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.
Our Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group (MUARG) has been recognised with a Team Achievement Excellence Award at the 2026 Vivensa Academy Excellence Awards.
Led by Professor Tine Buffel, MUARG brings together researchers from across social sciences, architecture, geography, public health and the arts to explore the relationship between population ageing and urban change. Central to its work is a commitment to co‑production – working in long‑term partnership with older people, community organisations, policymakers and practitioners to ensure research is grounded in lived experience and leads to real‑world change.
“MUARG has always been about bringing people together — across disciplines, communities, policy and sectors — to work towards a shared goal,” Professor Tine Buffel said.
“This award reflects the contribution of everyone who has been involved in our projects and co‑production activities over the years. It belongs to a community of people, not just a research group.”
Research driven by partnership and lived experience
MUARG’s work is shaped by long‑standing collaborations with partners across Greater Manchester and beyond, including local and regional government, third‑sector organisations and older people themselves. A key part is MUARG’s Older People’s Forum, a diverse group of residents from across Greater Manchester, help to set research priorities and guide activity.
“I was brought in as a co‑researcher and felt real ownership of the work because I was part of it,” Elaine Unegbu, Chair of the Greater Manchester Older People’s Network and a longstanding MUARG co‑researcher, recalled. “Being involved in research that helps improve how people age in place – and seeing that make a difference locally – has been incredibly positive.”
MUARG’s work focuses on tackling inequalities in later life and supporting people to age well in their communities. Projects span creative and participatory methods, from collaborative filmmaking and comics co‑created with older refugees and asylum seekers, to the co‑design of age‑friendly neighbourhoods and arts‑based interventions including exhibitions, films and zines.
“Working with MUARG reflects the kind of ecosystem we’ve been building in Greater Manchester for many years – bringing together research, policy and lived experience to support people to age well,” Paul McGarry, Head of the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub and Assistant Director for Public Service Reform at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, explained. “This award recognises that shared commitment and strengthens the foundations for taking this work further, in Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Niamh Kavanagh, an urban sociologist in the Department of Architecture and a core member, added: “MUARG is so much more than a research group. It’s a space of support, challenge and reflection that makes genuinely engaged research possible. Winning this award is a powerful testament to the collective effort involved in working with communities in meaningful, embedded and creative ways.”
Celebrating 10 years of MUARG
The award comes at a landmark moment for the group – it’s 10th anniversary, marked by an interactive event and a publication sharing insights from 18 projects and practical learning on co‑producing research in communities shaped by inequality.
“We want to be open about what co‑production looks like in practice – the challenges as well as the potential,” said Professor Buffel. “It’s about sharing learning that others can build on.”
Investing in people and future impact
Looking ahead, MUARG hopes to build on this recognition by developing as an international centre of excellence on urban ageing, rooted in Manchester but globally connected.
Funding associated with the award will support three priority areas: Co‑production and community leadership; Knowledge exchange and policy engagement; and Team culture, mentoring and capacity‑building. And at least half of the funding will be directed towards supporting community leadership, including paid roles for older people as co‑researchers.
Discover more
You can learn more about the MUARG’s work at: