A highlight of the life sciences calendar, the awards dinner was held at the Concorde Conference Centre on 6 March, with over 340 attendees gathering for an evening of celebration and achievement.

The University and Saraco Industries received the Project of the Year Award in recognition of taking a major step forward in the area of research, by demonstrating an innovative and novel approach for a collaborative project - marking a breakthrough in sustainable healthcare products.

An interdisciplinary team from 野狼社区 comprising of materials science, biological physics and microbiology experts collaborated with Saraco Industries, a UK-based SME wet wipe manufacturer, to achieve a breakthrough first 鈥� a plastic-free wet wipe meeting EN standards against bacteria, yeast, and viruses under dirty conditions with a 1-minute contact time. This innovative clinical disinfection wipe has now been commercialised and submitted against an NHS tender.

The collaborative partnership has continued to develop and grow, including securing a 3-year Centre for Doctoral Training PhD project in Advanced Biomedical Materials, a follow-on UKRI IAA Advance Fund project to further optimise the existing wipe formulation, and a recent second Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) submission to develop bacteriophage-infused wipes for healthcare applications.

Sarah Cartmell, Professor of Bioengineering, The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥淲e are so proud to be recognised for our achievements in this important interdisciplinary project. Our progress is a result of the synergy of University and industry collaboration. We look forward to building on our success with our continuing teamwork.鈥�

Andrew McBain, Professor of Microbiology at The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥淜TP has enabled The University of 野狼社区 to make a tangible, positive contribution to a highly dynamic local business. It has been so rewarding to see the KTP Associate, Carolina Angulo Pineda, develop through considerable talent and tenacity, into a mature scientist who is now employed full-time as a Senior R&D Materials Scientist at Saraco.鈥�

Dr Carolina Angulo Pineda, KTP Associate and now Senior R&D Materials Scientist, Saraco Industries, commented: 鈥淚 will always be honoured and grateful to have been part of this fantastic KTP Team. This opportunity allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and I look forward to continuing to work together on innovative solutions for real-life challenges.鈥�

Idris M Bapu, Managing Director, Saraco Industries, added: 鈥淭his is a wonderful honour and acknowledgment of all the hard work put in by the KTP team, the Academics at The University of 野狼社区 and our Saraco team members. This award will be prominently displayed in our offices with great pride.鈥�

The project was funded through an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership; celebrating its 50th year in 2025 of bringing together forward-thinking businesses and organisations, academics, and graduates to solve complex innovation challenges which help our economy, society, and environment. Delivered through the Knowledge Exchange Partnerships team, part of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, The University of 野狼社区 has collaborated on more than 300 KTPs and in the last five years alone, has supported 42 KTPs with a total research value of 拢11 million.

If you would like to discuss how KTP can help your business innovate for growth, please contact collaborate@manchester.ac.uk.

The partnership paves the way for collaborative research and teaching initiatives between two world-leading universities. Both universities recognise the importance of global engagement and the shared research expertise across the disciplines including engineering, nanotechnologies, cancer research, digital humanities, social sciences and creative industries.

The partnership builds upon joint research projects already in progress, with a view to expanding and fostering new initiatives.

The signing took place at a 鈥楳eet the Mayors鈥� event at the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs in Austin, Texas, attended by Mayor of Greater 野狼社区, Andy Burnham. Mr Burnham signed the Austin-野狼社区 鈥楽ister Cities鈥� Memorandum of Understanding with the Mayor of Austin on 7 March, officially forging a friendship between the two cities.

Also in attendance at the signing was Bev Craig, Leader of 野狼社区 City Council and an alumnus of The University of 野狼社区.

Professor Angelia Wilson, Faculty of Humanities Associate Dean for International, led the delegation from The University of 野狼社区 which included senior academics and leads for business engagement. The delegation joined other colleagues from The University of 野狼社区 at the South by Southwest Expo 2025 where the University hosted two panels on: 鈥楽econd Cities: Culture Beyond the Capital鈥� and 鈥楢rt Not Evidence: Free Expression on Trial鈥�.

Professor Stephen Flint, Associate Vice-President International, said: 鈥淚 am delighted we have signed this strategic partnership with the University of Texas at Austin, a powerful and innovative university in a creative city that draws parallels to The University of 野狼社区 and the powerhouse city we call home.

鈥淭his new relationship with the University of Texas at Austin will make an impact across all of our faculties. We look forward to driving forward collaborative research and enhanced opportunities for two-way student and staff mobility, as we work together to tackle key global challenges."

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater 野狼社区, said: 鈥淭he new partnership between The University of 野狼社区 and the University of Texas is really exciting and a valuable outcome from Greater 野狼社区鈥檚 visit to Texas.

鈥淏oth institutions are powerhouses of innovative research, and contribute a great deal to their regional economies 鈥� through commercialising start-ups and spin-outs and wider business support. Combining their expertise can only lead to significant economic and educational benefits for both places.鈥�

Sonia Feigenbaum, Senior Vice Provost for Global Engagement and Chief International Officer at The University of Texas at Austin said: "The University of Texas at Austin is proud to formalize this partnership with The University of 野狼社区, a renowned institution in a city that mirrors Austin鈥檚 creative energy and spirit of innovation. By bringing together our expertise across disciplines, this collaboration will spark groundbreaking research and new opportunities for students and faculty on both sides of the Atlantic."

The NHSA has published a list of almost 400 women who are pushing the boundaries of innovation in their sectors and fields to mark International Women鈥檚 Day on March 8, 2025.

Entries from The University of 野狼社区 include:

• Anna Wilding, Research Fellow
• Cath O'Neill, Professor of Translational Dermatology
• Dr Dunni Druwa, Coach and doctor
• George Moulton, Professor of BioHealth Informatics and Education
• Holly Hope, Head Behavioural Scientist at So-Mo and Research Fellow
• Joanne Summers, Knowledge Exchange Manager
• Kathryn Abel, Research Explorer
• Lily Mott, Workplace Health PhD Researcher
• Lisa McGarrigle, Research Fellow
• Margaret Kingston, Director of Undergraduate Medical Studies
• Sorrel Burden, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Dietetics
• Susan Cochran, MPharm Programme Director
• Tine Buffel, Professor of Sociology and Social Gerontology

The #NorthInnovationWomen campaign, back for its eighth year, provides an informal and supportive platform for women to be acknowledged and celebrated. This year, inspiration has been taken from the NHSA鈥檚 Health Equity North , with the report鈥檚 themes being used to inspire suggestions of women working to address regional inequalities that women face.

The social media campaign relies on X, BlueSky and LinkedIn users to suggest women they want to see included in the list 鈥� there are no strict criteria or voting systems. This year鈥檚 list features hundreds of women who are achieving great things and inspiring those around them across the North of England, as recommended by our Twitter followers.

Hannah Davies, NHSA Chief Executive, said: 鈥淗annah Davies, Chief Executive of the Northern Health Science Alliance, said: "This is a record breaking number of recommendations for North Innovation Women, and I want to thank everyone who supported the campaign. This year, we used our Woman of the North work to inspire recommendations and it's clear just how hard people are working to fight the wide-ranging inequalities that women face throughout their lives. Congratulations to everyone who made the list, the breadth and range of women is not only inspirational, but is indicative of the talent we have here in the North of England."

International Women's Day is a global day, marked annually on March 8, celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Find out more about the day and how to support it . 

• More information .

Commissioned by the band, the roadmap set out clear, measurable targets for the live music industry to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and align with the Paris Agreement.

Using this framework, Massive Attack hosted ACT 1.5 鈥� a one-day music festival over the August bank holiday in 2024.

Analysis in the new report shows that the event had significant reductions in carbon emissions compared to a typical outdoor concert, including:

• 81-98% emissions reduction from power
• 89% emissions reductions from food/catering
• 70% emissions reductions from equipment haulage 
• 73% emissions reductions from artist travel 

The festival was attended by over 32,000 fans and implemented a range of climate measures, including:

• The first ever 100% battery powered festival of its size
• Electric trucks taking batteries offsite to recharge with renewable power
• 100% plant-based catering
• The provision of five times extra show trains one hour after the national network had closed
• Fleets of electric shuttles buses to get fans home. 

To evaluate the event鈥檚 carbon impact, the Tyndall Centre team鈥攍ed by The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Professor Carly McLachlan and Dr Chris Jones鈥攚orked with leading sustainability organisation A Greener Future (AGF). They analysed emissions data from ACT 1.5 and compared it to a hypothetical outdoor concert where environmental measures have not been prioritised.

The results revealed the concert produced the lowest ever carbon emissions from a show of its kind.

It is hoped that the roadmap and insights from the Act 1.5 show are used by other event organisers to transform the live music industry.

Professor Carly McLachlan, Associate Director at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at The University of 野狼社区, said: "This proof-of-concept show could change the landscape for outdoor festivals. It demonstrated that there are real opportunities for promoters, providers, local authorities and central government to create the conditions for the UK to lead the world in super-low carbon events. A willingness to do things differently was demonstrated by the audience and crew members alike. The unwavering commitment to sustainability from senior members of the production team, including the artist, was essential for the success of the show and inspiring to see.鈥�

While many of the attendees took advantage of incentives to travel by low carbon options such as rail 鈥� including VIP bar wristbands for rail travellers, a localised pre-sale, the chartering of trains and the provision of free electric shuttle buses to train stations 鈥� data shows that 5% of the audience chose to fly to the show. Those who flew were responsible for 64% of the overall greenhouse gas emissions of the show.

Robert Del Naja, 3D 鈥� Massive Attack, said: 鈥淢assive Attack are hugely grateful to both the team and the fans that produced a world leading event, and to the scientists and analysts who - via the huge progressive leaps made in producing the ACT 1.5 show - identified a serious emerging issue for all live music events in the context of climate emergency. If fans are encouraged to tour the world to see their favourite artists this sector can simply forget about hitting any emissions reductions targets, let alone Paris 1.5 compatibility. There's a huge question now for tour planning, but also for media and promotor marketing campaigns high on the glitz of epic summer tours that normalise leisure aviation."

Mark Donne, ACT 1.5 Lead Producer, added: 鈥淓vidently this show proved to be the cleanest, greenest festival event ever staged - but in terms of popular take up of clean practices, it feels like we and others working on this stuff are attempting to create smart productions within dumb regulation.

鈥淢usic fans showed quite categorically that they are up for taking the train if there are reliable services available and they can get to the station post-show - but those arrangements are unnecessarily bureaucratic, with dysfunctional timings that must be made simpler.  High polluting power sources like diesel that dominate the festival world, creating huge amounts of greenhouse gas and toxic air pollution for those that live near festival sites, or work on them are cheap and abundant. Central and local government must address this urgently, either via regulation or a deterrent tax. Clean technology is ready 鈥� it just needs to be facilitated; fans want clean shows, that鈥檚 very clear. The challenge for promoters and government now is to meet that need.鈥�

As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, hydrogen is considered a key player to the transition to cleaner energy. However, the clear, odourless and highly flammable gas is hard to detect using human senses and poses a challenge for its safe deployment.

The sensor, developed by a scientist at The University of 野狼社区, can reliably detect even the tiniest amounts of hydrogen in seconds. It is small, affordable, and energy-efficient 鈥� and its results outperform portable commercial hydrogen detectors.

The research, in collaborations with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, was published today in the journal .

The operation of the new organic semiconductor sensor relies on a process known as "p-doping," where oxygen molecules increase the concentration of positive electrical charges in the active material. When hydrogen is present, it reacts with the oxygen, reversing this effect and causing a rapid drop in electrical current. This change is fast and reversible at room temperature up to 120 掳C.

The sensor was tested in various real-world scenarios, including detecting leaks from pipes, monitoring hydrogen diffusion in closed rooms following an abrupt release, and even being mounted on a drone for airborne leak detection. In all cases, the sensor proved faster than portable commercial detector, demonstrating its potential for widespread use in homes, industries, and transport networks.

Importantly, the sensor can be made ultra-thin and flexible and could also be integrated into smart devices, enabling continuous distributed monitoring of hydrogen systems in real time.

The team is now focusing on advancing the sensor further while assessing its long-term stability in different sensing scenarios.

