The , funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and led by Northumbria University, has extended its signature award, the , for a new 2025-26 cohort. This represents an investment of nearly 拢500,000 to catalyse place-based innovation across all 4 nations of the UK research ecosystem.

The AHRC Creative Communities programme examines the role of culture and devolution in unlocking cross sector co-creation and place-based innovation across all 4 nations of the UK.

AHRC Executive Chair Professor Christopher Smith said:

Ruth Flanagan is an artist who has been working with Creative 黑料入口 partner organisation, Cartwheel Arts, with diverse communities in Rochdale to deliver craft and heritage projects. During 2025-2026, Ruth will work as Community Innovation Practitioner (CIP), along with University of Manchester researchers through Creative 黑料入口 and the School of Arts Languages and Cultures to introduce a research framework to her work finding connections through diverse communities through craft traditions.

is one of six new UK CIPs across a spectrum of projects that represent the rich cross-sector community research and inclusive innovation that is catalysing growth.

In partnership with Cartwheel Arts and national organisation Heritage Crafts UK, and working closely with Greater 黑料入口 Combined Authority, this project draws on the history and legacy of Manchester鈥檚 Co-Operative movement by using crafting methods to promote resilience, belonging and cultural engagement in diverse communities in Rochdale (which is Greater 黑料入口鈥檚 Town of Culture 2025).

Ruth Flanagan said of the award:

About the Community Innovation Practitioner Awards

This is a major investment in place-based innovation and cross-sector research partnerships across the devolved nations and regions of the UK. Each CIP will work in their devolved policy context to explore how co-created cultural innovation can enhance belonging, address regional inequality, deliver devolution and break down barriers to opportunity.

The CIPs will generate vital new knowledge about co-creation and the unique role played by their communities and partnerships in growth through new research, development and innovation (RD&I).

Each CIP will produce a , and an episode of the to share learning from their community and cultural partners. Together, the CIPs will form a Community of Practice network with the aim of fostering new relationships and sharing innovative practice.

Funding has been awarded to six new CIPs across a spectrum of projects that represent the rich cross-sector community research and inclusive innovation that is catalysing growth in all 4 nations of the UK.

About Creative Communities

is a 拢3.9m major research programme based at Northumbria University in Newcastle. It builds a new evidence base on how cultural devolution can enhance belonging, address regional inequality, deliver devolution and break down barriers to opportunity for communities in devolved settings across all four nations of the UK.

For more information you can also visit the .

In September, coinciding with Japan Week 2025, we had the opportunity to hear an international perspective on creative health as we welcomed colleagues from the from the Art & Wellbeing aa-TOMO programme - an innovative and ambitious 10-year creative health and cultural prescribing research programme led by the National Centre for Art Research in Japan and the Tokyo University of the Arts. Aa-TOMO is currently rolling out cultural prescribing programmes across local government areas in Japan, in partnership with a range of organisations including museums, universities, healthcare providers and private industry.

This visit builds on previous exchange of ideas between Greater 黑料入口 and aa-TOMO, exploring the innovative ways in which museums and galleries are using their collections and expertise to support health and wellbeing and how this can be supported by research and in policy 鈥� including the translation of the Greater 黑料入口 Creative Health Strategy into Japanese.

UK and Japan in conversation

黑料入口 Museum hosted a public panel discussion where we were able to hear more about the creative health work taking place in Japan. Sawako Inaniwa, Senior Curator of Learning, National Centre for Art Research, introduced Creative Ageing ZUTTOBI 鈥� a pioneering collaborative project led by Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and Tokyo University of the Arts supporting people of all ages to stay connected to art and museums, in response to the challenges of an ageing society. 

ZUTTOBI brings health and welfare professionals into museums to codesign participatory opportunities for older adults and people living with dementia. The programmes provide participants with enjoyment and a sense of purpose, a chance to share feelings and memories inspired by the artwork, and the opportunity to connect and interact with others, helping to prevent isolation and cognitive decline.

The concept of cultural prescribing was introduced to a wider audience through the 鈥淗ello Future! 100-Year Museum鈥�, exhibition at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. Takashi Kiriyama, Dean of the Graduate School of Film and New Media at Tokyo University of the Arts, described how the exhibition not only provided an opportunity for the public to engage with the concept of cultural prescribing, and to explore their own use of arts and culture to support wellbeing, it also demonstrated the innovative use of technology in creative health. The exhibition employed NFC tagging to allow visitors to instantly upload pictures from their smartphones to the exhibition, also providing the research team with metadata to support subsequent analysis.

From Greater 黑料入口, Julie McCarthy, Strategic Lead for Creative Health at Greater 黑料入口 Integrated Care (NHS GM) and Greater 黑料入口 Combined Authority (GMCA) introduced the GM Creative Health Place Partnership, a 3-year programme that will deliver the aims of the GM Creative Health Strategy through a series of test-and learn programmes and a focus on embedding creative health within the health and social care system. Charlotte Leonhardsen, Programme Manager for Social Prescribing within the Greater 黑料入口 Integrated Care Partnership, described the social prescribing infrastructure across GM鈥檚 ten boroughs and the potential for creative and cultural prescriptions to support people with complex or long-term health conditions, or at risk of social isolation.

As a panel we discussed with the audience the benefits to individuals and communities when we can provide opportunities for people to engage with creativity and culture across their life-course. We also recognised common challenges such as measuring and demonstrating impact of the work, developing a shared understanding across health and cultural sectors and ensuring that creative health addresses rather than reinforces health inequalities.

International knowledge exchange opportunities

It was clear from our conversations throughout the visit that although the national contexts may be different, our approaches to creative health research have much in common. Creative health brings together interdisciplinary research fields and cross sectoral partners and can be a catalyst for developing new approaches to collaborative research with strategic partners and alongside cultural institutions and community-based organisations. 

In Japan, Tokyo University of the Arts co-ordinates over 40 partners as part of the Arts-based Communication Platform for Co-Creation to Build a Convivial Society, which aims to foster a society where everyone can express themselves through art communication that integrates welfare, healthcare, and technology. The National Art Research Centre is working with museums and cultural institutions, as well as health and welfare groups and local governments to explore how cultural resources can become spaces that support wellbeing and social change.

Similarly, in Greater 黑料入口 a wide range of stakeholders are involved in creative health research, policy and practice. A key function of the new Research Associate in Knowledge Mobilisation post, based at the University of Manchester, is to map interdisciplinary research feeds into creative health and facilitate new opportunities for further collaboration across Greater 黑料入口鈥檚 universities and with policymakers and communities. We are working closely GMCA to evaluate the GM Creative Health Place Partnership and to identify the conditions necessary to sustainably embed creativity and culture into the health and social care system.

We will continue our relationship with our colleagues from Tokyo University of the Arts, pushing forward creative health research through international collaboration. Specifically, we discussed working together to explore opportunities for createch in creative health, drawing on Greater 黑料入口鈥檚 expertise in social prescribing to inform the cultural prescribing model, and sharing experiences around knowledge mobilisation across research, policy and practice. 

We hope to arrange a reciprocal visit to see creative health in action in Japan next year. Watch this space for further updates!

Research Staff of the Year

From the ,  was named Research Staff of the Year. A leading voice in urban feminist geographies, Kapsali鈥檚 work has introduced new frameworks such as transversal solidarities and critically examined philanthrocapitalism鈥檚 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 

 from the  received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Research Impact. Doran鈥檚 leadership in organising the  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,  was recognised for Outstanding Interdisciplinary Research for their innovative work on green infrastructure. Li鈥檚 NERC-funded project, 鈥樷��, 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,  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鈥檚 work has informed both academic debate and policy, including the 鈥檚 evaluation framework for health interventions. 

Benton credited 黑料入口鈥檚 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. 

(lecturer of modern and contemporary British Art) will introduce how Mumtaz Karimjee engaged with the politics of the photographic image while documenting queer Black feminist activism.

