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Making a Difference Awards
Recognising the outstanding social and environmental impact staff, students, alumni and external partners have on our local communities and the wider society.
Social responsibility is one of our core goals, and each year, we celebrate the positive difference that our staff, students, alumni and community partners make in peoples’ lives through the Making a Difference Awards.
Watch our 2024 ceremony
The Making a Difference Awards 2024 ceremony was hosted by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell and Nazir Afzal OBE at Whitworth Hall on Thursday, 9 May.
You can watch a recording of the event on YouTube.
What are the award categories?
There are nine categories which focus on outstanding achievements across social responsibility, innovation, public engagement and environmental sustainability.
The drop-down menus below contain the specific details and nomination criteria of each award.
Recognising the innovation and success that collaborative working, partnerships and knowledge exchange activities have had on the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life.
The award is open to:
- Academic staff and researchers, including PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and early career researchers.
- Individuals or small teams of staff.
Open to all staff (individuals or small teams) and recognises staff innovation in the curriculum where teaching and learning have enhanced social, cultural or environmental impact.
Recognising innovation through novel solutions to societal and environmental problems, either with a new project or existing enterprise.
The award is open to:
- Staff (individuals or small teams).
- Students (individuals or small teams).
- Recent graduates and alumni (up to three years, as individuals or in small teams).
Recognising outstanding examples of sharing teaching and research knowledge with the public that enriches lives and is inspired by our communities worldwide.
There are four awards in this category:
- Outstanding local or civic engagement (open to staff and students).
- Outstanding national or international engagement (open to staff and students).
- Outstanding public contribution (open to individuals or teams working in Greater Manchester communities, who are nominated by University staff or students).
- Outstanding contribution by our cultural institutions (open to cultural institutions staff).
Recognising innovation and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and contributions that have taken place outside of the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team.
The award is open to:
- Staff (individuals or small teams).
- Students (individuals or small teams).
Recognising innovation and impact in the University’s Professional Services in social responsibility, for example, by developing and/or delivering processes, policies and services that contribute to social responsibility.
The award is open to Professional Services staff (individuals or small teams).
Recognising innovation and commitment to environmental sustainability at the University or in the local community.
Two awards will be given in this category, one for established projects and one for new projects (under 18 months).
The award is open to:
- Staff (individuals or small teams).
- Students (individuals or small teams).
- Recent graduates/alumni (of up to two years, individuals or small teams).
Recognising outstanding staff and student contributions to widening participation activity taking place locally, nationally or internationally and outside of the work the central Widening Participation Team make.
The award is open to:
- Staff (individuals or small teams).
- Students (individuals or small teams).
- Alumni and recent graduates (within the last ten years).
Recognising outstanding alumni contribution to creating a fairer, greener and healthier world, as well as creating a ‘greater Manchester’ by supporting our students of all backgrounds and communities. Contributions must have taken place outside of an official/paid role over the last 12 months.
This award is open to all alumni (graduates of the University).
