Newsroom University of Manchester

Delivering Manchester 2035 – Interdisciplinary Pump Priming Awards Projects Announced

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:34:01 +0100

University Research Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the Interdisciplinary Pump Priming Awards, established to support new collaborations that advance the ambitions of Manchester 2035.

Following a highly competitive call, which attracted 89 applications from across the University, eight projects have been selected for funding. The awarded projects align with the priority areas of the University’s Platforms.

The funded projects reflect the strength and diversity of interdisciplinary research at Manchester, with teams working across areas including health inequalities, sustainable futures, artificial intelligence, creative practice and social resilience. The awards will support research teams to develop bold new ideas, build cross-disciplinary partnerships and lay the foundations for future external funding, impact and innovation.

Congratulations to the lead applicants and their teams.

Creative Manchester

· James Sumner (School of Medical Sciences) Unlocking Manchester’s computing heritage: harnessing AI methods to catalogue and improve public access to local computer history archives.

· Chika Watanabe (School of Social Sciences) Visualising Care: Creative Storytelling and Mapping with Older People amidst Disasters

Digital Futures

· Birte Vogel (School of Arts, Languages and Cultures) The Arts and AI: Mapping Visual Political Expression through graffiti.

· Paul Warren (School of Health Sciences) Challenging sensory spaces: AI-driven approaches to maintaining comfort and functional performance.

Healthier Futures

· Olivier Allegre (School of Engineering) Engineering Out Inequity: Mechanism-Driven Laser Manufacturing of Orthopaedic Implants for Robust Performance Across Biological Diversity.

· Laura Anselmi (School of Health Sciences) Supply of adult social care services and health inequalities among carers and care recipients

Sustainable Futures

· Claire Hoolohan (School of Engineering) From Net Zero to Fair Zero: Targeting Discretionary Emissions in UK Climate Policy.

· Sarah Mander (School of Engineering) Is there a JET in international shipping? Exploring a “Just and Equitable Transition.”

Thank you to all who collaborated across disciplines and submitted applications.

Researchers can access a wide range of support across the University, including faculty-specific research development teams, professional development opportunities, research culture resources, and examples of previous award-winning initiatives:

Interdisciplinarity&: 2026 Series

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:01:00 +0000

To discover how we can create a collaborative and supportive environment for interdisciplinary research the series aims to:

Discuss the challenges of interdisciplinary research
Showcase recent and ongoing research, and best practices
Highlight (and critique) existing support structures

Leadership & Team Building: Challenge-Led Hackathon 2-4pm, Wednesday 11 February 2026
Harnessing Storytelling to Amplify Research 1.15-2.45pm, Wednesday 18 March 2026
Co-Authorship: Rotating Roundtables 2.30-4.30pm, Tuesday 21 April 2026
Research Ethos: Speed-Networking 2.30-4.30pm Wednesday 13 May 2026

To foster the development of ideas and relationships, we encourage attendees to participate in multiple workshops within the series. Attendance at previous workshops is not a prerequisite for joining subsequent sessions.

The Series will take place in person in GA.056, Ronson Blended Theatre, located by the café in the Nancy Rothwell Building, Booth St E, Manchester, M13 (South Entrance).

Summaries will be shared with Registrants after each event.

Leadership & Team Building: Challenge-Led Hackathon

2-4pm, Wednesday 11 February 2026

In a vast university setting, bringing together interdisciplinary researchers to tackle complex challenges is essential. These teams combine expertise from various fields, focusing on problems that cannot be solved through a single research lens. But how do you find colleagues with similar interests? How do you identify those willing to collaborate?

Join us to explore effective leadership and team building, build teams, support networks, and develop interdisciplinary research leaders, enhancing your research impact and collaboration opportunities.

Objectives

· Foster interdisciplinary collaboration through problem-solving.

· Develop leadership and teamwork skills, working towards larger funding bids.

· Generate innovative solutions to real-world research challenges.