The team led by New York University Abu Dhabi and University of 野狼社区 researchers show that fishes living in the Arabian Gulf reefs have - remarkably - adapted to extreme summer temperatures, which are akin to a hot bath.

When the researchers tested the difference in fish鈥檚 temperature tolerances compared to fishes from the nearby - more benign Gulf of Oman- the Arabian Gulf animals only partially compensated for their higher summer temperatures. 

The study is published in the journal Global Change Biology and supported by Mubadala and Tamkeen in the UAE, and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council in the UK 

It  serves as a stark warning of what the future might look like for all tropical reef fishes across the world. 

鈥淥ur study suggests while these coral reef fishes have evolved a remarkable ability to cope with rising temperatures, it is still limited,鈥� said co-author Dr Daniel Ripley, a fish physiologist from The University of 野狼社区 and New York University Abu Dhabi. 

鈥淪o, if the trends in rising global sea temperatures continue, at some point we anticipate these animals will start to struggle. 

鈥淭he resultant loss of biodiversity- and the impact that would have on things like tourism and fisheries could devastate coastal communities.鈥� 

Though the scientists studied three species, the Arabian Monocle Bream, Gulf Blenny and the Twospot Cardinalfish, most other species would be likely to be in a similarly precarious position, the scientists argue. 

Because the Arabian Gulf 鈥� also known as the Persian Gulf 鈥� is relatively shallow, averaging 35 metres deep, it heats up quickly in the hot summer months, with sea temperatures typically exceeding 36 Celsius. 

This makes it an ideal proxy for what the temperature ranges of tropical seas might look like in the future. 

Though the Gulf of Oman is nearby, it鈥檚 average depth of 2,700 metres means it doesn鈥檛 get as warm, with summer temperatures typically not exceeding 32 Celsius, - making it ideal for comparison. 

Changes and extremes in temperatures can have profound consequences for fishes, including displacing them to cooler waters, reducing their body sizes, and changing the time they reproduce. 

Co-author Professor Holly Shiels from The University of 野狼社区 added: 鈥淥ur research found that the ability for the three species we studied to survive and thrive is on the brink. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 impossible to know at what temperature they will cease to survive in these areas, but we can say with some certainty that they are edging closer to that situation.鈥� 

A past leading theory suggested that fishes had relatively fixed upper heat limits, but the new results suggest that they have more flexibility than previously appreciated

John Burt, Professor of Biology at New York University Abu Dhabi said: 鈥淭he Gulf is not only extremely hot, but also has high seasonal variability between winter and summer, and this exposure to dramatic temperature swings may promote improved flexibility of fish physiology than we had assumed.

鈥淎s our climate continues changing, climate variability will also increase, which suggests that the situation we see in Gulf fishes is likely to be seen more widely.鈥�

• Images and videos: Please credit Rebekka Pentti and Oliver Farrell from New York University Abu Dhabi.

Researchers at 野狼社区 University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and The University of 野狼社区, with colleagues in Newcastle, Germany and the USA, collaborated with clinicians across the world to identify changes in two different genes, that both result in Perrault syndrome.

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 野狼社区 Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Action Medical Research, The Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID) and the Medical Research Council, the results from two separate studies, which identified changes to the DAP3 and MRPL49 genes, have been published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.

Professor Bill Newman, Consultant in Genomic Medicine at MFT, and Rare Conditions Co-Theme Lead at the NIHR 野狼社区 BRC, who co-led the research, said: 鈥淔inding the causes of rare conditions like Perrault syndrome are the first steps in understanding why people are affected, providing clearer diagnosis, and developing novel treatments.

鈥淧reviously up to half of all people with Perrault syndrome could not have this diagnosis confirmed by a genetic test. These new discoveries through this research will provide an accurate diagnosis to more affected people.鈥�

Initial research into the condition began in 2011 at The 野狼社区 Centre for Genomic Medicine, Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital, part of MFT, when researchers led by Professor Newman undertook genetic studies on a local family with Perrault syndrome. Their research identified a novel gene and changes within the gene which led to the diagnosis of the syndrome. Further studies by the 野狼社区 group and other researchers around the world have found eight different genes that cause Perrault syndrome.

Sam鈥檚 story

56-year-old Sam was diagnosed with Perrault syndrome when she was 28 years old, after being under the care of various hospitals to diagnose her rare genetic condition. 

Sam is profoundly deaf and was fitted with hearing aids before the age of one, which is a common feature of the condition. Other symptoms that led to her diagnosis include short stature, very small ovaries and the absence of periods.

 Sam was identified with a DAP3 genetic change through this research in August 2024.

DAP3 is found in every cell of the body and is important in a part of the cell called the mitochondria, often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell. Some tissues in the body are very susceptible to when the mitochondria do not work properly, and it is why researchers believe hearing and ovarian problems occur in Perrault syndrome.

Sam said: 鈥淲hen I was told I had DAP3 gene changes I was pleased as it helped me make sense of my symptoms and better understand Perrault syndrome.  

鈥淭his research is incredible and will help others who are in a similar position to me. I struggled for years not knowing what was wrong with me so, I hope it will help others too 鈥� especially those who are younger so they can get an earlier diagnosis and access to the help they need. 

鈥淚 would advise anybody who is concerned to get advice as soon as possible. Thanks to this research, family members will also be tested which will provide an early diagnosis for more people potentially affected by the condition.鈥�

This research will now be used globally to provide an accurate diagnosis for those at risk or undiagnosed with the condition.

Professor Ray O鈥橩eefe, Professor of Molecular Genetics at The University of 野狼社区 co-led the work. Professor O鈥橩eefe said: 鈥淕enetic testing helps families to get diagnosed earlier and to access the right care and support sooner.

鈥淲hen patients 鈥� particularly children, are presenting with hearing loss or changes on their brain scan, they can be genetically tested to see if their health problems are caused by changes in these genes.

鈥淕enetic testing removes the need for unnecessary investigations, allows closer monitoring to spot problems earlier and enables accurate genetic counselling for other family members who may be at risk.鈥�

Dr Ralph Holme, Director of Research at RNID said: 鈥淲e are delighted to have been able to support this important research.

鈥淎s ovarian problems are a key feature of the diagnosis, men are rarely diagnosed even though they have the same risk of being affected. Early, accurate diagnosis can result in improved hearing outcomes.

鈥淯nderstanding rare types of hearing loss, such as Perrault Syndrome, also gives us important insights that may be relevant to more common forms of hearing loss.鈥�

Professor Newman, who is also Professor of Translational Genomic Medicine at The 野狼社区 Centre for Genomic Medicine at The University of 野狼社区, added: 鈥淎lthough genetic research into Perrault syndrome is complex, this new information provides important pieces in the jigsaw. We are continuing to look at all the genes that cause Perrault syndrome as understanding how these genes are all linked together means that perhaps it would be possible to create a treatment that would work for all of them.

鈥淲e have also started to make hearing nerve cells from skin cells of individuals with Perrault syndrome. This is exciting as testing the cells that are actually affected by the condition will help us to develop treatments targeted to the correct cell type.鈥� 
 

Both research papers are available to read in the American Journal of Human Genetics:

(published 2 January 2025).

Published 4 March 2025).

The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Professor Joyce Tyldesley OBE has won the 2025 Archaeologist of the Year award, as voted for by readers of Current Archaeology magazine.

As Professor of Egyptology, Joyce has a career-long determination to make the past accessible to all. With support from the Egyptology team, Joyce has developed a pioneering suite of online programmes designed to reach students who, for various reasons, could not attend traditional, face-to-face lectures.

Joyce studied the archaeology of the Eastern Mediterranean at Liverpool University, then obtained a D.Phil in prehistoric archaeology from Oxford University. She holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton and is a Research Associate of the 野狼社区 Museum. Joyce is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. In 2024, she was awarded the OBE in recognition of her services to Egyptology and heritage.

Dr Nicky Nielsen, Senior Lecturer in Egyptology at The University of 野狼社区, said: 鈥淭his is a very well-deserved honour. Professor Tyldesley has shaped the study of Egyptian archaeology here at 野狼社区 for decades, as well as her extensive work in outreach and scholarly communication, and it鈥檚 wonderful to see her get recognition from the wider field.鈥�

The Current Archaeology awards celebrate the projects and publications that made the pages of the magazine over the past 12 months, and the people shortlisted have made outstanding contributions to archaeology. The awards were voted for by the public, with Joyce being named the people鈥檚 winner at the ceremony on Saturday 1 March.

"Joyce鈥檚 work and its impact are highly valued by all her colleagues in the department, and the University as a whole," said Professor Peter Liddel, Head of Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology and Egyptology. 鈥�Congratulations Joyce on another hugely deserved recognition of your achievements and contributions.鈥�

Reflecting her interest in outreach, Joyce has published a series of books and articles on ancient Egypt, including three television tie-in books and Cleopatra, Last Queen of Egypt, which was a Radio 4 "Book of the Week". Her book Tutankhamen: The Search for an Egyptian King, won the Felicia A Holton Book Award from the Archaeological Institute of America.

These body ideals continue to be influenced by visual exposure to different body weights into adulthood, the research also found.

The results show that people鈥檚 perceptions of body weight are flexible and adult-like from seven years of age onwards and have implications for our understanding of body size and the perceptions, and possible misperceptions, of weight in health and wellbeing.

Professor Lynda Boothroyd, from Durham University鈥檚 Department of Psychology, carried out a first-of-its-kind study to examine the flexibility of body weight perceptions in children and young adults.

The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, found that children as young as seven years old adjust how heavy or light they rate other people鈥檚 bodies after seeing a series of pictures of low or high weight bodies.

The analysis uncovered a significant shift in weight perceptions after exposure to images depicting various body weights. The results showed that the manner in which our brains represent what constitutes 鈥渉eavy鈥� or 鈥渓ight鈥� develops at a very young age.

The research, which involved more than 200 individuals aged seven through to adulthood, also indicated that media influences known to shape adult body perceptions can almost certainly impact children to the same degree, starting from early childhood and continuing to evolve into adulthood.

Lead author, Professor Lynda Boothroyd said: 鈥淚t has been clear for many years that we need to be wary about visual media which present only a narrow range of bodies, because this affects adults鈥� body perceptions. 

鈥淣ow we know that鈥檚 true for children, too. Even very neutral images can adjust their ideas about what is heavy or thin if they see enough of the same kind of body.鈥� 

C-author Dr Amelia Parchment from The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥淭his was such an interesting study to work on and highlights that body-weight perceptions are shaped early on in life and continue into adulthood. Our findings have important implications, including the potential impact of unrealistic body weights, typically seen in visual media, on the lifelong body weight perceptions of children as young as 7-years old. 鈥�

Professor Boothroyd鈥檚 team at Durham has previously shown that adults鈥� ideas about what is an 鈥榓ttractive鈥� body weight or muscle mass are affected by visual experience. This includes the effect of television access on body perceptions among remote communities in Latin America and, in a separate study, finding that White Western women have lower body appreciation and experience greater pressure from the media to be thin compared to Black Nigerian and Chinese women across all ages.

Looking ahead, the team is now investigating how best to address body image concerns in young adults across the globe in a major 拢2 million (鈧�2.5M) research project and developing novel play-based techniques to investigate children鈥檚 understandings of body weight and body ideals from a younger age.

Professor Boothroyd added: 鈥淩esearchers often assume that children鈥檚 body perceptions and their ideas about body image work the same way as adults. We鈥檝e shown that that鈥檚 true, down to seven years, for basic perceptual impacts on body weight perception. But there鈥檚 more to explore in how that converts into their own body image and their own feelings about weight.鈥�

This new study included data gathered during the University鈥檚 鈥楯unior Scientist鈥� event, which actively involves families from the local communities around Durham, UK, in various research and educational activities.

Additionally, the research involved stimuli provided by Northumbria University and contributions from a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the University of 野狼社区.

Professor Carter鈥檚 remarks reinforced the essential role that data plays in driving social change. The Pankhurst-Fawcett Scorecard has been a crucial tool for measuring progress across key sectors, identifying both victories and areas where further action is needed. This year鈥檚 findings provided insights into persistent gender disparities while also highlighting positive strides towards equality.

