Global inequalities

The University of Manchester is advancing our understanding of the world in which we live, addressing global inequalities to improve lives.

There are pronounced inequalities across the world. While progress has been made in some countries and on some aspects of inequality, it’s still the case that food, health care, infrastructure and resources are plentiful in some areas, yet scarce in others. Far too many households struggle with low income and poor job prospects.

Across the world, men and women’s opportunities, experiences, their potential and their quality of life are shaped by unequal treatment, prejudice and discrimination due to their personal characteristics or family background.

At its most stark, this means that around 800 million people in the world will go hungry today, and 29,000 children will die from preventable health care problems.

Tackling all aspects of inequality

At The University of Manchester we’re focusing on all aspects of inequality, from poverty to social justice, from living conditions to equality in the workplace. We seek to understand our world and directly change it for the better.

There is enough food to feed everyone in the world. There is no justifiable reason why the opportunities of health and well-being should not be available to all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, educational opportunities, social class, age, sexuality, religious belief or dis/ability.

As we have done for almost two centuries, The University of Manchester is leading the way in tackling global inequalities. Bringing together some of the best academic minds in applied medicine, business, law, social sciences and the arts, we’re meeting these challenges head on, creating and sharing knowledge to alleviate and end poverty and inequalities across the globe. 

With years of research in global development, health care, education, disaster management, humanitarian aid, employment and equality and diversity, we help to deliver real-world benefit.

Lockdown Lectures

Many of our best-known academics have been giving lectures from their own homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the lectures below from Professors Gary Younge, Claire Alexander and David Olusoga, or head to our Lockdown Lectures page to view the full set.

Changing how people work and think

Our global and local partners are changing the way they work and how they govern. Our research directly influences policies which make positive changes for people living in poverty and inequality. International governmental organisations, national governments, multinational corporations, global charities and non-governmental organisations partner with us to do things differently.

For example, our insight helped Cadbury to launch its £45 million Cocoa Partnership to support cocoa farmers and their communities and to convert its range of Cadbury Dairy Milk and Green & Black’s chocolate bars to Fairtrade.

Our researchers develop evidence to influence policies that help improve the health and well-being of the most disadvantaged in society. Our strengths in the field of global health range from the professionalisation of volunteers to engagement with donors and policymakers. We’re experts in unravelling the social inequalities that stand in the way of better health care for all – our research led to a better understanding of urban health issues in cities across Europe.

Our research is helping to bring about a fairer and more just world.

Global inequalities: Research breakthroughs