News archive – January 2026
Returning after the break: IT advice
05 Jan 2026
How to get set up if you’re returning to work with a new laptop, phone or tablet.
Starting Well - do one thing to support your mental health this January
05 Jan 2026
Small actions, big impact — discover how one thing can boost your mental health in 2026.
ONLINE: Imagining a Gender-Equal World: International Symposium
05 Jan 2026
Join us in marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Four Professors from our University recognised in King’s New Year Honours
05 Jan 2026
The honours system recognises achievements, commitment and service by people across the UK.
What’s on in January?
05 Jan 2026
Welcome to January’s edition of ‘What’s on?’. Here you will find everything you can get involved in for free each month, ranging from cultural, extracurricular and celebratory events and activities.
Book now: Townhall - From strategy to delivery
05 Jan 2026
Join us on Tuesday, 13 January, 10 – 11am for a townhall with Duncan Ivison and members of the University Executive to discuss our strategy’s delivery plan and three-year work package
New and improved Research Security Hub
06 Jan 2026
Our one-stop shop includes flowcharts to help colleagues navigate their personal journeys – and further support and resources – as we face a complex international environment and new potential risks.
Viewpoint: Why research security matters more than ever — we’re here to help
06 Jan 2026
Read our latest Viewpoint post from Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility. Share your experiences and ideas as we start a conversation about our research security here at Manchester.
Changes to purchasing food and drink on cost codes within Campus Cafés
06 Jan 2026
The UniCafé and Hospitality teams are making changes to the way food and drink is purchased within cafés and restaurants on campus using account and project codes, with the aim to make it easier and more sustainable for all.
Bone density testing
06 Jan 2026
A simple step to help you stay stronger for longer
Making a Difference Awards
07 Jan 2026
There’s still time to enter the 2026 Making a Difference Awards
Opportunity: Chief Executive Officer, Unit M
07 Jan 2026
We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to join Unit M, the University’s new innovation unit, to help unleash the University’s full innovation potential to benefit our region and the wider world.
Purple Place – January Offers
07 Jan 2026
Focus on wellbeing this January
New year’s resolutions that give back
08 Jan 2026
Three volunteer days: three opportunities for impact
Our graduates shaping change in Manchester and beyond
08 Jan 2026
Our graduates leave with more than a degree. Through learning, service and ambition, they go on to make a positive difference in communities locally and globally.
Rewarding Exceptional Performance
09 Jan 2026
Shine a spotlight on your team’s achievements
Cleaning up Dropbox storage for former colleagues
09 Jan 2026
We are removing Dropbox accounts which are no longer accessible so we can continue to provide this service for external collaboration and avoid the over-retention of unneeded files.
Christian Unity
09 Jan 2026
Join us for the annual week of prayer
No Time to Waste on New Year's Resolutions!
12 Jan 2026
The New Year is the perfect time to reflect and set intentions for a greener, healthier future. Download our sustainable rewards app and start earning points today.
Challenge Accepted: Celebrating your achievements
12 Jan 2026
Thank you for supporting our Challenge Accepted campaign through the Manchester Christmas Dinner and a coat appeal organised by the University of Manchester Staff Association (UMSA).
Support for colleagues and students during the exam and assessment period
14 Jan 2026
Supporting students and supporting yourself: practical tools and wellbeing resources for the exam and assessment period.
The Flexible Learning Programme's legacy - and the next chapter for teaching and learning
14 Jan 2026
The Flexible Learning Programme leaves a strong legacy of digital innovation, flexible teaching spaces, and lifelong learning opportunities, paving the way for 'Flexible, personalised and digitally enabled learning' by 2035.
WATCH: Catch up with the latest discussions on the delivery of our strategy
15 Jan 2026
The recent townhall gave colleagues an opportunity to ask questions and share observations as we move from strategy to delivery
You’re invited: Sustainability toolkit workshop
15 Jan 2026
Shape a sustainable future with systems thinking at our RoundView workshop on Wednesday, 11 February
Ensuring fire safety on campus
15 Jan 2026
It's important that we are all aware and reminding ourselves of essential fire safety tips to ensure a safe environment for everyone on campus.
Potential Wi-Fi disruption on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January
16 Jan 2026
Essential maintenance is needed on the University’s Wi-Fi service, and this may result in degradation or loss of Wi-Fi access in some areas on campus and in halls of residence, for a few minutes.
Available now: Our 2026 Diversity Calendar
16 Jan 2026
Celebrating the diverse and inclusive nature of our community
Don’t miss out: Nominate a colleague for a Distinguished Achievement Award
16 Jan 2026
Celebrate outstanding dedication and recognise those who go above and beyond at our University - submit your nominations by 6 February 2026.
A sector first; our new collaboration with Microsoft
19 Jan 2026
65,000 colleagues and students will receive full Microsoft 365 Copilot access and training, making Manchester the world’s first university to deploy equitable access across its entire community.