The event featured dynamic discussions, including a keynote address from Professor Helen Pankhurst - a direct descendant of Emmeline and Sylvia Pankhurst - who echoed Professor Carter鈥檚 message, stating: 鈥淭urning data into action is our greatest challenge and opportunity.鈥�

As the event concluded, GM4Women2028 reaffirmed its commitment to pushing for systemic change. The next Dialogue and Action Event will take place in Bolton on Saturday, July 5, providing another opportunity for communities, policymakers and activists to collaborate and plan actionable solutions.

Throughout the two-day event held this month, spinout founders presented their innovative projects across Life Sciences, Science & Engineering and Next-Stage Investment categories. These sessions were followed by lively Q&A discussions, with investors and attendees posing insightful questions about the future potential of these groundbreaking technologies.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President & Vice-Chancellor of The University of 野狼社区, delivered a keynote speech on the global impact of university spinouts and reinforced the role of research-led innovation in shaping industries worldwide.

He said at the event: 鈥淥ne of the things that distinguishes 野狼社区 globally is the connectivity of the city and its institutions and the ecosystem between business, universities and government in a way that is unique in the world.

鈥淚t is the superpower of 野狼社区. I don鈥檛 know of any other city in the world in which the connectivity between the main institutions in the city are so deep, so dynamic, and so alive.鈥�

Richard Jones, Vice President for Innovation at The University of 野狼社区, also commended how commercialisation of university research can benefit the wider innovation ecosystem.

Break-out partnering sessions allowed for in-depth discussion and provided invaluable opportunities for spinout teams to meet privately with investors to discuss their commercialisation journeys.

Catherine Headley, CEO at The University of 野狼社区 Innovation Factory said: 鈥淭he conference truly demonstrated the strength and diversity of spinout companies emerging from Leeds, 野狼社区 and Sheffield. The level of investor engagement was remarkable, reflecting the exciting momentum behind innovation across the North of England.鈥�

The 2025 Investor Conference reaffirmed the Northern Triangle of Universities鈥� role as a hub fostering cutting-edge innovation collaborations that shape the future of science, technology, and business. It is hoped that fresh partnerships and investments will emerge from the event and that steps will be taken towards real world impact.

Dr Lucy Buckley, a leading figure in the Greater 野狼社区 business community, will start the Royal Society , part of its , on 1 March 2025. 

Dr Buckley, who has over 20 years of experience in business across diverse sectors of healthcare, will spend one day a week at the university, developing bespoke projects with university staff and students. 

Her career spans the healthcare system from academic drug discovery to all aspects of the product life cycle in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Latterly, she has turned her hand to digital health, launching a Care Quality Commission-registered online fertility clinic. She has also held clinical roles in both the NHS and private sector. 

Throughout her professional life, Lucy has been committed to her values of strong governance, ethics and compliance and has experience of a wide range of regulations across healthcare and data security. 

She will provide support and expert advice on promoting innovation and the translation of research, as well as research and development. 

And she will pass on her extensive knowledge on the scientific challenges faced by industry in the health sector. 

After qualifying as a pharmacist at Cardiff University, and working in community and hospital pharmacy, she went on to take a PhD in drug discovery at The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 for applied pharmacokinetic research in 2006.

 The PhD was sponsored by a major pharmaceutical company which meant she spent time in their labs, her first taste of working across academic and industry.

 From 2014, she worked at a major pharmaceutical company and built relationships with both clinical and academic key opinion leaders and worked with them as advisors to help drive scientific projects and improve patient outcomes. 

Soon, she was in a position to set up her own business, called Dr Fertility, the first online primary care provider for fertility to be registered with the Care Quality Commission. 

The company raised over two-and-a half million pounds to make the transition from ecommerce into a digital health provider for fertility. Dr Fertility provided fertility care delivered by both Doctors and nurses for anyone trying for a baby. 

Her new venture, The was launched in November 2023 to improve quality of care in digital health while supporting businesses to grow and scale.

The company has brought together a diverse range of experts and healthcare professionals with experience in academia, the pharmaceutical industry and the private and public healthcare sector.

Dr Buckley said: 鈥淚 have experienced the roller coaster of raising venture capital and the challenges of being an executive.鈥�

鈥淪o, I have lots of experience to pass on to the scientific community in the Faculty of biology, medicine and health.鈥�

She added: 鈥淪cientists are sometimes regarded by investors as not having commercial acumen. Many often undersell themselves.鈥�

鈥淎cademics have many transferable skills that are essential in business such as identifying problems, developing innovative solutions, testing hypotheses, gathering and analysing data and making evidence-based decisions鈥�

鈥淥ne of my key aims of this role is to help bridge that gap between academia and industry.

鈥淚f your business idea is strong, I passionately believe there are always opportunities to make that dream happen.鈥�

Professor Allan Pacey, Interim Dean and Vice President of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health said 鈥淚t is very exciting to welcome Lucy to the Faculty though this prestigious Royal Society scheme鈥�

鈥淚 first met Lucy over 10 years ago when I helped with the first start-up company Dr Fertility. It鈥檚 been great to see her go from strength to strength and be recognised by The Royal Society by being awarded this prestigious Royal Society scheme

鈥淭he University of 野狼社区 is a global leader in Digital Health, being ranked by the Times Higher Education as first in the UK and fourth in the world.

鈥淚 hope that Lucy will be able to help us capitalise on this and held our researchers to navigate the tricky path of commercialisation.鈥�

The award from the is part of a 拢35 million boost to UK cardiovascular disease research, with the funding stemming from the charity鈥檚 highly competitive Research Excellence Awards funding scheme.

It is hoped the funding will help to break down siloes that have traditionally existed in research and encourage collaboration between experts from diverse fields, cross-discipline, to help answer some of the biggest questions in heart and circulatory disease research.

The BHF鈥檚 investment for 野狼社区, announced in 2024, was followed by matched funding from the University - bringing the total investment into cardiovascular disease research at 野狼社区 to 拢8 million.

In attendance at the launch event held at the historic Whitworth Art Gallery were the BHF 野狼社区 Centre of Research Excellence Deputy Director, Professor Maciej Tomaszewski, Professor Bryan Williams, OBE, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the BHF, and the representatives of The University of 野狼社区 NHS Foundation Trust, Ms Toli Onon - Joint Chief Medical Officer and Professor Bernard Clarke - Associate Chief Medical Officer.

President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison and Professor Tony Heagerty, Head of School of Medical Sciences in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health delivered opening remarks.

Professor Maciej Tomaszewski, Deputy Director of the BHF 野狼社区 Centre of Research Excellence and Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at The University of 野狼社区, said: 鈥淭he launch of the BHF 野狼社区 Centre of Research Excellence marks a key turning point for cardiovascular research in Greater 野狼社区.

鈥淏uilt out of a need for collaboration, inclusion and innovation in this space, the Centre will serve as a world-class research environment. Over the coming years, we will strive forward to find answers to some of the biggest questions in our field, in the hopes that our research efforts will lead to positive health changes for people in the North West, the UK and beyond.鈥�

Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the BHF said: 鈥溡袄巧缜� produced an outstanding bid in a very tough national funding competition. BHF was delighted to fund their bid because the 野狼社区 research team and their research plan are outstanding, with a focus on tackling important aspects of heart disease with leading edge innovation, and a desire to make a real difference for patients.鈥�

The BHF 野狼社区 Centre of Research Excellence will focus on key cardiovascular diseases, including:

• Discover the reasons why some babies are born with heart problems (congenital heart disease) and find ways in which these problems could be better predicted, potentially avoided, and treated when they occur in families.
• Better understand the genetic drivers of high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions.
• Provide new insights into the causes and consequences of heart failure and identify new potential treatment strategies.
• Uncover the links between inflammation and inflammatory diseases (such as certain types of arthritis) and the higher risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke these patients carry and find ways to break these links.
• Use Artificial Intelligence on largescale datasets to identify how we can better identify and prevent disease in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including those suffering from other conditions such as cancer.

Heart health is a key research priority for the University鈥檚 Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Policy@野狼社区, The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 dedicated unit for influencing and challenging policymakers with research-informed evidence and ideas, is also focused on cardiovascular health through its initiative.

A delegation of cross-faculty academics has joined Professor Ivison including Professor Stephen Flint, Associate Vice-President International, Professor Zhongdong Wang, Associate Dean for International in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Qing-Jun Meng, Associate Dean for International (Research & Innovation) in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

For the first stop of the visit in Beijing, the delegation met with the British Embassy, the British Council and the China Scholarship Council before visiting partners of The University of 野狼社区, Tsinghua University and Peking University.

In Shanghai, academics met with staff and toured the facilities at the China Centre before visiting partner institutions Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University.

The trip concludes in Hong Kong, where the group will visit the East Asia Centre before spending the evening at a panel discussion held at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre. There will also be a breakfast event with the Hong Kong Foundation for The University of 野狼社区 (HKFUM).

Alumni receptions have been organised in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, to give the visiting academics the chance to meet with former students of the University.

This trip to China marks Professor Ivison鈥檚 first official overseas visit since assuming the post of President and Vice-Chancellor of the University in 2024.

Professor Ivison said: 鈥淭he University of 野狼社区 has a long and proud history of collaboration with our partners in China, and it has been so meaningful to connect with our alumni, staff, fellow universities and prospective students during our visit. Their experiences, insights and ongoing connection to 野狼社区 are invaluable to us as we look to the future and continue to shape our 野狼社区 2035 strategy.

鈥淚nternational partnerships will remain a key focus for our University, and we look forward to progressing our relationships with our network in China over the coming years. In today鈥檚 complex global landscape, academic collaborations and the friendships forged by these exchanges are more important than ever.鈥�

The University of 野狼社区 is proud to have welcomed from China almost 10,000 students in 2024 and, as of 2023, 300 talented staff across academic and professional services roles.

The University is home to the which seek mutual understanding between the British and Chinese peoples through research, students, social responsibility, and inclusion. The University鈥檚 野狼社区 Museum is home to the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery which offers a diverse and dynamic understanding of Chinese culture and the historical and contemporary links between 野狼社区 and China.

The University of 野狼社区 prides itself of being a truly international institution, welcoming one of the largest international student populations in the UK to our University each year. The University ranked 34th in the world (and 6th in the UK) in the , scoring highly for international student ratio (99.2), international research network (99.2) and international faculty ratio (93.1).

The University of 野狼社区 is recognised globally for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and learning, and commitment to social responsibility. It ranks 52nd in the world (and 6th in the UK) in the . The University excels across multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is recognised second in the world in the .

University of 野狼社区 Scientists are among the researchers at the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre in 野狼社区 have developed a simple blood test which can tell doctors at a very early stage if the melanoma is back even if a scan looks normal.

The test is now being used as part of a Cancer Research UK funded clinical trial, led by researchers at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, for patients across the region which could mean quicker diagnosis for people at risk of a relapse.

Among those taking part is mum of two Karen Dickinson, who was at a routine appointment for her arthritic knee, when her osteopath pointed out an irregular looking mole on her lower back.

The next day, the 57-year-old IT manager, now living in Lancaster, went to see her GP, who referred her for tests which revealed that Karen had melanoma 鈥� the most serious form of skin cancer.

Unfortunately, she was also told that the melanoma 鈥� which affects 2,200 people in the North West every year* - had spread to her lymph nodes.

Karen had surgery to remove the mole including a wider area of skin as well as the affected lymph nodes and she was unable to work for a month.

She said: 鈥淚t was such a shock. I had noticed the mole one day getting out of the shower and wondered if it was slightly darker. I thought it may have been due to the fact we鈥檇 been on holiday, even though it had been covered up. So, I had decided to keep an eye on it, but when my osteopath pointed it out and said I should get it checked sooner rather than later, I went straight to my GP. Then it all just happened so fast. They had removed it and diagnosed me with melanoma skin cancer all within a few weeks.

