Newsroom University of Manchester

Widespread use of AI tools could make it harder to craft effective business communications

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:26:11 +0100

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT make it easier for business owners to produce polished pitches, business plans and other communications, but according to new research from The University of Manchester and Canada’s University of Alberta, their widespread use could ultimately make it harder for businesses to effectively communicate with their audiences.

This challenges the idea that AI will simply “level the playing field” by helping business owners who lack strong writing and storytelling skills. Instead, the researchers argue that as more business owners use the same tools to create their external communications, business storytelling becomes increasingly similar.

The study argues that widespread use of generative AI may narrow the space available for businesses to differentiate themselves. If audiences are repeatedly exposed to similar AI-assisted communications, those linguistic patterns could become the expected norm - making genuinely distinctive communication harder to achieve.

The researchers describe a paradox - while AI can make storytelling easier for an individual business owner, its widespread adoption could make effective storytelling more difficult for business owners collectively.

Key points

In the age of AI, business communications start to look more alike.
The researchers generated AI-augmented twins of more than 26,000 real-world crowdfunding campaign descriptions. Across the resulting AI-augmented versions, there was substantially less variation than across the original human-written narratives. Among other differences, the AI-rewritten pitches varied 43% less in how abstract their language was, and variation in length and writing quality fell by around 80%.
As AI makes polished communications easier to produce, audiences likely develop more demanding expectations about the quality of these communications.
Business owners may increasingly need to provide evidence for the claims they make about their businesses, as audiences become less willing to rely on plausible-sounding statements alone.
Cultural competence and storytelling skills could even become more valuable, rather than less, as it becomes more challenging to craft effective business communications in the age of generative AI.

What the experts say

"Generative AI can support entrepreneurs in many aspects of storytelling, but it cannot substitute for the cultural understanding required to navigate an increasingly complex evaluative environment," said lead author Dr Karl Taeuscher from The University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School. "Business owners will still need to understand their audiences, recognise cultural expectations and know how to position their businesses in ways that are both credible and distinctive."

The researchers caution that the study presents a plausible scenario rather than a prediction, as both AI technology and social norms surrounding its use are changing rapidly. The analysis of AI-augmented crowdfunding descriptions is intended to illustrate the research’s central argument rather than to test it.

Publication details

The research was published in the journal Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587261472523.

No sick days? How remote work is changing the way we work when ill

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:38:26 +0100

Working from home and digital technology may be making it easier for employees to work while ill and blurring the boundaries between work and home, according to a new study.

The paper, by Professor Sir Cary Cooper of The University of Manchester, Professor Luo Lu of National Taiwan University and Professor Shu-Fang Kao of Soochow University, argues that traditional definitions of presenteeism no longer reflect the realities of modern working life.

Working from home doesn’t mean switching off

The researchers say the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid working means many employees no longer need to physically go into the workplace to do their jobs while unwell. Instead, they can remain at home, respond to emails or messages, attend virtual meetings or carry out urgent tasks while ill.

The study argues that this creates new challenges for understanding the impact of an increasingly ‘always-on’ workplace culture.

Key findings

Presenteeism is no longer simply about going into work while sick - people can now work while unwell from home or elsewhere.
Digital technology can make it harder to switch off, with employees potentially feeling pressure to remain available through email, messaging platforms and other workplace technology even outside normal working hours.
Mental health needs to be recognised alongside physical illness when considering why people work while unwell, as existing research has focused heavily on physical sickness.
Working while ill can take different forms - from completing a normal working day remotely to doing only urgent tasks or checking emails intermittently.
Employers should consider whether workers have flexibility to reduce their hours or workload when ill, rather than treating working while sick as an inherently good or bad behaviour.

Presenteeism is no longer just about physical presence

The researchers propose redefining presenteeism as the “behaviour of attending work in the state of suboptimal health, with varied location choices and degree of engagement”.

This means that presenteeism should be understood not simply in terms of whether someone turns up to work, but also where they work, what health problem they are experiencing and how much effort they put into working.

The authors argue that existing approaches to measuring presenteeism are too narrow because they generally focus on how often people go to work despite being ill, or on the extent to which illness affects their productivity. Instead, they propose a three-dimensional framework based on health, location and engagement.

Eight ways of working while unwell

The first dimension considers whether presenteeism is triggered by a physical or mental health problem. The second considers whether someone works on-site or remotely. The third considers whether they work a full schedule with normal levels of engagement or reduce their hours and effort. Together, these dimensions produce eight different forms of presenteeism.

For example, an employee with a physical illness might go into the workplace and work a full day, while another might stay at home and only deal with urgent requests. Someone experiencing anxiety or depression could similarly work either remotely or on-site, with either full or reduced engagement.

The researchers say this approach could help distinguish between situations where working while ill may be harmful and situations where employees are able to adapt their work in ways that allow them to protect their health while meeting essential responsibilities.

The paper also highlights concerns about inequality in access to flexible working. Remote working is not available to everyone, meaning that some workers may be able to adapt their working arrangements when ill while others have little choice but to attend their workplace.

What the experts say

“The world of work has changed dramatically, but our understanding of what it means to work while sick has not necessarily kept pace with this transformation,” said Professor Cary Cooper, 50th Anniversary Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health at The University of Manchester. “Technology has given people much greater flexibility over where and when they work, but that flexibility can become a trap if employees feel they have to be available all the time.”

Making flexibility work for employees

The authors argue that future research should examine whether giving employees greater control over their location, working hours and workload can make presenteeism a more adaptive behaviour. They also call for greater attention to mental health-related presenteeism, which they say has been relatively neglected by existing research.

The researchers stress that working while sick should not automatically be regarded as either positive or negative. Instead, they argue that understanding how someone works while unwell - and the circumstances surrounding that decision - is essential to understanding its effects on health and performance.

The paper concludes that organisations need to strike a balance between maintaining performance and protecting employee wellbeing as digital technology continues to reshape the workplace.

Publication details

The paper was published in journal Health Psychology Research.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36922/HPR026130066

Trying to compete with China could slow global climate action, report warns

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0100

China’s dominance of key green technologies is helping to subsidise the global transition to a low-carbon economy, but trade tensions could make it harder for other countries to meet their climate targets, according to a new report led by researchers at The University of Manchester.

The report argues that China’s large-scale support for green industries has helped to make technologies such as batteries, electric vehicles and solar power cheaper and more widely available.

However, China’s dominance is also making it increasingly difficult for European and US companies to compete, creating a dilemma for governments seeking to decarbonise while protecting their own domestic industries.

Key findings and recommendations

China’s state support for green industries is effectively subsidising the global transition to a low-carbon economy.
China has become dominant in the so-called ‘new three’ green technologies - batteries, electric vehicles and solar power.
Attempts by countries such as the US and EU states to compete with China could slow the adoption of green technologies and increase the cost of decarbonisation.
Governments increasingly face four broad choices - compete with China, cooperate with it, accept Chinese dominance, or abandon parts of the green transition.
The UK should strengthen cooperation with China on green technologies rather than trying to compete directly.
The UK should continue to avoid tariffs on Chinese green technologies and seek Chinese investment in UK manufacturing.

A global climate dilemma

The report says China now occupies a leading position across many of the technologies needed for the green transition including solar, wind, batteries, hydrogen and electric vehicles. Its dominance has helped drive down the cost of these technologies, but this has also created growing geopolitical and economic tensions.

“China’s dominance of green technology presents a fundamental dilemma for governments,” lead author Dr James Jackson of The University of Manchester’s Sustainable Consumption Institute. “The world needs these technologies to decarbonise, but efforts to compete with China risk making the transition more expensive and more difficult.”

The authors argue that countries should focus more heavily on cooperation - particularly where access to affordable green technologies is essential to meeting climate targets.

Opportunities for the UK

The report identifies green technology as an opportunity to improve UK-China relations following a period of strained diplomatic ties. It recommends that the UK should seek closer trading relationships with China, while maintaining the ability to challenge Beijing on other issues such as human rights.

Among its recommendations, the report says the UK should encourage Chinese EV manufacturers to establish production facilities in Britain, while using the country’s expertise in financial services to support investment in green technologies. It also recommends that the Bank of England consider measures used by China’s central bank to support the development of green industries.

Publication details

Subsidising Global Decarbonisation: China-UK Relations is published by The University of Manchester. Dr Jackson is the lead author, alongside Mathias Larsen of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics.

Labour’s AI revolution risks making UK inequalities worse, study warns

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:27:22 +0100

Labour’s ambitious plans to use artificial intelligence to transform the UK economy and public services risk making existing inequalities worse, according to research by experts from The University of Manchester and The University of Edinburgh.

The study argues that the Government’s approach risks treating AI as a technological solution to complex economic and social problems, while underestimating the practical obstacles to its widespread adoption.

Key findings

AI adoption is heavily concentrated in London, the South East and larger businesses, meaning its economic benefits could reinforce existing regional and productivity inequalities
The country lacks the computing and energy infrastructure needed to deliver the Government’s ambitions, which could consume more than a quarter of the UK’s electricity
Poor-quality, fragmented data and outdated IT systems could hamper AI adoption across government
Skills shortages are holding back AI adoption, particularly among smaller businesses and in the public sector, despite years of government investment in digital skills
AI is not a ‘magic bullet’ for Britain’s economic and public-service problems, and rapid expansion could create new environmental, social and governance risks

Unequal benefits and risks

Researchers Nathan Critch and Darcy Luke say years of short-term and fragmented policymaking by successive governments have left the UK with significant infrastructure and capacity gaps which could undermine Labour’s plans.

The Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan includes plans to increase UK AI computing capacity twentyfold by 2030, develop AI Growth Zones, establish a National Data Library and expand the use of AI across government and the wider economy.

The researchers warn that the benefits of AI are unlikely to be shared evenly across the UK without policies specifically designed to encourage wider adoption.

Only 15% of UK businesses had adopted at least one AI technology in 2022, with adoption particularly concentrated among larger companies. AI adoption was highest in IT and telecommunications and legal services, while it was much lower in hospitality, health and retail - sectors which employ large numbers of people.

AI firms and businesses using AI are also heavily concentrated in London and the South East.

The study argues that this creates a risk that AI will make already productive businesses and regions even more productive, while areas and sectors which have struggled with low productivity are left further behind.

UK lacks infrastructure for AI boom

The UK currently has only around 3% of the world’s computational power - much of which is not optimised for AI - leaving the country dependent on cloud computing provided by large technology companies.

The researchers warn that expanding computing capacity will place enormous demands on the UK’s energy infrastructure. They estimate that a twentyfold increase in UK computing capacity could increase the energy consumed by AI infrastructure from around 3.6 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2020 to 72 TWh – more than a quarter of the UK’s total electricity consumption.

This creates a tension between the Government’s AI ambitions and its commitment to reaching net zero, particularly given constraints in the electricity grid and limited energy storage capacity. The researchers also highlight the water required to cool data centres as a potential environmental constraint.

Poor data and outdated technology

The study identifies the quality and accessibility of government data as another major obstacle. A National Audit Office survey found that 62% of responding government bodies identified a lack of access to good-quality data as a major barrier to implementing AI. Government data is often held in fragmented systems and legacy IT infrastructure, while data held by local authorities can be siloed across incompatible systems.

The researchers argue that these problems will make it difficult to deliver the Government’s plans for AI-enabled public services without significant investment in underlying digital infrastructure. They also warn that the public sector faces persistent digital skills shortages, with problems particularly acute in local government.

Skills shortages could limit AI adoption

Despite a relatively strong range of AI-related training in the UK, demand for AI skills continues to outstrip supply.

Smaller businesses are particularly disadvantaged because larger companies can offer higher salaries and attract workers with scarce AI expertise. The researchers also highlight a lack of in-work training, vocational education and further education provision compared with the emphasis placed on higher education.

These problems could limit the Government’s ambitions to use AI to improve productivity across the economy and make public services more efficient.

Decade of AI policy leaves UK with major gaps

The researchers argue that Labour’s approach is part of almost a decade of increasingly active government policy on AI, stretching back through the Conservative governments of Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. They describe this pattern as “hyperactive incrementalism” - characterised by short-termism, fragmentation, limited evaluation and repeated policy initiatives.

