© Jason Lock Photography

June News Roundup

This month sees significant funding boosts for world-leading cancer research, new advances in healthcare data and AI, and continued global recognition for the University of Manchester’s impact on sustainability and research excellence.

Aross the Corridor, organisations are also strengthening international partnerships, appointing new leaders and shaping ambitious plans for the future, while cultural initiatives and public realm projects highlight the area’s role as a place of creativity and collaboration. From pioneering research and education to culture, sustainability and city-building, these stories showcase the breadth of activity driving Manchester’s continued success on the world stage.

Greater Manchester secures £50 million to accelerate innovation in AI, health and advanced materials

Greater Manchester has secured £50 million to support five major innovation projects spanning AI, health and advanced materials, with delivery led by key partners across the Oxford Road Corridor, including The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

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Manchester Retains Crown as Top UK FDI Destination Outside London for Fourth Time

Manchester has been named the leading UK city for foreign direct investment outside the capital for the fourth time in six years, according to the EY 2026 UK Attractiveness Survey. Despite a national downturn, the city secured 31 projects. While this is a drop from 2024, its diverse tech and professional services sectors continue to drive investor confidence.

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University of Manchester Ranked World Number One for Sustainability Impact

The University of Manchester has been ranked first in the world for progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in the latest Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings. This marks the university’s eighth consecutive year in the global top ten, placing it as the only institution to achieve this distinction for its work on social, economic, and environmental challenges.

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Manchester Met Unveils ‘Road to 2035’ Strategy to Build on 200 Years of Success

Manchester Metropolitan University has launched its “Road to 2035 Strategy,” renewing its commitment to excellent education and impactful research. Building on its recognition as Modern University of the Year 2026, the strategy focuses on future-focused curricula, research that drives real-world change, and deepening its regional role to support skills, economic growth, and social mobility across Greater Manchester.

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High-Profile Board Appointed to Steer £100m CyanLines Nature Network

An 11-member partnership board, co-chaired by Council Leader Bev Craig and Tom Bloxham, has been appointed to deliver the ambitious CyanLines project. The board will oversee the creation of over 100 miles of connected walking and cycling routes. It brings together leaders from the public and private sectors to realise this green and climate-resilient vision for the city.

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ENO and RNCM Launch New Creative Incubator Programme for North West Artists

English National Opera and the Royal Northern College of Music have launched a new Creative Incubator Programme, designed to support North West-based artists in exploring new ideas and interdisciplinary performance. Selected participants will receive mentoring, rehearsal space, R&D opportunities and industry support. The initiative reflects the partners’ commitment to nurturing experimental practice across music, theatre, film and other disciplines.

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GEIC Expands Innovation Capabilities with New Bioengineering Laboratory

The Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) has opened a new bioengineering laboratory, significantly broadening its research and development scope. Built to Containment Level 2 standards, the facility enables work with advanced materials and biology for applications including biosensing, healthcare and sustainable industrial processes, strengthening the GEIC’s position as a world-class hub for industrial collaboration.

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University of Manchester Appoints Michelle Phillips as New Director of Creative Manchester

Michelle Phillips, a Professor and Head of Enterprise at the Royal Northern College of Music, has been appointed as the new Director of Creative Manchester. Taking up her post in September, she will lead the University’s interdisciplinary research platform, fostering partnerships with cultural organisations and communities to drive creative research, practice, and innovation in the region.

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University of Manchester Retains Top 40 Global Position in QS Rankings 2027

The University of Manchester has been ranked 40th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It excelled in international research collaboration, ranking 7th, and sustainability, at 10th. Despite increasing global competition, particularly from Asia, the University remains a top-tier institution, recognised for its research quality, employer reputation, and real-world impact.

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Manchester UNESCO City of Literature Seeks Artists for Interactive Light Show at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

A tender has been launched for a large-scale, interactive light artwork to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Manchester’s UNESCO City of Literature status. The project, taking place at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in March 2027, seeks bold proposals incorporating projection, light, and sound to attract new audiences and honour the author’s literary legacy.

