The University of Manchester Making a Difference Awards: Celebrating local and international impact

The University of Manchester’s commitment to social responsibility is evident in the difference it makes to society and the environment through its teaching, research, public engagement and operations. This has recently been recognised by the University being named top in both the UK and Europe and second in the world for meaningful contributions towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings.

Manchester’s top-ranking comes from a record assessment of 1,705 universities from 115 countries/regions. As well as ranking first in the UK, The University of Manchester is also the only UK institution in the world to rank in the top ten in every year the Impact Rankings have been running.

This commitment to social responsibility was recently celebrated at The University of Manchester, through its Making a Difference Awards. The awards took place at the university's Whitworth Hall on Thursday, May 11.

The University’s recently appointed Chancellor, Nazir Afzal OBE, presented winners with their awards, which included staff, students, alumni and external partners of the University. The evening began with the President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, reflecting on the University’s achievements from the past year. A live stream of the awards ceremony provided coverage of the event to friends around the world and those who could not be there in person.

Accolades included everything from research impact, innovative teaching and student volunteering to engaging with the public and working with external partners, all making a difference to the people of Greater Manchester and beyond.

Manchester Evening News attended the Making a