While the UK has developed an internationally significant AI sector, the researchers say this should not be confused with widespread adoption of AI across the economy.

Successive governments have focused heavily on developing the UK’s AI sector, they argue, but have been less successful at encouraging businesses and public services across the country to adopt AI. The result is a significant gap between the Government’s ambitions for AI and the infrastructure, skills and organisational capacity needed to deliver them.

AI is not a ‘magic bullet’

The researchers argue that there is currently little evidence that AI can, by itself, deliver the broad improvements in productivity, government efficiency and public services envisaged by policymakers.

They also warn that rapid AI expansion could create new problems, including threats to data protection and civil liberties, surveillance, deskilling and unemployment, and increased environmental pressures.

What the researchers say

“AI adoption is currently concentrated in the businesses, sectors and regions that are already among the most productive,” said Darcy Luke from The University of Edinburgh’s BRAID (Bridging Responsible AI Divides) Research Programme. “Without policies that encourage much wider adoption, there is a real risk that AI will reinforce existing inequalities rather than reduce them.”

The researchers conclude that while Labour’s plans represent the most comprehensive attempt by a UK Government to harness AI, the scale and depth of the barriers involved mean that AI may ultimately become “another problem for an already problem-laden government, rather than the solution it is hoped to be.”

Publication details

The paper was published in the journal The Political Quarterly.

DOI: 10.1111/1467-923X.70019

Fathers who take solo parental leave remain more involved parents years later

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:52:50 +0100

Fathers who take sole responsibility for caring for their baby during parental leave are more likely to remain actively involved in childcare years later, according to major new research from The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.

The five-year study found that periods of solo caregiving helped fathers develop confidence, practical parenting skills and a deeper understanding of the demands of childcare, leading to more equal sharing of work and family responsibilities long after the leave period ended.

Researchers followed ten dual-career couples across the UK in which fathers took a period of solo parental leave during their child's first year. The study tracked how families organised work and childcare over the following five years.

The findings suggest that early solo caregiving can have lasting effects on family life, helping mothers pursue career opportunities while encouraging fathers to take a more active role in parenting and household responsibilities.

The research comes as debate continues about parental leave policy in the UK, where take-up of Shared Parental Leave remains low.

Lasting impact on family life

The researchers found that fathers who spent extended periods caring for their child alone developed practical parenting competence, emotional confidence and a stronger understanding of the often unseen work involved in childcare.

Rather than reverting to traditional gender roles when they returned to work, fathers made adaptations to their work patterns and continued to share responsibilities such as childcare planning, school runs, household management and day-to-day caregiving.

The study found these experiences often helped couples maintain more equal relationships and created greater flexibility in how families balanced careers and childcare.

Key findings

Fathers who undertook solo caregiving became more confident and capable parents.
Early childcare experiences helped fathers better understand the emotional, practical and mental load of caring for children.
Mothers were often able to return to work earlier or pursue career progression because they had confidence in their partner's caregiving abilities.
Couples were more likely to view childcare as a shared responsibility rather than primarily the mother's role.
Many fathers continued to organise work around family responsibilities years after their leave ended.
Some fathers became more open about caregiving responsibilities at work and more willing to prioritise family life over career progression.

Rethinking careers and parenting

"Our research shows that fathers' solo caregiving can have long-lasting effects on how couples organise work and family life years later,” said Professor Emma Banister from the Work and Equalities Institute at Alliance Manchester Business School. "The fathers we spoke to developed confidence and skills through caring for their child alone, and those experiences continued to shape their decisions about work and parenting long after their leave had ended."

Challenge to traditional gender roles regarding paid and unpaid work

The study also found evidence that fathers who had taken sole responsibility for childcare were more likely to challenge traditional expectations about parenting and work.

Several participants reported openly discussing childcare commitments with colleagues and managers, rejecting the idea that caregiving should be hidden or secondary to paid work.

The researchers argue that organisations and policymakers should do more to support fathers who want to take an active role in childcare.

Implications for parental leave policy

The researchers say the findings strengthen the case for expanding dedicated leave for fathers.

While Shared Parental Leave was introduced in the UK in 2015 to encourage more equal parenting, uptake remains relatively low because of affordability, eligibility restrictions and the way the system is structured.

The study suggests that creating more opportunities for fathers to undertake solo caregiving could help promote greater gender equality both at home and in the workplace.

"The benefits we observed weren't simply about fathers spending more time with their children - it was the experience of taking responsibility for childcare independently that appeared to make the difference,” said Professor Ben Kerrane of Manchester Metropolitan University. “That experience helped reshape how couples thought about parenting, careers and family responsibilities, with effects that were still visible five years later.”

Publication details

The study was published in journal Human Relations.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726726146203

New project to support fairer mangrove restoration in Malaysia

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:15:16 +0100

A new international research project led by The University of Manchester supported by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, The University of Warwick, Cardiff University, National University of Singapore, and the Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association, will fundamentally rethink the trade-offs and synergies between mangrove restoration and expansion through commercial value chains.

REVIVE, Just Restoration and Equitable Value Chains for Inclusive, Viable Mangrove Ecosystems, will look beyond tree planting to understand how restored landscapes can support communities as well as ecosystems.

Led by Dr Aarti Krishnan, Senior Lecturer in Innovation and Sustainability at Alliance Manchester Business School, the project will work across three Malaysian mangrove landscapes: Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Sungai Acheh and Sungai Chenaam in Penang, and Setiu Wetlands State Park in Terengganu.

Mangroves protect shorelines, store carbon, sustain fisheries and support local livelihoods, but restoration projects can sometimes leave communities in low-paid roles or exclude them from the wider benefits created by healthier ecosystems.

REVIVE will test a different approach, combining community governance, environmental evidence and fairer routes into higher-value markets.

The project is funded by the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate/Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and runs from July 2026 to June 2029.

The project will bring together a multi-disciplinary team from geography, marine ecology, economics, management studies, data and decision sciences.

Planned Outputs include articles, policy briefs, open datasets and map packs (restoration maps, blue carbon), innovative trade-off forward Business Models, roundtables, a community-led “Mangrove Memory Archive” capturing local experiences of floods, fish, food, work, loss and restoration.

Congratulations to Dr. Aarti Krishnan, Dr. Mehebub Sahana, Dr. Ahmad Aldrie Amir, Dr. B. Satyanarayana, Dr Giovanna Wolswijk, Dr. Subhasish Dey, Prof. Daniel Gartner, Radhika Bhargava, Sandra Sampaio and Pakcik Ilyas (PIFWA) .

An advisory board of government, conservation, responsible business and international development specialists will support the project.

Bank of England authors discuss trust, inflation and the future of money at Faculty of Humanities event

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:47:48 +0100

More than 140 guests gathered at Alliance Manchester Business School on 30 June for a special event with Bank of England economists and authors Rupal Patel and Jack Leslie, celebrating the publication of their new book, Money: The Inside Story. Hosted by Professor Fiona Devine, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, the event brought together business leaders, policymakers, students and members of the public for a lively discussion on one of the most important – and often misunderstood – forces shaping everyday life: money.

Interviewed by Michael Taylor, Editor of The Business Desk North West, the authors explored the origins of the book, the economic challenges facing the UK, and the critical role that trust plays in the monetary system. The discussion also examined inflation, financial stability, digita006C payments and the impact of emerging technologies on the future of money

Drawing on their experience at the Bank of England, Patel and Leslie explained how money is created, what drives inflation and how the financial system operates behind the scenes. The book takes readers inside one of the UK's most influential institutions, revealing the surprising stories, decisions and mechanisms that underpin modern economies, while offering an accessible guide to how money works and why it matters.

The event attracted a sell-out audience and included more than 30 students from Loreto Sixth Form College and Pendleton Sixth Form College. Students took part in the audience Q&A and had the opportunity to meet the authors during a special book signing following the discussion.

The event formed part of the University's ongoing engagement with the Bank of England and reflected the Faculty of Humanities' commitment to creating opportunities for public discussion around issues that shape society, policy and everyday life.

MIoIR welcomes global innovation community to R&D Management Conference 2026 in Manchester

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:41:10 +0100

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR), based at Alliance Manchester Business School, welcomed more than 600 delegates from across the world to the R&D Management Conference 2026, hosted at The University of Manchester from 22–24 June.

Returning to its birthplace for the first time in 13 years, the conference marked a significant milestone for the global R&D Management community, bringing together leading academics, industry practitioners and policymakers working across research, technology and innovation.

Supporting the next generation of researchers

Ahead of the main conference, MIoIR also hosted the R&D Management Doctoral Colloquium on 20–21 June, bringing together around 30 PhD students from across the global research community.

The colloquium provided an opportunity for doctoral researchers to engage with leading scholars, gain insight into academic careers, and receive feedback on their work, while building connections with peers. Funded by RADMA, the programme was offered free of charge to all selected participants.

A global forum on creativity and resilience

Organised around the theme “Creativity and Resilience in an Era of Technological Disruption”, the conference explored how organisations, systems and societies are responding to rapid technological change.

Across three days, delegates participated in plenary sessions, parallel research tracks, panel discussions and workshops, alongside a vibrant programme of networking and social events.

The programme opened with institutional welcomes, including remarks from Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, and Professor Ken McPhail, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School, alongside senior leaders from the University.

International expertise and thought leadership

The conference featured keynote contributions from internationally recognised scholars and industry leaders, including Professor Tim Minshall (University of Cambridge), Professor Eva Niesten (SKEMA Business School), Professor Annabelle Gawer (University of Surrey), Professor Linus Dahlander (ESMT Berlin), Dr Peter Gallagher (former global R&D leader at Unilever) and Gemma Gratton (Manchester Fashion Week).

Their plenary sessions explored topics ranging from the links between R&D and manufacturing and climate resilience, to digital platforms, networks and the role of creativity in shaping future industries.

Manchester at the heart of innovation

Hosting the conference in Manchester provided a fitting setting for discussions on innovation and transformation. As the birthplace of the R&D Management Conference and widely recognised as the world’s first industrial city, Manchester offered a powerful setting, reflecting both its historic role in industrial transformation and its continued reinvention through digital, health and advanced manufacturing innovation.

The organisers also sought to embed a distinctive Manchester character throughout the conference, bringing local voices and experiences into the programme alongside international keynote speakers. Delegates were given opportunities to engage directly with the city’s innovation ecosystem, including visits to the University’s Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre and the Data Visualisation Observatory.

Events took place across key University venues, including the Nancy Rothwell Building, with social highlights such as the conference dinner at Victoria Warehouse showcasing Manchester’s distinctive blend of industrial heritage and contemporary innovation.

Bringing together the global innovation community

Professor Silvia Massini, Conference Chair, said:

Co-Chair Dr Mabel Sánchez Barrioluengo added:

A collaborative effort

The conference was organised by a dedicated team from MIoIR and Alliance Manchester Business School.

The event was generously supported by the University’s Hallsworth Conference Fund, alongside partners including the R&D Management journal, RADMA, Elsevier and The Productivity Institute.

Pierre-Richard Agénor delivers joint Arthur Lewis and Vital Topics lecture on gender equality and economic growth

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:51:20 +0100

Professor Pierre-Richard Agénor recently delivered a joint lecture hosted by the School of Social Sciences and Alliance Manchester Business School, sharing insights from more than 15 years of research behind his upcoming book on gender equality and economic growth. Focusing on developing economies, the book uses overlapping generations models to examine the relationship between economic forces, gender inequality and growth, and the role public policy plays in shaping those outcomes.

The event was chaired by Vice-President for Research Professor Colette Fagan, with Professor Ken McPhail, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School, contributing to the Q&A moderation. In her introduction, Professor Fagan highlighted the breadth of the University’s work on gender equality through centres including the Global Development Institute and the Work and Equalities Institute. She also emphasised the wider relevance of Professor Agénor’s research, noting that it was particularly fitting for the lecture to bring together two flagship University series: the Arthur Lewis lecture series, which celebrates the economist’s pioneering work on development, and the Vital Topics lectures, which explore the major issues shaping the world today. The full lecture is available to watch in the embedded video below.

Professor Agénor began by placing the book in a broader context through frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and OECD reporting. He showed how economic modelling can help identify the structural challenges that continue to shape gender inequality.

