Manchester Magazine

In 2025 several of our partner institutes and centres are celebrating important anniversaries. From understanding the cosmic universe, to mitigating climate change and nurturing tomorrow’s business leaders, the Manchester family is at the forefront of progress at home and across the globe.

July 2024 Issue Words by Thomas Fern and Anna Pintus Double Oscar nominated, BAFTA and Olivier Award-winning actor Benedict Cumberbatch CBE (BA Drama 1999) is like any other Manchester graduate. Talk to him about his university days and the conversation quickly turns to music, culture, the nightlife, and those first nights in Owens Park Tower.

July 2024 Issue Words by Louisa Hann Image by NASA on Unsplash As the University’s Global Development Institute (GDI) reflects on its legacy, it’s also adapting and rethinking its role for the 21st century. Founded in 1958 as the Department of Overseas Administrative Studies, the now Global Development Institute (GDI) expanded to become the Institute

July 2024 Issue Words by Natasha Warren Illustration by Jane Naylor 2024 is a special moment for The University of Manchester, as we reach an incredible milestone: our bicentenary. This year we’re celebrating 200 years of learning, innovation and research. 200 years of our incredible people and community. 200 years of global influence and making

July 2024 Issue Words by Professor Alice Larkin, Enna Bartlett Illustration by Jane Naylor Manchester and energy are closely intertwined. The epicentre of the Industrial Revolution, we led global energy innovation, becoming the birthplace of engineering and nuclear physics. Yet, as consumption of energy resources grew in the city and across the globe, negative consequences

July 2024 Issue Words by Emma Devany For 200 years, brilliant minds have been pioneering, innovating and discovering at Manchester, shaping the world as it exists today. Bicentenary Way, a striking new installation set in the heart of Brunswick Park, celebrates these people. Opened as part of Universally Manchester Festival, the installation features more than 100

July 2024 Issue Words by Dipika Mummery Our bicentenary isn’t the only anniversary we celebrate this year: we’re also marking the foundation of the medical school and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), as well as the isolation of wonder material graphene. Training doctors for 200 years Manchester has a long

July 2024 Issue Words by Chris Marsland, Tom Finlayson, Jacob Robinson Throughout history, our university has been home to many influential people. We’ve all heard of the Nobel laureates, the incredible scientific breakthroughs and leaders of key social movements – but what about the influencers behind the scenes fighting for equality in their field and

July 2024 Issue Words by Hayley Cox Whether an individual or an institution, we all have a past, and as we move forward, we carry it with us. This past cannot be changed, but the way we look at and understand it can. Now, to honour our values and commitment to social responsibility, we have

July 2024 Issue Words by Rose Brooke President and Vice-Chancellor of our University since 2010, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell’s (or ‘Nancy’ as she prefers) term of office is coming to an end this summer. We spoke to Manchester’s first female leader about her time here, what she’ll miss the most and the memories that will