Open sessions: Social responsibility, civic engagement and public engagement
19 Jan 2026
Find out more about our commitment to social responsibility and civic engagement
Three stars for excellence: University catering celebrates top sustainability status
19 Jan 2026
We are proud to announce that our catering services, including UniCafe outlets, Food In Residence, and HospitalityOnCampus, have achieved a 3-star rating (the highest possible accreditation) in the 2025 Food Made Good Standard, awarded by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA).
Sustainability Fair
19 Jan 2026
Discover the environmental impact and sustainable production of food at our Sustainability Fair in the Nancy Rothwell Building on Wednesday, 11 February.
Duncan Ivison: Open research “powerful – it really speaks to our values”
21 Jan 2026
President and Vice-Chancellor, Duncan Ivison on why a Research Culture and Environment funded project to help colleagues share their work is important.
New funding for research with key international strategic partnerships
21 Jan 2026
New joint research calls with Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India and the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Access and Student Success Impact Report 2025
21 Jan 2026
Celebrating our fantastic range of access and success activities here at Manchester, thanks to the collective effort of colleagues, students, partners, donors, and alumni.
Financial wellbeing and retirement planning sessions
22 Jan 2026
More dates added to our series helping colleagues explore a range of financial wellbeing resources to help you save money, plan for tomorrow, and make confident financial choices.
Disruptions at Manchester Piccadilly announced for February 2026
22 Jan 2026
Most train services that run through Manchester Piccadilly will be affected by planned closure from Saturday, 14 February, until Sunday, 22 February, and then again on Sunday, 22 March (until 1pm).
WATCH: Getting to Know the University Executive – Professor John Holden
23 Jan 2026
John Holden, Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation, will play an integral part in delivering our strategy
Oracle CRM system - upcoming downtime
23 Jan 2026
Oracle Customer Relationship Management (CRM) will be unavailable from 10am on Thursday 26 February until 10am on Tuesday 3 March 2026 as part of a necessary system upgrade which will ensure the system remains secure.
Extending our Connect platform
26 Jan 2026
From Monday, 2 February, all People Services, Recruitment Services, Reward, Benefits and Pensions enquiries will be managed through the Connect platform.
Our University recognised among top 100 globally across 10 subject areas
26 Jan 2026
THE World University Rankings by Subject (WURS) – a testament to our high level of teaching and research excellence – will inform our strategic plan, Manchester 2035.
Save the date: Townhall - Join our conversation on Microsoft 365 Copilot
26 Jan 2026
Join us on Tuesday, 10 February 3 – 4pm for a townhall with Duncan Ivison and members of our University leadership to discuss our new collaboration with Microsoft
SEP evaluation – recommendations update from Ele Morrissey
27 Jan 2026
Turning SEP learnings into lasting improvements.
Holocaust Memorial Day
27 Jan 2026
Listen, learn, and carry forward lessons from the past
Changes when signing into Microsoft 365
27 Jan 2026
On Wednesday 4 February, we're making a small improvement to the way you sign in to Microsoft 365 services (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint etc).
Open Access monograph competition 2025/26
28 Jan 2026
Winners will receive Library funding to make their published monograph Open Access – enter by Friday, 27 February.
Guidance during the period of a parliamentary by-election
28 Jan 2026
You may be aware that a parliamentary by-election has been called in Gorton and Denton constituency and a vote will take place on the Thursday, 26 February 2026
Teaching and Learning Conference 2026 - Call for papers
28 Jan 2026
The University of Manchester will host its fourth teaching and learning conference on 8–9 July 2026.
Interdisciplinary research sessions to foster collaboration
29 Jan 2026
Join our Research platforms for the Interdisciplinarity&: 2026 Series - one of the themes of our Research culture and environment framework.
Summer school opportunities for undergraduates
29 Jan 2026
Summer School Week is a series of virtual events sharing summer school opportunities for undergraduates, taking place from 9 – 13 February 2026.
Mitigating Circumstances & Extensions (MC&E) project: January update
29 Jan 2026
Work on the Mitigating Circumstances & Extensions (MC&E) project continues, with a focus on making the process clearer, more consistent and easier for students to navigate.
What’s on in February?
30 Jan 2026
Welcome to February’s edition of ‘What’s on?’. Here you will find everything you can get involved in for free each month, ranging from cultural, extracurricular and celebratory events and activities.
LGBT+ History Month 2026
30 Jan 2026
An opportunity to learn and reflect on the contributions and achievements of queer people throughout history
A Night in Sudan at Manchester Museum
30 Jan 2026
It is our absolute pleasure to invite you to ‘A Night in Sudan’ at the Manchester Museum in collaboration with the MIE Anti-Racist Education Network on Wednesday, 11 February.