He highlighted two core analytical contributions from the book. First, he suggested that increasing penalties for firms that violate equal pay laws can, in some cases, worsen the gender pay gap. Rather than changing behaviour, companies may pass those costs on to female employees, challenging conventional approaches and prompting a reconsideration of enforcement strategies.

Second, he explored the misallocation of female talent in innovation-driven sectors, arguing that closing pay gaps alone is not enough to maximise economic growth. Instead, targeted policies are needed to ensure high-ability women can contribute in areas where their skills can drive innovation and progress.

The Q&A session brought practical policy issues to the forefront, including the role of childcare support in enabling women’s participation in the workforce and wider questions around women’s agency in advancing gender equality. The discussion also highlighted opportunities to explore connections between emerging and developed economies through global supply chains, pointing to potential directions for future research.

Professor Fagan closed the lecture by encouraging attendees to reflect on how they might advance gender equality in their own professional and personal lives. The event underlined the continuing importance of rigorous research and effective policymaking in addressing one of the defining economic and social challenges of our time.

Watch the full lecture in the embedded video:

MIOIR welcomes international cohort to Manchester for science and innovation policy evaluation course

Fri, 29 May 2026 16:27:36 +0100

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIOIR) welcomed an international group of policymakers, researchers and practitioners to Alliance Manchester Business School for the 2026 Professional Development Course on the Evaluation of Science and Innovation Policies.

Delivered from 18–22 May, the course brought together 18 participants from 9 countries across Europe, Asia and Latin America, reflecting its global reach and reputation in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI) policy.

Over five days, participants explored key approaches to evaluating science and innovation policies, combining conceptual insights with practical application. The programme covered areas including theory of change, evaluation design, quantitative and qualitative methods, and emerging topics such as artificial intelligence in science policy.

The course was led by Kate Barker, with teaching contributions from leading experts in the field, including Professor Erik Arnold, Dr Effie Amanatidou, Professor Jakob Edler, Professor Maria Nedeva, Professor Raquel Ortega-Argilés and Professor John Rigby.

Participants also benefitted from guest sessions delivered by guest speakers including James Phipps (Innovation Growth Lab), Cristina Rosemberg Montes and Diogo Machado (Technopolis), Mike Thelwall (University of Sheffield) and Richard Waggott (Greater Manchester Combined Authority), offering insights into how evaluation is used in real-world policy settings.

A core feature of the course was its focus on applied learning. Participants worked in groups throughout the week to develop and present evaluation approaches to real-world policy challenges, drawing on the tools and frameworks introduced during the programme.

The diverse cohort included representatives from universities, research funding organisations, government bodies and innovation agencies, fostering exchange across different policy contexts and national systems. Participating organisations included the Japan Science and Technology Agency, SGInnovate, the Research Council of Finland and several UK-based institutions.

The course forms part of MIOIR’s professional development activities, which aim to strengthen evaluation capacity and support evidence-informed policymaking internationally.

To find out more about MIoIR’s executive education and training opportunities, contact Deborah Cox, Institute Manager, or visit the MIoIR website.

One of the world’s leading AI experts is visiting The University of Manchester

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:27:42 +0100

The University of Manchester is set to welcome internationally renowned journalist, author and broadcaster Karen Hao for a major public lecture on Thursday 28 May, offering a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the world’s leading voices on artificial intelligence.

Hao, best known for her acclaimed book Empire of AI and her reporting on the global AI industry, has built a reputation for deeply researched, incisive journalism that cuts through the hype to examine the real-world impacts of emerging technologies.

Her work spans investigations into major technology companies, the geopolitics of AI and the societal consequences of rapid innovation, making her one of the most authoritative commentators in the field today.

Her lecture will explore the forces shaping the global AI landscape - from corporate power and data extraction to governance, ethics and the future of work. It is open to academics, students, industry professionals, policymakers and members of the public, reflecting the University’s commitment to fostering inclusive conversations about technologies that are reshaping society.

“It is a real privilege to welcome Karen Hao to Manchester. She is one of the most important voices on AI today - her work is not only groundbreaking but exceptionally rigorous and well-sourced, cutting through hype to address what actually matters,” said João C. Magalhães, Senior Lecturer in AI, Trust and Security and co-lead of the AI, Trust and Security Cluster at the University’s Centre for Digital Trust and Society.

Hao’s career includes reporting for leading global publications and producing widely respected analysis of artificial intelligence systems and their societal implications. She is also known for her work as a podcast host and commentator, bringing complex technical and political issues to wider audiences with clarity and nuance.

Her visit comes at a time of intense global debate around AI governance, safety and economic impact. As governments and industries grapple with regulation and deployment, events such as this provide a vital forum for informed public discussion.

The lecture will take place at 5.30pm in Lecture theatre G.003 of Alliance Manchester Business School. Tickets are available via Eventbrite, and early booking is encouraged due to anticipated high demand.

Co-Creation for Innovation in Creative Industries explored at MIOIR symposium

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:37:38 +0100

Held at the Alliance Manchester Business School on Thursday 16 April, this dynamic event brought together researchers, creative practitioners and industry stakeholders to map the co-creation landscape across the creative industries.

The symposium celebrated the variety ways in which collaborative approaches allow developing new products, services and experiences while addressing social and technological challenges. The discussions highlighted the growing importance of participatory innovation in enabling more inclusive and responsive creative practice.

Creative industries are increasingly experimenting with the co-creation approaches, including emerging technological solutions such as immersive media and generative AI, as well as diverse stakeholders. The symposium provided a space to reflect on these developments, derive some common insights, and explore their implications for research and practice.

The event was chaired and moderated by Dr Marianna Rolbina and Dr Tonny Kukeera (University of Manchester).

Programme highlights

The symposium featured lightning talks, a panel discussion and facilitated group sessions, bringing together academic and industry perspectives on co-creation in practice.

The participants explored current best practices, common barriers to implementation, and how co-creation can be scaled across different contexts. Discussions also highlighted the importance of trust, planning, shared ownership and effective collaboration between academia, industry and creative communities.

In the afternoon, participants took part in group discussions on the future of co-creation, focusing on how co-creation process can be improved to achieve new social, creative, and commercial outcomes.

Reflecting on the event, Dr Marianna Rolbina commented:

The symposium forms part of MIOIR’s ongoing research into innovation in creative industries and wider innovation systems. Insights from the event will inform future work on co-creation, collaboration and the evolving role of stakeholders in creative innovation.

Leading Public Procurement Innovation Expert Rikesh Shah Appointed Simon Industrial & Professional Fellow at University of Manchester

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:37:05 +0000

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR) at Alliance Manchester Business School is delighted to announce the appointment of Rikesh Shah as a Simon Industrial & Professional Fellow. Shah, who serves as Head of Innovation at the Connected Places Catapult, which hosts the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC), will work with MIoIR to strengthen the bridge between academic research and the practical transformation of public procurement across the UK.

The fellowship comes at a crucial moment as government seeks to leverage its £400 billion annual public procurement spend to drive growth across the eight Industrial Strategy sectors. Shah brings extensive experience translating innovation policy into practice, having previously served as Head of Open Innovation at Transport for London, where he created TfL’s first Innovation Hub and oversaw its globally recognised open‑data programme partnering with some of the best innovators, generating an estimated £130 million per year in economic value.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Rikesh to MIoIR,” said Professor Elvira Uyarra, who leads research on innovation policy and public procurement at the Institute.

At IPEC, Shah leads national efforts to transform how public procurement drives innovation, working directly with local authorities and public bodies to upskill buyers in innovation‑friendly approaches. The fellowship will deepen connections between this practitioner network and MIoIR’s research on demand‑side innovation policy, procurement, and regional development.

Shah has already begun contributing to teaching, delivering a lecture on the “Innovation and Place” module (MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship), offering students firsthand insight into how public agencies can shape markets, support scaling firms, and stimulate innovation.

“The University of Manchester has been at the forefront of research on public procurement as an innovation policy tool for over two decades,” said Shah. “I’m excited to contribute practitioner perspectives and help translate research insights into tools that public sector buyers can use immediately. The combination of MIoIR’s analytical rigour with IPEC’s practitioner networks creates a powerful platform for impact.”

The Business Case for Nature: Confronting Biodiversity Risk

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:05:15 +0000

Magnitude of challenge

Professor Nalin Thakkar opened the event, introducing keynote speakers Andrea Ledward CBE, Director of International Biodiversity and Climate at DEFRA, and Dr Katie Leach, Biodiversity Specialist at IPBES. Both speakers emphasised that biodiversity loss is accelerating and requires a collective response. Ledward highlighted the magnitude of the challenge, while Leach questioned how we can collaborate effectively to create real change. Their insights underscored the need for alignment among scientific evidence, policy goals, and business efforts to accelerate nature recovery.

Panel insights

An expert panel session led by KatieJo Luxton, Director of Global Conservation at the RSPB, brought together a range of perspectives from across sectors. Panellists included Dr Tom Burditt, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside; Javed Siddiqi, Senior Lecturer at Alliance Manchester Business School; Anna Gilchrist, Lecturer in Ecology at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences; Jo Harrison, Director of Environment, Planning and Innovation at United Utilities; and Ed Pollard, UK Business & Biodiversity Forum CIC.

Nature connectedness

The panel focused on the realities of landscape restoration, emphasising its incremental, place-based nature whilst balancing with the role of technology and data, while highlighting the importance of understanding ecological systems rather than relying on simplistic solutions. Gilchrist also reflected on the human dimension of biodiversity recovery, noting that “we need to invest deeply in nature connectedness”, encouraging people’s love of nature to cross boundaries and extend into the workplace.

Humanities interpretation

A recurring theme across these contributions was the importance of communication. Not just more communication, but clearer, accessible messaging that bridges disciplines and facilitates a shared language among organisations.

As the event was concluded by Fiona Divine, discussions explored the role of the humanities in this effort. While science provides the evidence, the humanities help interpret and turn it into action. This interdisciplinary view emphasised that biodiversity recovery is not solely a scientific or technical challenge but fundamentally a human one.

What the economic impact of Hurricane Katrina means for businesses today

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:19:10 +0000

When Hurricane Katrina struck the USA in 2005, nearly 2000 people lost their lives and the cost of the catastrophe exceeded $100 billion. Now, 21 years later, new research from The University of Manchester has found that Katrina left another, less visible legacy long after the storm clouds had cleared.

The study, published in the Journal of Corporate Finance, has revealed that in the months and years after Katrina, many businesses in affected areas began paying their suppliers later than usual. These delays had real consequences – fewer jobs, more business closures and financial stress spreading from one company to the next.

Using detailed data on individual business locations across the Gulf Coast region of the USA, Professor Viet Dang, Professor Ning Gao and Dr Hongge Lin from Alliance Manchester Business School tracked how payment behaviour changed after Katrina. They focused on whether companies paid their bills on time - something that matters deeply to suppliers operating in competitive markets who rely on steady payments to cover wages, rent and materials.

The results were notable - businesses located in counties hit hardest by Katrina were significantly more likely to delay payments to their suppliers. On average, payment reliability fell by more than four percent, which may not sound dramatic, but delays of this magnitude can tip the balance for businesses with tight margins and weekly payrolls.

Companies that delayed payments were more likely to cut jobs or shut down entirely. Their suppliers – often businesses located far from the hurricane zone – also suffered, reporting weaker cash flow and poorer financial health. In other words, a storm in Louisiana could hurt a supplier in another state, simply because money arrived late.

The findings highlight payment delays within supply chains as a key cause of Katrina’s widespread and lasting economic footprint. They also underscore the importance of corporate financial management across the supply chain.

“In a fast-moving economy, companies must manage their cash flows effectively,” said Professor Gao. “Punctual payment not only enables companies to meet their bill-payment obligations but also directly affects their credit scores and borrowing capacity, as suppliers and lenders closely monitor payment behaviour to assess financial health.”

The lessons are especially relevant today. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more severe, from hurricanes along the US coast to wildfires and floods elsewhere. Modern businesses are deeply interconnected, meaning that disruption in one place can quickly spread to many others, affecting even workers and communities that never experienced the events directly.

“Faster access to emergency funding, more resilient supply chains and better disaster planning could help prevent payment delays from turning into job losses and business failures.”