Agenda

· Chair: Richard Kingston - Leadership & Team building Welcome Address (10 mins)

· Challenge Briefing & Team Formation (10 mins)

· Ideation & Planning (25 mins)

· Prototyping & Development (25 mins)

· Pitch Preparation (10 mins)

· Team Presentations & Feedback (40 mins)

References

Jaskyte, K., Hunter, A., & Mell, A. C. (2024). Predictors of interdisciplinary team innovation in higher education institutions. Innovative Higher Education, 49(1), 113–132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-023-09676-3

Bloomquist, C. D., & Georges, L. (2022). Interdisciplinary leadership: A leadership development model for scholar-practitioners. Journal of Leadership Education, 21(4), 1–18.

Courtney, S. J., Gunter, H., Niesche, R., & Trujillo, T. M. (2021). Understanding educational leadership: Critical perspectives and approaches. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

Harnessing Storytelling to Amplify Research

1.15-2.45pm, Wednesday 18 March 2026

How can we ensure our interdisciplinary research creates real-world benefits?

At The University of Manchester, we recognise that transformative research requires not just technical expertise, but also strong collaborations across disciplines and authentic engagement with communities.

This workshop explores how we can co-create research narratives with diverse partners, forge lasting interdisciplinary relationships, and employ compelling storytelling to communicate the significance and societal value of our work. Drawing on real-world examples and shared experiences, we will identify practical strategies to measure, amplify, and sustain the reach and influence of research beyond traditional academic boundaries.

Join us to discover how your research can break silos, connect with multiple disciplines, and truly benefit the wider world.

Objectives

· Explain the societal value and ethical considerations of research.

· Create compelling narratives for non-specialist and cross-disciplinary audiences.

· Boost public engagement and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Agenda

· Chair: John McAuliffe - Welcome & Introduction (10 mins)

· Storytelling Techniques & Case Studies (20 mins)

· Individual Story Drafting: Framing Your Research Narrative (20 mins)

· Peer Feedback (20 mins)

· Sharing Stories & Wrap-up (20 mins)

References

Davis, C., Matthews, A., Mihut, G., Mottershaw, S., Hawkins, J., Rivlin, P., & Matthews, B. (2024). Co-producing composite storytelling comics: (counter) narratives by academics of working-class heritage. Qualitative Research. E-pub ahead of print. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/14687941241247842

Lord, C., Ellsworth-Krebs, K., & Holmes, T. (2023). ‘Telling tales’: Communicating UK energy research through fairy tale characters. Energy Research & Social Science, 101, 103100. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.103100

Medupin, C. (2024). Perspectives on Using Storytelling as a Means of Teaching and Learning: Reflections from Diverse Groups of Participants on the Theme “What’s in Your River?”. Education Sciences, 14(1), 18. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14010018

Co-Authorship: Rotating Roundtables

2.30-4.30pm, Tuesday 21 April 2026

Co-authoring can offer significant benefits in interdisciplinary research bringing together experts from various fields to produce impactful publications. How can we effectively manage co-authoring processes to ensure equitable contributions and recognition? What best practices can we adopt to enhance collaboration and productivity?

Join us to discuss the challenges and benefits of co-authoring in interdisciplinary research and explore ways to improve support structures.

Objectives

· Facilitate connections between researchers from different disciplines.

· Encourage discussions around shared values and authorship practices.

· Identify potential collaborators for future projects.

Agenda

· Chair: Helen Holmes - Introduction & Table Themes (10 mins)

· Rotating Roundtable Discussions (15 mins x 3 rounds)

· Group Synthesis & Reporting Back (30 mins)

· Wrap-up & Reflections (10 mins)

References

Durose, C., Perry, B. & Richardson, L. (2022). Is co-production a “good” concept? Three responses. Futures, 142, Article 102999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2022.102999

Vince-Myers, B., with co-leads Durose, C., Perry, B. & Richardson, L. (2025). The Co-Production Futures Inquiry: Response to the Call for Evidence and Ideas. Briefing Note 2. Universities of Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield.

