Manchester Policy Blogs

Can we reduce water demand to 80 litres a day? And what can the government do to support it?

By Claire Hoolohan and Alison Browne Filed Under: Energy and Environment Posted: November 4, 2019

In a recent consultation, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) requested evidence on measures to reduce personal water use. In this blog Dr Claire Hoolohan, a research fellow at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and Dr Alison Browne, a senior lecturer in Geography explore ways in which the UK Government […]

Migrants, Asylum Seekers and the NHS: Reasons for ending the ‘Hostile Healthcare Environment’

By Louise Tomkow Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care Posted: October 30, 2019

Dr Louise Tomkow is a Geriatric Registrar in the Northwest deanery. She has recently completed a PhD, exploring migration and health at the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute. She will begin a 4-year Older People and Complex Health Needs NIHR Clinical Lectureship at The University of Manchester in April 2020. This blog accompanies her recently-published paper in […]

The darker politics of wellbeing: the managerial abuse of ‘positive’ interventions at work

By Miguel Martinez Lucio Filed Under: Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted: October 24, 2019

In this blog, Miguel Martínez Lucio, Professor in the Work and Equalities Institute and the Alliance Manchester Business School at The University of Manchester, discusses the ‘individualised’ approach to worker wellbeing and argues for a more collective approach that recognises the seriousness of mental health. Changing agendas in the workplace continue to undermine the regulatory […]

Innovation: why we need to fail more often, in order to succeed

By James Baker Filed Under: Science and Technology Posted: October 24, 2019

In this blog James Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explores the UK approach to innovation and finding the next ‘Big Thing’ to stay competitive at a global level. North America continue to produce a succession pioneers who have delivered innovation through highly disruptive products and services. The UK approach to innovation is different with […]

Are Biofuels the Answer to Kick-Start Decarbonisation in the Shipping Sector?

By Andrew Welfle Filed Under: Energy and Environment Posted: October 21, 2019

In this blog, Dr Andrew Welfle, based in Tyndall Manchester and part of the national Supergen Bioenergy Hub, looks at the current state of the global shipping sector and how it can look towards decarbonisation through a commitment to the use of biofuels. The trade and movement of goods and resources is the engine that […]

Innovation on the frontline: rebuilding bodies with ‘Bone Bricks’

By Paulo Bartolo, Andy Weightman and Glen Cooper Filed Under: Science and Technology Posted: October 17, 2019

In this blog a team from the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at The University of Manchester introduce their innovative pilot project ‘Bone Bricks’ which demonstrates how advanced materials can play a key part in providing solutions to global challenges. The Bone Bricks pilot project was born, seeking a solution to the kinds […]

We’re only scratching the surface: why surface engineering matters, to our city, and beyond

By Allan Matthews Filed Under: Science and Engineering Posted: October 10, 2019

In this blog, Professor Allan Matthews highlights the importance of surface engineering in the development and sustainability of materials and sets out why surface engineering should remain part of the conversation in order to position Greater Manchester as a global leader in materials innovation. Surface engineering modifies the surface of what lies beneath, to make it […]

We need an ‘Internet of Materials’ to get from lab to market faster

By Phil Withers Filed Under: Science and Technology Posted: October 3, 2019

In this blog Professor Phil Withers, Chief Scientist at the Henry Royce Institute calls for an ‘Internet of Materials’ to help the UK to innovate faster, smarter and with a more competitive edge. A new material or process can utterly transform a sector, or even our lifestyle. Failing fast in the lab and learning quickly […]

Why are Local Authorities going against UK Government on fracking?

By Sarah Mander Filed Under: Energy and Environment Posted: September 26, 2019

Across the UK, Local Authorities and Devolved Administrations are seeking to use their planning powers to block the development of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. This is against UK Government policy. In this blog Dr Sarah Mander from the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering looks at what all of this could mean for the […]

Learning from nature: a sustainable bio-based future?

By Kirk J Malone Filed Under: Science and Technology Posted: September 20, 2019

Dr Kirk J Malone is Director of Commercialisation at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. In this blog he looks to nature as part of a wider rethink into how we produce, process and recycle materials. • There needs to be a fundamental rethink in the way we manufacture and dispose of materials. • One of […]