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102964

AI could rebalance power between people and the services they use

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:39:53 +0000

Artificial intelligence could help people who feel overwhelmed, excluded or disadvantaged when dealing with everyday tasks like paying energy bills or booking healthcare appointments, according to a new study involving researchers from The University of Manchester.

The research - published in the Journal of Service Management - explored how “personal AI agents” could work on behalf of individuals, helping them to navigate complex systems, make better decisions and gain more control.

Vulnerability or overwhelm can affect almost anyone, whether through illness, financial pressure, language barriers or difficulty interpreting complex information.

The research team - including experts from The Universities of Manchester, Queensland, Oxford, Cambridge and Heriot-Watt - argue that advances in AI create an opportunity to rebalance power between organisations and the people who rely on their services. Instead of technology being used mainly by companies, personal AI tools could act in individuals’ interests, making purchases and helping them to compare options and understand information.

In the cases of an older person choosing an energy tariff, a patient managing multiple appointments or a parent navigating the benefits system, a personal AI assistant could interpret information, suggest choices and communicate decisions with service providers on the user’s behalf.

The study brings together research on customer experience, vulnerability and emerging AI technologies to show how this could work in practice, proposing a framework for designing systems that support people when they feel they lack control.

Researchers say the key is not just smarter tools, but ones that genuinely represent users’ interests. Personal AI agents could improve access to services, reduce stress and simplify everyday decisions.

Four possible roles for personal AI are outlined, from a “service organiser” coordinating everyday tasks to a “protective” system safeguarding users’ interests and flagging risks. Together, these approaches could help ensure fairer treatment and clearer information when interacting with companies and public services.

“As digital systems increasingly shape daily life, the real promise of AI may lie not in enabling large organisations to make incremental efficiency gains, but in helping individual people achieve greater confidence and control in their lives,” said Dr Jamie Burton, Professor of Marketing at Alliance Manchester Business School.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JOSM-04-2025-0182

Major Success: Horizon Europe Funding Award Secured

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:46:53 +0000

Colleagues across AMBS are celebrating major funding success, as Strength2Farm, a collaborative European research project focused on improving farmers’ positions within food value chains, has been invited to begin grant preparation under the Horizon Europe programme. The project will run for four years (48 months), bringing together partners from 19 institutions across Europe.

Strength2Farm will develop a robust analytical framework to better understand how farmers interact with other operators in food value chains, and how their bargaining power can be strengthened. University of Manchester Researchers will examine factors such as pricing, market transparency, risk distribution, vertical and horizontal coordination, and the role of digital tools (including AI techniques such as machine‑learning technologies, digital twin, agent-based simulation model and large language models) in improving fairness and efficiency across the sector.

The project received an excellent evaluation, with reviewers praising the clarity and ambition of the research, the strength of the consortium, and its potential impact on future agricultural policy and governance across the EU. The evaluation highlighted the project’s strong methodological foundations and its commitment to open science, inclusivity, and engagement with farmers, consumers, and wider stakeholders.

This is a significant achievement for all researchers involved, including colleagues at The University of Manchester, whose expertise will contribute to shaping more resilient, transparent and equitable food systems.

Congratulations to Arijit De, Qudamah Quboa, Eghbal Rahimikia and Raquel Ortega-Argiles on securing this prestigious Horizon Europe award.

Manchester research reveals how global laws can give workers real power

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

A new study in the Journal of Economic Geography has revealed that European ‘due diligence’ laws designed to make multinational companies accountable for labour and environmental abuses are beginning to give a voice to some of the world’s most vulnerable workers.

Focusing on South Africa’s wine industry, the research - led by Professor Matthew Alford from The University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Cape Town, University of Wurzburg and TIE Germany - found that farm workers and local unions are using Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act to push for better working conditions and corporate accountability.

The 2023 law requires German companies to ensure human rights are respected throughout their global supply chains - from vineyards in the Western Cape, to supermarket shelves in Berlin.

The research team discovered that South African trade unions and community organisations have started invoking this legislation to open direct talks with farm owners and European retailers. In one case, the Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU) used the new law to press a local wine farm to address dangerous working conditions.

“Workers were suffering back injuries, lacked clean drinking water and were exposed to pesticides,” said Dr Alford. “By referencing the new German law, local organisers were able to secure regular meetings with management - something that hadn’t happened before - and win concrete improvements.”

These changes included safer equipment, better sanitation and running water for workers’ homes. According to one union organiser interviewed for the study, “For many of the workers, it is the first time ever that they sat at the table and had a discussion with a white person…in the beginning, the workers were a bit shy but once they saw that the management would actually listen to them and even respond to their demands, they got very confident.”

The research also highlights how South African campaigners are using the same laws to challenge European chemical companies which export pesticides to the country that are banned in the EU. The Women on Farms Project has joined forces with German partners, including Oxfam Germany, to explore using the legislation to seek compensation and push for stricter oversight.

The study demonstrates that the laws are opening up new possibilities for workers thousands of miles away from Europe to hold powerful companies to account, but it also shows how their effectiveness depends on awareness, solidarity and cross-border cooperation. It also warns that while Europe’s new regulations hold promise, they are still at an early stage and risk being weakened by political pushback.

Announcing the launch of the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) is delighted to announce the launch of the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation (CTLI), a new hub dedicated to advancing educational excellence and innovation across our community.

Under the leadership of Professor Ali Owrak, the CTLI will serve as a catalyst for transformative education at AMBS, supporting both educators and learners through a wide range of services and opportunities. The Centre’s mission is to foster pedagogical excellence, drive innovation, and champion inclusive partnerships that empower our academic community.

Empowering Educators and Students

The CTLI offers practical support for academic staff seeking to enhance their teaching and student engagement. Services include tailored workshops, one-to-one consultations, and access to resources for course design, assessment strategies, and the effective use of digital tools in the classroom.

Educators can also benefit from interactive workshops, peer observation training, and the pedagogical innovation series. The voluntary peer observation scheme will provide a supportive environment for sharing feedback and learning from colleagues.

Values

At the heart of the CTLI are the values of Excellence, Partnership, Inclusivity, Curiosity, and Trustworthiness. The Centre is committed to developing equitable learning environments, accessible teaching practices, and forward-thinking approaches that support staff and students.

Professor Ali Owrak:

“This marks an exciting new chapter for AMBS. Our vision is to create a collaborative hub where colleagues can explore innovative approaches to teaching, share ideas, and engage in reflective practice. I look forward to welcoming colleagues and working together to shape the future of education at AMBS.”

Professor Ken McPhail:

“At a time of rapid change, it is vital that we continue to innovate in how we teach, learn, and collaborate. The Centre will embody our commitment to educational excellence, inclusivity, and partnership—ensuring that our staff and students are equipped to thrive.”

For more information, visit the CTLI page on the AMBS intranet or contact the team (based on the sixth floor at AMBS, room 6.030) or by emailing CTLI@manchester.ac.uk.

Study reveals how UK manufacturers can stay afloat when global crises hit

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:08:18 +0000

New research from The University of Manchester has shed light on how British manufacturers can better survive - and even thrive - during major global shocks such as pandemics, wars and economic turmoil.

The study, which has been published in Industrial Marketing Management, was based on 205 UK manufacturing firms - and it offers hope that companies can be more resilient than they may think.

Dr Oluwaseun Olabode from Alliance Manchester Business School and her fellow researchers found that two strategies known as ‘bridging’ and ‘buffering’ help companies protect their most important customers when chaos hits the global supply chain. While these might sound like technical terms, the researchers say the ideas are rooted in something simple - human relationships and smart backup planning.

Bridging, the study explains, is all about staying closely connected with suppliers and customers - working together, sharing information and solving problems as a team. Buffering, on the other hand, means having reliable fallback options like extra suppliers or alternative delivery routes, so a single breakdown doesn’t bring everything to a halt.

The research was driven by a question asked by many during COVID-19 - why did some companies crumble under pressure while others adapted overnight?

One of the key findings is that simply building close relationships (bridging) isn’t enough on its own to protect financial performance. Instead, companies benefit most when they combine strong relationships with practical backup plans. The research also found that buffering - having alternatives ready to put into action - had the strongest direct financial impact.

Perhaps most importantly, the study highlights ‘responsiveness’ - a firm’s ability to change quickly when customers suddenly need something different. This proved essential for success during large-scale disruptions, such as the pandemic or global geopolitical tensions.

The findings come at a time when UK manufacturers are still recovering from the pandemic, coping with Brexit-related pressures and dealing with rising geopolitical uncertainty. For many firms, especially those serving large, strategically important customers, a single delay or supply failure can put long-standing relationships at risk.

The study offers reassurance that even smaller manufacturers can build resilience - not just industry giants.

NGOs can serve communities better by listening more, researchers say

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 09:15:00 +0000

A new study has shed light on how international charities and non-governmental organisations can better serve some of the most marginalised people in the world - by learning to truly listen to them.

Dr Sofia Yasmin from The University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School and Professor Chaudhry Ghafran from Durham University looked at how a major international NGO delivered a clean water and sanitation project in two of Pakistan’s poorest urban communities - one Christian, and one Muslim.

The team spent time on the ground, talking with local residents, community leaders and NGO staff. Their aim was to understand how accountability - the idea that organisations should answer to the people they serve - works in practice in places where poverty, religion, gender and social class all intersect.

“What we found was that even within poor communities, people don’t experience aid in the same way,” said Dr Yasmin. “A Christian minority neighbourhood, for example, faced a deeper level of exclusion and was grateful simply to be seen, while another Muslim community - though still poor - felt able to challenge and question the project. These differences really matter if we want development to be fair and inclusive.”

The study - published in the Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal - revealed that while NGOs often talk about “community participation,” decision-making can remain tightly controlled by donors and distant managers. Projects are frequently governed by strict budgets and performance targets, leaving little room for flexibility or for local people to shape outcomes.

Yet the study also uncovered moments of hope. In one community, trust between residents and NGO workers grew not through slogans or workshops, but through the visible arrival of clean water systems and working infrastructure. “People believed what they could see,” said Dr Yasmin. “Trust was built when promises turned into pipes.”

The paper introduces the idea of “fluid responsiveness” - a call for NGOs to treat accountability not as a tick-box exercise, but as a living, evolving relationship with the communities they serve.

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

Celebrating occupational health at Manchester

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:00:41 +0100

On Wednesday 1 October 2025, the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH), in collaboration with the Thomas Ashton Institute and THOR, welcomed guests to the Hyatt Manchester for a landmark event celebrating 80 years of excellence in Occupational Health research and training at the University of Manchester.

The afternoon began with a series of lightning talks showcasing the evolution, achievements, and future directions of COEH’s postgraduate programmes and research. Speakers included Professor Martie van Tongeren, Dr Andrew Povey, and Dr Anne Clayson, each reflecting on the transformative impact of COEH’s work on public health, policy, and professional development.

A panel session, chaired by Professor van Tongeren, brought together leading voices in occupational health—including Professor Gillian Leng CBE, Mrs Tash Heydon, Professor David Fishwick, and Professor Malcolm Sim AM—to explore emerging challenges and opportunities in the field. Topics ranged from exposure assessment and new technologies to regulatory innovation and global health risks.

The day culminated in the Lane Lecture, delivered by Professor Malcolm Sim AM and introduced by Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Manchester. Titled “The Artificial Stone Silicosis Epidemic: Lessons Learned for More Effective Prevention”, the lecture examined the silicosis crisis among stonemasons, drawing on Australian policy responses and offering insights into prevention strategies worldwide.

Watch the Lane Lecture on YouTube.

Or, download the presentation slides (PDF).

New model helps supermarkets keep shelves stocked during crises - and go greener

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:06:23 +0100

Supermarket shoppers across the UK are all too familiar with empty shelves when disruption strikes. Whether it was the panic buying of COVID-19, floods affecting deliveries or strikes in distribution centres, the fragility of supply chains has affected most of us in recent years.

In response to this, a team of researchers has developed a new way to help retailers keep goods moving during crises – at the same time as reducing their costs and lowering their carbon footprint.