鈥淚 had no idea how serious melanoma was, and you do worry that you could die. Telling my husband Stephen and my two girls Chelsea and Alex was hard. Having cancer has changed my outlook on life. You do worry it might come back, but it absolutely doesn鈥檛 define who I am. It鈥檚 made me prioritise my time and not take my health for granted anymore. My time is precious, and I value what is most important to me more than ever.鈥�

Now Karen is one of 50 people to sign up to the DETECTION-2 clinical trial which aims to prevent people from having unnecessary treatment if their cancer is unlikely to return.

For most people who are diagnosed with melanoma at an early stage, the cancer will be successfully removed by surgery. But in a small percentage of patients the cancer will come back.

On the NHS, patients are currently offered a one-year preventative drug treatment aimed at reducing the risk of recurrence. But with this new blood test, it could be possible to identify patients most at risk, so that further treatment is only given to those who really need it. 

The blood test spot can spot small fragments of DNA shed by cancer cells - known as circulating tumour DNA or ctDNA.

The trial, which launched last month, is led by teams of researchers from The University of 野狼社区, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit.

Consultant medical oncologist at The Christie, Professor Paul Lorigan is leading on the trial. He said: 鈥淲hile immunotherapy or targeted therapy after surgery can help to prevent cancer returning, the majority of patients do not need this.  Giving this treatment to everyone means that many patients may unnecessarily receive additional treatment, which can have serious and long-term side effects. Ideally, only patients likely to have the melanoma return would receive the additional treatment and we therefore want to see if we can use a simple blood test to spot those patients who are most at risk.鈥�

Senior Lecturer in medical oncology at The University of 野狼社区 and Principal Investigator on the trial, Dr Rebecca Lee added: 鈥淚f ctDNA is detected, then we can fast-track patients on to treatment and this would mean that only those patients who really need drug treatment receive it.鈥�

The research team, which is working closely with the charity Melanoma Focus and its patient groups, has recently begun recruiting patients at eight hospitals across the UK, including The Royal Preston Hospital where Karen had her first blood test which has shown no signs of melanoma.

Patients who decide to take part will be randomly assigned to one of two groups, half will receive the standard NHS care and the other half will have regular ctDNA blood tests following surgery instead. The results will be compared at the end of the study and if successful, the trial will be expanded to more hospital sites and more patients.

All patients will continue to have regular scans and skin checks and will be followed up for 5 years.

Karen added: 鈥淭he benefit for me of this brand-new trial is that I don鈥檛 need to go on medication, that could make feel very ill, if I don鈥檛 need it. Also, I have that reassurance that alongside the regular scans and checks, I will have these fantastic blood tests every three months that show up signs of the cancer coming back up to 12-months earlier than a scan. So for me it鈥檚 hugely beneficial both mentally and physically.鈥�

Analysis by Cancer Research UK showed that rates of melanoma have increased by almost a third over the past decade with around 16,000 people diagnosed with melanoma every year in the UK.**

With melanoma cases in the UK on the rise, this clinical trial has come at a crucial time according to Cancer Research UK鈥檚 Executive Director of Research and Innovation Dr Iain Foulkes. He said: 鈥淐ancer Research UK is dedicated to discovery science while ensuring our findings in the laboratory have patient benefit. This project is an important step towards ensuring that our understanding of cancer can provide more personalised treatment for people diagnosed with melanoma, whilst sustaining their quality of life."

Melanoma Focus CEO Susanna Daniels added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 hoped that by using these ctDNA blood tests, doctors will be able to identify very early on which patients have a high chance of the melanoma returning and treat those patients accordingly. Doctors will also be able to provide reassurance to those patients that do not have ctDNA in their blood that their melanoma is not returning, and therefore avoid unnecessary treatment and potential side effects for many patients.鈥�

Image: Karen Dickinson

The  guideline establishes new standards for managing fungal infections, which affect millions of people worldwide every year, and was recently published in Lancet Infectious Diseases. 

The new guideline contains detailed recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of various forms of candidiasis 鈥� from superficial infections to life-threatening invasive infections 鈥� for clinicians, including innovative diagnostic procedures and the latest therapeutic approaches. 

Particular attention is paid to new challenges such as resistance to common antifungals and the increasing spread of Candida auris, a multiresistant pathogen 

鈥淲ith this guideline, we have taken an important step towards improving treatment for patients worldwide,鈥� said Professor Cornely, head of the global initiative. Co-lead Dr Sprute added: 鈥淥ur aim was to pool the expertise of a global network to provide doctors and healthcare professionals with a practical and scientifically sound tool. 

The document is the result of four years of intensive collaboration among more than one hundred experts from 35 countries. Supported by the expert associations ECMM (European Confederation of Medical Mycology), ISHAM (International Society for Human and Animal Mycology) and ASM (American Society for Microbiology).

Dr Cornely invited potential authors for the guideline based on speciality, geography, and gender. Six coordinators were appointed to ensure the structure of the guideline, assign topics, identify missing aspects and monitor progress.

The guideline has been endorsed worldwide by seventy six international expert associations as an important guide for practising physicians and meets the highest standards of quality and relevance to clinical care.

鈥淥ur compilation is unprecedented and provides a basis for improving the treatment and chances of survival of affected patients worldwide,鈥� said Cornely, underlining the significance of the work.

Dr Riina Rautemaa-Richardson, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases and Medical Education at The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥�"It was a mammoth project to bring practically the world together to agree how to diagnose and manage the most common invasive fungal disease. For the first time, all continents are represented and all aspects of Candida infections covered, including the very common superficial ones (thrush).鈥�

"It was amazing to see how much more evidence there is to support the recommendations made compared to the previous European guideline 10 years ago. Although we had over 100 expert authors in the group it was easy to agree on the recommendations.鈥�

鈥淯krainians will not react well to attempts to undermine their views and preferences and will rally behind their leaders," Olga added. "Opposition forces will also find a way to come together and show unity - everyone in Ukraine understands what is as stake - it is an existential matter. Ukrainians have been fighting to protect their independence for years, and they will not give up now.鈥�

鈥淏y inventing low approval ratings, Trump is preparing the ground for a call for quick elections in Ukraine - in line with Putin鈥榮 references to Zelensky as an illegitimate president and negotiation partner,鈥� said Gwendolyn Sasse. 鈥淥ur findings show that for Ukrainians, holding elections now is not a preferred priority.鈥�

鈥淲hen the war ends, we can expect normal political competition to reemerge if Ukraine remains free,鈥� added Henry Hale. 鈥淏ut with the Russian threat still looming large, Ukrainians continue to rally strongly around their leader.鈥�

As Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression and misinformation campaigns, the researchers say these must be called out and rejected. Their findings demonstrate that Ukraine still stands with Zelensky, and they say that efforts to delegitimise him only serve the interests of Vladimir Putin.

Published in the and led by David Denning, Professor of Infectious Diseases in Global Health at The University of 野狼社区, the team analysed fungal infection management policies from the Netherlands,Italy, South Korea, China, and India. 

The contrast between the countries gives a representative picture of policies around the world according to Professor Denning. 

The research focussed on recognition and prioritization, awareness and education, prevention and monitoring, diagnosis and coordinated care, access to appropriate treatment, and diagnostic and treatment innovation. 

They also found worrying gaps in policy coverage, including low prioritization of diagnostics and omission of fungal pathogens from antimicrobial resistance policies.

There was also a general lack of awareness, poor healthcare professional training on optimal management of the potentially deadly infection which often presents with minimal, vague, or nonspecific symptoms.

Professor Denning said: 鈥淒evelopment of efficient and coordinated national systems to reduce avoidable deaths from fungal diseases has lagged behind other infectious diseases.

鈥淎 key element is timely and appropriate use of antifungal agents, based on diagnostic results, prevailing resistance trends and stewardship.

鈥淲e hope this article will provide a stimulus for all countries to put in place comprehensive plans for fungal diseases and monitor their implementation.鈥�

The policy framework that was developed is summarised in 6 areas: policy recognition, awareness and education, prevention and monitoring, diagnosis and coordinated care, access to appropriate treatment and innovation.

Each item in each country was scored using a traffic light system.

Beyond medicine and science, this research has real-world implications for everyday people. If synDNA is widely adopted, it could lead to groundbreaking medical treatments and innovations, such as designing genes to combat hereditary diseases. 

However, it also raises concerns about genetic privacy, ownership, and potential misuse. Could individuals鈥� genetic information be recreated without their permission? How might this affect legal rights or personal identity?

The researchers emphasise the need for governments, policymakers and scientists to collaborate on ethical guidelines to ensure responsible development and use of synDNA. By addressing these issues now, society can prepare for the transformative impact this technology may have on healthcare, reproduction and human identity itself.

The study was funded by the V铆ctor Gr铆fols i Lucas Foundation.

The prestigious ranking of 300 universities is decided based on the judgement of senior academics in the world鈥檚 largest invitation-only academic opinion survey. Reputation is assessed based on three core pillars of evaluation: vote counts, pairwise comparison and voter diversity, with all three considered in relation to research and teaching. 

The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 position has improved since the reputation rankings were last published in 2023, and it is one of eight UK institutions included in the top 50.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥淥ur inclusion in the THE World Reputation Rankings top 50 reflects our global reputation for pioneering research and excellence in teaching and learning. 

鈥淗ow we are perceived on the world stage is vital to attracting top talent and, as the higher education sector grows increasingly competitive, we must continue to innovate and evolve to strengthen our position. This recognition serves as both a testament to our achievements and a motivation to push further as we shape the future through 野狼社区 2035鈥攐ur bold new strategy for the next decade.鈥� 

Phil Baty, Times Higher Education鈥檚 chief global affairs officer, said: 鈥淭he THE World Reputation Rankings are built on a survey of 55,000 expert academic voices from around the world 鈥� so they are a powerful and robust indicator of a university鈥檚 global academic standing among peers. 

鈥淭here are tens of thousands of higher education institutions in the world, so to make the list of the world鈥檚 top 50 most prestigious universities, voted by expert academic peers, is an exceptional accolade. 野狼社区 clearly has a very strong grounding in its local community 鈥� but it is evidently also greatly respected and admired by scholars all across the world.鈥� 

The Times Higher Education includes the full ranking of 300 universities with the best reputation in the world. 

The University of 野狼社区 was placed 53^rd in the (and 8^th in the UK), while the University鈥檚 commitment to academic excellence in research and teaching across all subject areas was also recognised in the THE World University Rankings by Subject. 

Prithveesh and Harvey are from India and the Isle of Man respectively, and it was after frequent flights back to 野狼社区 that they first discovered the shortcomings of airline loyalty schemes. Following conversations with multiple airlines, the pair concluded that current programs benefit only few flyers and the vast majority of travellers virtually never accumulate enough points to make any use of them.

Using a combination of funds secured through previous exits, grants, and awards, the pair, at just 18 years old, set sights on building Arcube, with the aim of providing a new form of airline loyalty that works for everyone.

Arcube is the world鈥檚 first post-flight solution for airlines to upsell ancillaries, tailored specifically to the customer via the AI-powered analysis of hundreds of data points.

While still in their first year of university, Reddy and Lowe sent a simple email pitch to the Etihad Airways London office about their idea. The proposition stood out to Etihad Airways and garnered significant attention, so much so that Etihad Airways became Arcube鈥檚 first client.

Co-founder Harvey Lowe said: 鈥淚t was a case of reaching the right person at the right time; we had full confidence in what we were offering, but breaking into the airline business is notoriously difficult. So a positive response from Etihad meant the world to us and reaffirmed we were moving in the right direction.鈥�

Professor Aline Miller, Chief Scientific Officer at Unit M, said: 鈥淣ow based at Sister, Arcube will continue to be supported by the University ecosystem via Unit M, the University's newly established innovation capability, which will connect Arcube into the University's R&D and skills capabilities to accelerate its scale-up journey.

"The energetic Arcube team and their early success at securing funding demonstrate that 野狼社区 is a place where we have built the ecosystem for ideas, creativity and entrepreneurship to succeed.鈥�

The Concordat, developed by the UK research and innovation (R&I) sector, is born out of recognition from universities, research institutions and funding organisations that cutting-edge research needs to be delivered in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way.