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University of Manchester colleagues visit Japan to sign MoU with Tokyo University of the Arts and National Center for Art Research

The University of Manchester has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tokyo University of the Arts and Japan’s National Center for Art Research. This three-way partnership, formalized during a visit to Tokyo, focuses on “Creative Health” and social prescribing. It aims to strengthen international research collaborations, sharing knowledge between Manchester and Japan on how arts and culture can improve wellbeing.

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MFT Launches New ADAMS Platform to Enhance Patient Care with Data and AI

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is launching the MDClone ADAMS platform in July, giving clinicians easier and safer access to patient data for improvement and research. The platform features synthetic data capabilities to strengthen privacy and AI-assisted analysis, enabling faster insights. The initial focus will be on improving care and planning for patients with kidney disease.

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AI Eye Scans Could Unlock Early Warning Signs of Heart and Brain Disease, Manchester Study Finds

A new study led by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester has shown that artificial intelligence could enable routine eye tests to detect early signs of heart failure, dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Using over 68,000 scans, researchers developed an AI tool linking eye appearance to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions, suggesting high street optometry could one day become a powerful tool for preventive health screening.

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University of Manchester Joins Major £50m National Drive to Transform Maternal Health

The University of Manchester will co-lead mental health research within a new £50 million NIHR consortium aimed at revolutionising pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care. The Manchester team will focus on reducing inequalities in maternity care pathways and addressing major health complications. This initiative represents the most significant step forward in maternal health research in a generation.

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38-Storey Student Tower Proposed for Manchester City Centre Car Park Site

RG Real Estate has lodged plans for a 1,041-bed student scheme on the site of the Charles Street Car Park, featuring a 38-storey tower. Designed by Hodder + Partners, the project sits at the gateway to the £1.7bn Sister innovation cluster. The development would include new public realm and help reactivate Altrincham Street as part of the wider masterplan.

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Manchester Professor Named One of UK’s Most Influential Environmental Academics

Professor Jamie Woodward from The University of Manchester has been named one of the UK’s ten most influential environmental academics for the second time by the ENDS Power List. His research has been pivotal in exposing links between untreated sewage and river microplastic pollution, helping to shift public debate and inform parliamentary policy on the health of Britain’s waterways.

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Manchester Met Writers Triumph at Prestigious Northern Writers’ Awards

Two Manchester Metropolitan University PhD students, Sally Baker and Italo Ferrante, have won top prizes at this year’s Northern Writers’ Awards, reinforcing the university’s status as a leading centre for creative writing. Baker won the Northern Debut Award for poetry, while Ferrante took the Northern Promise TLC Award, continuing a remarkable run of success for the institution.

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University of Manchester Appoints Professor Lei Chen to Lead Manchester China Institute

Professor Lei Chen has been appointed as the new Director of the Manchester China Institute, taking up the role in August. A leading expert in comparative law and international dispute resolution, he will also hold the Lee Kai Hung Chair of Chinese Politics. His appointment aims to enhance global partnerships and mutual understanding between China, the UK, and the wider world.

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Cancer Research UK Boosts Manchester Institute Funding by £6m Annually

The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute has received a significant funding increase of £6 million per year, bringing its annual investment to more than £17 million. This will create up to 100 new jobs and allow the recruitment of senior researchers to advance work in immunology and AI. The boost reinforces Manchester’s position as a pre-eminent global hub for cancer research and drug discovery.

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Ex-Man Met Student’s Design Journey to Creating World Cup-Winning Football Shirts

Ex-Man Met Student’s Design Journey to Creating World Cup-Winning Football Shirts
Preview: A former Manchester Metropolitan University student has seen his football shirt designs worn by World Cup winners, showcasing the global impact of his creative talent. The achievement highlights how the university’s education and support can propel graduates into high-profile roles within the fashion and sportswear industries, influencing the look of the world’s biggest sporting events.

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