Long, H., Toomey, E., Stevenson, F., Brooks, J., Stewart, A., & French, D. (Accepted/In press). Developing a Data Note reporting guideline for qualitative health and social care research datasets (the DeNOTE study): A study protocol. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.02.04.25321640

THE Campus (2024). Can academic prenups help overcome barriers to interdisciplinary research? THE Campus: Learn, Share, Connect, 12 August 2024. (Accessed: March 2025)

Research Ethos: Speed-Networking

2.30-4.30pm Wednesday 13 May 2026

Each research discipline has its own ethos—distinct ways of asking questions, applying methods, and communicating ideas. This diversity can sometimes feel like a barrier to collaboration, even within schools, let alone across the wider university.

As interdisciplinary research becomes increasingly vital—driven by complex societal challenges and evolving funding landscapes—how can we foster mutual understanding and smoother collaboration across disciplines?

We invite researchers from across The University of Manchester to a speed networking session to share perspectives on research ethos, highlight what is working, and identify opportunities to strengthen interdisciplinary connections.

Objectives

· Explore diverse perspectives on research values and practices.

· Encourage open dialogue across disciplines.

· Identify shared principles and tensions in research culture.

Agenda

· Chair: Nicky Cullum - Welcome & Instructions (10 mins)

· Speed Networking Rounds (5 mins x 6-8 rounds)

· Group Reflection & Thematic Clustering (20 mins)

· Closing & Next Steps (10 mins)

References

Holmes, H., Gregson, N., Watson, M., Buckley, A., Chiles, P., Krzywoszynska, A., & Maywin, J. (2018). Interdisciplinarity in transdisciplinary projects: Circulating knowledges, practices and effects. disP - The Planning Review, 54(2), 77–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/02513625.2018.1487646

Finney, N., Clark, K., & Nazroo, J*. (2018). Opportunities and challenges doing interdisciplinary research: What can we learn from studies of ethnicity, inequality and place? JOURNAL OF ETHNIC AND MIGRATION STUDIES, 3173–3187. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2018.1480995

Beebeejaun, Y., Durose, C., Rees, J., Richardson, J., & Richardson, L. (2014). ‘Beyond text’: Exploring ethos and method in co-producing research with communities. Community Development Journal, 49(1), 37–53. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bst008

This series builds on the "Tackling Interdisciplinarity in Research" workshop held on September 10, 2024, which brought researchers together to discuss interdisciplinary research challenges, funding opportunities, and ethical requirements.

The events will bring together academics with experience of interdisciplinary research projects, teams across the university who provide support in specific areas, and the University Platforms. Formal presentations will be made available for colleagues to access on the research strategy StaffNet pages.

Each event will focus on a particular challenge relating to developing successful interdisciplinary partnerships. Where this is closely linked to particular business areas, the platforms will work with those areas to design a discussion that ties in with existing activities and priorities.

Our target audience includes UoM interdisciplinary researchers and those who have yet to engage in interdisciplinary activities, ensuring we reach and inspire the broader research community.

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

New study exposes how conspiracy theories go mainstream across Europe

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

New pan-European research has shown that the spread of conspiracy theories across the continent is driven by a continuous feedback loop between media reporting, political rhetoric, protest movements and social media algorithms - not any single cause.

The REDACT project involves 14 researchers from across Europe, and it has examined how conspiracy theories take shape differently in the UK, German-speaking countries, the Balkans, the Baltics, Slovakia and Poland. Their findings highlight that conspiracy narratives reflect the political cultures, histories and social tensions of each region, meaning that approaches to tackling them must be tailored rather than imported wholesale from elsewhere.