The signing reaffirms the University鈥檚 commitment to continued action in the Concordat鈥檚 priority areas, including leadership, sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement, emissions from business and academic travel, collaborations and partnerships, environmental impact and reporting data. Through this commitment the University will work with the sector to reduce its negative environmental impacts and to transition to environmentally sustainable practices.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥淭he Concordat is a bold and collective effort to drive research and innovation in an environmentally sustainable way. As The University of 野狼社区 steps into its third century, we want sustainability to be woven into everything we do鈥攈ow we teach, how we research, and how we run our campus.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a key part of our identity as a civic and global university, and it underpins our commitment to social responsibility. Together with other universities, we will continue to lead the way in the search for local and global environmental solutions, helping to shape a healthy and prosperous future for generations to come.鈥�

The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 sustainability strategy for 2023 to 2028 roadmaps how we are taking action to reduce our carbon footprint, promote sustainability in teaching, learning, research and innovation, and engaging with the community to ensure a smooth transition to a more sustainable society.

Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research at The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥� is one of our research priorities at The University of 野狼社区 - delivering solutions to urgent environmental challenges through interdisciplinary collaborations 鈥� including accelerating the energy transition to net zero, protecting biodiversity, working with industry to promote a circular economy, innovating to ensure the transition enables communities to thrive across the world, and inspiring our students through our teaching.

鈥淓qually important, like all universities, we have a responsibility to ensure that how we organise our research protects and benefits our environment and planet. This is embedded in the University鈥檚 sustainability strategy and the Concordat provides further momentum to help keep the University on track through collaboration with research partners and fellow universities, as we work together towards this shared vision for a cleaner and sustainable future.鈥�

The University of 野狼社区 joins other Russell Group Universities in signing the Concordat, alongside major funders and learned societies including Wellcome, UK Research and Innovation, British Academy, National Institute for Health and Care Research and Cancer Research UK.

The University of 野狼社区 is at the forefront of tackling global sustainability challenges and is renowned for its world-leading research. It consistently ranks as a global leader 鈥� most recently 2^nd in the world and 1^st in the UK in The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings in recognition of its commitment and contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Recent research and innovation by scientists from the University includes a team which have developed a new material that can reduce water pollution caused by harmful chemicals, while another group of researchers has investigated the effects of climate change on UK peatlands. Innovation is taking place across the University to find sustainable solutions to the climate crisis, including in the field of graphene, which was isolated at the University at the beginning of the century.

Visiting from the University is a cross-faculty delegation, including Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility, Professor Keith Brennan, Vice Dean for Internationalisation, Professor Samuel Hickey, Head of the Global Development Institute, and Professor Susanne Shultz, Professor of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology.

At Kisii University, one of The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 partners, the delegation will learn more about the medical education, emergency medicine and breast cancer screening research taking place before attending an event hosted by HE Simba Arati, Governor of Kisii County. They will also hear more about the new cancer hospital being built in Kisii County.

The academics will also tour Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital鈥檚 cancer and imaging facilities, with aspects of the visit to be focused on genomics, cervical cancer and mental health. A visit to Kitengela is planned, where discussions will centre on clean water, air quality, zoonotic disease and disease transmission.

The University is also collaborating with the Akiba Mashinani Trust (AMT) to reduce food poverty among school children in Kenya by providing meals during the school day.

An event marking the launch of The University of 野狼社区's Africa Strategy will be attended by key stakeholders in Kenya, including Cabinet Secretary Dr Deborah Barasa and Cabinet Secretary Mr Julius Ogamba.

Africa has a long-standing and growing importance for all three of The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 faculties, with the continent being a key focus for its core objectives in teaching, research and social responsibility.

Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice President for Social Responsibility at The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥淭his visit to Kenya reinforces our aim to build long-term, durable partnerships that are equitable and lead to the co-creation of solutions to shared research questions that are important to people in all countries.

鈥淥ur Africa Strategy looks to develop resource, capacity sharing and knowledge production, with investment in people and facilities that is impactful on the ground in this region. We stand to learn so much from our partners in Africa, and we look forward to the breakthroughs the partnership will bring over the coming years.鈥�

Through this renewed strategy, the University hopes to strengthen its links with Africa and increase collaboration between researchers and educational institutions. 野狼社区 academics are already involved in a broad range of research projects across Africa, in areas such as poverty reduction, improving health outcomes, mitigating the impacts of climate change and advancing conditions for sustainable development. The University wants to see many more co-created projects addressing the breadth of the UN SDGs.

Professor Margaret Hutchinson, Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi said: 鈥淲e will only be able to address many of the shared questions for humanity, as described in the UN SDGs, by working together. The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 strategy clearly lays out their approach to co-developing and co-creating research and we are delighted to be one of their partners.鈥�

Dr James Mwangi, Executive Chairman of the Equity Group Foundation said: 鈥淧hilanthropy鈥檚 important role in supporting the development of people with highly specialised training and generating transformative leaders, can be seen in our partnership with The University of 野狼社区. It is a natural progression of our highly successful Wings to Fly and Equity Leaders programmes鈥�.

The University of 野狼社区 celebrated 200 years in 2024, and the launch of its Africa Strategy aims to place the continent at the heart of the University鈥檚 move into its third century.

Find out more about Global Futures .

The station, part of the UK鈥檚 programme, will monitor and provide crucial data on key climate-relevant gases, including carbon dioxide (CO鈧�), methane (CH鈧�), and nitrous oxide (N鈧侽). A new high-precision analyser for monitoring atmospheric hydrogen (H鈧�) is also being deployed at the site to monitor atmospheric hydrogen (H鈧�) generated through the growth of the UK鈥檚 hydrogen economy.   

The project is a collaboration between The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group at the University of Bristol.

Simon O鈥橠oherty, Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of Bristol, added: 鈥淲e can only understand the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by making continuous high-quality, physical measurements of the atmosphere. The current UK network of monitoring stations set up in 2012 has been a huge success in furthering our understanding, however, the addition of the Jodrell Bank station to the network will enhance our ability to determine emissions in the north-west region of the UK.鈥� 

Data collected from Jodrell Bank will be added to a long-term dataset collected by the UK鈥檚 Deriving Emissions linked to Climate Change (DECC) network. These measurements are combined with a computer model that represents the transport of gases from the emission sources to the measurement locations. This enables scientists to estimate the size and location of emissions for each measured gas. The total UK emissions estimated for CH₄ and N₂O using this method are included in the UK鈥檚 National Inventory Report that is submitted annually to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

As the first site in North West England, the new Jodrell Bank station will provide more granular detail on emissions from Wales and North West England. This will help to improve the accuracy of UK emission estimates and will also permit new studies focused on regional greenhouse gas emissions. Jodrell Bank is also well placed to monitor changes in atmospheric H鈧�) resulting from planned industrial developments near Ellesmere Port. 

Alistair Manning, Met Office greenhouse gas monitoring Scientific Manager, said: 鈥淛odrell Bank is ideally located to monitor emissions from north Wales and the north-west of England. It complements the existing network perfectly and will enable a better spatial understanding of the emissions of greenhouse gases from these regions. The resulting information will enable the UK to better understand its current emissions and monitor its progress to net zero.鈥� 

The GEMMA Programme is a consortium led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), which includes the Met Office, National Centre for Earth Observation, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Bristol, University of 野狼社区, and others working together to create a single integrated network to monitor all sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in the UK, funded by NERC and the Building a Green Future Programme. 

Richard Barker, Head of Environment, NPL, said: 鈥淲ith the welcome addition of Jodrell Bank, we can start to provide greater resolution of UK emissions now and also assure the UK network is better suited to the future, more challenging, demands of achieving net zero.鈥�

The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 total economic impact on the UK economy in the 2022-23 academic year stood at 拢7.3 billion. In fact, The University鈥檚 income alone stood at 拢1.3 billion in total, larger than that of 野狼社区 United Football Club. 

The new analysis by London Economics shows the scale of the University鈥檚 positive effects as a major employer with one in every 25 jobs in 野狼社区 being provided by the University. Indirectly, the institution also supports an additional 31,000 jobs outside of the University across the North West and the rest of the UK. 

Professor Richard Jones, Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement said: 鈥淭he University鈥檚 ambition is to power a strong and inclusive economy, positioning 野狼社区 as a central player on the global stage. The scale of what we have achieved currently is remarkable, but there is more to do. There is a huge opportunity now for the city-region of Greater 野狼社区 and the University to work together, with other partners, to accelerate the kind of economic growth which benefits all in society.鈥� 

Economic Contribution: In 2022-23, the University generated approximately 拢2.1 billion in economic impact within Greater 野狼社区, which is 56% of its total impact in the North West.  

Civic and Employment Impact: In 2022-23, the University's activities supported 19,050 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in Greater 野狼社区, which is a significant portion of the total 31,310 FTE jobs supported across the UK.  

Research and Knowledge Exchange: The University's research and knowledge exchange activities have a profound impact on the region. In 2022-23, these activities supported approximately 6,040 FTE jobs in Greater 野狼社区 and generated a total economic impact of 拢3.0 billion across the UK.  

Innovation and spin-out/start-up companies: The University has 343 spinout and start-up companies, with 175 headquartered in Greater 野狼社区. 

The Impact Report was revealed today during an economy and regeneration committee meeting at 野狼社区 City Council. 

Professor John Holden, Associate Vice-President, Major Special Projects said: 鈥淭he University of 野狼社区 is one of the most significant innovation assets in the North of England, and a driver of growth and prosperity for our city-region and the UK, with global reach. This report highlights how investment in our research, teaching, cultural, and innovation activities 鈥� and the activities of our staff, students, alumni and partners 鈥� creates economic and societal wealth for communities across the UK.鈥� 

The University is seeking to now supercharge its impact through innovation and commercialisation via the activities of , a new specialist function will transform how the University partners with start-ups, scale ups and industry to strengthen the region鈥檚 innovation ecosystem.  

The impact of students has also been highlighted, as the University seeks to develop its 野狼社区 2035 strategy to work with ambition and focus, to make 野狼社区 an example of a civic-embedded and social responsibility-led institution. The University is currently ranked at 6 in the UK and 34 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and as the third largest higher education institution in the UK, teaching and learning activities provide substantial benefits to the UK economy.  

Today鈥檚 report reveals the impact of teaching and learning generated by the 2022-23 cohort of University of 野狼社区 students stood at 拢1.6 billion, based on enhanced employment and earnings benefits to graduates and associated public income. 

Scientists from The University of 野狼社区 used advanced X-ray imaging techniques to examine fossilised bones of the prehistoric flying reptile at the smallest scale, revealing hidden engineering solutions right in the palm of their hands鈥r fingers to be precise.

They discovered that pterosaur bones contained a complex network of tiny canals, making them both lightweight and incredibly strong 鈥� details of its structure that have never been seen before.

The researchers say these ancient adaptations could have the potential to start a 鈥榩alaeo-biomimetics鈥� revolution鈥攗sing the biological designs of prehistoric creatures to develop new materials for the 21^st Century.

The findings are published today in Nature鈥檚 .

The study鈥檚 lead author, Nathan Pili, a PhD student at The University of 野狼社区, said: 鈥淔or centuries, engineers have looked to nature for inspiration鈥� like how the burrs from plants led to the invention of Velcro. But we rarely look back to extinct species when seeking inspiration for new engineering developments鈥攂ut we should.

鈥淲e are so excited to find and map these microscopic interlocking structures in pterosaur bones, we hope one day we can use them to reduce the weight of aircraft materials, thereby reducing fuel consumption and potentially making planes safer.鈥�

The pterosaurs, close relatives of dinosaurs, were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight. While early species typically had wingspans of about two metres, later pterosaurs evolved into enormous forms with wingspans reaching upwards of 10 metres. The size means they had to solve multiple engineering challenges to get their enormous wingspan airborne, not least supporting their long wing membrane predominantly from a single finger.

The team used state-of-the-art X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) to scan the fossil bones at near sub-micrometre resolution, resolving complex structures approximately 20 times smaller than the width of a human hair. 3D mapping of internal structures permeating the wing bones of pterosaurs has never been achieved at these resolutions (~0.002 mm).

They found that the unique network of tiny canals and pores within pterosaur bones鈥攐nce used for nutrient transfer, growth, and maintenance鈥攁lso help protect against microfractures by deflecting cracks, serving both biological and mechanical functions.