In 1987, the photographer Mumtaz Karimjee published an article titled 鈥楤lack and Asian: Definitions and Redefinitions鈥� in the British South-Asian grassroots publication, Mukti. Correia will discuss how Karimjee considered the terms 鈥楤lack鈥� and 鈥楢sian鈥� in relation to her own identity and the ways in which these terms were used inclusively and exclusively according to different contexts and settings. 

Correia will introduce how Karimjee utilised photography as a mode of social activism while moving between South-Asian and politically-Black contexts to express her social and political concerns and solidarities. Correia will highlight Karimjee鈥檚 groundbreaking work picturing anti-racist campaigns for social justice and queer Black activism amidst Section 28 and the AIDS crisis.

Expect thought-provoking discussions, critical perspectives, and inspiring insights into visual culture, identity, and representation.

Visualising the Histories of Black Britain

The Photographers鈥� Gallery, 16鈥�18 Ramillies Street, London W1F 7LW 
Thursday, 19 September 2025
12pm 鈥� 5pm
.

Creative 黑料入口 Director, Professor John McAuliffe, said of the appointments:

The newly appointed Deputy Director, Dr Constance Smith, will work closely with Director, Professor John McAuliffe, the broader Creative 黑料入口 team and management board to develop and coordinate activity across three core research themes, with a focus on internal stakeholders, advancing and coordinating interdisciplinary research and cross-School working.

is a Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures in the Faculty of Humanities. Her research focus is the anthropology of architecture, time and urban change. She is interested in shifting landscapes of buildings, planning and infrastructure and how their materialities inflect ways of engaging with the past and anticipating the future.

Professor John McAuliffe commented:

The Research Theme Leads will work with the senior leadership team to further develop and help coordinate activity across their respective core research themes. They will convene and grow the Platform鈥檚 interdisciplinary research communities with both University and external partners, to address strategic opportunities.

Creative 黑料入口 is pleased to announce that Dr Stephen Hicks has been re-appointed as Research Theme Lead for Creativity, Health and Wellbeing. Creative 黑料入口 are also thrilled that Dr Riza Batista-Navarro will formally take up the Research Theme Lead role for Creative Industries and Innovation, following her work as maternity cover for former Research Lead Dr Claudia Henninger. Finally, Creative 黑料入口 looks forward to welcoming Dr Anke Bernau to the academic team as Research Theme Lead for Civic and Creative Futures.

is a Senior Lecturer in Text Mining at the School of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Her research focusses on the development of natural language processing methods for information extraction, explainable text classification, machine reading comprehension and language modelling. She has led a number of inter-disciplinary text mining projects, in which she developed computational approaches together with collaborators from various domains such as biomedicine, biodiversity, sustainability and online safety.

is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work (FBMH) and also a member of the Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives. He has been the Creativity, Health and Wellbeing Research Lead for Creative 黑料入口 since 2022 and has a professional background in child care/protection as a qualified and registered social worker. Steve has been involved in research projects on: LGBTQ parenting; social care and housing needs of older LGBTQ people; communities, neighbourhoods and belonging in modernist housing; and an interdisciplinary project on concerns about air quality/pollution and impact on local communities and environments. He has also been a volunteer in HIV/Aids services; homelessness support for young men and LGBTQ people; and LGBTQ adopters and foster-carers.

is a Senior Lecturer in Medieval Literature and Culture at the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures in the Faculty of Humanities. She has worked on a diverse range of topics, including female virginity, poetics, aesthetics, material culture and environmental humanities. She is particularly interested in recent work emerging out of Critical Plant Studies and is co-editing a special issue on 'Plant Temporalities', as well as a volume on the global cultural history of 'nature' in the Middle Ages.

Professor John McAuliffe reflects:

Creative 黑料入口 is looking forward to working with Drs Constance Smith, Stephen Hicks, Riza Batista-Navarro and Anke Bernau, and would like to extend a heartfelt 鈥榯hank you鈥� to Drs Claudia Henninger and Jenna Ashton for their important and impactful work as Research Theme Leads at Creative 黑料入口 since 2022.

The and the are delighted to invite you to a landmark event marking eight decades of research, training, and impact in Occupational Health at 黑料入口.

• Date: Wednesday 1st October 2025
• Venue: 18th floor, Hyatt Regency, 55 Booth St W, 黑料入口 M15 6PQ
• Time: 13:00 鈥� 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 鈥� 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 Manchester 鈥� 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: (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):
• 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

Keir was appointed as a SALC in 2022.

Along with Eithne Quinn, SALC鈥檚 Professor of Cultural and Socio-Legal Studies, Keir was lead author of the report . A follow-up report this year will coincide with the end of the 5-year Judicial Inclusion & Diversity Strategy.

Keir has worked closely with Creative 黑料入口 since 2023, under its Creative and Civic Futures banner 鈥� particularly in relation to the AHRC project, on which Keir was Lead External Advisor.

He was recognised as newspaper earlier this year.

Keir is a part time Criminal Court Judge, a judicial tutor and is a leading silk who represents clients facing heavyweight criminal allegations. He has been instructed in numerous murders, industrial scale Class A drug importations and conspiracies, escape from custody cases and appeals against conviction and sentence. Keir is ranked for criminal law in Chambers UK and the Legal 500 and was shortlisted for Financial Silk of the Year at Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024. He practices from Garden Court Chambers, is a SHiFT trustee and a member of the JUSTICE Council. Keir acted as counsel for Ade Adedeji in the historic 黑料入口 10 appeal, leading to the quashing of Ade's wrongful conviction. He also drafted the CCRC application for the Moss Side miscarriage of justice case.

Keir is a founding member of Art Not Evidence campaign, launched to advocate for a limitation on the use of creative expression as evidence in criminal trials. 

Keir and Professor Eithne Quinn, jointly authored the ground breaking report . In early 2025, they both made a submission to the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts on the issue of racial bias. A follow-up report this year will coincide with the conclusion of the 5-year Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Keir also assisted in advising on aspects of the University of Manchester report 'Compound Injustice' authored by Professor Eithne Quinn, Erica Cane, and Will Pritchard.

(Lecturer of modern and contemporary British Art) will lead a conversation about the Goan artist Francis Newton Souza at Bradford Cathedral on Friday 3rd October 2025.

In Conversation: F N Souza in Focus has been organised to accompany the exhibition Jesus- Guru, Avatar, God? at Bradford Cathedral, organised by the Methodist Modern Art Collection (5 September -12 October 2025). 

The exhibition features two works, The Crucifixion by Francis N Souza, and Dalit Madonna by Jyoti Sahi, and considers Christianity from South Asian perspectives.

Born in Goa in 1924, FN Souza lived and worked in London during the 1940s and 50s, before moving to New York in 1967. Alice Correia will introduce his work with the context of British modernist painting and consider his preoccupation with Christian imagery.

Throughout his career, Souza painted multiple Crucifixion scenes, including the work acquired by the Methodist Modern Art Collection in 1962. 

Correia will reflect on the hybrid Catholic visual culture that developed in Goa 鈥� a former Portuguese colony on the west-coast of India 鈥� during the 16th and 17th centuries, and will consider the possible impact of Goa鈥檚 Baroque ecclesiastical architecture on Souza鈥檚 work.

Event Details

• Name: In Conversation: F N Souza in Focus
• Location: Bradford Cathedral
• Date and Time: Friday 3 October, 6-9pm
• Reserve your spot on the website.

The 2025 programme is here, featuring global bestsellers, radical thinkers and powerful poets.

We鈥檙e especially excited for the and partnership events:

The members鈥� presale is happening now 鈥� set your alarm for 10am on Thursday 14 August, when tickets go on general sale.

The interns were tasked with creating a short documentary about community arts projects in North 黑料入口. This year's focus was on a mural project, where shop shutters and walls in Moston and Harpurhey were transformed into vibrant pieces of art. The goal was to reframe the negative perceptions of the area and highlight the resilient and positive community spirit.