A key theme across the reports is the feedback loop that enables conspiracy narratives to circulate. Even when politicians or media outlets refer to a conspiracy theory to debunk it, the resulting attention helps it spread further via social media amplification and mainstream exposure. This blurring of online and offline spaces allows fringe ideas to influence political rhetoric, as seen in Europe-wide variations of the “Great Replacement” narrative.

The research also explores how conspiracies evolve in response to local concerns. In the UK, anxieties around Covid-19 restrictions fed into narratives about “15-minute cities”. In German-speaking countries, stigma around conspiracism has pushed much of it to the online sphere. In the Baltics and the Balkans, the legacy of foreign occupation, conflict and surveillance shapes suspicion of elites and fuels a sense of victimhood. Conspiracy theories in Poland and Slovakia frequently target gender and LGBTQ+ rights, often influenced by US culture-war narratives.

The reports identify a lack of evaluation of initiatives designed to counter disinformation. Some fact-checking and NGO efforts themselves become targets of conspiracist suspicion, undermining trust and the stability of their funding. Nevertheless, media literacy campaigns, debunking and fact-checking each have a role to play when adapted to national contexts.

In the UK, the REDACT team argues that the current Online Safety Act does not go far enough. Unlike the EU’s Digital Services Act, it does not explicitly address health misinformation, election-related disinformation or AI-generated content, leaving gaps in the regulation of systemic risks.

Ultimately, the project concludes that tackling conspiracy theories requires more than closing individual online channels. Efforts must address the structural political and social conditions that allow conspiracist narratives to flourish, as well as the business models that incentivise sensational content. The researchers urge a move away from simply asking why the public lacks trust, towards making institutions genuinely worthy of trust.

The University of Manchester is globally renowned for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and learning, and commitment to social responsibility. We are a truly international university – ranking in the top 50 in a range of global rankings – with a diverse community of more than 44,300 students, 12,800 colleagues and 585,000 alumni. Sign up for our e-news to hear first-hand about our international partnerships and activities across the globe.

Expert unlocks truth of Stanford Prison Experiment in new TV show

Thu, 15 May 2025 12:00:00 +0100

National Geographic is set to premiere ‘The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking the Truth’ in the UK this month, which features expert commentary from The University of Manchester’s Professor Stephen Scott-Bottoms.

The gripping new docuseries revisits the infamous 1971 Stanford Prison experiment, but with a twist. Through accounts from the original prisoners and guards, many of whom are speaking on camera for the very first time, the docuseries shares a groundbreaking look at one of history’s most notorious psychological studies.

The study, controversial yet influential, has shaped popular understanding of human behaviour for over half a century. Re-examining the experiment from a different perspective, the docuseries set out to challenge long-held beliefs around Philip Zimbardo’s ‘guards vs prisoners’ study.

Surviving participants confront the emotional weight they have carried for decades, alongside newly uncovered archive footage, dramatisation and contributions from leading scholars.

Professor Scott-Bottoms expresses the fine line between theatrical roleplay and real psychological trauma. Bringing a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the psychological, cultural, and theatrical dimensions of the original Stanford Prison Experiment, he noted:

Building upon his 2024 book, Incarceration Games, the unsettling history of role-playing in ‘constructed situations’ is explored through his commentary on the performative dynamic of the experiment and its wider societal implications. Students from the School of the Arts, Languages & Cultures also feature in the reenactments shown in the series.

To mark the UK premiere, the School of the Arts, Languages & Cultures, in partnership with Creative Manchester, will be hosting an in-conversation event on Wednesday 4 June titled ‘Playing with Cruelty: Pop Culture, Performativity, and the Stanford Prison Experiment’.

Professor Stephen Scott-Bottoms will be joined by Professor Stephen Reicher from the University of St Andrews, who is also among the expert commentators featured in the series, alongside Juliette Eisner, Director of the docuseries. An internationally recognised expert on social identity, collective behaviour, intergroup conflict, and leadership influence, Professor Stephen Reicher co-led the BBC’s partial reconstruction of the Stanford Prison study, The Experiment.

