News archive – April 2026
Open session: Civic engagement
01 Apr 2026
Find out more about our civic engagement practice across the University.
Your Voice Matters survey: thank you for taking part
01 Apr 2026
More people took part this year – here’s what happens next
Purple Place April benefits
01 Apr 2026
Purple Place is your exclusive platform for colleague Reward, Benefits & Recognition
Passover celebrations
01 Apr 2026
Supporting colleagues and students during Passover this April
New process for Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements
01 Apr 2026
As part of our 2035 strategy to better support the delivery of excellent research, we’re helping to speed up the creation of CDAs and NDAs
‘Running for those who kept fighting’: One colleague’s third Purplewave
07 Apr 2026
Challenge accepted by Alejandro
Digital declutter: Tidy up your online storage
08 Apr 2026
Do you know what you’ve got in your OneDrive? Could those duplicate files and older iterations of documents be deleted?
“We are living in a global village”
08 Apr 2026
Watch the latest inspiring film from our Research impact, shaped together campaign and celebrate how international partnerships accelerate our research to impact.
Active Commuter Fair
09 Apr 2026
Come along on Thursday, 23 April, between 11.00am and 2.00pm and discover how commuting can be easier, healthier, and cheaper.
Times Higher Education Awards open for entries
09 Apr 2026
How to submit a nomination
Report and Support - what colleagues and students are telling us
10 Apr 2026
Every year, we take a close look at what our community tells us through Report and Support - the confidential platform where colleagues and students can share concerns or seek help when something doesn’t feel right.
Technical Excellence Awards 2026: open now for nominations!
13 Apr 2026
Celebrating innovation, expertise and impact across our technical community
Microsoft 365 Copilot early adopter learning cohort now underway
13 Apr 2026
Our first colleague ‘early adopter’ cohort will begin to receive licenses and training this week.
Carol Prokopyszyn, Chief Financial Officer, to retire
14 Apr 2026
Carol will retire from her position as Chief Financial Officer later this year
New publication on preventing ill-health
15 Apr 2026
Stress Awareness Month – know the signs and learn about the support available
15 Apr 2026
Sign up now for our webinar series!
Innovation that moves faster, reaches further… and is inspired by snails
17 Apr 2026
Two Manchester teams win UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding for emerging research that transcends disciplines.
'Cosmic Titans’ comes to Jodrell Bank, starting May 2026
17 Apr 2026
Art and science collide in this exploration of the quantum universe!
Export Control responsibilities within Faculties – your new step-by-step guide
17 Apr 2026
Our Research Security Hub has a new flowchart for anyone collaborating with any non-UK third party and their Faculty teams.
Open Meeting: How University rankings work (and what they mean for M2035)
20 Apr 2026
Join us on Thursday, 30 April for a discussion about our global rankings, their significance, and how our collective efforts can drive progress in line with our strategic goals
New coaching skills workshop available to all colleagues
20 Apr 2026
Build confidence, empower others and strengthen your coaching toolkit
Universally Manchester Festival: Call for colleague ambassadors
21 Apr 2026
Help create an unforgettable day for our local community
University of Manchester quizzers win University Challenge again
21 Apr 2026
Our University Challenge team have been crowned winners of the UK’s toughest quizzing tournament, becoming joint most successful in series’ history.
From Manchester to interstellar space across eight decades…
22 Apr 2026
Manchester Code – used in humanity’s most distant human made objects, Voyagers 1 and 2 nearly eight decades after its invention – wins our University its third IEEE Milestone Award.
Challenge Accepted: how volunteering helped one colleague reconnect with Manchester
22 Apr 2026
Adam shares why he uses his volunteering days with the Manchester International Festival
Professor Sarah Sharples appointed to national science advisory council
22 Apr 2026
The appointment is to the Council for Science and Technology (CST) which advises the Prime Minister and Cabinet on strategic science and technology issues
It's In Our Nature - Celebrate biodiversity on our campus
22 Apr 2026
It’s In Our Nature is our annual campaign that aims to get staff, students and the wider community engaged with the natural beauty and biodiversity present on our campus. This year, we have a number of great events lined up commencing the week of the 21st of April.
