News archive – May 2026
Opportunities “are now knocking at my door”
01 May 2026
Delivering Manchester 2035 - our Ideas with Impact Awards will distribute up to £300,000 to staff and student entrepreneurs. Apply by Friday, 22 May.
Marking 1 May: Spring festivals of reflection, renewal, and seasonal change
01 May 2026
From Vesak to Beltane, today brings together festivals that honour transformation and the rhythms of spring
Reminder: Return of IT equipment
01 May 2026
IT Services would like to remind all colleagues and postgraduate researchers of their responsibilities when leaving the University's employment, moving internally, or changing working arrangements.
Staff Network Day – get involved!
01 May 2026
Celebrate, connect and discover how you can play a part
Real Living Wage update – May 2026
01 May 2026
From 1 May 2026, all colleagues will be paid at or above the Real Living Wage of £13.45 per hour
Canvas status update
04 May 2026
See latest update, below
New tool sheds light on Export Controls
05 May 2026
Our new Export Control Dashboard helps you plan collaborations with confidence and contributes directly to the University’s Manchester 2035 strategy – particularly the Digital inside and out leap.
Canvas submission issues
05 May 2026
We are aware of technical issues currently affecting some student work submissions in Canvas
Catch up: How University rankings work (and what they mean for M2035)
05 May 2026
Prof Colette Fagan and others discuss our global rankings and their significance
Purple Place May Benefits
06 May 2026
Purple Place - your exclusive platform for colleague Reward, Benefits and Recognition
Festival of Libraries 2026
06 May 2026
Taking place in libraries across Greater Manchester from 10-14 June
“Reading is dreaming with open eyes.”
06 May 2026
Support Wood Street Mission’s Books Forever appeal and help transform the lives of local children through reading.
Canvas cyber security incident
06 May 2026
We have been informed by Instructure, the supplier of Canvas, that data associated with the University of Manchester has been accessed as part of a cyber incident.
Making a Difference Awards 2026 – celebrating excellence in social responsibility
07 May 2026
Honouring colleagues, students and partners making a real difference in our communities.
Student Volunteers and Peer Mentors celebrated in awards ceremonies
07 May 2026
The awards celebrated the incredible work and effort of students who have taken part in Volunteering and Peer Support schemes in the past year.
Colleagues and students recognised at Students' Union Academic Awards 2026
07 May 2026
The Students' Union hosted the annual Academic Awards in Whitworth Hall. These awards aim to celebrate the thousands of staff and students who put their hearts in what they do enrich our education community and students academic experience.
Apply now for the PgCert in Higher Education!
08 May 2026
Exciting free development opportunity available to both academic and PS colleagues
Submit your Register of Interests form now: what you need to do
08 May 2026
All colleagues grade 6 or above must complete a declaration of interest form every year. This year's needs to be returned by Friday, 29 May.
Canvas availability and cyber security incident
08 May 2026
Further update
IT Acceptable Use Policy updated – what you need to know
11 May 2026
The University has published an updated Acceptable Use Policy for IT Facilities and Services. The revised policy reflects how digital technologies are now used across teaching, research and professional services, while continuing to support academic freedom and freedom of speech.
Disability Pride 2026: get involved!
11 May 2026
Join us in celebrating Disability Pride with colleagues and our community
Albatross Lecture 2026: Nature and Climate Justice - Wednesday, 24 June
11 May 2026
Nature, Climate Justice and Access: Reimagining Who Environmentalism Is For with Dr Mya-Rose Craig
From Manchester, for the world: people, partnerships and place
13 May 2026
A new feature showcasing the University’s civic mission and global ambition has been published in the Manchester Evening News, accompanied by a short film featuring our President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison.
Register now for the Teaching and Learning Conference 2026
13 May 2026
Registration is now open for the University’s Teaching and Learning Conference 2026, taking place on 8–9 July 2026. This free, two-day event brings colleagues together to share practice, reflect on what works, and shape the future of teaching, learning and the wider student experience at Manchester.
Dementia Action Week 2026
13 May 2026
Working together to build understanding, challenge stigma and support our community
Free lunchtime Mandarin lessons for colleagues
13 May 2026
Sign up now for our taster course!
Heating update: we're switching to summer heating mode
13 May 2026
As the weather continues to improve, we wanted to give you advance notice that we will be switching from our winter to summer heating strategy on Wednesday, 20 May. So what does this mean in reality?
WATCH: Using research insights to support colleagues
14 May 2026
Nia Coupe tells Duncan Ivison about helping non-lab-based researchers embed sustainable practices in their work, in a project funded by our Enhancing Research Culture project.
Your guide to safe, responsible and ethical AI use at Manchester
14 May 2026
The University has been updating existing, and creating new, policies, guidelines and training to support the safe, responsible and ethical use of AI, reflecting feedback from colleagues and students as AI adoption grows across our community.
Exam and assessment season is here – here’s what you need to know
14 May 2026
It’s exam and assessment season - one of the biggest moments in our academic calendar, and teams right across the University are getting ready. The exam period commences on Monday, 18 May and ends Wednesday, 10 June.
University celebrates triple win at Education North Awards
14 May 2026
Colleagues honoured for tackling cancer, nurturing young scientists and saving peatbogs.
StaffNet downtime – Wednesday, 27 May
15 May 2026
As part of ongoing improvements, StaffNet will be migrated to a new hosting platform on Wednesday, 27 May.
Postgraduate students helping to deliver Manchester 2035
15 May 2026
Research and innovation have come together in our first-of-its-kind programme, PhD by Enterprise.
The Hive of Pride 2026
15 May 2026
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride across our community
Universally Manchester Festival returns for 2026
18 May 2026
Join us on Saturday, 13 June 2026, 11am – 4.30pm for a day of curiosity, inspiration and play.
New government security guidance on sharing workspaces
18 May 2026
Visit our Research Security Hub for the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) guidance – plus the safeguarding actions we should all take on campus.
Colleagues and students collaborate on national anti-racist medicine textbook
19 May 2026
Manchester’s contribution to a first of its kind resource for advancing equity in medical education and practice
Guidance during the period of a parliamentary by-election
20 May 2026
You may be aware that a parliamentary by-election has been called in the Makerfield constituency and a vote will take place on 18th June 2026.
Canvas cyber incident – resolved
20 May 2026
Further to the announcements we made in early May regarding the cyber security incident involving the Canvas platform, Instructure have confirmed that the incident has been contained and that steps have been taken to prevent further unauthorised activity.
More colleagues, stronger engagement, clearer action: Colleague Engagement Survey results
20 May 2026
With participation and engagement both up, the results provide an important snapshot of colleague experience
Emergency maintenance on the Xerox printing service
20 May 2026
IT Services need to perform some emergency maintenance on the Xerox printing service to fix ongoing issues, and prevent further unplanned disruption.
Beyond Visibility: Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Lives, Resistance and Futures
20 May 2026
Join the conversation for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Month
Solstice and Equinox series: Cosmic Titans – in conversation with David Olusoga
21 May 2026
Join Creative Manchester and Jodrell Bank for an evening that moves between science, art and philosophy to ponder what it means to imagine the universe when what we know is only ever partial.
BNY and The University of Manchester Launch the Future of Work Alliance
21 May 2026
Focused on Responsible Use and Application of Human-Led AI
Microsoft 365 Copilot rollout begins for Professional Services colleagues
22 May 2026
This week, Professional Services colleagues will begin to receive access to Microsoft 365 Copilot, supported by live learning, guidance and dedicated support.