The event will feature behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the series, a discussion on the enduring relevance of the Stanford study and a live audience Q&A. It is open to the public and promises a compelling dialogue on truth, myth, and morality in psychological research.

Register for Playing with Cruelty: Pop Culture, Performativity, and the Stanford Prison Experiment.

The documentary series, The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking the Truth, is set to air on Sunday 15 June at 21:00 and 22:00 on National Geographic.

Lemn Sissay OBE to judge University's 2025 Micropoetry Competition

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:51:05 +0000

Esteemed poet and former Chancellor of The University of Manchester, Lemn Sissay OBE, has been unveiled as a returning judge for the 2025 edition of the annual Micropoetry competition.

As the honorary chair of creative writing, Lemn will joined by fellow judges John McAuliffe, Professor of Poetry at The University of Manchester and Manchester-based poet and critic, Maryam Hessavi.

The theme for 2025 is ‘Connections’ and the challenge is simple - write a ‘micro poem’ of no more than 280 characters, and submit using the official competition entry form.

Lemn said: “The Micropoetry Competition sets a wonderful yet challenging task of translating a theme into a short work of art. It’s a craft to tell a story in such a manner and I’m looking forward to reading the 2025 entries, centred around the chosen theme. As someone who published a book of tweets in the form of quatrains, I urge you to pen your poem and enter the competition.”

Entries must be submitted by 23:59 on Saturday 21 June 2025, with winners to be announced by Friday 25 July 2025.

Prizes will be awarded for first place (£500) and the two runners-up (£250), with a £25 book token for winner of the under-18s category.

Professor of Poetry at The University of Manchester, John McAuliffe, said: "World Poetry Day celebrates all that is fascinating about poetry and its manifold forms. Our Micropoetry Competition explores the art of translating a set theme into a condensed poem that captures attention and shares a story.”

For the full entry details as well as the terms and conditions, visit the website.

Manchester academic condemns Trump’s attacks on diversity initiatives

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:57:58 +0000

An expert from The University of Manchester has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks blaming a tragic aviation accident on diversity initiatives. Lecturer in Creative and Cultural Industries Dr Roaa Ali argues that these claims are not just factually baseless – they also serve to reinforce systemic racism under the guise of ‘neoliberal meritocracy’.

Following the mid-air collision between a passenger jet and a helicopter in Washington DC in January, Trump suggested that diversity programmes contributed to the crash. His remarks, which have been widely contested and refuted, reflect a broader pattern of right-wing rhetoric that Dr Ali says disguises racism as a defence of economic and social stability.

She warns that his comments are emblematic of a growing trend in which diversity is scapegoated for economic and institutional failures.

“Trump’s rhetoric is not just problematic - it is overtly racist,” she states. “His claims perpetuate the myth that racialised individuals are inherently unqualified and that diversity efforts undermine meritocracy - when, in fact, meritocracy itself is a neoliberal myth.”

She highlights that systemic barriers - not individual incompetence - shape access to education, employment and economic opportunities. “Capitalism has always been racial,” she explains, referencing Cedric Robinson’s analysis of racial capitalism. “The idea that economic decline is linked to racial equality is a dangerous falsehood that has been used time and again to justify discrimination.”

Dr Ali’s research challenges the assumption that diversity hires lack merit. In her interviews with ethnically diverse job entrants and organisations overseeing diversity initiatives in the UK, she found that these individuals are often overqualified. “They go through multiple rounds of stringent recruitment processes,” she notes, “yet their presence is still framed as a threat rather than a step towards equity.”

She further criticises the misconception that diversity schemes provide an undue advantage. “These schemes exist to address structural racism, but they do not go far enough in creating lasting change,” she says. “Instead of meaningful intervention, they serve as temporary solutions that do not dismantle the barriers faced by racialised communities.”

Dr Ali calls on policymakers, cultural institutions and the public to actively resist these harmful narratives and support genuine structural change.