The study, led by Dr Arijit De from The University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School, looked at how distribution networks can adapt when part of the system goes down. Retail supply chains rely on a mix of highly reliable but expensive distribution centres, and cheaper, more vulnerable ones that are more likely to suffer disruption. When one of these vulnerable hubs fails, the impact can cascade through the network, causing shortages, emergency transport costs and spikes in carbon emissions.

To tackle this, the team created a two-stage analytical model. First, they used game theory to understand when warehouses are likely to cooperate and share stock with one another during a disruption. Then, they built an optimisation model that works out how to move goods most efficiently across the network, not only saving money but also cutting fuel use and carbon emissions.

The model was then tested with real-world data from a UK retailer. The results showed that smarter “goods sharing” strategies - where reliable warehouses temporarily cover for disrupted ones - can significantly lower costs while keeping customer demand satisfied. When environmental factors such as fuel consumption and emissions are included, the savings are even greater.

“Events like COVID, floods or strikes show just how vulnerable supply chains are to disruption, said Dr De. “Our model gives companies a practical way to plan ahead, ensuring business continuity during crises while reducing their environmental impact. It’s about designing supply chains that are both resilient and sustainable.”

The research also found that greener, optimised redistribution strategies could reduce fuel costs by up to 30% in disruption scenarios compared to traditional approaches. That means lower emissions, lower costs for retailers, and ultimately fewer shortages for shoppers.

The study highlights practical lessons for UK supermarkets and other retailers facing uncertain times. With climate change expected to increase extreme weather events and global supply chains still under strain, building networks that can flex under pressure will be vital.

The paper, Proactive Logistics-Redistribution Strategic Planning in Response to Facility Disruptions under Contingencies, was co-authored with colleagues from the Indian Institute of Management, National Taiwan University and the University of Liverpool, and is published in the European Journal of Operational Research.

Cheaper, fresher, greener - new research promises lower prices for local food

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:12:38 +0100

A team of researchers has found new ways to make it cheaper - and greener - for small food producers to get their goods to customers.

The study, led by Alliance Manchester Business School’s Dr Arijit De and published in the Transportation Research journal, looked at how local food hubs can work more efficiently. These hubs act like a central marketplace: farmers and small food businesses bring products to one place, where they are packed and delivered to shoppers.

While this sounds simple, the reality can be costly and environmentally damaging. Many producers operate alone, driving long distances to drop off small loads. This creates more van journeys, higher costs, and - despite being “local” - surprisingly high carbon emissions. Rural farms and food businesses face especially high distribution costs, as longer travel distances and fewer delivery points make transport less efficient.

The research team worked with Food and Drink North East (FADNE), a community business in Newcastle, which launched the ‘Local Heroes’ hub during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. The hub helped over 150 producers - from dairy farmers to craft brewers - sell directly to households.

Using real delivery data, the researchers created a model to test scenarios. The results show that if producers share transport more effectively, they can cut delivery costs and fuel use. Even better, replacing diesel vans with electric vehicles could reduce costs by nearly one-third and slash carbon emissions by up to 70%.

The findings also matter for families struggling with the cost of living. Delivery costs can push up food prices. By making transport more efficient, hubs like Local Heroes can keep food affordable while still supporting small businesses. This is especially important in rural regions, where high logistics costs have long limited farmer incomes and consumer access.

“The North East has some of England’s highest child poverty levels, but also a growing demand for healthy, locally produced food,” said co-authors Dr Barbara Tocco and Professor Matthew Gorton from NICRE, Newcastle University. “This work shows how smarter logistics can help more people access it without harming the environment.”

The study also highlights resilience. During Covid-19, when supermarkets ran low on supplies, food hubs were vital to connect farmers directly with households. Strengthening those networks will help communities to withstand future shocks from pandemics, rising fuel prices or climate change.

The researchers hope their model can be used by food hubs across the UK and Europe. With farming under pressure from economic and environmental challenges, small changes in delivery routes and vehicle choices could make a big difference.

The findings build on the team’s previous research which has been shared on the EU’s business advice platform EU4Advice, as well as being raised in UK Parliament questions about freight emissions and supply chains.

Humanities researchers recognised at 2025 Research Staff Excellence Awards

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0100

Opening the ceremony, Professor Melissa Westwood, Associate Vice-President for Research, praised the “dedication, innovation, and collaborative spirit” of this year’s winners, highlighting their role in driving forward research that resonates both within academia and across wider society.

Research Staff of the Year

From the School of Environment, Education, and Development, Dr Matina Kapsali was named Research Staff of the Year. A leading voice in urban feminist geographies, Kapsali’s work has introduced new frameworks such as transversal solidarities and critically examined philanthrocapitalism’s role in urban governance. Alongside securing major research grants and publishing in top journals, Kapsali has nurtured a thriving research culture by founding a Feminist Reading Group and mentoring colleagues through collaborative workshops.

Best outstanding contribution to research impact

Dr Patty Doran from the School of Social Sciences received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Research Impact. Doran’s leadership in organising the Age-Friendly Futures Summit brought together over 300 policymakers, practitioners, activists, and researchers from 20 countries. Their work has strengthened links between research and public policy, advancing global debates on age-friendly cities.

Reflecting on the award, Doran shared:

Best outstanding interdisciplinary research

School of Environment, Education, and Development researcher, Dr Lei Li, was recognised for Outstanding Interdisciplinary Research for their innovative work on green infrastructure. Li’s NERC-funded project, ‘Maximising Ecosystem Services in Urban Environments’, has been cited over 700 times and shaped urban greenspace policy through collaborations with local councils and international partners.

Speaking on the award, Dr Lei Li, noted:

Best outstanding output

Also, from the School of Environment, Education, and Development, Dr Jack Benton received the Outstanding Output award for his publication record and contributions to urban health research. With 21 peer-reviewed articles in just four years, Benton’s work has informed both academic debate and policy, including the MRC’s evaluation framework for health interventions.

Benton credited Manchester’s collaborative research environment for his success:

From advancing feminist geography to shaping age-friendly policies, influencing urban health frameworks, and integrating ecology with planning, the Faculty of Humanities awardees demonstrated the breadth and societal relevance of Manchester research.

Find out more about our research on the Faculty website.

Data privacy push sparks tech surge in US banks

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 10:54:20 +0100

A new study led by Dr Sarah Zhang from Alliance Manchester Business School has uncovered how small banks in the United States are reacting to growing concerns about data privacy.

The research published in the Journal of Corporate Finance shows that when US states announce plans for stronger data privacy laws, small banks quickly boost their investment in IT before such laws are even passed. On average, banks increased their IT spending by more than a third in the year following such announcements.

The study examined 7,251 small banks across the US, using data from 2010 to 2021. The findings reveal that banks are not simply preparing to follow new rules but are also responding to market pressure - in other words, competition from rival banks and the fear of losing customers drive much of the investment.

This shows that banks are aware of how seriously the public takes data security. High-profile cases of data breaches in recent years have damaged trust in financial institutions. When banks move quickly to strengthen their systems, it reflects growing pressure to protect personal information such as names, addresses and account details.

This research also highlights that new rules can change behaviour even before they officially come into force. The effect is particularly strong for smaller banks, which face greater challenges because they have fewer resources. While big banks often already have advanced IT systems in place, small banks are forced to catch up quickly, which can be costly.

Interestingly, the study found that although banks are spending more on IT, the benefits are not immediate. Profitability often dips because of the high costs, and there is little clear evidence that the extra spending reduces cyberattacks in the short term. However, the long-term hope is that stronger systems will reduce risks and build trust with customers.

Although the study focuses on the United States, its findings are highly relevant worldwide. In Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has already transformed how businesses handle personal data. The study suggests that even the early discussion of new laws can spark major changes in how companies prepare for the future.

As more countries and regions introduce stronger privacy protections, the study raises questions about how smaller financial institutions will cope with the cost of compliance. While consumers may benefit from improved protection, the financial burden may be felt most by smaller banks, which could in turn affect the services they provide.

The research provides valuable insights for policymakers, banks and the public. It underlines that the debate over data privacy is not only about regulation but also about competition, trust and the future of banking in the digital age.

Bad reviews push Airbnb hosts to rethink their positioning, study finds

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:10:15 +0100

A new study from The University of Manchester has revealed that bad reviews often push Airbnb hosts to change the way they position their properties, sometimes with surprising results.

The research, carried out with colleagues from the University of Oxford and the University of Alberta, looked at more than 80,000 Airbnb hosts across major US cities. It found that when guests left negative reviews, hosts were much more likely to switch the category of their property - for example, moving a listing from “loft” to “apartment,” or from “tiny house” to “cottage.”

The study shows that these changes often happen not because hosts are constantly fine-tuning their positioning, but because they are reacting to complaints - in other words, hosts don’t usually rethink how their properties are categorised unless something goes wrong.

“Negative reviews are powerful - they don’t just influence potential guests, but they also make hosts question whether they’ve positioned their property in the right category,” said Dr Karl Taeuscher from Alliance Manchester Business School, the lead author of the research. “If customers say a listing isn’t what they expected, hosts often switch category in the hope of avoiding more complaints.”

The research found that the effect is strongest in categories where customers have diverse and sometimes conflicting expectations. For example, a “villa” or “loft” may mean very different things to different people, while a “houseboat” or “tent” comes with more obvious expectations. In these ambiguous categories, hosts were particularly likely to reposition their property after receiving poor feedback.

Interestingly, when hosts did make a switch, they usually chose categories that were close to their original one. Few hosts took the risk of moving their property into a completely different type. Instead, they tended to opt for categories that accommodate a wider range of features.

The study highlights how small businesses and individuals, like most Airbnb hosts, often don’t have the time or resources to constantly rethink their positioning strategies - instead, they tend to act only when problems arise.

The findings matter beyond Airbnb. Many online platforms, from Amazon to Etsy, rely on categories to help customers navigate. If businesses use categories that don’t quite fit, it can create mismatches between what buyers expect and what they get. This study suggests that finding the right category requires businesses to be receptive to customer feedback and open to revising their initial choice.

The research, titled Right on Cue? Category-Switching in Online Marketplaces, is published in the Strategic Management Journal.

80 Years of Occupational Health at Manchester

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:33:00 +0100

Registration now open! Join us to celebrate 80 Years of Occupational Health Research at the University of Manchester.

The Thomas Ashton Institute and the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health are delighted to invite you to a landmark event marking eight decades of research, training, and impact in Occupational Health at The University of Manchester.

Date: Wednesday 1st October 2025
Venue: 18th floor, Hyatt Regency, 55 Booth St W, Manchester M15 6PQ
Time: 13:00 – 20:00 BST (multi part event - see important info below)
Register: Register on Eventbrite

From lightning talks and panel discussions to the prestigious Lane Lecture — delivered this year by Professor Malcolm Sim on The Artificial Stone Silicosis Epidemic: Lessons Learned for More Effective Prevention, and introduced by Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester — this is a unique opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and shape the future of occupational health.

Secure your free place now: Register on Eventbrite (registration closes 24/09/2025)

Important:

The event is divided into multiple sessions. Please ensure you select tickets for each part that you wish to attend.
Due to capacity, attendees without a valid ticket for a specific session may be asked to leave that part of the event.
View the Full Programme (PDF): 80th Celebration and Lane Lecture 2025
Accessibility & Queries: If you have any queries, or need to discuss a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) or other adjustments to support your attendance, please email: ashton@manchester.ac.uk

TropiConnect Launches Digital Trade Platform to Redefine Global Agriculture

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:18:58 +0100

TropiConnect, a Manchester-based agri-tech startup founded by University of Manchester alumnus Mark Cuthbert, has officially launched its innovative agri-trade platform: https://trade.tropiconnect.com.

With several successful pilots, the platform empowers farming cooperatives across Africa by connecting them directly with global buyers, enabling transparent, sustainable, and fair trade in tropical agriculture.

The launch follows TropiConnect’s recent recognition as the Venture Further Award (VFA) Winner, presented by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, celebrating the startup’s vision to transform agricultural supply chains with technology.

TropiConnect is already partnering with farmer cooperatives representing over 200,000 farmers across East and West Africa, while building high-level collaborations with Innovate UK, the United Nations, and government organisations across the continent. From coffee and cocoa to cashew nuts, sesame seeds, and tropical fruits, TropiConnect is positioning itself as the go-to gateway for sourcing Africa’s finest agricultural products in one trusted platform. Leveraging AI and blockchain technology, the platform ensures traceability, competitive pricing,and efficient trade facilitation.