By replicating these natural designs, engineers could not only create lightweight, strong components but could also incorporate sensors and self-healing materials, opening up new possibilities for more complex and efficient aircraft designs.

The team suggests that advancements in metal 3D printing could turn these ideas into reality.

Nathan Pilli said: 鈥淭his is an incredible field of research, especially when working at the microscopic scale. Of all the species that have ever lived, most are extinct, though many died out due to rapid environmental changes rather than 鈥榩oor design鈥�. These findings are pushing our team to generate even higher-resolution scans of additional extinct species. Who knows what hidden solutions we might find!鈥�

Senior author of the study Professor Phil Manning, Professor of Natural History at The University of 野狼社区 and Director of Science at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, added: 鈥淭here is over four billion years of experimental design that were a function of Darwinian natural selection. These natural solutions are beautifully reflected by the same iterative processes used by engineers to refine materials. It is highly likely that among the billions of permutations of life on Earth, unique engineering solutions have evolved but were lost to the sands of time. We hope to unlock the potential of ancient natural solutions to create new materials but also help build a more sustainable future. It is wonderful that life in the Jurassic might make flying in the 21^st Century more efficient and safer.鈥�

With the aerospace industry constantly striving for stronger, lighter, and more efficient materials, nature鈥檚 ancient flyers may hold the key to the future of flight. By looking back hundreds of millions of years, scientists and engineers may well be paving the way for the next generation of aviation technology.

These findings underscore the importance of addressing sleep issues to support the mental health of young people and that gender is an important factor when considering how sleep and wellbeing are connected. 

The #BeeWell survey, which made this study possible, continues to provide valuable insights into the lives of young people, informing better policies and practices to improve outcomes. The programme is a collaboration between The University of 野狼社区, The Gregson Family Foundation, and Anna Freud. Visit  to find out more.

Launched in 2021, CareLoop integrates with existing treatment pathways, providing patients with digital support while enabling clinicians to remotely monitor and track patients鈥� symptoms, along with personalised algorithmic escalation prediction to prevent episodes.

CareLoop was founded by mental health experts Professor Sh么n Lewis, Professor John Ainsworth and Professor Sandra Bucci, who are academics at The University of 野狼社区, along with Zo毛 Blake (CEO), who previously delivered 10x growth at the digital mental health platform Kooth plc, and COO Dr Pauline Whelan, previously co-director of the GM.Digital unit at Greater 野狼社区 Mental Health NHS Foundation and The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Digital Health Software lead.

The company, which is set to open its first headquarters in 野狼社区鈥檚 new Sister innovation district, is backed by over a decade of research, including five clinical trials, with rigorous evidence-based testing to prove its safety and effectiveness in symptom management and reduction in relapses.

The seed round has been co-led by the GMC Life Sciences Fund By Praetura 鈥� which is managed by Praetura Ventures on behalf of Bruntwood SciTech, the Greater 野狼社区 Combined Authority (GMCA) and Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington 鈥� and Verge HealthTech Fund, a Singapore-based VC firm investing exclusively in impactful healthcare technologies, which counts Impact Ventures by J&J Foundation among its investors.

NPIF II 鈥� Praetura Equity Finance, which is managed by Praetura Ventures as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, also took part in the round with SFC Capital.

Last year, the platform was recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence鈥檚 (NICE) Early Value Assessment programme (EVA), which recommends products for use in the NHS. CareLoop has also identified cash savings for the NHS of between five and 47 times the cost of licensing its product, depending on the severity of each condition.

Zo毛 Blake, CEO of CareLoop, said: 鈥淲hile there are numerous digital mental health tools on the market, they tend to focus on wellbeing and common mental health problems such as anxiety and mild to moderate depression. And whilst many leverage evidence-based techniques, few have the robust clinical evidence of efficacy required to be called a digital therapeutic.

鈥淥ur mission has always been to provide accessible care where it鈥檚 needed to those living with the most severe and enduring mental illnesses. With approval from NICE, over 10 years of data and now the backing of key and well-connected investment partners, we鈥檙e looking forward to enhancing the way mental health support is delivered to improve the lives of many millions living with these conditions.鈥�

Professor John Ainsworth, Professor of Health Informatics at The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥淩ight from the very start, our motivation has always been to improve care for those living with serious mental health conditions. With the backing of Praetura Ventures, Verge and SFC Capital, we can take the next step on our journey to achieving our aim and delivering global impact.鈥�

Sim Singh-Landa, investment director and head of the GMC Life Sciences Fund By Praetura, said: 鈥淲e understood CareLoop鈥檚 mission, vision for transforming severe mental illness aftercare and the wider roadmap from our very first meeting with the team. Fast-forward to the present day and we鈥檙e incredibly excited to not only be supporting the company with investment but also the more than money guidance and network support it needs to scale and deploy its technology across the NHS and other global health institutions.

鈥淭he company is a testament to the quality of spinouts coming out of The University of 野狼社区, and the North West鈥檚 universities more generally. In addition, it鈥檚 great to see the GMC Life Sciences Fund by Praetura and the NPIFII 鈥� Praetura Equity Finance funds collaborate alongside co-investors from the UK and Singapore.鈥�

Dr Kath Mackay, Chief Scientific Officer for Bruntwood SciTech said: 鈥淭he GMC Life Sciences Fund By Praetura Fund was created to back businesses just like CareLoop. A dynamic 野狼社区-based spinout set to make a national and international impact on mental health care. Their innovative platform is another great example of the region鈥檚 ability to create world-class life sciences businesses. We鈥檙e excited to be supporting Zoe and the team in the company鈥檚 next chapter.鈥�

In total, it鈥檚 estimated that over 70 million people worldwide suffer from a severe mental illness (SMI). Often these conditions are chronic, incurable or extremely difficult to manage, therefore putting vast economic pressure on healthcare providers or services. In the UK caring for people with psychosis alone accounts for 30% of the annual mental health budget 鈥� totalling 拢4bn. And in the US, the direct cost of care is $62bn, equating to around $30k per patient per year.

Following the investment, CareLoop has confirmed plans to continue developing its technology to encompass other severe mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder.

The University of 野狼社区 is home to a rapidly growing talent pool of entrepreneurs and start-up companies transforming ideas in to real-world impact thanks to the University鈥檚 innovation ecosystem on offer. Last week The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Innovation Academy held its third Founders Network Dinner (Tuesday 28 Jan), in the 野狼社区 Museum.

The academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, The University of 野狼社区 Innovation Factory and the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre. It brings together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of your research.

Professor Aline Miller, Director of the Innovation Academy and Chief Scientific Officer at , said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 incredible to see our Innovation Academy Founders Network flourishing. Each event has grown significantly, reinforcing how The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 innovator community is beginning to thrive. With initiatives like Unit M, we have the opportunity to extend our impact beyond the University, embedding ourselves within the wider regional ecosystem.鈥�

The evening was opened by Vice-Chancellor for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement, Professor Richard Jones, who shared his thoughts about embedding innovation squarely within the University 2035 Strategy, and the importance of generating tangible impact from our research to solve global challenges and deliver an innovation driven economy.

A highlight of the night was a series of one-minute elevator pitches from nine inspiring entrepreneurs, each at different stages of their journey. These ranged from early-stage proof-of-concept ideas to businesses securing significant funding, such as those winning the Eli Harari Award and raising over 拢9 million in seed funding. The ventures spanned diverse industries, including healthcare, technology, and sustainability:

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In attendance was Professor Lou Cordwell, CEO of , who introduced this University of 野狼社区 flagship initiative, highlighting its potential to revolutionise the regional innovation ecosystem. She described how Unit M will act as a bridge between university-born innovation and the wider economy, fostering inclusivity and long-term growth.

The Innovation Academy鈥檚 Founders Network is a growing community of technology, creative, and social start-up and spin-out founders, providing a supportive platform for sharing experiences and fostering peer-to-peer learning. Since its launch in June 2024, attendance at the dinners has grown from 40 to 110 - highlighting the growing momentum behind entrepreneurial activity.

The Innovation Academy, a collaboration between the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange Team, the University of 野狼社区 Innovation Factory, and the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, aims to inspire and accelerate enterprise across campus.

Any student or staff member with an interest in entrepreneurship is encouraged to join this vibrant network. To get involved, contact Kelly Burnham at Innovation.Academy@manchester.ac.uk.

To find out more about 野狼社区鈥檚 pioneering spirit through the ages and current and future landscapes for innovation, the economy and commercialisation, listen to Aline and Professor of Materials Physics and Innovation Policy and Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement, Richard Jones on their Talk 200 podcast, Talking Innovation: It鈥檚 in 野狼社区鈥檚 DNA.

Photo credit - Enna Bartlett

Scientists discovered that even brief exposure to high concentrations of PM may impair a person鈥檚 ability to focus on tasks, avoid distractions, and behave in a socially acceptable manner.

Researchers exposed study participants to either high levels of air pollution - using candle smoke - or clean air, testing cognitive abilities before and four hours after exposure. The tests measured working memory, selective attention, emotion recognition, psychomotor speed, and sustained attention.

Publishing their findings today (6 Feb) in , researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and 野狼社区 reveal that selective attention and emotion recognition were negatively affected by air pollution 鈥� regardless of whether subjects breathed normally or only through their mouths.

The experts suggest that inflammation caused by pollution may be responsible for these deficits noting that while selective attention and emotion recognition were affected, working memory was not. This indicates that some brain functions are more resilient to short-term pollution exposure.

Co-author Dr Thomas Faherty, from the University of Birmingham, said: 鈥淥ur study provides compelling evidence that even short-term exposure to particulate matter can have immediate negative effects on brain functions essential for daily activities, such as doing the weekly supermarket shop.鈥�

Co-author Professor Francis Pope, from the University of Birmingham, added: 鈥淧oor air quality undermines intellectual development and worker productivity, with significant societal and economic implications in a high-tech world reliant on cognitive excellence.

鈥淩educed productivity impacts economic growth, further highlighting the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations and public health measures to combat the harmful effects of pollution on brain health, particularly in highly polluted urban areas.鈥�

Cognitive functioning encompasses a diverse array of mental processes crucial for everyday tasks. Selective attention, for example, helps decision-making and goal-directed behaviour, such as prioritising items on your shopping list in the supermarket, while ignoring other products and resisting impulse buys.

Working memory serves as a temporary workspace for holding and manipulating information, vital for tasks requiring simultaneous processing and storage, essential for tasks that require multitasking, such as planning a schedule or juggling multiple conversations.

Socio-emotional cognition, which involves detecting and interpreting emotions in oneself and others, helps guide socially acceptable behaviour. Although these are separate cognitive skills, they work together to enable the successful completion of tasks both at work in other aspects of life.

Overall, the study highlights the need for further research to understand the pathways through which air pollution affects cognitive functions and to explore the long-term impacts, especially on vulnerable populations like children and older adults.

The study is the first to experimentally manipulate inhalation routes of PM air pollution, providing valuable insights into how different pathways affect cognitive functions. Researchers emphasise the need for further investigation into long-term impacts and potential protective measures.

Globally, air pollution is the leading environmental risk factor to human health, increasing premature mortality. The detrimental impacts of poor air quality on cardiovascular and respiratory systems are widely acknowledged, with links to neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, and Parkinson鈥檚 disease.

PM_2.5 is the air pollutant most responsible for human health effects with some 4.2 million deaths attributed to this size of particle alone in 2015. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that 24-hour and annual limits are below 15 渭g m^鈥�3 and 5 渭g m^鈥�3 respectively.

The new Collections Gallery at the John Rylands Library will showcase over 40 rare and remarkable objects tracing the history and evolution of the library鈥檚 special collections, revealing the influence of visionary founder Enriqueta Rylands on the library鈥檚 collections.

Highlights in the new Collections Gallery will include an early fragment of the New Testament, a clay cylinder from King Nebuchadnezzar鈥檚 temple, and the Peterloo relief fund accounts. At the heart of the gallery is a case containing a 14th-century trilingual Qur鈥檃n manuscript, Shakespeare鈥檚 first folio and the Rylands Beatus, a beautiful 12th-century book. Alan Turing鈥檚 notes on programming the MARK I computer, and a notebook handwritten by Joy Division鈥檚 manager Rob Gretton, show 20th-century history in the making.