World Earth Day: celebrating nature on our campus
22 Apr 2026
Wednesday, 22 April is World Earth Day, a global celebration dedicated to environmental awareness and action that gives us an opportunity to recognise the vital role nature plays in our lives, our city, and our University.
Exam and assessment support for students from the Library
22 Apr 2026
The exam and assessment period starts on 18 May and the library is here to support.
Confirmation and Clearing hotline - we need your support!
22 Apr 2026
Every August, colleagues from across the University come together to support prospective students during Confirmation and Clearing - and we’d love your help.
Manchester and partners expand scope to deliver energy innovation
23 Apr 2026
The International Centre for Advanced Materials (ICAM) broadens scope of its research in renewed collaboration agreement, focusing on technologies that support bp’s ambition to deliver energy to the world, today and tomorrow.
Researcher fighting for fair fashion named emerging leader
23 Apr 2026
Amy Benstead, whose work has shaped national and international supply chain policy for the fashion industry, appointed member of UK Young Academy.
Using the Updated Information Security Classification Scheme
23 Apr 2026
We work with all sorts of information - some of it’s highly sensitive, while some is meant for everyone to see. The Information Security Classification Scheme makes it easier for you to know how to handle, share and use information.
Final week of NSS – let’s finish strong
23 Apr 2026
As we head into the final week of the NSS, thank you for everything you’ve already done to encourage student participation. We’ve made great progress so far, and the response rates below show where engagement is strong — and where a final push could really make a difference.
Ask the expert: Professor Duncan Ivison
23 Apr 2026
Join The Productivity Institute for a series of short live, interactive podcasts bringing together leading experts to discuss the key drivers of productivity in the UK economy, hosted by Bart van Ark (Managing Director of The Productivity Institute).
Anticipating the genAI institution
24 Apr 2026
April 29, 10am to 4pm, AMBS
Introducing the Disability@Manchester Hub
24 Apr 2026
A shared space for Disability and Neurodivergence at Manchester
Everyone is invited to our 2026 Making a Difference Awards!
27 Apr 2026
Join us live from the University’s Whitworth Hall to celebrate how our colleagues, alumni and external partners are making a difference.
Upcoming changes to car parking access, PAYG parking rates, and EV charging
27 Apr 2026
A number of upcoming changes and reminders will affect staff who use University car parks, including Bank Holiday access arrangements, pay as you go (PAYG) parking rates increasing in line with our Travel Plan for 2025-2030, and the reactivation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points.
Award “a powerful testament” to working with communities.
27 Apr 2026
Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group recognised with national Team Achievement Award, celebrating a decade of interdisciplinary, co-produced research that is helping to shape more inclusive, age friendly cities.
Creation of new P drives to stop from Wednesday 1 July
28 Apr 2026
Colleagues and students who join the University from Wednesday 1 July 2026 onwards, will not have a P drive (personal network storage) provisioned to them, by default.
Future Foundations – a message from our sponsor
28 Apr 2026
Carol Prokopyszyn looks ahead to the first launch of Oracle Fusion in November.
Colleague Benefits Pop up - Thursday, 14 May
29 Apr 2026
Do you know about all the financial savings, learning opportunities and wellbeing support on offer at the University?
Challenge accepted: A hands‑on volunteering day helping food reach families
29 Apr 2026
Colleagues roll up their sleeves to support The Bread and Butter Thing
Most successful projects "always the ones where everybody is involved."
30 Apr 2026
Watch the latest inspiring film from our Research impact, shaped together campaign and celebrate how collaboration and partnership accelerate our research to impact aligning with our Manchester 2035 strategy.
What’s on in May?
30 Apr 2026
Welcome to May’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.
AHEP Event: Applying for Leadership Roles
30 Apr 2026
Professional Services development event - Tuesday, 12 May, 2.30-3.30pm, online