The company’s close ties with the University of Manchester’s innovation ecosystem have been instrumental in its growth. Support from the University’s R&D collaborations, has strengthened TropiConnect’s ability to scale and innovate.

For more information, visit https://trade.tropiconnect.com/ or https://tropiconnect.com/

Professor Timothy Devinney elected as a Fellow of the British Academy

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:05:29 +0100

Chair of International Business at Alliance Manchester Business School Professor Timothy Michael Devinney has been elected as a Fellow of the British Academy, the UK’s leading national body for the humanities and social sciences.

Professor Devinney is an internationally recognised scholar in the fields of business strategy, ethics and corporate responsibility. Over the course of his career, he has explored how organisations make decisions - not only in pursuit of profit, but also in relation to their impact on society and the environment.

His work challenges traditional views of business, focusing on the responsibilities of companies and individuals in a globalised world and the role of leadership in shaping ethical and sustainable practices. Through his research and teaching, he encourages future leaders to think critically about the complex challenges facing organisations today - and how they can contribute to creating more responsible and effective institutions.

His groundbreaking works include the influential book The Myth of the Ethical Consumer, co-authored with Pat Auger and Giana Eckhardt, along with more than 100 articles and a dozen books on topics such as wide ranging as pricing, international business, corporate social responsibility, consumer behaviour and social and political values.

Professor Devinney’s academic career began with studies in Psychology and Applied Mathematics at Carnegie Mellon University, followed by MA, MBA and PhD degrees in Economics and Statistics at the University of Chicago. Before coming to Manchester, he held positions at institutions around the world including the University of Leeds, the Australian Graduate School of Management, UCLA, Vanderbilt and the University of Chicago.

Professor Devinney joins other Manchester-based Fellows including Professors James Nazroo, Melanie Giles and Penny Harvey, who have all been elected to the British Academy in recent years reflecting the University’s enduring commitment to cutting-edge scholarship and societal impact.

President of the British Academy Professor Susan J. Smith said: “One of my first acts as incoming President is to welcome this year’s newly elected Fellows, who represent the very best of the humanities and social sciences. They bring years of experience, evidence-based arguments and innovative thinking to the profound challenges of our age.”

“Every new Fellow enlarges our capacity to interpret the past, understand the present, and shape resilient, sustainable futures. It is a privilege to extend my warmest congratulations to them all.”

Remembering Lord David Alliance CBE

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 10:06:43 +0100

It is with great sadness that we have learned about the passing of Lord David Alliance CBE.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Lord Alliance’s wife Homa, his children Graham, Sara and Joshua, and all of his family and friends.

The renaming of Manchester Business School to Alliance Manchester Business School in 2015 stands as a testament to Lord Alliance’s transformative impact and support for The University of Manchester and its students over many years.

Lord Alliance’s belief in the power of philanthropy, education and research to drive positive change inspired generations of students, staff, alumni and partners.

His commitment extended far beyond business, encompassing vital support for The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) prior to the merger in 2004, law, our cultural institutions, and pioneering international research across life sciences and medical and human sciences.

Lord Alliance was made an Honorary Fellow of UMIST in 1988 and received an Honorary LLD from the Victoria University of Manchester in 1989. He was also made an Honorary Doctor of Law by The University of Manchester in 2016.

Professor Ken McPhail, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lord David Alliance. His extraordinary generosity and support have shaped our School and left an enduring legacy across the University.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester also commented: “Lord Alliance was a close friend to the University and a remarkable figure whose contributions extended far beyond it. His belief in the transformative power of education created opportunities for generations of students, while his leadership and philanthropy shaped the Alliance Manchester Business School and the wider Manchester region. His story will remain a source of inspiration for years to come, and his legacy will endure in the lives he touched and the institutions he helped to build.”

Alliance Manchester Business School launches bigger than ever Festival of Business line-up to mark 60th anniversary

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:24:40 +0100

Speakers from the BBC, Bank of England, Northern Gritstone and the makers behind hit TV show Adolescence already confirmed for the event

To mark its 60^th anniversary, Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) is bringing back its Festival of Business, expanding on the success of last year’s inaugural event.

Taking place across four days from the 16^th to 19^th June, the festival will bring together industry leaders, policymakers and academic experts to discuss the role businesses have to play in helping society respond to the pressing challenges and opportunities of our time.

Headlining the festival will be the ‘Innovate 2050’ day on Thursday 16^thfeaturing panel discussions exploring the future of media, finance and digitalisation.

Alongside an impressive line-up of AMBS’s leading thinkers, the day will see the likes of Siobhan Morgan, head of development at the producers of hit TV show, Adolescence, Warp Films; Kerris Bright, chief customer officer at the BBC, and Jess McCreadie, investment director at Northern Gritstone, coming together to discuss how their industries are innovating to respond to the world’s biggest challenges including the climate crisis and the emergence of new technologies like AI.

Alongside this, other events will be running throughout the festival focussing on themes including professional development, the future of the Third Sector and empowering entrepreneurs. The Festival of Business comes as AMBS celebrates six decades of empowering leaders, thinkers and visionaries across the globe to deliver transformative and innovative change.

Ken McPhail, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School, said: "We are currently living through a critical period as we face challenges including economic growth and regional disparities, global geopolitical upheaval and climate change. Rising to these challenges won’t be possible without business playing key leadership role in finding solutions and capitalising on opportunities."

Further details about the Festival of Business, along with information on how to get tickets to the events running throughout it, can be found here.

Centre for AI and Decision Sciences relaunches with vision for digital, smarter, sustainable futures

Wed, 28 May 2025 10:46:07 +0100

The Alliance Manchester Business School’s Centre for AI and Decision Sciences (AID) has officially relaunched, marking a new era in artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation. Positioned at the cutting edge of AI and decision sciences, the Centre unveiled its renewed mission with a special event on 13th May 2025, designed to showcase its latest research achievements, business collaborations, and commitment to sustainable innovation. The event attracted around 140 participants.

With its unique focus at the intersection of AI, decision sciences, and real-world applications, AID is driving forward-thinking solutions that balance innovation with ethical responsibility. The Centre’s academic team shared breakthroughs in AI-powered decision support systems, data-driven analytics, and responsible AI – all designed to influence smarter, more ethical, and environmentally sustainable business strategies.

“We are proud to re-launch our Centre under our new name, reflecting the evolution of our research towards AI-powered, responsible and impactful decision-making”, said Professor Nadia Papamichail, Director of AID. “Our interdisciplinary team of academics, researchers and doctoral students is committed to working at the frontier of AI and decision sciences. We strive to shape a future where intelligent systems enhance human decision-making underpinned by strong partnerships, knowledge transfer and business engagement.”

A key feature of the event was a dynamic panel discussion featuring practitioners from a range of sectors. Panellists shared real-world insights into the practical integration of AI into business operations, spotlighting how intelligent technologies are reshaping strategic and operational decisions. Discussions focused on value creation, sustainability, and the challenges and opportunities of AI adoption in contemporary enterprises. Professor Yu-wang Chen, Co-Director of AID, said: “We are delighted to relaunch the research centre, further advancing AI research in the business school and the wider university to support data-driven decision-making and digital innovation. We are also eager to engage more broadly with both academic and industry partners to tackle real-world business challenges in the rapidly evolving era of AI.”

With social responsibility, sustainability, ethics, and digital transformation at its core, the Centre for AI and Decision Sciences aims to be a global leader in research, education, and business applications across AI, Decision Sciences, and Data Analytics. It supports the strategic goals of Alliance Manchester Business School and the wider university in advancing digital and sustainable healthy futures.

Researcher to Innovator (R2I) Programme - Apply by 8th April to secure a place

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Apply Now to join the R2I programme

R2I is a bespoke entrepreneurship training programme for late stage PhD students, PDRAs and early-career researchers from across all faculties with ambitions to develop commercial ventures or to create impact from their research. The programme includes a series of interactive personal and professional development sessions, which introduce the concept of commercialisation, equipping researchers with strategies to take ideas forward and discover new pathways to funding.

Read more about the researchers recently supported to further their ideas.

Key Dates:

Application Deadline: 23:59, 8^th April 2025 [APPLY TODAY]
Boot Camp Day 1: Monday 28^th April 2025
Boot Camp Day 2: Thursday 8^th May 2025
Full Programme: Monday 28^th April – Thursday 17^th July 2025

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the next cohort and join a network of likeminded researchers.

Apply Now to secure your place on the programme!

To find out more about the R2I Programme visit our website

The MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme is supported by the University’s Innovation Academy. The Innovation Academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, the University of Manchester Innovation Factory and the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, bringing together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of research.

methods@manchester and UoM staff visit the Data Visualisation Observatory (DVO)

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 16:12:57 +0000

This session was organised to give colleagues a feel for the DVO itself and the kinds of projects and opportunities it offers.

It was led by Dr Qudamah Quboa and Laura Pemberton.

Qudamah is a research fellow within AMBS and works directly supporting the observatory, developing the data visualisations for ongoing projects.
Laura is an AMBS postgraduate researcher and has worked on a number of projects that have used the lab, including her PhD research.

So what is the DVO?

It’s a 3D, large-scale visualisation facility with 72 full HD screens. As such, there are opportunities for immersive data analytics and social network analysis, the building of digital twins, experiments and tracking studies, the list goes on…

We were treated to a number of examples of what can be done. These included:

A scenario based experiment: You are travelling to an airport, there is a public transport strike and you are offered the choice of an AI-driven or traditional person-driven taxi. Which would you choose?
How do various changes to this scenario such as the cost of the two options, the brand of the AI-driven car impact your choice? (e.g. are Volvos considered safer?)
A simulation to mimic the use of new technologies: Laura Pemberton’s PhD work concerns the potential of robots to assist elderly people in their homes.
Attitudes to different robot types ranging from ‘Ziggy’, with its futuristic design, to ‘Kitty’, a cute cat-like prototype, are measured through head tracking and other data capture methods (and yes there were a few involuntary “awws” at the cat!)
You can read more about Laura’s work in the AMBS magazine.

Attendees came from across the University, including nursing, architecture, anthropology, geography, music, physic and astronomy, dentistry and politics. And with them came a rich diversity of ideas and questions.

Laura reflects:

If you’d like to find out more about the DVO, you can find out more on the DVO website, or if you have an idea you’d like to discuss please contact Qudamah directly at datavisualisationobservatory@manchester.ac.uk.

Our next staff training session is focused on Creative AI methods see the event website for more details and registration.

If you have ideas for research methods sessions you would like to see offered or that you would like to lead, please let us know.

To find out more about methods@manchester and connect with us visit our linktr.ee or email methods@manchester.ac.uk.

13th Annual Workshop on Medical Innovation and Healthcare

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:47:58 +0000

Medical innovation is crucial for advancing healthcare systems, improving patient outcomes, and addressing global health challenges. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry and healthcare organisations, innovations in medical research and technology can lead to breakthroughs that save lives and enhance the quality of care worldwide.

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIOIR) at The University of Manchester hosted the 13th Annual Workshop on Medical Innovation and Healthcare (WOMI) from 11 to 13 December 2024. This year’s event brought together 23 participants from several countries to discuss contemporary issues in medical and healthcare innovation.

WOMI is an international network of researchers dedicated to studying innovation, entrepreneurship, and the organisation of research and development within healthcare organisations, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and broader life sciences. The annual workshop serves as a platform for the core group of researchers and invited guests to engage in in-depth discussions on early-stage work and key themes in the field. Themes included innovation dynamics, cross-organisational collaboration and entrepreneurial activities in life sciences.

This year’s conference was organised and chaired by Ronnie Ramlogan and Dimitri Gagliardi together with Professor Maureen McKelvey (University of Gothenburg). They invited discussions on various critical topics, including the adoption of AI in medicine, innovative business models for healthcare, and the integration of pharmacogenetics/genomics into the NHS and other health systems.

Reflecting on the event, Professor Maureen Mckelvey remarked:

A key takeaway from the event was the recognition of the challenges and opportunities in integrating advanced innovations, such as pharmacogenetics and AI, into healthcare systems. This aligns with the overarching goals of WOMI to advance research and policy insights through interdisciplinary collaboration.

