·       Develop a practical approach to finding suitable funding opportunities and assembling an effective cross-disciplinary team.

·       Create clear next steps for strengthening an interdisciplinary idea into a competitive funding application.

Registration Link: Interdisciplinarity & From Ideas to Funded Projects

4. Interdisciplinarity &: Partnerships Beyond the University:
Working with communities, industry and external partners

How can researchers build external partnerships that are meaningful, equitable and capable of creating real-world value? Join researchers, professional-services specialists and external partners for a panel discussion offering perspectives from both sides of the relationship. Together, they will explore how partnerships begin, how expectations are negotiated and what helps them succeed over time.

Whether they are interested in working with communities, businesses, policymakers, charities or cultural organisations, participants will leave with a clearer partnership proposition and an achievable first step.

Objectives

·       Identify the foundations of meaningful, equitable and sustainable partnerships with organisations beyond the University.

·       Evaluate approaches to agreeing shared expectations, responsibilities and measures of value with external partners.

·       Develop a clear partnership proposition and an achievable first step towards engaging a relevant community, industry or sector partner.

Registration Link: Interdisciplinarity & Partnerships Beyond the University

Do you have a case study related to this topic? Please contact Researchplatforms@manchester.ac.uk to discuss your participation, or for further information.