Civic engagement
As a Civic University, we believe that civic engagement is critical to our success. By working in partnership with communities, organisations and civic leaders from across Manchester and Greater Manchester, we believe we will improve our own practice, and the lives of people in the region.
Civic University Agreement
We are working in partnership with five higher education institutions and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to deliver our Civic University Agreement which aims to advance wellbeing and prosperity in Greater Manchester.
Our commitment to civic engagement can be seen in our research that involves our population and informs local policies, our engagement through staff and student experience activities, the social impact of our cultural institutions, our role as an economic anchor and our alignment to the Greater Manchester strategy and ambitions.
As Britain's first civic university, we were founded by and for the people of Manchester. Contributing to the well-being and prosperity of Greater Manchester is a fundamental part of our purpose.
Our core goals of research and discovery, teaching and learning and social responsibility are enhanced, and inspired, by our city region and its pioneering spirit. We actively engage local communities, involve a wide range of people in our work and listen to public concerns and aspirations across our region.
Universities are judged by the quality of their work with the public and their local communities. We hold a Platinum Watermark for this work with the NCCPE, are ranked at the top end of our cluster for public and community engagement in England’s Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF). We are the UK and Europe’s top institution and second in the world for social and environmental impact (Times Higher Education), measured against the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
We’re engaging with, involving and inspiring our local communities and developing our understanding of social inclusion, and how we can foster inclusive and effective solutions.These are delivered through a wide variety of key initiatives such as widening participation, our Manchester Access Programme, our School Governor Initiative, the employment and training initiative The Works and our voluntary services.
Our vision for prosperous communities is to increase economic wellbeing, develop new sectors, innovate, and improve productivity for all people and all areas of our city region. We are doing this through a number of key initiatives such as ID-Manchester and our Masood Entrepreneurship Centre.
We're playing a key role in levelling up opportunities across Greater Manchester through our work on productivity, education, work and employment and inequalities, as well as being a major employer and provider of free legal, dental services.
We're at the forefront of discovering, developing and deploying new solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of Greater Manchester’s 2.8 million citizens through Health Innovation Manchester, our training of health professionals, our engagement and involvement of the public and patients and wider research.
We're shaping Manchester’s zero carbon future through our research, teaching, engagement and operations.
We play a key role in cultural engagement and the creative industries through our University museum, gallery, library, science centre, race centre and Creative Manchester activities.
We're connecting, inspiring and involving the public with our work.
Our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Find out about our pioneering work which is directly supporting the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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Our vision and strategic plan
Our vision builds on a rich heritage of discovery, social change and pioneering spirit that is at the heart of our University and city region.
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