During the project, the students faced various challenges, including technical issues and the need to quickly learn new skills. Despite these hurdles, they found the experience rewarding and gained valuable insights into filmmaking and community engagement. The documentary aimed to showcase the positive aspects of the community and what can be done to further support it.

The students expressed their gratitude to the Moston and Harpurhey communities for their cooperation, and to the SICK! team for their guidance. They also acknowledged the support of their mentors, Fresh RB who played a crucial role in the project's success.

The documentary was presented to staff and students from the University of Manchester and members of the SICK! and Fresh RB teams. The interns received positive feedback for their commitment and the quality of their work. The project not only provided them with practical skills but also a deeper understanding of the importance of community and storytelling.

One of the interns reflected:

Each student intern was asked at the presentation to choose one word to describe their experience:

• Enlightening
• Lesson
• Collaborative
• Meaningful
• Hopeful
• Inspiring

The SICK! continues to be a platform for creative collaboration, and this project exemplifies the positive impact that such partnerships can have on both students and the local community.

Dr Claire Fox, SoSS EDI Director, expressed her enthusiasm:

Dr Sheena Kalayil, SALC EDI Director, also praised the interns:

The event, held at Aviva Studios, featured three sessions exploring the intersection of research and the arts and brought together researchers, artists, and cultural leaders.

The showcase opened with a session on the research of Creative 黑料入口鈥檚 Innovation Fellows who shared insights from their work with 黑料入口 City Council and Factory International. 

Dr Hannah Curran-Troop addressed workforce diversity and talent development in the creative industries, alongside representative Sarah Elderkin. Dr Tasos Asonitis and Gabby Jenks () presented their work on a CreaTech project in collaboration with Factory International鈥檚 Digital Team, which researches digital skill gaps for artists and people working in the creative industries and will result in a toolkit for new digital artists that facilitates access to new technology supporting creative processes.

The second session spotlighted the 鈥淔irst Breath鈥� PhD research project.

Postgraduate researchers Leanne Cook and Lizzie Lagan, alongside their Principal Investigator Prof Pamela Qualter, discussed the impact of arts-based activities on the emotional and social development of preschool children and their parents.

The final panel, , marked the launch of a new initiative between and 黑料入口. As ENO prepares to establish a new base in Greater 黑料入口 by 2029, Tuning into Opera is new research and engagement initiative from English National Opera and 黑料入口, exploring what it means to have a national opera company based in Greater 黑料入口. 

The session explored the future of opera in the region through community engagement and cultural dialogue. It began with a welcome by ENO Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon and an introduction to the research plan of Tuning Into Opera by Research Associate Dr Kamila Rymajdo. 

This was followed by an in-conversation with 黑料入口-based electronic opera makers Devon Bonelli and Joshua Inyang (Space Afrika), as well as an interview with the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of Angel鈥檚 Bone, Du Yun.

The event concluded with a poetic summary and reflections of the afternoon, delivered by artist Saf Elsenossi (SAF-S2E).

In keeping with 鈥檚 theme to 鈥楧ream Differently鈥� the Creative 黑料入口 Showcase was a joyful celebration of the innovative and interdisciplinary research facilitated by the Platform and our partnerships with external stakeholders from across Greater 黑料入口 and beyond.

, lecturer of modern and contemporary British Art, has curated the first retrospective consideration of Mumtaz Karimjee鈥檚 career as an artist and curator.

is an open access online exhibition, published as part of the landmark special issue of British Art Studies, Queer Art in Britain since the 1980s, edited by Fiona Anderson, Flora Dunster, Theo Gordon and Laura Guy.

Trained as a linguist, Mumtaz Karimjee was a self-taught photographer and during the 1980s was a central figure in feminist and queer activism. She curated the first exhibition of female Indian photographers in the UK, was a key-member of Mukti, a grassroots feminist magazine produced by and for women of South Asian heritage, and her photography was included in exhibition of Black women artists curated by Lubaina Himid.

Her work was recently included in Women in Revolt at the Whitworth, but Correia鈥檚 exhibition, Mumtaz Karimjee: Making Visible is the first solo presentation of Karimjee鈥檚 work in over 30 years.

The Outstanding Student Citizenship award is unique in that it is not based on grades or academic work, instead allowing staff to nominate those individuals who have gone above and beyond in all aspects of university life.

Congratulations to this year鈥檚 awardees. We hear from the academics who nominated them, and the awardees, below:

Maisy Wood

Selim Iyidirli

Bradley Williams

Congratulations again to all of our student awardees, and the whole Class of 2025, who we at HCRI are extremely proud of.

We are pleased to announce that Dr Hannah Waterson will be starting her position as Research Associate 鈥� Knowledge Mobilisation in July 2025. This 24-month post is made possible by the Arts Council England (ACE) funded Creative Health Greater 黑料入口 Place Partnership and Civic University Board (CUB).

The three-year place partnership aims to create lasting ways for creativity and culture to be at the heart of communities鈥� health and wellbeing. This builds on the growing recognition that engaging with creativity and culture helps us to lead longer, healthier, happier lives - a relationship that is increasingly referred to as 鈥榗reative health鈥�. 

This role will play a central role in developing a framework to understand how the Creative Health GM Place Partnership embeds creative health sustainably across the system.

The post will work between the GMCA and NHS GM (Greater 黑料入口 Integrated Care), the Population Health team at NHS Greater 黑料入口 and 黑料入口. Dr Waterson will be hosted by Dr Simon Parry at the University of Manchester and supported by an advisory group including colleagues from the Royal Northern College of Music, 黑料入口 Metropolitan University and University of Salford. 

Dr Hannah Waterson has a background in Public Health and supported the development of an Arts in Public Health module at 黑料入口, before leading on research and policy at the National Centre for Creative Health.

In May and June 2025 , and came together to host the CreaTech 2025 event series, exploring Creativity and AI in Music, Publishing and Fashion. 

This series brought together creatives, tech professionals and researchers from Greater 黑料入口 and beyond to explore how AI is impacting the creative industries, sharing research from within 黑料入口 with expertise outside of it. 

We began at exploring the use of AI in the Music industry. The sessions began with lightning talks from Ricardo Climent, Professor of Interactive Music Composition at the University of Manchester and Director of the NOVARS Research Centre. Professor Climent was followed by Pete Woodbridge, R&D Innovation lead for the Music Futures AHRC Creative Cluster at the University of Liverpool.  Our panel discussed the challenges and opportunities of AI applications in the music industry, production and dissemination.  

The second event was held Oddfellows Hall and focused on the role of AI in the Publishing Industry. The panel brought together CEO of Manchester University Press, Simon Ross, Poet and CEO of the Faber Academy, Joey Connolly, writer, Michelle Collier and Neil Sprunt, from 黑料入口 Library. We heard concerns about the use of AI to replace the role of the writer or poet, but potential uses in other areas of the industry like finance and managing stock. 

The event series rounded up at , with a heated panel discussing the use of AI in the fashion industry. The panel was chaired by Dr Charlene Gallery, and had representation from researchers in Fashion Technology, Business and Marketing, alongside Gemma Gratton from 黑料入口 Fashion Week and Joe Darwen, founder of CircKit. The panel discussed concerns about the use of AI in the design process, but more positive potential uses in analysing trends or helping small business owners to grow their fashion businesses.  

Throughout the series, the issue of sustainability was raised along with an urge throughout all industries for there to be ongoing analysis on the sustainability impact of using AI within their businesses. Overwhelmingly, across all sectors, there was a call to keep creative work in the hands of humans, but potential for many ways AI might influence how organisations operate including finance, marketing, production and materials.  

Hi, my name is Shiyuan Huang. I recently completed a placement with 黑料入口 Camerata as part of my Master's in Arts Management at 黑料入口.