The 2024 event was a collaboration between the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research at The University of Manchester and the University of Gothenburg’s U-GOT KIES Center.

It also received funding support from the ESRC – UKRI project ‘The Organisation and Diffusion of Translational Research: Can Cardiovascular Medicine learn from Oncology? Case Studies of Pharmacogenomics in the NHS’ (ES/W011484/1) and Swedish Research Council, Professor McKelvey’s Distinguished Professor Programme (VR DNR 2017-03360) ‘Knowledge-intensive Entrepreneurial Ecosystems’.

To learn more about the WOMI community and its ongoing contributions to medical innovation, visit the webpage.

MIOIR’s New Research Projects: Addressing Democracy, Governance, and Trust

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:42:14 +0000

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIOIR) is proud to announce two new research projects involving Mercedes Bleda and Kieron Flanagan. The two projects are part of the Trans-Atlantic Platform (T-AP) and have been selected as two of the 18 awardees of the T-AP Democracy, Governance, and Trust (DGT) call. This initiative aims to deepen understanding of opportunities, challenges, and crises relevant to democracy, governance, and trust.

Governance of Policy Failure Risks in Mission-Oriented Innovation Policies (MOIPs)

Dr Mercedes Bleda is the Lead Principal Investigator on a collaborative research initiative titled Governance of Policy Failure Risks in the Design and Implementation of Mission-Oriented Innovation Policies. The project is supported by an international consortium including Dr Seweryn Krupnik (Jagiellonian University, Poland) and Dr Alexandra Mallett (Carleton University, Canada), with funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Polish National Science Centre (NCN), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Mission oriented innovation policies (MOIP) are a new generation of transformative policies aimed at fostering innovations that help address complex societal challenges. The uncertain, multilevel, and complex character of MOIP exacerbates the risk of policy failure, i.e., the risk of the policies not delivering their intended goals, leading to ineffective policy support and growing distrust towards governments.

This project aims to analyse policy failure risks in the design and implementation of MOIP and identify suitable risk governance approaches to address them. To do so the project analyses specific MOIP initiatives with sustainability related goals in three selected countries (United Kingdom, Poland and Canada) using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (to identify necessary and/or sufficient links through systematic cross-case comparison) and Process Tracing (to construct key causal mechanisms at the within-case level). The research contributes to a better understanding of MOIP failure risks and their governance, which can in turn help reduce policy failure and increase levels of trust in institutions and public authorities.

Investigating the Relationship between Science Diplomacy and Global Democracy, Governance, and Trust (DGT)

Professor Cornelia Lawson as co-PI and Professor Kieron Flanagan join a global consortium led by Dr Cassidy R. Sugimoto (Georgia Institute of Technology) on the project ‘Investigating the Relationship between Science Diplomacy and Global DGT: The Role of Inclusive Metascience Observatories (IMSO4DIPLO)’. This multidisciplinary team includes experts from the University of São Paulo, Adam Mickiewicz University, Stellenbosch University, CNRS, and Université de Montréal. The project is funded by ANR, FAPESP, NCN, NRF, NSF, SSHRC, and UKRI.

This project is examining the role of evidence-informed science diplomacy as a strategic instrument to strengthen democracy, governance, and trust (DGT). The project will utilise qualitative and quantitative methods to (1) understand the relationship between science diplomacy and DGT; (2) conceptualise and operationalise metascience observatories and investigate the extent to which they can be leveraged to improve science diplomacy; and (3) explore how threats to DGT could be mitigated and opportunities seized through inclusive metascience observatories.

The outputs will include both academic-oriented products, as well as communications to policymakers and the wider public, honouring the practices of open science. In addition to these products, outcomes will include communities of practice for science diplomats and training opportunities for early-career researchers.

Unleash Your Potential with Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:14:37 +0000

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is here to celebrate and empower entrepreneurs! Join the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) for a week of exciting events, whether you're just starting out or ready to take your idea to the next level.

Join inspiring speaker sessions and workshops, with highlights including AI marketing, personal branding, pitch competitions, and neurodivergence in entrepreneurship. Conclude the week with MEC’s first-ever Startup Weekend, where you'll pitch ideas, form teams, and gain hands-on startup experience in just over two days. Learn, network, and accelerate your entrepreneurial journey!

Discover MEC’s Global Entrepreneurship Week events:

Monday 18 November: Startup Spotlight with Dr Mehdi Boutagouga Boudjadja

17:00 - 18:30 | 2.008, AMBS | Register

Join MEC's Startup Spotlight with Dr. Mehdi Boutagouga Boudjadja, VFA23 Technology winner and Metofico Founder and CEO, in partnership with UoM Management Society.

Tuesday 19 November: AI as Your Marketing Partner: Driving Growth and Efficiency for Startups

11:00 - 13:30 | 3.013a/3.013b, AMBS | Register

Elevate your startup marketing in Peter Dickinson's AI workshop, blending 40+ years of expertise with cutting-edge tools for success.

Tuesday 19 November: Personal Branding 101

15:00 - 16:30 | 2A.012, Nancy Rothwell Building | Register

Boost your career with this workshop on crafting your personal brand, enhancing networking skills, and curating a strong digital presence.

Wednesday 20 November: Ready, Set, Pitch!

14:00 - 16:00 | 2.007, AMBS | Register

Join the audience for Ready, Set, Pitch! to watch early-stage student entrepreneurs pitch for prizes.

Thursday 21 November: Intro to Starting a Business - Steps to Starting

13:00 - 15:00 | Enterprise Zone (2.039), AMBS | Register

Gain the foundational knowledge to start your business or side hustle with this workshop on business models, customer focus, and defining your unique value.

Thursday 21 November: Neurodivergence & Entrepreneurship Workshop

14:00 - 15:30 | 3.2, Roscoe Building | Register

Hear from neurodiverse role models, gain insights for university success, and enhance your skills in this empowering workshop.

Friday 22 Nov, Saturday 23 Nov & Sunday 24 Nov: Startup Weekend

Starts 18:30 on Friday 22 Nov | The Hive Space, 3rd Floor, AMBS | Register

Join Startup Weekend to network, collaborate and turn ideas into reality, fast-tracking your entrepreneurial journey!

Head to our Global Entrepreneurship Week page to find out more!

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is the focal point for enterprise and entrepreneurship teaching, learning and startup support at The University of Manchester, supporting all University of Manchester students, staff and recent graduates, across all subject disciplines.

Time Machine for Business and Finance: A New Suite of LLMs Unveiled at AMBS

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 09:43:57 +0100

The release of FinText marks an exciting development, introducing the first suite of 68 historical pre-trained Large Language Models (LLMs) specifically designed for business studies. These models function like a time machine, allowing researchers to go back as far as 2007 to analyse historical information.

Developed over more than three years at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) and the Centre for Financial Technology (FinTech) Studies, these models tackle complex challenges such as look-ahead bias and information leakage, setting a new standard for precision in accounting, finance, and related fields.

This release represents the largest specialised LLM suite to date in terms of the number of models developed. The pre-training process, which spanned a total of three months, underscores the level of effort invested in creating models that offer enhanced reliability for business studies.

Sustainability was a key priority throughout the development of FinText. In alignment with The University of Manchester's broader commitment to sustainability, all electricity used during the pre-training process was fully traceable and sourced exclusively from renewable energy, reinforcing our dedication to environmental responsibility.

Exciting New Partnership: MIOIR/AMBS Partners with Leading Global Institutions

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 11:34:12 +0100

Expanding Horizons Through Global Collaboration

We are excited to announce that the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIOIR) and Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) have established new partnerships with three global institutions: the School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech, the University of Gothenburg and the University of Turin. These new Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signify a major step forward in our ongoing commitment to advancing collaborative research, education and policy engagement.

Our partnership with the School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech builds on our past collaborations, including significant events such as the Atlanta Conference on Science and Innovation Policy and the AI for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Early Career Researcher School. These initiatives have laid a strong foundation for our continued cooperation, which will now be formalised through this MoU.

The MoU with the University of Gothenburg also builds up on our long-standing collaboration with Professor Maureen Mckelvey (currently a member of MIoIR Advisory Board). Maureen is Head of the Unit for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg and director of the Centre on knowledge-intensive innovation ecosystems (U-GOT KIES).

We have also historically close connections with the University of Turin, particularly with renowned innovation economists such as Cristiano Antonelli, Francesco Quatraro and Aldo Geuna, which we seek to strengthen with this MoU.

Our partnerships with Georgia Tech, the University of Gothenburg and the University of Turin will enrich our efforts in faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects, and academic events, further strengthening our impact in these vital areas.

We look forward to the exciting opportunities these partnerships will bring and are enthusiastic about the collaborative efforts ahead. Stay tuned for further updates on our progress!

Cross-border and domestic early-stage financial investment in 3D printing

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 14:32:26 +0100

3D printing is a relatively new digital technology which can transform the way firms organize their innovation and production operations locally and globally. While 3D printing is being adopted by diverse organizations worldwide, empirical academic research on investment in early-stage 3D printing technology firms is still limited. In this paper, we consider the geography of the 3D printing ecosystem to illuminate the financing of investment into early state firms developing innovation in this technology.

Using a hand-collected dataset of 500 firm-level investments, we hypothesize 3D printing investment is drawn to countries with greater innovative capacity, countries with greater human capital competencies, and countries with higher wages. We find that larger investments tend to benefit companies developing 3D printing technology in higher wage locations and in countries with higher innovative capacity level, suggesting that investments in the 3D printing ecosystems take places mostly in locations that already have an ecosystem in place.

Our study is one of the first to examine detailed patterns of global investment in a new digital technology ecosystem - 3D printing, an increasingly important technology for innovation.

Access the full article online here.

PitchIt! – A student societies’ entrepreneurship competition

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 09:32:39 +0000

Applications are now open for the PitchIt! competition, a dynamic collaboration between the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) and UoM’s Students’ Union. Join to elevate your society's impact with up to £1250 in funding and develop lifelong entrepreneurial skills!

In 2020, the University of Manchester Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) and Students’ Union came together to discuss how to promote entrepreneurship and help students build an entrepreneurial mindset.

Alongside mentorship and support for students looking to launch businesses, projects, and events, an important outcome was PitchIt! - a student societies’ entrepreneurship competition.

PitchIt! is ideal for students who are driven to develop their entrepreneurial skills, strategic thinking, and network with like-minded individuals.

Societies are encouraged to form an innovative project team to develop a proposal to win up to £1,250 from a £6,000 prize pot to help support projects and initiatives that will generate income for their society and expand impact.

All societies that submit an entry must be registered with the University of Manchester Students’ Union. These societies will benefit from a valuable Pitching workshop session, following which 10 societies will be shortlisted who will have to attend a closed ‘Practice Your Pitch’ session. The PitchIt! Finals will be an open event where our 10 finalists will face off and winners will be announced!

Do you think your society has what it takes? PitchIt!

You can find detailed information on the application criteria, competition process, key dates, FAQs and T&Cs here.

Please fill out the following application form to submit your entry.

Latest MIOIR Working Paper: Digital transformation in firms

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:21:00 +0000

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR) is thrilled to latest addition to its recently launched MIOIR Working Paper Series.

Working Paper 2024-01:

Digital transformation in firms: determinants of technology adoption and implications for performance - Silvia Massini, Mabel Sanchez Barrioluengo, Xiaoxiao Yu, Reza Salehnejad

Advanced digital technologies (DTs) such as AI, Big Data, Cloud Computing, 3D printing, IoT, and Robotics are known for their potential to be pervasive and generate disruptive change. Despite this, there is limited evidence regarding the factors that motivate or hinder technology adoption.

This study, based on an original survey of firms in Greater Manchester, aims to shed light on the determinants of DT adoption, including underlying motivations, potential barriers, and skills deficits. Additionally, it explores the influence of digitalisation and skills on firms‘ performance.

Our results suggest that while different DTs are at varying stages of technology diffusion, they are characterised by complementarity and are often jointly adopted. Furthermore, the adoption of DTs in SMEs and younger firms, coupled with the presence of appropriate (digital and non-digital) skills, constitutes a pivotal synergy that significantly influences firms' productivity levels.

