Manchester 2035: Your questions answered - podcast now available
13 Feb 2025
Over the past months, more than 5,500 of you took part in Phase 1 of our Manchester 2035 strategy process - through workshops, local events, townhalls and online submissions.
We received lots of insightful questions and comments, many of which we couldn’t fully address on the day. To answer the most common and pressing queries and concerns, we’ve recorded a special Q&A podcast with Professor Duncan Ivison, President & Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Healey, Professor of Strategic Management, Alliance Manchester Business School, Dr Mabel Sanchez Barrioluengo, Senior Lecturer in Science Policy and Innovation, Alliance Manchester Business School.
Our panel explores the key themes you raised, from whether the University can embrace radical change to how we might diversify beyond our reliance on international students. Below, you’ll find a time-stamped guide so you can jump straight to the topics that interest you most:
- 00:00–01:27 – Welcome & session overview
- 01:29–04:37 – Why will this strategy be different?
- 05:00–09:00 – How can we align local priorities with an overarching strategy?
- 09:00–11:53 – Reimagining our future: should we aim for radical change and is it possible?
- 11:54–15:00 – What does ‘One University’ mean and what are the implications for the future?
- 14:57–19:55 – Is our current structure fit for ‘One University’?
- 19:56–28:06 – How can we craft a resilient strategy in a changing world?
- 28:04 –33:38 – Are we too reliant on international students and how can we diversify beyond current markets?
- 33:39–39:00 –How can we navigate anxiety around careers and change?
- 39:00–55:52 - Will philanthropy dictate our strategic direction?
- 41:32 – 43:56 - Where does staff wellbeing figure in the development of our future vision?
- 43:57- 46:23 - What is service learning and will it feature in our strategy?
- 46:27–51:26 – How can we balance teaching excellence with research impact?
- 51:27 – Outro – Conclusion & Final Reflections
What’s next?
We’re now moving into Phase 2, where we’ll begin testing and refining proposals. Starting in April, we’ll host new in-person forums and invite further online feedback to ensure our ideas reflect the needs of our entire community.
Have more questions or ideas?
We’d love to hear from you. Please email us at manchester2035@manchester.ac.uk.