My placement experience has been both rewarding and eye-opening. It allowed me to engage with the organisation across multiple areas - from concert support to library work and music therapy - each offering a unique perspective on how a cultural institution can enrich lives beyond the concert hall.

One part of my role involved assisting with concert operations, including helping during rehearsals and performances. This gave me valuable insight into the backstage logistics that make live events possible, from stage setup to coordinating with musicians and technical staff. I also worked closely with Zoe, the music librarian, in preparing and organising sheet music. I learnt how essential this often-overlooked work is to the smooth running of concerts - it requires precision, efficiency, and great attention to detail.

A particularly meaningful aspect of my placement was my involvement in Music in Mind, a music therapy project designed for people living with dementia. I joined several sessions of the Music Caf茅, where music-making became a space for connection, expression, and joy. It was deeply moving to witness how music could unlock memories, spark conversations, and bring comfort to participants and their families. The warmth of the volunteers, staff, and attendees made this an incredibly human and humbling experience.

Throughout the placement, I鈥檝e gained practical skills in arts administration, project coordination, and community engagement, but more than that, I鈥檝e come to appreciate the role of music as a tool for wellbeing and social connection.

I鈥檇 like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Max Thomas, my supervisor, for his guidance and encouragement throughout the placement. I鈥檓 also very grateful to Zoe and Amy, and to all the wonderful people I met through the placement. Their kindness, passion, and commitment to making music accessible to all have left a lasting impression on me.

This placement has reaffirmed my belief in the power of the arts to transform lives. I鈥檓 excited to take these insights forward into the next steps of my journey in the cultural sector.

It offered a platform to highlight the collective reach of Manchester鈥檚 humanitarian sector, which has supported more than 6.5 million people in the past year alone through landmine clearance, emergency medical aid, disaster preparedness, peacebuilding, and more.

.

Opening the evening, MAG CEO Darren Cormack reflected on 黑料入口鈥檚 unique role in global humanitarianism: 

The evening included powerful speeches from the University鈥檚 President and Vice Chancellor, the CEO of Action for Humanity, and MAG鈥檚 Nika Kokareva, demining team leader in Ukraine. Nika delivered a first-hand account of the situation on the ground and the scale of humanitarian need caused by the ongoing war, particularly the threat posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance to families and farmers.

The event served as a timely reminder of Manchester鈥檚 deep-rooted legacy of social justice and global solidarity. While MAG and its partners operate in diverse contexts and specialise in different areas, the values driving their missions 鈥� dignity, justice, and hope 鈥� are shaped by the spirit of this city.

In a world facing increasing humanitarian challenges, the need for sustained partnership, collaboration, and funding has never been greater.

The Global 黑料入口 event demonstrated what is possible when organisations, institutions, and communities come together in common cause 鈥� and why continued, united action is vital to creating a safer, fairer world.

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, co-authored by academics from the University of Manchester and the University of Groningen, adds nuance to the idea that journalists have hyped AI technologies.  Examining AI coverage in (USA), (The Netherlands), and (Brazil) between June 2020 and September 2023. The analysis, published in the journal Digital Journalism, found that, although fascination with systems like ChatGPT was evident, the reporting often reflected deeper tensions and uncertainties about AI鈥檚 future.

Instead of merely amplifying hype, the study highlights a recurring discourse of 鈥�open-ended technological inevitability鈥�, according to which AI鈥檚 impact is unavoidable, though its course remains uncertain. Across all three newspapers, research revealed that ongoing power struggles among governments, corporations, experts, and citizens indicate that AI is not just a technological issue, but a political and social one.

The researchers argue that this complex media landscape may influence how AI is regulated and understood by the public, providing caution against oversimplifying journalistic coverage as mere hype.

The study introduces the concept of 鈥�mediated technological drama鈥� as an alternative framework, explaining how media shapes public understanding of emerging technologies. Using theatrical metaphors, it suggests that journalists not only report on AI but also become engaged actors in the stories they tell.

For instance, a common theme across all three newspapers was comparing AI to nuclear weapons or climate impacts. These examples demonstrate the drama in action and how existential fears about AI are depicted. This multi-actor perspective is crucial for critically examining the politics behind the portrayal of emerging technologies.

The findings offer fresh insight for policymakers and media professionals seeking to navigate the evolving discourse around AI. As global conversations about regulation and ethics intensify, the role of journalism in shaping public understanding has never been more poignant.

Speaking of the findings, , Senior Lecturer in AI Trust and Security, shared: 

The peer-reviewed article  鈥�鈥� was co-authored by , University of Manchester and , from the .

The daytime programme formed part of the conference Neither Factory Records Nor Madchester: Rethinking 黑料入口鈥檚 Musical and Subcultural Histories, hosted in collaboration with the at 黑料入口 Metropolitan University. After a morning of sessions in 黑料入口, attendees travelled to UNESCO World Heritage site, Jodrell Bank, for an afternoon of thought-provoking discussions on 黑料入口鈥檚 rich musical legacy, led by University of Manchester experts. 

A panel, chaired by Creative 黑料入口鈥檚 Simon Industrial Fellow Karen Gabay, featured Alison Surtees, Basil Clarke, Debra Burns and Yvonne Ellis, and discussed the subcultural side of Stockport鈥檚 well-known Strawberry Studios. Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics Associate Director Prof Tim O鈥橞rien delivered a keynote on 鈥榤oonbouncing鈥�, exploring when Kraftwerk鈥檚 performance was transmitted to the moon, bounced off the surface and transmitted back to Jodrell Bank at .  

The research conference concluded with a panel discussion on the science and politics of togetherness in music cultures. The panel was led by Dr Roddy Hawkins (Lecturer in Music) with Dr Kamila Rymajdo (Creative 黑料入口/ENO Research Associate), Dr Christabel Sterling (RCM London), Dr Michelle Phillips (RNCM) and Dr Paul Martin (New Buckinghamshire University). 

The evening event was part of Creative 黑料入口's Solstice and Equinox series, which brings innovative creative artists to 黑料入口's four cultural institutions. Each of our unique cultural institutions 鈥� the Whitworth, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 黑料入口 Museum and Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement 鈥� focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities. 

The Solstice event began with a fascinating and important conversation between Soul II Soul founder Jazzie B OBE and acclaimed historian, broadcaster and Professor of Public History David Olusoga OBE, chaired by Dr Sophie Everest, Lecturer in Film Practice at 黑料入口. Set against the backdrop of the Grade I listed Lovell Telescope, the discussion explored the intersections of music, cultural heritage, and identity, and how the enduring influence of British Black music and subculture has shaped today鈥檚 cultural landscape. 

Jazzie B, a pioneering figure in UK music and founder of the legendary Soul II Soul collective, shared reflections on his journey from pirate radio to Grammy-winning global success. The Solstice event also featured the film premiere of , which documented his involvement in a University of Manchester research project and was produced in association with the British Pop Archive and Creative 黑料入口.

In the film, Jazzie B takes viewers on an immersive journey through his personal archive. Rifling through papers and artefacts, Jazzie uncovers his family鈥檚 Caribbean heritage and move to the UK, school days, sound system culture, employment history, business ventures and the story of Soul II Soul - from their ideological foundations to warehouse parties and global critical and commercial success. In doing so, Jazzie traces a vital and under-told history of post war Black British music, creativity, enterprise and collectivity.

This film was made by Dr Sophie Everest (Lecturer in Film Practice) and music documentarian Matt O鈥機asey in collaboration with Jazzie B and aims to trial new models of shared collecting and storytelling in association with the British Pop Archive (BPA). The BPA is a University of Manchester national collection dedicated to the preservation and research of popular culture, counter-culture, and youth culture. The film output is shared with Jazzie B and the footage from the shoot will enter the collection of the British Pop Archive for future research and public engagement with the collections. 

The evening concluded with an exclusive DJ set by Jazzie B with his signature sound in the First Light Pavilion, spinning classic tracks and contemporary hits that embody the spirit of Soul II Soul. 