To access the full collection of working papers or further information on the submission guidelines, please follow the following link.

The MIOIR Working Paper Series warmly welcomes submissions from members of the Institute and external authors working in relevant research areas. We look forward to your future submissions!

Lou Cordwell OBE appointed Professor of Innovation and Special Advisor

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:09:23 +0000

Lou Cordwell OBE has been appointed Professor of Innovation at the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIOIR) at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), and Special Advisor to the Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Cordwell’s responsibilities include providing strategic guidance on innovation ecosystems to the University and contributing to the work of MIOIR and AMBS.

She will work with leaders across the University to advise on how the University can enhance its role as a key driver of the region’s economy, including by strengthening existing, and developing new, collaborative relationships with local and national government, business, and other external stakeholders.

Lou began her career working for WPP before founding the Manchester-based digital design studio magneticNorth (mN). In 2021, mN merged with Fluxx, creating the UK’s leading design and innovation consultancy, Magnetic, where Lou continues to be involved as Chief Creative Officer.

She has spent the past two years building a team and the strategic masterplan for ID Manchester, Europe’s most ambitious Innovation District project.

President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, said: “I am delighted that Lou is joining The University of Manchester. The wealth of experience she brings as an entrepreneur and innovator, and as a leading advocate for Greater Manchester on the national and international stage, will be enormously valuable as we work to further strengthen our role as a driver of prosperity for our region and the UK.”

Head of AMBS, Professor Ken McPhail, added: “Innovation is very much at the heart of our purpose here at AMBS. We recognise the importance of this across our teaching, learning and engagement with the business world. Lou’s appointment and engagement with our colleagues and our students will help us in our work to redefine business through the lens of innovation and responsibility.”

Lou is also Chair of Greater Manchester’s Business Board (LEP) 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.

For further information about the appointment, please contact Will Stone.

MIoIR welcomes delegates from across the world to major conference

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 15:30:00 +0000

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR), based at AMBS, welcomed almost 500 delegates from 33 countries last week as it hosted the prestigious Geography of Innovation conference over three days at The University of Manchester.

The seventh edition of the conference, which is held every two years, brings together leading scholars from a variety of disciplines ranging from economic geography and regional science, to economics and management science, sociology and network theory, and political and planning sciences.

Global representation

Professor Elvira Uyarra, Director of MIoIR, said:

Innovation and Manchester

Fellow conference organiser Dr Mabel Sanchez Barrioluengo added:

Heart of city

The conference was opened by Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice Chancellor of The University of Manchester.

She said:

Her words were echoed by Professor Ken McPhail, Head of AMBS, in his opening address. He added:

Support

Other members of the Geoinno Manchester organising committee were Professor Silvia Massini, Professor Raquel Ortega-Argilés, Professor Kieron Flanagan, Professor Philip Shapira, Dr Shukhrat Nasirov, Dr Cornelia Lawson, Dr Peng Khoon Gerald Chan, Professor Bruce Tether, and Professor Philip McCann.

The conference was sponsored by the Faculty of Humanities Hallsworth Conference Fund, The Regional Studies Association and The Productivity Institute, and supported by Manchester Urban Institute and Creative Manchester.

2023 Winner of the Kiki Ahmadi Dissertation Prize

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:11:52 +0000

We are delighted to announce the 2023 winner of the Kiki Ahmadi Dissertation Prize is Mohammad Hossein Eslamian for his dissertation “AI Trustworthiness and Responsible Innovation”.

Each year the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research sponsors the Kiki Ahmadi Dissertation Prize which is awarded to the best dissertation submitted to the MSc Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship at Alliance Manchester Business School.

The dissertation uses the EU Trustworthy AI framework to analyse three cases of AI application in the UK: ChatGPT in education; live facial recognition technology in policing; and, the GP at Hand NHS primary health care service. The dissertation provides practical recommendations regarding responsible governance of AI in the UK.

The dissertation was supervised by Philip Shapira, Professor of Innovation Management & Policy at MIOIR who commented:

Professor Andrew James, Programme Director for the MSc Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship (IME) added:

The Kiki Ahmadi Dissertation Prize honours the memory of Kiki Ahmadi, IME alumnus from the class of 2017. Kiki passed away in January 2021, leaving a lasting impact through his career in Indonesia's start-up scene.

Kiki was a stellar student and a kind classmate. His dissertation examined the emerging tech start-up ecosystem in Jakarta, and the connections he made when conducting this research helped him to secure a job at Indonesian fintech start-up Amartha after graduation, rapidly ascending to AVP of Business Development by 2019.

An avid blogger and communicator even as a student, Kiki inspired classmates and future IME students with his curiosity, analytical abilities, and passion for innovation. The dissertation prize bearing Kiki's name celebrates these qualities in the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and honours Kiki Ahmadi's short but impactful life.

Global Entrepreneurship Week - a Resounding Success

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the most recent Global Entrepreneurship Week. The palpable enthusiasm and active participation of all attendees and contributors served as the cornerstone of the Week's success, leaving an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial landscape at The University of Manchester.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a celebration highlighting the significant role entrepreneurs play in our society. It's a chance to acknowledge the hard work, creativity, and determination these individuals put into their businesses. It's a time to recognise the resilience they show in facing business challenges and to appreciate the difference they make with their commitment and creativity. Their innovations and advancements not only drive economic growth, but also shape our future in profound ways.

The week was brimming with enlightening talks, engaging workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. The exchange of innovative ideas and the genesis of new collaborations promise to drive entrepreneurship to unprecedented heights, marking a significant milestone in MEC's journey.

We would like to extend special gratitude to the speakers who generously shared their valuable time, extensive knowledge, and personal experiences. The insights and advice shared have been invaluable, significantly benefiting all participants. Additionally, the tireless efforts of MEC's diligent staff ensured the smooth execution of over 10 events, which had more than 100 in-person attendees. Their dedication and unwavering commitment played a crucial role in the Week's overall success.

Events included the following talks and workshops:

Matthew Scullion, CEO of Matillion
In Conversation with David Levine, CEO of Glenluna Ventures
Intro to Starting a Business Workshop
Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation
Your Next Move...Sport Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise with Beth Barnes
Personal Branding 101 Workshop
ElevateX: Student Startup Sprint Workshop by Accelerate ME
Building a Startup Step by Step - with Ash Rust

Lastly, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our student group partners such as TEDx University of Manchester and Accelerate Me. Their unwavering support underscores their commitment to fostering a vibrant and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our collaboration with TEDx University of Manchester for their successful event ‘Catalytic Continuum’ showcased six inspiring speakers who sought to motivate the student audience with their own personal journeys. Among them was Prithveesh Reddy, co-founder and CEO of Arcube, who remains in close contact with MEC regarding his rapidly growing tech startup in Manchester.

The standout feature of this week was undoubtedly the high level of participation we witnessed during our in-person sessions. Seeing the enthusiasm and active involvement from the participants was a genuinely inspiring experience. This level of engagement not only exceeded our expectations but also gave us valuable insights and feedback. It has also contributed significantly to shaping our approach for future events. The successful interaction and exchange of ideas have given us a clear vision of what to aspire to in our forthcoming sessions and events.

MEC is immensely grateful for the widespread participation and support received and eagerly looks forward to welcoming everyone back at future events. We remain committed to promoting the entrepreneurial spirit and fostering innovation within our community.

Empowering Early-Career Researchers: AI for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Winter School Recap

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 12:04:36 +0000

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research hosted the AI for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Early Career Researcher Winter School, bringing together over thirty participants from twenty institutions and ten countries.

The week-long program covered a broad spectrum of topics, starting with an introduction to AI, definitions, its history and an overview of its benefits and concerns. Generative AI and large language models (LLMs) - understanding their workings and creation processes. Methods for utilizing LLMs and other AI tools in research processes, coding, and data analysis.

The ethics, responsibility, and emerging policies/guidelines surrounding AI. The application of AI in both qualitative and quantitative research. Assessing the efficacy and validity of LLMs. The implications of AI for scientific processes, practices, and organization.

This was followed by lab sessions providing hands-on experience with tools like ChatGPT and OpenSource, LLMs and API coding interfaces and group projects that applied learnings to a policy analysis exercise.

The curriculum also included talks and fireside panels on AI's prospects for science and society, and humanizing AI, featuring distinguished speakers such as: Laurie Smith (Nesta), Alistair Nolan (OECD - OCD), Parsa Ghaffari (Quantexa News Intelligence), Elle Farrell-Kingsley (AI Tech Journalist) and Samuel Kaski (Aalto University/University of Manchester/Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence).

The conclusion of this winter school was dedicated to reflecting on our group projects and engaging in group discussions to enhance our collective learning.

The course was facilitated by Philip Shapira, Barbara Ribeiro, Arash Hajikhani, Justin Biddle, Cornelia Lawson, Carolyn Cole and supported by Eu-SPRI Forum, Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, Georgia Institute of Technology, SKEMA Business School, Partnership for the organization of innovation and new technologies (4POINT0).

Masood Entrepreneurship Centre presents Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:34:30 +0000

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) will be hosting a series of events in celebration of the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Week on 13th -17th November.

This exciting initiative promises to provide a golden opportunity for students to engage with the entrepreneurial community, learn from seasoned business leaders, become more employable and hone their own entrepreneurial skills.

Throughout the week, MEC has organised various workshops, panel discussions, and networking events. These activities will cover a broad range of topics designed to inspire and empower budding entrepreneurs, including strategies for fundraising and business model development.

This initiative by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre is a testament to its commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among its students. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply interested in improving on your current skills, these events promise to be both informative and inspiring.

Details about the schedule of events and the registration process can be seen below:

Monday:
- MEC GEW2023 Launch with Matthew Scullion of Matillion (Online and in-person)
Tuesday:
- In Conversation with David Levine, CEO of Glenluna Ventures (Online and in-person)
Wednesday:
- MECitHappen Workshop - Intro to Starting a Business (In-person)
Thursday:
- Entrepreneurs@MCR - Emma Jones CBE, Founder of Enterprise Nation (Online and in-person)
- Your Next Move…Sport: Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise panel discussion (In-person)
Friday:
- MECitHappen Workshop - Personal Branding 101 (In-person)
- Elevate X: Student Startup Sprint - Workshop by Accelerate Me (In-person)
- Building a Startup Step by Step - with Ash Rust of Sterling Road VC (Online and in-person)

More information about the events, locations and registration can be found here.

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre encourages all interested individuals to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Stay tuned on our social media channels to catch a glimpse on this exciting week of entrepreneurial exploration and learning.

When Missions Fail: lessons in ‘high technology’ from post-war Britain

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 10:48:57 +0000

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research is thrilled to co-sponsor a public lecture with The Productivity Institute and the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine.

Join us on Tuesday, 5 December from 17:30 to 18:30, for a lecture by Tom Kelsey, an ESRC Policy and Research Fellow at the University of Oxford on "When Missions Fail: lessons in 'high technology' from post-war Britain". Register here to secure your spot.

Industrial strategy is back at the centre of geopolitics. From the UK’s ambition to be a Science and Tech Superpower to the US Inflation Reduction Act, it is widely believed that being on the technological cutting edge is crucial for both economic prosperity and national security.

History does play a role in these discussions. The post-war US is now widely praised as an entrepreneurial state and a mission economy, demonstrating the power politicians can wield to transform the technological basis of society.

Tom Kelsey’s new report When Missions Fail: lessons in ‘high technology’ from post-war Britain suggests we can learn more about industrial strategy from the troubled British case than the much-vaunted example of the United States.

This event will be facilitated by Professor Richard Jones, Professor of Materials Physics and Innovation Policy, Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement, Co-Investigator of The Productivity Institute, University of Manchester.

Tom Kelsey:

Tom Kelsey is an ESRC Policy and Research Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, currently working on a project aimed at improving policymaking at the intersection of economic prosperity and national security.

He worked in the UK Civil Service as part of the Digital Strategy team in the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. He has won both the Joan Cahalin Robinson Prize and the Samuel Eleazar and Rose Tartakow Levinson Prize from the Society for the History of Technology. He has written for the Independent, the Guardian, and Open Democracy.