August News Roundup

As the summer holidays draw to a close and desks begin to fill up again, take a moment to catch up on the stories that have been shaping Manchester’s Knowledge Quarter over the past few weeks. A slightly quieter month than usual, August still brought news of groundbreaking health research, impactful community programmes, prestigious academic honours and even a bit of space exploration.

Read on for the latest stories from across the Oxford Road Corridor.

University of Manchester among world’s leading universities in latest global ranking

The University of Manchester has been ranked among the world’s leading universities in the latest global rankings, reinforcing its reputation for research excellence and international collaboration. The result reflects the University’s commitment to delivering real-world impact through its teaching and research.

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World-leading immunologist appointed new Director of Lydia Becker Institute

A world-leading immunologist has been appointed as the new Director of the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation at The University of Manchester. The appointment signals the Institute’s continued ambition to drive breakthroughs in understanding and treating immune-related diseases.

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Manchester researchers lead the way in large-scale medication adherence screening

Researchers at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust have expanded a pioneering test that detects whether patients are taking their prescribed medications. Originally developed for blood pressure drugs, the test can now screen for 64 different medications across diabetes, cardiology and rheumatology, making MFT’s lab one of only two in the country to offer this scale of testing.

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Manchester-led research finds surprising cause of rare inherited condition linked to hearing loss and infertility

Researchers at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester have identified a new genetic cause for Perrault syndrome, a rare condition that causes hearing loss and infertility. The study, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, found that changes in the GPN2 gene affect a completely different biological pathway than previously identified genes, offering long-awaited answers to affected families and opening new possibilities for targeted treatments.

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Government’s Manchester-led mental health digital innovation scheme launches

‘CareLoop Health’, an NHS-endorsed digital therapeutic developed by University of Manchester researchers, has been launched to transform mental health care. The platform uses real-time symptom tracking to predict and prevent psychosis relapse and is now being rolled out across multiple NHS trusts.

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NIHR Rising Research Leaders Prize awarded to social care researcher

Dr Monique Huysamen, Reader in Social Care at Manchester Metropolitan University, has been named a winner of the NIHR20 Rising Research Leaders Prize. Her research focuses on how health and social care services can better support the intimate lives of autistic people and people with learning disabilities.

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Childhood poverty linked to poorer memory in later life, study finds

New research from Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of Manchester has found that children who grow up in poverty are more likely to experience poorer memory in later life. The study, published in BMJ Public Health, highlights the lasting impact of early-life disadvantage on brain health.

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Double recognition for academics awarded prestigious teaching honour

Two academics from Manchester Metropolitan University, Dr Carmen Herrero and Margaret Struthers, have been awarded prestigious National Teaching Fellowships for their outstanding contributions to higher education. Their pioneering work, from using film to teach languages to innovative simulation-based training for social workers, has inspired thousands of students.

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Local schools celebrate poetry writing partnership with Manchester Poetry Library

The Comino Poet in Residence project, now in its fifth year, has supported 173 young poets from eight Greater Manchester schools to develop their creative writing skills. Manchester Met creative writing students mentored the pupils over six months, responding to the theme ‘The Space Between’. An exhibition of the work is on display at Manchester Poetry Library and partner venues until the end of September.

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RNCM secures Wolfson Foundation funding boost

The Royal Northern College of Music has been awarded funding from the Wolfson Foundation as part of a £19.9 million summer funding round supporting 64 organisations across the UK. The investment will strengthen RNCM’s research and performance facilities, further consolidating its position as a leading institution for music education and creative practice.

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HOME’s ‘Home from HOME’ Impact Report Shows Transformative Power of Community Arts

HOME’s new impact report reveals that its ‘Home from HOME’ programme has already reached 1,174 residents in Hulme, Moss Side and Gorton in its first year. The intensive three-year creative engagement programme, supported by Manchester City Council and Arts Council England, has delivered 119 workshops and seven community productions, with participants reporting improved mental health, reduced isolation and new skills in leadership and teamwork.

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Urban canals can cut temperatures

Research from The University of Manchester has developed a model showing how urban canals can act as ‘cooling corridors’ in cities. The study provides a valuable tool for city planners looking to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures and improve the liveability of urban environments.

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Watercycle Technologies secures £4m in grants to accelerate UK lithium and battery recycling

University of Manchester spinout Watercycle Technologies has secured £3 million towards a £6 million project to scale UK lithium production from waste streams, plus £1 million for a battery recycling initiative. The two UK Government grants, funded through the DRIVE35 programme, will help establish demonstration-scale manufacturing lines for recovering critical minerals and refining lithium for electric vehicle batteries.

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New BBC documentary investigates toxic forever chemicals in Wales

A Manchester Metropolitan University environmental forensics expert has played a key role in a new BBC documentary presented by Michael Sheen. Dr Dave Megson helped investigate claims of toxic PCB pollution in Welsh communities, collecting samples from 14 locations and finding elevated concentrations at 13 of them. The documentary, Buried with Michael Sheen, is now available on BBC iPlayer.

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Harvesting rainwater from rooftops could help cities stay cool during record-breaking heat

New research from The University of Manchester suggests that harvesting rainwater from rooftops could help cities stay cooler and reduce the number of heatwave days. The study, published during a record-breaking summer of high temperatures, highlights how simple, nature-based solutions can play a vital role in urban climate resilience.

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Dr. Beckmann takes 6,000 sq ft in the Corridor

Household cleaning products company Dr. Beckmann Group has signed a 10-year lease on the eighth floor of Bridgewater House, marking its first UK headquarters. The 6,000 sq ft deal, with a rent of £27.50/sq ft, brings the Frankfurt-based company from its previous base in Irlam to Whitworth Street. The move follows an investment into the building’s communal areas.

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Corporate finance and medtech experts join genedrive board

Manchester-based point-of-care pharmacogenetic testing company genedrive has appointed Mark Winkler and Mike Fairbourn as independent non-executive directors. Winkler brings financial and corporate finance expertise, while Fairbourn has over three decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. The appointments strengthen the board as genedrive looks to scale adoption of its tests in the UK and expand internationally.

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Manchester astronomer helps lead NASA’s Roman Space Telescope mission

And finally… A University of Manchester astronomer is playing a leading role in NASA’s $4.3 billion Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, due to launch on 30 August 2026. Dr Eamonn Kerins from Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics leads the exoplanet demographics working group for the mission, which is expected to discover more than 100,000 planets beyond our Solar System.

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