The trail will feature artworks, exhibitions and installations that celebrate the people, places, moments and instruments of Manchester鈥檚 music scene. It runs from Monday 7 July 鈥� Sunday 31 August.

We鈥檒l be celebrating two of Manchester鈥檚 most famous alumni 鈥� Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands, also known as The Chemical Brothers. The dance music duo met while studying history in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and went on to achieve massive chart success with six No. 1 albums and two No.1 singles in the UK.

Why not pay us a visit when you鈥檙e out and about in 黑料入口 exploring the trail? For more info, visit the , where you can also .

Hamad Butt: Apprehensions at the Whitechapel Gallery, London, is the first major survey of Hamad Butt (b. 1962, Lahore, Pakistan; d. 1994, London, UK). Butt was one of the most innovative artists of his generation. His work spanned intermedia art, science, and alchemy, whilst also referencing his Queer and diasporic experiences. He offered a nuanced artistic response to the AIDS crisis in the UK, taking a conceptual rather than activist approach.

Alice Correia contributed an essay titled 鈥淧roblem Spaces: Hamad Butt, South Asian Identities, and British Art鈥� to the catalogue published to accompany the exhibition.  

Alice Correia鈥檚 talk will be held on Thursday 24 July, 6.30-8pm, at the Whitechapel Gallery, London. Tickets can be booked via the.

In praise of Hamad Butt: Apprehensions at the Whitechapel Gallery:

鈽呪槄鈽呪槄鈽�&苍产蝉辫;鈥�Beauty and violence from a lost and dangerous YBA鈥�
&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

鈽呪槄鈽呪槄鈽�&苍产蝉辫;鈥�This late genius puts you a breath away from death鈥�
&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

鈽呪槄鈽呪槄鈽呪�榗ool, calm and potentially lethal鈥�
&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

The Festival, which takes place in spaces and partner venues throughout the city, including Factory International鈥檚 home Aviva Studios, is for the first time venturing further with events in locations across Greater 黑料入口, including Rochdale and Wigan. Festival attendees are invited to 鈥榚xperience art that pushes boundaries, addresses the big questions of our time and creates hope for the future鈥� with a varied programme of free, low-cost and ticketed events. 

黑料入口 is proud to be a long-standing Senior Supporter of the Festival and its organiser Factory International, who are continuing to build on the MIF legacy with a varied programme of groundbreaking world premieres and local events, co-created with local communities, students and partners. The Festival celebrates 黑料入口 as a global hub of creative innovation and features homegrown artists returning to the region with many of the artists programmed originally coming from the North West. 

The Whitworth, one of The University鈥檚 four cultural institutions, is also part of the MIF25 programme. From 4 July 2025 to 4 January 2026, Santiago Yahuarcani鈥檚 鈥楾he Beginning of Knowledge鈥� will be on show at the gallery and is the result of a project by the artist, Indigenous activist, and leader of the Aimeni (White Heron) clan of the Uitoto people. In his first international solo exhibition Yahuarcani showcases large-scale, narrative-rich paintings exploring the relationship between the Uitoto people and the natural world. 

Throughout July MIF25 is looking to inspire fresh perspectives, challenge conventional thought and invite audiences to 鈥榙ream differently鈥� - envisioning new possibilities, brighter futures and utopian spaces. Presenting some of the most exciting creative minds of our generation, the programme champions indigenous artists and creators from the Global South, expanding the Festival鈥檚 renowned international impact as well as fostering deep connections with local artists and communities in the North West of England.  

Creative Director at Factory International and member of the Research Platform Advisory Board, Low Kee Hong says:

On the opening weekend hundreds of participants, including students and staff from 黑料入口, joined puppeteers in for a public artwork on an unprecedented scale. This monumental migration of life-sized puppets, some of which have been made in 黑料入口, took over the streets of Greater 黑料入口 to open the Festival and raise awareness of the climate crisis and the collective effort needed to fight it. 

Across Greater 黑料入口鈥檚 boroughs residents will also be able to enjoy local community showcases featuring cabaret, performance and comedy on each Festival weekend, or join the free programme of events at MIF鈥檚 outside Aviva Studios. 

Across Greater 黑料入口鈥檚 boroughs residents will also be able to enjoy local community showcases featuring cabaret, performance and comedy on each Festival weekend, or join the free programme of events at MIF鈥檚 outside Aviva Studios. 

I am Beisi Wang, now studying at the university of Manchester, majoring in Digital Media, Culture, and Society. Over the past few months, I have had the pleasure of completing a placement with Creative 黑料入口, a research platform based at the University of Manchester that supports interdisciplinary collaboration between the arts, culture, and academia. 

As a postgraduate student in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, I have always been interested in health communication and the power of creative practices in raising public awareness. This placement gave me the valuable opportunity to explore how cultural events can promote meaningful community engagement as well as improving my own communication and organisational skills in a UK working environment.

Throughout my placement, I undertook diverse responsibilities that related to cultural events and digital communication. I participated in the full delivery of events, from internal meetings and external partner coordination to on-site logistics, such as setting up venues, preparing materials, and supporting guest registration. I also had chances to engage in digital communication planning, including managing and scheduling social media content across a variety of platforms (e.g. Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky), creating digital visual material (eg. posters and promotional videos) and monthly analysing social media performance. These experiences enhanced my understanding of how to tailor content to specific platforms and different audiences, while strengthening my skills in English writing, and professional workplace communication.

One of the most memorable and significant events throughout my placement is Silent Skies exhibition. It is an engaging temporary exhibition hosted at 黑料入口 Museum, looking at both the historic and modern contexts of air quality in the city of Manchester. It brought together researchers, local campaigners, and members of the public to reflect on environmental injustice and collective action. 

The event was structured in three parts: an immersive exhibition, a drinks reception, and a lecture with interactive elements. During the drinks reception, some students moved through the crowd wearing gas masks and carrying trays of jelly with toy cars embedded inside, a striking metaphor for how exhaust fumes may affect the human lungs. The lecture also began with a powerful artistic moment: several performers held umbrellas adorned with recycled bottle caps, turning everyday objects into a symbol of environmental awareness. Throughout the talk, interactive activities encouraged attendees to reflect and participate in the discussion.

I was involved from the early planning stages to final promotions. I drafted and scheduled promotional content tailored to each stage of the campaign - writing teaser posts, designing digital assets, and managing cross-platform posting using Hootsuite. I also prepared targeted email updates for attendees and edited a video reviewing the whole event for our Instagram and Facebook account. Silent Skies showed me how storytelling, design, and creativity can come together to convey complex environmental issues in engaging and memorable ways.

Beyond practical digital communication skills, such as design and copywriting, this placement helped to grow as a communicator and team member. I became more confident to deliver a speech in team meetings, and coordinate audiences in events. I also improved my written English and became more familiar with the tone and branding of public-facing communication. More broadly, this placement allows me to realize how creative practices can bridge the gap between social issues and the public.

I鈥檓 incredibly grateful to the Creative 黑料入口 team for their support and encouragement throughout the placement - especially my supervisor Kate, whose guidance helped me grow in confidence and independence. This has been a valuable and inspiring experience that has shaped both my academic journey and professional goals.

To any students considering a placement in Creative 黑料入口: go for it! It鈥檚 a great chance to apply your skills in a real-world context, meet inspiring people, and explore how creativity can drive change.

Titled, "South Asian Artists and British Collections", her paper will introduce research into the acquisition and interpretation of artworks by FN Souza and Avinash Chandra by UK public collections, including Tate. She will introduce the ways in which Souza and Chandra were considered 鈥渆xotic鈥� by British critics and curators during the 1950s and 60s, and how such perceptions informed institutional framings of their work.

Archival research has revealed ambivalences on the part of collections to regard modernist painters of South Asian heritage active in London during the post-war period as part of the story of British art. Correia will present how those ambivalences have informed subsequent understandings and misunderstandings with reference to Souza鈥檚 painting Crucifixion (1961) in the Tate Collection. 

