Here’s a quick roundup of what’s happening after the Easter break—from Canvas roadshows and safety support to free buses, film screenings, and more.
🎓 Learn more about Canvas at our roadshows
We’re moving from Blackboard to Canvas this September! Come along to one of our post-Easter roadshows to find out what’s changing, chat with students and staff, and get your questions answered.
📌 Don’t forget, download any feedback or submissions from Blackboard before the end of semester—it’ll be archived soon!
📍 Roadshow dates and locations
Drop by any time during the slots below to find out more and grab some freebies:
Tuesday 29 April, 10am–2pm – Nancy Rothwell Building (Ground floor, south entrance)
Wednesday 30 April, 10am–2pm – University Place (Ground floor foyer)
Tuesday 6 May, 10am–2pm – Main Library (Ground floor foyer)
Thursday 8 May, 11am–3pm – Students’ Union (Ground floor foyer)
🚌 Free bus trial between Manchester Victoria and Campus
In response to student feedback, we’re launching an 8-week trial of free travel on the 41 bus from Manchester Victoria to campus, starting 6 May – 30 June. The service runs Monday-Friday, any time of day – just show your University ID to the driver at Stop NU. If the trial’s a success, we’ll explore making it permanent as part of our sustainable travel plans.
👉 Find out more about travel options and support for cyclists, walkers and runners.
💻 Boost your digital skills with Library resources
Whether you’re working on a project or planning a presentation, the Library has tools and workshops to support your learning:
💻 Digital Tools for Learning Workshop: Explore software to support your studies. You’ll work with other students to discover features, practice using the tools, and ask questions.
🧠 Library Support for Digital Skills: This online guide helps you identify where you might want to grow your digital skills—and how to get started with LinkedIn Learning’s expert-led courses.
🥇 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Certification: Get a free Microsoft Certified Fundamentals Certification through our Flexible Learning programme. Learn about cloud computing, AI, data science and more
🎬 Contact Hours film screening – Mental Health Awareness Week
Join us for a special screening of Contact Hours, an award-winning short film exploring student mental health and suicide, told through the eyes of a university caretaker.
The event includes a panel discussion with the filmmakers, local health professionals, and special guests—including our UoM Director for the Student Experience, Simon Merrywest – plus refreshments and networking opportunities.
📅 Thursday, 15 May 2025
⏰ 6:30–9:00 PM
📍 University of Salford, MediaCity Campus
🎟 Register now – limited tickets
💜 Tackling gender-based violence with EmilyTest
We’re proud to be one of the first universities in England to take part in the EmilyTest GBV Charter pilot. Find out what this means for you and explore the support and resources available.
👉 Learn more about EmilyTest and GBV support.
✍️ 2025 Micro-poetry competition
Our former Chancellor and renowned poet Lemn Sissay OBE returns as judge for this year’s competition! This year’s theme is ‘Connections’. All you have to do is write a micro poem (max 280 characters) and submit it using the official entry form.
🏆 Prizes: 1st place – £500, 2 runners-up – £250 each
🗓 Submit by 11:59pm, Saturday 21 June
📢 Winners announced by Friday 25 July 2025
🔗 Enter the competition and read the T&Cs.
🗣️ John Kennedy Lecture Series: In conversation with Dame Louise Richardson
Join us on Thursday, 22 May for the second event in The John Kennedy Lecture Series, as Dame Louise Richardson, President of Carnegie Corporation of New York and former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford, takes part in an ‘in conversation’ hosted by Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester.
Dame Louise is a leading expert on terrorism and international relations, with an academic career spanning Harvard, St Andrews, and Oxford. The lecture will be followed by a drinks and canapés reception — we hope you can join us!