In the second of the three Manchester 2035 student workshops, we ask our post-graduate cohort to look at how the University will be recognised for its role and innovation in addressing the world’s biggest challenges.

Evidence suggests that the next ten years will prove challenging for the UK. After a decade of economic stagnation, the country will need to work to drive growth – particularly in cities like Manchester, which have yet to fully recover from deindustrialisation. At the same time, the transition to a net-zero economy will be a monumental task, while rising threats to global security demand urgent attention.

Will the University stand out as a leader in research and innovation, making a tangible difference in areas like health, technology, and sustainability? Or will we be left behind, clinging to outdated structures? The next decade is crucial, not only for our University but for the country and our international community too.

 Sign up to a post-graduate student workshop and get paid £15 for your involvement.

The world in 2035

Adopting a similar approach to the previous theme, ‘Reimagining our student experience’, this workshop imagines a future UK where we are a leader in green technology, people are optimistic about the standard of living, and where Manchester is thriving in a growing economy.

People in Manchester are proud of the University and the part it has played in transforming the city. Across the world, people look to Manchester as a model for both civic transformation and global benefit. We are a university that attracts the best researchers at all career stages and from all backgrounds; where we are connected and collaborate through networks of leading industry, charitable, public service and university partnerships. 

Three possible futures

To explore how we can thrive in this changing world, we’ve imagined three potential futures for The University of Manchester by 2035. Each world offers different possibilities for how we might evolve and lead through our research, helping to spark discussion about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

World 1: Broad-based success

The first scenario presents the University as a large, full-service institution. We excel across interdisciplinary research areas and score well in the 2029 Research Excellence Framework. We maintain our interdisciplinary research through institutes and platforms, and continue to collaborate with industry and international partners, rebuilding EU connections after Brexit.  Our ecosystem of innovation thrives, attracting venture capital, while partnerships in Africa and Europe grow stronger. Though our global rankings remain steady, competition from emerging universities, particularly in Asia, is rising.

World 2: Focused research excellence

Here, the University has advanced its global research ambition, and prioritises a few key research areas, heavily investing in these specialisms. Our interdisciplinary efforts have evolved, creating more targeted research hubs that drive world-leading innovation. The University attracts a greater number of highly cited researchers, and a major philanthropic gift has allowed us to create an Institute of Fundamental Studies, offering prestigious fellowships with no teaching or administrative duties. This approach raises Manchester’s global research standing significantly, but the trade-off is that fewer resources are available for broader research areas, and top researchers have little involvement in teaching.

World 3: Leading through engagement and impact

In this scenario, we’ve embraced a strategy focused on regional engagement and innovation. The University plays a pivotal role in the community, with research directly impacting public services and addressing local challenges, such as health inequalities. New career paths reward knowledge exchange and commercialisation, and we’ve strengthened our collaboration with Greater Manchester’s health system. Our research culture has transformed to reward teamwork and leadership, and technology like AI is fully integrated into our research methods. This model sees Manchester at the forefront of societal change, with a clear focus on public impact and community engagement.

Next steps: Shaping our research future

These worlds aren’t predictions or discrete alternatives – they simply sketch some of the challenges, possibilities and choices that we must consider as we build our new strategy.  We are excited to have this opportunity to work with you, our students, to help set a new ambitious vision and strategy for our University’s future; we hope you are too. 

The questions we should ask ourselves now are: what resonates in these visions and what jars?  And, of course, we may be missing something big, so what might that be? 

Get involved

Sign up to one of the few remaining places at the post-graduate-only ‘Accelerating our research impact’ workshop. If you miss out on a space, you can share your reflections and ideas through the Manchester 2035 web page. Your comments and ideas will directly feed into the development of Manchester 2035, so it’s crucial you take advantage of this opportunity to make your voice heard.