She argues that significant biases and blind-spots about Souza鈥檚 work found in Tate鈥檚 acquisition documents continue to ripple through the gallery鈥檚 online texts and display captions. 

You can view the artwork on the Tate website.

Alice Correia鈥檚 talk is organised by the , University of Leicester, and will be held on Friday, 20 June 2025, 1.00pm to 2.30pm.

A team of researchers at the University of Manchester have secured a major 鈧�2.5 million (拢2.1 million) grant from the to uncover lost medical writings that could transform our understanding of ancient medicine and the exchange of knowledge between cultures.

More than a thousand years ago, Alexandria was one of the world鈥檚 great centres of medical learning. Among its most influential figures was Gesius, a renowned professor whose teachings helped shape health practices across the Islamic world and medieval Europe. His writings were thought to be lost, erased and overwritten on parchment, buried beneath layers of later texts.

Now, thanks to the discovery of five newly identified palimpsests - manuscripts that were scraped and reused centuries ago - those lost texts may soon be readable again. Hidden beneath newer writings are on the works of , one of the most important physicians in history.

Professors () and () are leading the project. Using advanced multispectral imaging and machine learning, their team will recover and transcribe the hidden texts, making them accessible for the first time in over a millennium. Once revealed, the writings will be edited, translated, and analysed to reassess Gesius鈥� contributions to medical theory and education.

鈥淭hese texts will shed new light on how ancient Greek medical knowledge was preserved, adapted, and passed down into Syriac and Arabic traditions, shaping the foundations of both Islamic and Western medicine,鈥� said Professor Pormann, Principal Investigator.

鈥淭his award will allow us to see the invisible and make a hidden source for the history of medicine readable and accessible for the very first time.鈥�

The project builds on Professor Pormann鈥檚 former work as Founding Director of the , established in 2013 to explore the University鈥檚 rich collections of rare manuscripts and books. The Institute fosters collaboration between scientists, historians, conservators, and imaging specialists, using cutting-edge technology to unlock the secrets of the past.

This new grant continues this tradition of innovation, fueled by the Arts Lab approach that Pormann pioneered together with his long-term collaborator Professor William Sellers, whose work has spanned medicine and science. Their partnership is a testament to the power of crossing boundaries between disciplines, traditions, and centuries to uncover hidden knowledge.

After winning the race in Liverpool last year, the 黑料入口 team didn鈥檛 manage to finish in the top three. Congratulations to Lancaster who came first, followed by Edge Hill and Liverpool.

The event, hosted in 黑料入口 for the first time since the pandemic, was opened with a speech from Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility at the University of Manchester, who highlighted the importance of unity and the spirit of collaboration.

Dragon boat racing has been a traditional Chinese paddled watercraft activity for over 2000 years and began as a modern international sport in Hong Kong in 1976. For competition events, dragon boats are generally rigged with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails. For races, there are usually 18-20 people in a standard boat, and 8-10 in a small boat, not including the helmsman and the drummer.

The book, written by Anthropologist, , has also been awarded the and received an

Drawing on extensive fieldwork in the portion of Kashmir under Pakistan鈥檚 control and its surrounding mountainscapes, Atmospheric Violence explores how communities continue to live, relate, and imagine otherwise in landscapes shaped by both environmental disasters and militarised conflict. Through the intimate stories of five protagonists in remote mountain valleys, the book illustrates how people forge lives among violence that is everywhere鈥攐r 鈥榓tmospheric鈥�.

Departing from conventional trauma-centric approaches, the monograph frames disaster through the lens of repair. Engaging with Black and Indigenous studies, affect theory, and decolonial thought, the book blurs the boundaries of theory, storytelling, and activism to offer a transformative vision for understanding resilience and care in the world鈥檚 conflict zones.

Speaking of the awards, Dr Omer Aijazi, Lecturer in Disaster Management and Climate Crisis, shared:
鈥淭hese awards testify that scholars are storytellers. We must take risks, experiment with our craft, and work from the heart. Other worlds, other futures, are indeed possible.鈥�

These prestigious awards affirm Atmospheric Violence as a significant and timely contribution to global conversations on justice, survival, and the politics of humanitarian response.

In this year's competition, eight finalists took part in the Business Innovation category and ten students took part in the main Chinese Bridge competition. Sandy participated in both.

The "Chinese Bridge" International University Student Chinese Competition is an international competition organized by the Center for Language Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of China aiming to strengthen academic and people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries through language and culture.

Sandy is from Gibraltar and has been studying Chinese for nearly four years. She studied in China for a year, living and communicating in a real language environment, which significantly improved her language skills.

Her research focuses on the impact of cultural activities on students' physical and mental health, which not only reflects her interest in education and culture but also reflects her desire to connect Chinese and other cultures, and benefit society.

Want to improve your Chinese so you can compete next year? Check out our .

The event, hosted in partnership with , brought together experts, students, and members of the public for an evening of exploration into one of psychology鈥檚 most controversial experiments. The new docuseries, which is set to air in the UK on Sunday 15 June on National Geographic, re-examines the famous with new footage, reenactments, and powerful interviews with those who took part, many speaking on camera for the first time.

Attendees were offered thought-provoking perspectives from the docuseries鈥� expert commentators, from the , and from the .

The discussion covered social identity and how people act in groups. Professor Stephen Reicher shared findings from his own research, dating back to the 1980 St Paul鈥檚 riots in Bristol, showing that people often act with purpose and awareness in crowd settings. He also stressed the complexity of social psychology as a scientific field because its findings can alter the very thing being studied.

鈥淧eople knew exactly what they were doing. Psychology changes who we are, and Zimbardo changed who we are,鈥� said Professor Stephen Reicher.

The panel also looked at the idea of role-playing and how it can shape behaviour. Unlike in reality TV, where everyone knows it鈥檚 a game, in the Stanford Prison Experiment, those in charge thought they were 鈥渏ust playing,鈥� but those on the receiving end didn鈥檛 feel the same. This difference in perspective led to confusion and real harm.

Two drama students from the University of Manchester, Arista Abbabatula and Minna White, who participated in reenactments for the National Geographic docuseries, also joined the discussion and shared how the experience made them reflect on the emotional and ethical challenges of portraying real events.

During the Q&A, audience members asked questions about the role of undercover police and how race and gender may have shaped the experiences of people in the experiment. The questions showed just how relevant the topic still is today.

The event was a great success, sparking deep discussion and showing the value of bringing together ideas from theatre, psychology, and real-world events. It also celebrated 黑料入口鈥檚 role in supporting this important new docuseries.

The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking the Truth will be shown in the UK on .

The day concludes with Creative 黑料入口鈥檚 Solstice and Equinox event and an exclusive DJ set by Jazzie B himself. 

The summer solstice event brings together two remarkable cultural figures against the backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Jodrell Bank, home to the iconic Lovell telescope. This unique combination of research and public engagement events contributes to Creative 黑料入口's ongoing mission to foster dialogue between different creative disciplines and cultural perspectives.

The conversation, chaired by Dr Sophie Everest, Lecturer in Film Practice and Filmmaker, will explore the intersections of music, history, and cultural heritage in a setting of scientific discovery and innovation.

Coach transport to and from Jodrell Bank and admission to the Solstice and Equinox event are included in the conference ticket. 

Celebrating Jazzie B's legacy

Trevor Beresford Romeo OBE, known as Jazzie B, is a DJ, music producer, entrepreneur and founding member of the iconic music collective, Soul II Soul. Born in London to parents of Antiguan descent, Jazzie began DJing in the 1980s on pirate radio and holding parties adapting the reggae sound system. This evolved into the formation of the Soul II Soul Collective and signature sound, a number one single, global success, two Grammy Awards, and the sale of millions of records.

Soul II Soul and Jazzie B have left an indelible mark on British culture, not only through their music but also via legendary club nights, fashion lines, retail ventures, and radio shows on both pirate station Kiss FM and the BBC. Jazzie was awarded an OBE in 2008, and in 2024, Soul II Soul received the MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of an enduring impact on British music and culture.

Archival Collaboration with 黑料入口

The event is part of an ongoing collaboration between Jazzie B and researchers at 黑料入口, who are working together to document his extensive personal archive. This archival project represents an important effort to preserve and study the cultural impact of Soul II Soul and the broader musical and cultural movements they influenced.

Following their conversation, the evening will culminate in a special DJ set from Jazzie B himself, bringing his signature sound to the First Light Pavilion鈥攁 rare opportunity to experience his musical artistry in such a unique scientific setting.

The Solstice and Equinox Series: Bridging Arts and Sciences

The evening event is part of Creative 黑料入口's Solstice and Equinox series, which brings innovative creative artists to 黑料入口's four Cultural Institutions. Each of our unique cultural institutions 鈥� the Whitworth, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 黑料入口 Museum and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre 鈥� focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.

The award-winning series follows the pair as they retrace the steps of the Grand Tour across Europe, exploring art, culture, and identity with warmth and wit. The programme has been praised for its engaging storytelling and emotional depth, earning widespread acclaim and now, one of television鈥檚 highest honours.

Rob Rinder studied at the University of Manchester, graduating with a double first in Politics and Modern History, a joint honours degree spanning both the and the . His academic achievements laid the foundation for a distinguished career in law, broadcasting, and public engagement.

The success of Rob and Rylan鈥檚 Grand Tour has seen it renewed for a second series, where the duo will travel to India and retrace the steps of Rob鈥檚 favourite author E.M. Forster.

We are proud to celebrate this achievement and to count Rob among our inspiring alumni.

Moonraking Festival Committee Member and Project Organiser, Sky Burton-Smith says:

Slaithwaite (called 鈥淪lawit鈥� by locals) is a semi-rural Pennine village in the Colne Valley, West Yorkshire, with a rich history dating back to the Romans and Anglo-Saxons. The Industrial Revolution鈥檚 canals and railways brought mills, industry and textile workers. 

Today it retains historic industrial buildings, including mills, churches, and stone cottages. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal remains a central feature, with scenic walking routes attracting tourists. The local economy has diversified, with independent shops, cafes and small businesses. The village is now a thriving community with traditions of creativity, ethical cooperatives and the handmade. We will tell this story of change in the project.

The 17-month programme focuses on participatory community heritage activities, researching, archiving, interpreting and celebrating local histories. It marks two significant anniversaries: 40 years of Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival in February 2025 (an extraordinary community light-festival based on a local legend) and 100 years of Slaithwaite鈥檚 Carr Lane central parade of shops. These anniversaries will bring people together, with shops and shopping as a theme for the programme exploring changing social and economic history. 

The project aims to conserve and revitalise Slawit鈥檚 heritage through multi-generational learning activities, developing skills and increasing capacity to sustain heritage of local traditions and stories.

Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival was established in 1985 by Satellite Arts with Slaithwaite Community Association. It was run by Satellite Arts鈥� Gill Bond until 2023, and is now sustained by a dynamic committee of local residents and artists. The biennial festival retells a humorous legend of quick-thinking smugglers, illicit barrels of moonshine, the canal and outwitting authorities. It is renowned for its parade of candle-lit willow and paper lanterns, and the 鈥渞aking out鈥� of a giant moon from the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Previous Moonraking Festival themes have included circus, forest, pantomime, mythical beasts, and space exploration - with shops this year鈥檚 festival theme.

The Carr Lane Parade of shops is in the centre of the village opposite the canal. They were built in 1925 in an art deco style by entrepreneur John Jagger after the council had demolished previous buildings to widen the road. This element of the project focuses on the story of the eight units in the centre and memories of a century of shopping.

The intangible cultural heritage is uplifted through a combined approach of uncovering cultural and commercial heritage together, exploring oral histories, accents and dialogue, and ephemera and memories. Plus, celebrating the folk traditions and craft skills of the incredible Moonraking Festival.

Jenna first met the Moonraking Festival Committee during research in the Colne Valley for the project, Creative Adaptive Solutions for Treescapes of Rivers (CASTOR). She says:

To find out more about the project and its activities, visit the .

On 29 April 2025, and the hosted a compelling in-conversation event featuring Professor (Harvard University) and Professor (University of Manchester), at the Alliance 黑料入口 Business School.  

The afternoon began with a welcome address from Professor , Vice Dean for Research in the Faculty of Humanities, who introduced the speakers and highlighted the significance of the discussion in today鈥檚 political climate. 

In a wide-ranging dialogue, Professors Lamont and Younge explored the politics of recognition and multiculturalism in the context of Trump鈥檚 second presidency, drawing comparisons between the US and UK. Their conversation focused on the experiences of working-class communities and racialised groups, and the cultural shifts occurring amid political backlash.

Professor Lamont, currently a Leverhulme Visiting Professor at 黑料入口, shared insights from her new book project, which investigates recognition claims across different social contexts. Her reflections were enriched by her interdisciplinary work in sociology, African and African American studies, and European studies at Harvard. 

Professor Younge, known for his incisive journalism and sociological commentary, brought a sharp lens to the discussion, highlighting the role of media, memory, and political backlash in shaping public discourse around identity and belonging. 

The event concluded with a lively audience Q&A and a drinks reception, offering attendees the opportunity to continue the conversation informally. 

This event was part of Professor Lamont鈥檚 Visiting Professorship, hosted by Professor Andrew Miles and the Department of Sociology.  

was delighted to host the inaugural event in a new series examining the critical role of arts centres across the UK and Ireland, in at the University of Manchester on 29 April. 

Led by Honorary Research Fellow Dave Moutrey in partnership with , the event brought together cultural leaders, researchers, and policymakers to explore the funding landscape and future potential of these vital community institutions.

Arts centres have long served as dynamic spaces for creativity, inclusion, and local engagement. Often operating outside the spotlight of larger cultural venues, they have nonetheless played a transformative role in shaping artistic practice and fostering social cohesion. Their significance was particularly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, when their adaptability and deep community roots proved essential.

The event commenced with a networking lunch, followed by a presentation of new research by Ray Morrison, Research Associate to Dave Moutrey. Morrison鈥檚 analysis of Arts Council England (ACE) funding data offered a detailed view of how arts centres are resourced and the implications of current funding models.

A panel discussion followed, featuring Gavin Barlow of Future Arts Centres and Dr Jennifer Cleary of Arts Council England. The panel engaged in a robust dialogue on the findings, considering how funding structures influence the sustainability and reach of arts centres, and what strategic changes might be necessary to support their continued evolution.

This event marks the beginning of a wider programme of research and public engagement led by Moutrey during his fellowship. With the support of Future Arts Centres, the series will continue to investigate the development, impact, and future trajectory of arts centres, particularly in the context of ongoing political, social, and economic challenges.

Kenneth delivered a well-received session titled "Ethical AI in Information Governance: Shaping the Future of Information Management." His presentation focused on the growing importance of ethical considerations in the deployment of AI technologies within the field of information governance. 

He addressed key concerns such as transparency, accountability, and compliance, as well as strategies for ensuring that AI tools are implemented responsibly to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and organisational effectiveness.

During the session, Kenneth also explored current and emerging AI regulatory frameworks from the EU, the US, and other regions, offering practical guidance on mitigating risks related to bias, data privacy, and data integrity. 

The session sparked meaningful dialogue among attendees and emphasised the importance of maintaining human-centred values as we continue integrating AI into complex information ecosystems.

Reflecting on the event, Kenneth said:

This engagement not only highlights Kenneth鈥檚 emerging leadership in the evolving discourse around responsible AI in Information Governance and Compliance but also showcases our university鈥檚 commitment to contributing to cutting-edge developments in digital transformation and ethical innovation.

