Making a Difference Awards 2026: Faculty shortlist announced
09 Mar 2026
Highlighting the Faculty projects shortlisted for a Making a Difference Award this year.
This year, the University’s Making a Difference Awards for social responsibility received over 140 entries across nine categories, highlighting the extraordinary commitment of our staff, students, alumni and external partners to creating positive change in our local communities and across the world.
Out of the 34 projects shortlisted, 12 were kickstarted by colleagues across the Faculty – congratulations to all nominees! The winners and highly commended entries will be announced at an awards ceremony in the University’s Whitworth Hall on Wednesday, 6 May.
Read on to find out more about the Faculty’s inspiring social responsibility initiatives that are being considered for an award.
Outstanding benefit to society through research
Intergenerational movement-building for more just urban futures
A participatory action research project co-producing knowledge with young people in informal settlements to strengthen urban social movements tackling inequality.
Daniela Cocco Beltrame (SEED) and 25 co-researchers from the Slum Dwellers International (SDI) Network
Outstanding contribution to social and environmental impact through entrepreneurship
EGSTradeHub.org: Global platform for inclusive, climate-aligned trade
A global open-access platform that supports inclusive, climate-aligned trade policymaking, bringing together previously scattered evidence on Environmental Goods and Services into a single, accessible resource.
Dr Nicolette Butler (SoSS)
Green Careers Mission
A mission developed through the Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement that brings together Greater Manchester’s students, universities, employers and regional partners to address real-world environmental challenges.
Greater Manchester Civic Universities Green Skills Working Group (cross-Faculty/University)
Outstanding public engagement initiative
Rewilding our industrial past: The Lower Medlock Valley
An ambitious rewilding initiative in the Lower Medlock Valley, transforming a former industrial landscape into a thriving green space with new walking trails, community workshops and enhanced biodiversity.
Sarah Cundy and Dr David Bailey (SALC) with Dr Cecilia Medupin (FSE) and Friends of the Medlock Valley
Hulme Nannas: (in)visibility, community and urban change
A collaborative project with older residents in Hopton Court, a high‑rise social housing block in Hulme, to co‑produce the UK’s first ‘Naturally Occurring Retirement Community’.
Dr Niamh Kavanagh (SEED) and local activist Tina Cribbin
UoM EHE family science: Curiosity catalyst
A partnership between the University and Elective Home Education (EHE) families to improve access to science learning through the Curiosity Catalyst initiative.
Dr Amanda Banks Gatenby and Dr Sara Jackson (SEED)
Outstanding contribution to equality, diversity and inclusion
Decolonial praxis
A project which seeks to reshape research and teaching collaboration across borders by centring on Global Majority expertise, challenging extractive partnerships and co‑creating equitable approaches to knowledge production.
Professor Toni Haastrup, Dr Meghan Tinsley and Professor Andreja Zevnik (SoSS)
Outstanding professional services for social responsibility
SoSS Menospace: Supporting a menopause-friendly workplace
An initiative to support staff and postgraduate students in the School who are navigating menopause and perimenopause.
Sarah Tiffany-Dodman, Noemie Rouault, Holly Wright, Stephanie Jones (SoSS)
MHC breaking barriers
A dementia-friendly project in the Martin Harris Centre which has developed into a wide-ranging programme to improve accessibility, inclusion and community engagement.
Alex Shaw (SALC)
Outstanding contribution to widening access and student success
Supporting the UCAS personal statement reform to widen participation
A project to support UCAS’s reform of the personal statement to strengthen fairer admissions practices and contribute to widening participation across the system.
Dr Tom Fryer (SEED)
Transforming the commuter student experience at Manchester
An initiative to reframe commuter students as a widening participation cohort and deliver institution-wide, student co-created support to address structural disadvantage.
The Commuter Student Engagement Team (cross-Faculty/University)
The Very Local Maths project
A project to support young people from disadvantaged communities who are disengaged from school mathematics, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Very Local Maths Team (cross-Faculty/University)