The exhibition reveals the breadth and importance of the collections and the innovative work behind the scenes to preserve and share them. For the care of the collections and to showcase a wide variety of material, objects on display will change after six months.

The new gallery is part of Rylands125, a special year-long events and exhibitions programme to celebrate the 125th anniversary of The John Rylands Library. This initiative by The University of 野狼社区 Library delves into the library鈥檚 storied past to celebrate its vibrant present and look forward to the promising future of the institution. 

Established by Enriqueta Rylands as a library for the people of 野狼社区, the Rylands opened in January 1900. To create this remarkable library, Enriqueta Rylands spent about 拢1 million (over 拢100 million today). She wanted it to be a catalyst for the cultural, social and religious advancement of the city.

Enriqueta Rylands started buying books for the new library in November 1889 鈥� before the builders started work. Her early purchases included a wide variety of valuable printed books and handwritten manuscripts. Some are very beautiful, others rare or remarkable. She was very interested in Christian reform but also collected poetry, bird books and history. 

Enriqueta Rylands laid the groundwork for a growing library, now home to an astonishing variety of books, manuscripts, archives, maps and visual materials. They include world-class holdings of ancient papyri, early European and Chinese printing, Islamic and medieval manuscripts, bibles and modern archives. The collections have come to the Rylands as gifts, purchases and loans; some as ready formed collections, others as individual items.

The Rylands has grown into a renowned cultural and academic destination that welcomes readers, researchers and visitors from around the world. The library continues to bring in and preserve collections, especially in the creative arts and British pop culture. Modern collecting brings a plethora of formats, with exciting opportunities and challenges in a digital age. 

Find out more at .

鈥淧aul鈥檚 book offers a profound insight into his experiences, challenges and triumphs, serving as a beacon of inspiration for people facing similar obstacles 鈥� we are proud he chose The University of 野狼社区 to be the place where he launches his book,鈥� said Professor Jackie Carter.

鈥淚 run the Disabled Staff Network and Disabled PGR group, and it is amazing how far the University has progressed in the past two years in its mission to promote disability inclusion and empowerment,鈥� said Laura Howard. 鈥淲hat people like Jackie Carter, Kathy Bradley and Melissa Westwood have achieved in that time is mind-blowing - they've managed to raise the profile of disability so much that we now get departments coming to us to seek feedback on ways they can improve.鈥�

For more information about The University of 野狼社区's initiatives in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, visit the .

鈥淭he AHRC doctoral landscape awards provide flexible funding to allow universities to build on existing excellence in research and opportunities for innovation across the arts and humanities,鈥� said AHRC Executive Chair Professor Christopher Smith. 鈥淭hey will support the development of talented people and, alongside our other doctoral schemes, contribute to a vibrant, diverse and internationally-attractive research and innovation system.鈥�

Further details on the studentships will be announced in due course.

Cervical cancer screening rates have fallen in the UK in recent years. While swathes of women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 in England attend their cervical cancer screening appointments on a routine basis, only 69% of those eligible attended their screening in the 2023-24 year.

While cervical cancer screening is carried out by healthcare professionals under the current UK programme, there is potential for patients to test themselves using self-sampling methods such as vaginal swabbing and urine sampling.

Recent evidence finds that self-sampling is similarly effective as clinician obtained samples, and the UK government鈥檚 National Screening Committee is also investigating self-sampling. However, evidence is limited on whether these self-sampling methods will help tackle the barriers many face in accessing cervical screening, prompting researchers from The University of 野狼社区 to address this research gap in their study, published in

The current UK screening programme has been hugely successful in detecting and preventing cervical cancer, but disparities in uptake of the screening programme are prevalent. The study found that self-sampling alternatives may be useful where barriers prohibit access and may help to reduce a health inequity for some under-served groups.

Qualitative data was collected from 46 participants via interviews and focus groups, mindful of three theoretical frameworks: access to primary care services, intersectional and feminist perspectives.

Results showed a number of individuals had a good experience throughout the screening process. With regards to healthcare professionals, both positive and negative experiences were reported by participants, while negative experiences were also associated with the use of the speculum to carry out the screening.

Ultimately, the study found that examples of good practice in the current cervical screening programme are prevalent, but barriers to screening remain for under-served groups. Consistency is needed to ensure patient experience is high across the board, and the introduction of self-sampling alongside the current screening programme could be beneficial for boosting rates among under-screened groups.

However, it is important to note that if self-sampling is rolled out alongside the screening programme, effective communication and the appropriate information must be given to patients. The absence of such provisions could threaten the benefits of introducing self-sampling.

Stephanie Gillibrand, Research Fellow in the Division of Population Health, Health Services Research & Primary Care at The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥淚t was heartening to conclude that many patients think their needs are being met through the current cervical cancer screening programme, and that there were so many examples of good practice reported relating to the standard of care received from healthcare professionals. However, the barriers we know have existed for years are obviously still blocking some patients from attending their appointments.

鈥淥verall, attitudes towards the urine sampling and vaginal swab methods were very positive and these self-sampling tests give women more choice around how they are screened for cervical cancer, increasing their confidence around the process. If implemented alongside the current screening option, self-sampling methods could help the healthcare system reach under-screened groups if implemented effectively.鈥�

Certain patients are less likely to attend their routine cervical cancer screening, including people from some ethnic minority communities and those in older and younger groups. Others less likely to attend include those living in socially deprived areas, those with lower education levels and people with intellectual disabilities.

Cervical cancer screening can also be an issue for people who have experienced sexual violence and homelessness. A barrier presented by the current screening programme is the invasive nature of the speculum procedure, which for many prompts fear due to the possibility of discomfort or pain.

An individual may decline a cervical cancer screening appointment due to a lack of knowledge and awareness, embarrassment, or because of logistical barriers such as childcare responsibilities and an inflexible working arrangement. The study found that self-sampling methods may help to address some of these practical barriers, as they could potentially be done at home.

The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)鈥檚 School for Primary Care Research award, supported by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater 野狼社区.

A 拢1m funding award from the Medical Research Council in collaboration with Innovate UK will accompany 拢1.2 million of in-kind support from 85 partners to fund the pilot phase of the UK Centre of Excellence on In-Silico Regulatory Science and Innovation (UK CEiRSI). This Centre will collaborate globally to address some of the sector's most pressing challenges and target unmet patient outcomes and safety needs. 

The consortium will work with computational modelling and simulation and AI techniques鈥攁ll of which are poised to revolutionise the healthcare landscape. The UK CEiRSI will contribute to making the UK the best milieu for delivering medical innovations using in silico evidence and regulatory science. 

The Centre will consist of leading universities from the UK鈥檚 four nations, world-class companies, and health systems and regulatory bodies, including the UK鈥檚 Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Health Research Authority (HRA) but will also collaborate with colleagues in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in mainland Europe.

Professor Alex Frangi, Bicentennial Turing Chair in Computational Medicine at The University of 野狼社区, will direct the Centre.

He said: 鈥淗uman and animal trials often face high failure rates resulting in delays, increased costs, and potential risks to patients.

鈥淥n average, pharmaceutical products take 12  years to develop, with testing consuming up to 30% of costs.

鈥淗owever, we will seek to address these critical inefficiencies by developing in-silico technologies that produce digital evidence for the digital age. Our aim is to reflect engineering practices in other sectors where physical testing is complemented by virtual testing and product optimisation. This will result in improved medical products (drugs or devices), faster and more affordable lifesaving therapies for patients, and innovative regulatory approval processes.鈥�

He added: 鈥淭hese cutting-edge tools can greatly enhance reliability in testing, while substantially reducing development time and costs, as well as improving the diversity of testing conditions, leading to more equitable care.鈥�

鈥淎nd that will benefit patients through reduced failure rates and recalls, while fostering economic growth by driving innovation in pharmaceuticals and medical technologies.鈥�

However, despite their transformative potential, a regulatory deadlock for in-silico technologies means the technologies face barriers to adoption. Regulators lack frameworks to assess in-silico evidence, while developers hesitate to invest without clear pathways to approval.

The UK CEiRSI aims to break the deadlock and position in-silico technology and virtual trials as a mainstream approach to eliminate risk from future medical and pharmaceutical innovation developments. To tackle this impasse, the Pilot phase will implement an In Silico Airlock Initiative where actors from industry, academia and regulatory bodies will explore 10 industry-led pre-commercial regulatory pilots and assess the opportunities and limitations of current credibility frameworks.

Building on the success of a six-month discovery phase, UK CEiRSI will bring together industry leaders, regulators, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and standardisation bodies, academics, and patient representatives - to test and refine frameworks for assessing in-silico evidence.

Reports from the project will address key issues such as regulatory frameworks, legal and ethical implications, and patient risk reduction, paving the way for in-silico technologies to make a real impact on our lives.

• "in silico"  is a term used to describe experiments or studies that are performed using computer simulations or software. 

For more information visit:

• UK CEiRSI LinkedIn
• InSilicoUK
• InSilicoUK
• InSilicoUK
• InSilicoUK L 

Alex Theodossiadis, 25, died five years ago on 28 January 2020, after struggling to get a GP appointment. 

Reception staff had failed to realise  that the DJ鈥檚 symptoms needed urgent evaluation and offered him an appointment in three weeks. 

Alex had developed a severe and debilitating headache, and felt so ill and weak he was unable to eat properly or go out, which can be symptoms of meningitis in which the three thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, usually by an infection. 

Symptoms also include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion and drowsiness muscle pain, stomach cramps and fever with cold hands and feet, and a rash, though they may appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. 

Alex was taken by a friend to Leeds General Infirmary and then transferred across the city to St James' Hospital where he stopped breathing after falling from his hospital bed and banging his head on the floor.

 An inquest heard he was likely to have already succumbed to the infectious disease, which was complicated by the head injury. 

His mother, Professor Sue Astley Theodossiadis, a medical imaging expert at The University of 野狼社区, has been working with the charities Meningitis Now and the PSHE Association to develop the resources. 

They consist of two lessons which teach 16 to 18-year-olds  how to recognise serious illness in themselves and others, and to have the confidence and knowledge to navigate the healthcare system. One section includes role playing on how to get a doctor鈥檚 appointment. 

The pack was part-funded by the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health  at The University of 野狼社区 and part-funded by Meningitis Now. 

She said: 鈥淲e strongly feel Alex鈥檚 care could have been better, and that his death might have been preventable. 

鈥淗e was told he had to wait for three weeks for a GP appointment. But after becoming progressively unwell, he went to a walk-in clinic where the first words written by the nurse at the appointment were 'cough and cold' symptoms, despite his most concerning symptoms including a new, debilitating headache. 

鈥淗e was so ill he couldn't even climb the stairs to his bedroom, but the duration and severity of his symptoms wasn鈥檛 discussed at the appointment. 

鈥淚t's likely that his inexperience in presenting his symptoms contributed to a presumption of a flu type viral infection; he left the surgery with painkillers for the headache.鈥�

A record of his Facebook messages to his friends and family, compiled by Professor Astley Theodossiadis, reveals the heartbreaking progression of the symptoms caused by the disease.

After posting one message to a friend in Germany which said he was 'in and out of naps', another friend took him to hospital, where he died three days later.

She added: "The coroner picked up the need for GP receptionists to ask questions and help people to be clearer about their symptoms so they can triage them more appropriately to get urgent appointments.

"This resource pack draws on Alex鈥檚 experience to help young people recognise serious illness in themselves and others, and to have the confidence and knowledge to navigate the healthcare system.

鈥淯ntil the time of his illness, Alex鈥檚 interactions with the NHS had mainly been for sports injuries, and many of those were when he was young, so I was there with him.

鈥淢y hope is that this will help prevent others dying in a similar way.  All healthcare professionals, including receptionists, need to be aware of the difficulties young people have in explaining themselves. The resources also highlight when to seek help urgently, either for yourself or for someone else鈥�

Director of Meningitis Now Dr Tom Nutt said: 鈥淲e welcome this valuable resource and thank Alex鈥檚 mother Sue for her tireless efforts to raise awareness and fight back against the disease that sadly took her son鈥檚 life.

鈥淵oung people are an at-risk group of meningitis and research tells us that up to a quarter of 15 to 24-year-olds carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis in the back of their throats, compared with one in 10 of the general population.

鈥淐ommon complaints such as a hangover and Freshers鈥� Flu are often given as reasons for a person not feeling too well 鈥� but we are asking young people not to simply assume this is the case. A headache and fever are also common signs of meningitis.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important that young people have the confidence and the knowledge to understand what may be happening to them when they are unwell and to know when to seek medical help or the help of others. This means taking a few minutes to learn the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, and to know that it鈥檚 OK to seek urgent medical help if you are concerned that someone maybe unwell and getting worse.  This new resource will give young people the knowledge and confidence on how best to go about this.鈥�

Monica Perry from PSHE Association said: 鈥淭hese lessons will help students to develop responsibility for monitoring and maintaining their health and wellbeing; learning how to access reliable health information, recognising when to seek medical care, and rehearsing communication with healthcare professionals.

鈥淵oung adults have an increased risk of contracting meningitis or meningococcal disease 鈥� this resource will support students to be aware of vaccinations available, common signs and symptoms of the disease and what to do if someone is seriously unwell.鈥�

The researchers stress the importance of combining global efforts to reduce emissions with localised strategies to adapt land management practices and safeguard ecosystems.

The University of Derby鈥檚 Dr Kirsten Lees, who is also co-author of the report, added: 鈥淧eatland resilience is an important area of research, as these ecosystems store vast amounts of carbon alongside providing a range of other services. Restoration of areas which are in poor condition is key to protecting these carbon stores. Our research shows that future changes in climate are a vital consideration when planning restoration projects, to ensure that work is targeted towards areas where peatlands can thrive.鈥� 

The asteroid material, delivered in September 2023, contains an abundance of organic molecules, salts, and minerals, some of which have never been observed in meteorites that have fallen to Earth.

The findings, published today in two papers in and , suggest that Bennu originated from an ancient wet world, possibly from the icy regions beyond Saturn.

These discoveries shed new light on how the building blocks of life, such as water and essential chemicals, could have been delivered to Earth鈥攁nd possibly other planets鈥攂y asteroids billions of years ago.

The University of 野狼社区 received part of the sample from asteroid Bennu to support the international analysis effort. In this latest piece of research, Rhian Jones, Professor of Cosmochemistry at The University of 野狼社区, played a key role in examining the mineralogy of the samples and interpretation of the data.

Professor Jones said: 鈥� is like opening a time capsule from the early solar system. We were surprised to find that the asteroid sample held such a complete library of minerals and some unique salts.

鈥淭he salt minerals discovered in the sample are similar to those in dried-up salty lakes on Earth. We think that these briny conditions played a key role in how water and the ingredients for life might have been delivered to our planet billions of years ago. There is evidence for similar brines on Saturn鈥檚 moon Enceladus and the dwarf planet Ceres. 鈥�

In the , scientists report that they have discovered some key ingredients for life, including 14 of the 20 amino acids that living organisms use to build proteins and all five nucleobases that form DNA and RNA. They also found high levels of ammonia, a potential precursor for these compounds.

Unlike meteorites that fall to Earth and are altered by the atmosphere, Bennu鈥檚 sample was carefully preserved during its journey, with the team protecting every pebble and speck of the Bennu sample while maintaining its pristine quality. As a result, the asteroid sample is giving scientists around the world a rare glimpse at our solar system's earliest days, without having to separate or account for changes caused by exposure to Earth鈥檚 atmosphere.

Professor Jones said: 鈥淪ome of the salts we have found in Bennu have never been seen in meteorites that have fallen to Earth. This is likely because these substances were broken down by exposure to Earth鈥檚 environment. Meteorites similar to the Bennu material are also very rare because they do not easily survive their journey through the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere.鈥�

The new results are the culmination of years of international collaboration involving scientists from NASA, the Smithsonian, London鈥檚 Natural History Museum and Universities across the world.

Professor Jones added: 鈥淭hese results were only possible because of the extremely careful curation of the Bennu sample from the moment the capsule landed. It鈥檚 a testament to what we can achieve with international collaboration and cutting-edge technology.鈥�

The research marks the first in-depth analysis of Bennu鈥檚 organics and minerals and more scientific results from the OSIRIS-REx team are due in the coming months.

NASA has also stored 70% of the sample at Johnson Space Center's curation lab for study by the broader research community, including by scientists who have yet to be born and who will study it with instruments that do not exist today.

NASA鈥檚 Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, provided overall mission management, systems engineering, and the safety and mission assurance for OSIRIS-REx. Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona, Tucson, is the principal investigator. The University leads the science team and the mission鈥檚 science observation planning and data processing. Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado, built the spacecraft and provided flight operations.

Water pollution is one of the growing challenges of modern life. Many everyday items, from medications to cosmetics, leave behind residues that don鈥檛 fully break down after use. These pollutants often find their way into water systems, where they disrupt ecosystems and cause harm to plants, animals and humans.

The research, published in the journal ,  describes a new method using a molecular structure called a metal-organic cage (MOC). These tiny cages act like traps designed to catch and hold harmful molecules commonly found in our water supplies.

While MOCs have been studied before for gas and chemical capture, they are most commonly studied in chemical solvents where their performance differs significantly from that observed in water. Being able to demonstrate capture of established wastewater pollutants in water is thus a step towards the application of these cages for real-world applications.

Jack Wright, a Researcher at The University of 野狼社区, who completed the research as part of his PhD, said: 鈥淏eing able to use MOCs in water is a really exciting development. We know how valuable MOCs are for capturing unwanted substances, but until now researchers have not been able to apply them to real-world water systems.

鈥淢any harmful chemicals are difficult to remove from water, and with water pollution becoming a global crisis, this new MOC technology could provide a valuable tool to help clean up water systems and prevent pollutants from entering our ecosystem, particularly in rivers and lakes near urban or industrial areas where wastewater discharge is most common.鈥�

The cages are made up of metal ions connected by organic molecules, forming a hollow pyramid-like structure. These hollow spaces at the centre of these structures are where the MOCs trap specific molecules, like pollutants or gases.

The new structure incorporates chemical groups called sulfonates to make it compatible with water, allowing it to function in real-world water systems, like rivers or wastewater.

It uses a natural effect called hydrophobic binding, where contaminant molecules preferentially 鈥渟tick鈥� to the inside of the cage rather than staying in the water. This allows the material to selectively capture and hold pollutants, even in challenging water environments.

Dr Imogen Riddell, PhD supervisor and researcher at The University of 野狼社区, said: 鈥淥ne of the real strengths of this method is its flexibility. The approach we have developed could be used to design other water-soluble MOCs with different sizes or properties. This opens the door to many future applications, including cleaning up different kinds of pollutants, development of green catalysts or even development of drug delivery strategies .鈥�

Now, the researchers will look to further expand the water-soluble cages, to enable capture of more, different contaminants, and are working  towards the development of robust routes to recycling the cages to support their development as sustainable water purification aids.

The May Davidson Award 2024 has been presented to Dr Sarah Parry by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for her exceptional early career achievements.

Dr Parry is a Senior Clinical Lecturer and Academic Director for the Clinical Psychology Doctorate at The University of 野狼社区. Her research focuses on young people鈥檚 mental health and advancing care for children and families.

Alongside this, Dr Parry co-leads a research centre at , where she works with young people and families to develop evidence-based improvements to mental health services.

Dr Parry鈥檚 current research studies include exploring joint responses for young people experiencing mental health crises, supporting young people with distressing sensory experiences, identifying and overcoming barriers to inclusive research, and developing a trauma-informed care approach for use in homes for cared for children.

Dr Sarah Parry said: 鈥淚 am truly grateful to receive the May Davidson Award, especially when I think of the inspiring previous recipients of the award, whose work I greatly admire.

The BPS seeks to represent psychology and psychological professions, with the aim of promoting the incredible impact the field can have on individuals and society.

The May Davidson Award is presented to clinical psychologists who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of clinical psychology within the first 10 years of their work as a qualified clinical psychologist. The late May Davidson was president of the BPS in 1976 and was actively involved in government discussions about the role of clinical psychologists.

The BPS said: 鈥淪arah has championed a reflective and compassionate approach to training in mental health and clinical psychology. She has pioneered leading on clinical research in under researched areas in the field of youth mental health using a collaborative approach in developing communities of support and co-creating research with experts by experience.

鈥淭he Award is in recognition of the dedication and thoughtfulness shown and the quality of the work in improving children and young people's mental health.鈥�

The Young People鈥檚 Research Centre at Pennine Care reports an increasing number of young people are reporting mental health concerns, with one in six 7-16 year-olds experiencing a mental health difficulty in 2022. The centre recognises that early access to support is crucial, as around 50% of mental health challenges emerge by the age of 14.

Through the vital research Dr Parry is championing, she hopes to learn how to improve the quality and accessibility of mental health services, to support and advocate for young people with a range of different needs.

Developed by the Institute鈥檚 eight Productivity Forums across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, the regional agenda builds on its . It calls for better alignment of national pro-productivity policies, including investment, innovation, skills, trade, and foreign direct investment, with those of regional bodies and local authorities. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for coordination and selectiveness on the implementation of the industrial strategy and devolution deals.

The report emphasises the importance of scaling up powers for local authorities, particularly (Mayoral) Combined Authorities, to enact pro-productivity policies and align their growth strategy with the national Industrial Strategy and other initiatives to strengthen productivity and growth in the UK.

The Productivity Institute researchers find that while there has been some narrowing of productivity gaps between regions in recent years, this is partly due to improved performance in regions like the South East, North West, North East, and Northern Ireland, and partly due to a decline in productivity in London, a trend worsened by the pandemic.

Andy Westwood, policy director of The Productivity Institute said: 鈥溾�楾he national industrial strategy involves choices between places as well as sectors and that might involve scaling up in some rather than others depending on the clusters and their growth potential. Co-ordination might also seek to align planning and housing, including the location of new towns, with places that are most in need of human capital, for example in second tier cities.鈥�

The launch of the Regional Productivity Agenda, which is built on eight reports offering a detailed overview of productivity developments and policy recommendations for each region and devolved nation, coincides with this year鈥檚 National Productivity Week from January 27 to January 31. It will run a series of regional events held to discuss the productivity challenges holding back the UK鈥檚 regions and how to address them

The week鈥檚 events will see high profile policymakers, academics, business leaders and local politicians debate regional productivity disparities, the role of the public and private sectors in driving productivity growth, best-practice management skills and working practices, and technology.

National Productivity Week has been organised by The Productivity Institute, a public-funded research body headquartered at the University of 野狼社区. It was established in 2020 to address the UK鈥檚 long-held productivity challenges that have been prevalent for almost two decades. Between 2009 and 2019, Britain鈥檚 productivity growth rate was the second slowest in the G7. In 2024 output per hour worked was about 10 percent below the average for France and Germany and almost 20 percent below the level in the United States.

The study argues that these tactics distract from the urgent need to upgrade ageing infrastructure, much of which was built in the 20th century. The companies - 70 per cent of which are owned by foreign investors - have reportedly distributed 拢76 billion to shareholders since privatisation in 1989, while building up over 拢56 billion in debt and neglecting vital upgrades.

鈥淭hese companies have adopted a playbook of denial, deflection, and distraction, similar to other major polluting industries, to protect profits at the expense of the environment and public health鈥� added Professor Alex Ford from the University of Portsmouth. 

The paper calls for stricter regulation of industry communications to combat greenwashing and misinformation, and urges policymakers to prioritise transparency to safeguard water security in the face of climate change. The authors also highlight the need for greater investment in sustainable solutions, such as restoring wetlands, alongside modernising sewerage systems. 

鈥淭he financial exploitation of water resources in England raises globally important issues around water security and environmental stewardship,鈥� added Professor Woodward. 鈥淭here needs to be much more careful scrutiny of water company communications and of the organisations and individuals responsible for environmental management.鈥