We congratulate Kenneth on this achievement and look forward to seeing the continued impact of his work on the future of ethical information governance.

Led by module lead and coordinator  and programme director , the visit included in-depth tours of two of Restore鈥檚 major operational facilities: Heywood (Birch Business Park) and Zeus (Agecroft Commerce Park, Swinton). These sites provided students with an immersive experience into the daily operations and strategic practices of records and information management on an industrial scale.

Designed as a practical extension of classroom-based learning, the study visit aimed to give students a first-hand understanding of how theoretical concepts in records and information management are applied in professional environments. Students explored key departments and functions within Restore, directly observing how complex processes like document classification, secure storage, digitisation, and compliance protocols are executed in real time.

During the visit, students had the opportunity to explore the physical repository, witnessing how records are stored and preserved under strict security and environmental controls. 

They observed operations in action, following the full lifecycle of records from intake and processing to storage, retrieval, and secure disposal. Students also engaged with industry professionals who shared their experiences and insights into the real-world challenges and solutions in records management, compliance, and risk.

The experience offered students a deeper appreciation of data security protocols, legal and ethical considerations, and the technological infrastructure that supports large-scale information governance. They observed how digital systems facilitate efficiency and compliance, ensuring Restore can effectively manage vast volumes of information while upholding legal and ethical standards.

This enriching experience brought course concepts to life and emphasised the importance of connecting academic learning with industry practice. It helped students gain a clearer vision of their future roles in records and archive management and underscored the value of experiential learning in developing job-ready skills.

We extend our sincere appreciation to  for their continued support of our academic mission and for providing our students with such a valuable professional development opportunity. 

Through partnerships like this, the University of Manchester continues to prepare students for impactful careers in the field of information and records management.

On Wednesday, 30 April internationally acclaimed artist, Chila Kumari Burman came to the University in her capacity as the 2024-2025 Pilkington Visiting Professor in Art History.

In an illuminating keynote public lecture, Burman discussed her new commission Chila Welcomes You currently on display at Imperial War Museum North, Salford. Burman鈥檚 work for the IWMN addresses themes of South Asian migration to Britain, working-class entrepreneurialism and the importance of having access to diverse visual cultures. 

Burman鈥檚 lecture was expertly led by Iris Veysey, Senior Curator, IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, and Burman talked to an enthralled audience about her recent adoption of neon-lights as artistic medium, alongside earlier important print and collage work from the 1980s and 1990s.

Burman and her work came to prominence in the 1980s, and she is a central figure in what has become known as the Black British Art Movement. Born and raised in Liverpool, early in her career, Burman used her artistic practice as a form of social activism, and etchings and photo-lithographs made as a student at Leeds Polytechnic addressed such issues the Northern Irish hunger strikes; anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa; Anti-Nuclear protest; and the riots of 1981- in Brixton, Toxteth and elsewhere. 

For Burman, the process of art making was, in her words, a way of trying to 鈥渦nderstand what is going on in the world鈥� and her position in relation to contemporary events. 

Today, Burman is perhaps best known for her remarkable Tate Britain Winter Commission, Remembering a Brave New World, 2020, which was a unabashed and uncompromising celebration of British-Asian culture in a hyper-vibrant array of glowing neons and wallpapers. Throughout her career, Burman has harnessed the various techniques of assemblage and her new work at IWMN includes an installation of found and assembled everyday objects; a large-scale neon homage to her mother鈥檚 clothes shop, and her first work in tapestry.

The Pilkington chair in Art History is among the oldest chairs in Art History in the country. It was founded in 1956 by sisters Margaret (1891) and Dorthy (1890) Pilkington, who were born in the 1890s in Pendleton, Lancashire to the wealthy Pilkington family, owners of Pilkington Glassworks and the Pilkington Tile Company. Margaret in particular was attracted to the visual arts at a young age and studied wood engraving at the Slade, where she was a pupil of Lucien Pissarro. It is particularly appropriate then that Burman, who also studied printmaking at the Slade, is this year鈥檚 Pilkington Visiting Professor.

Following her keynote lecture, on Thursday 1 May, Burman also gave a talk for MA students on the Curating Art module, addressing her experiences as a DIY artist-curator and the pitfalls and pleasures of working with curators at major institutions. It was a lively discussion! 

Later that day, Chila also led a tour of her fascinating and exuberant exhibition at the IWMN to both undergraduate Art History and post-graduate students from across AHCP programmes; another inspirational event - watch out for a student review of the visit in

The disaster, which occurred on Saturday 15 April 1989 at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, caused the deaths of 97 people and injuries to hundreds more, in a crush on the overcrowded terraces of Sheffield Wednesday鈥檚 Hillsborough Stadium. 

Despite the overwhelming evidence of negligence and safety failings, the South Yorkshire police blamed the victims, alleging that Liverpool supporters had misbehaved, a narrative amplified by parts of the media. Families fought for 21 years against the first inquest verdict of accidental death before it was finally quashed in 2012. 

At the new inquest in 2016, the jury determined that the 97 people were unlawfully killed due to gross negligence by the police match commander, that there was a series of other failings by the police, emergency services and Sheffield Wednesday, and that no behaviour of supporters contributed to the disaster. Criminal prosecutions followed but resulted in only one conviction of the former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary, for a health and safety offence.

Guardian Investigations Correspondent David Conn, who won the Press Awards News Reporter of the Year in 2024, has covered the tragedy and the families鈥� fight for justice for nearly 30 years. His work helped to establish the Hillsborough Independent Panel, whose 2012 report led to the quashing of the first inquest verdict. Conn has also highlighted legal injustices like racial bias in 鈥楯oint Enterprise鈥� laws and systemic failures in accountability.

In his lecture on Thursday, 13 February, Conn discussed the legal failures that followed the disaster, and discuss the , the principal reform families are calling for which would impose a statutory duty of candour for police and public authorities, and ensure that victims of disasters or state related deaths have the funding for lawyers to represent them at inquests and inquiries. Human rights barrister Pete Weatherby KC, who has long advocated for Hillsborough Law, explained its purpose and provide a response to the lecture, with Anna Morris KC chairing the discussion.

This inaugural Mark George Memorial Lecture honoured the late Head of Garden Court North Chambers, who represented 22 Hillsborough families during the 2014-16 inquiry. George played a pivotal role as legal counsel for 22 families during the Hillsborough Inquiry (2014-16), helping uncover the truth after nearly three decades of struggle. The series honours his dedication to justice, education and advocacy. 

The event also marked the launch of Conn鈥檚 Simon Industrial and Professional Fellowship, which will bring him together with experts from the university to advance research into fairness in legal processes and amplify voices impacted by injustice.

This year鈥檚 Festival of Libraries is headlined by Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Poet Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who will be joined by a host of authors, poets, historians, performers and more.

After winning Best Event at the 黑料入口 Culture Awards in 2024, this will be the Festival鈥檚 fifth year.

has curated a series of six free events for the Festival programme, showcasing our research, in partnership with the , and .

Writing for Wellbeing workshops will see poets from the Centre for New Writing run three sessions at Middleton, Oldham and Walkden libraries, exploring how creative writing can positively impact wellbeing.

At Bolton Central Library, 黑料入口 Histories and Creative 黑料入口 will unveil their new Heritage for Wellbeing Toolkit, sharing insights into the toolkit鈥檚 development and inviting attendees to participate in one of the activities firsthand.

The Linguistic Diversity Collective have two workshops on offer. 鈥榃hat鈥檚 in a word, and what鈥檚 in a dictionary?鈥� will look at how dictionaries define words, and will take place at new Festival partner 黑料入口 Cathedral Library.

鈥楤lackout the Jargon鈥� is a session of blackout poetry at Cheadle Library, inviting attendees to find art and meaning in scientific texts.

Find out more about the University鈥檚 Festival of Libraries workshops and book your free places by visiting .