Our research impact
At The University of Manchester, our pioneering research stands at the forefront of global efforts to address climate change. Through strategic partnerships with leading organisations such as Siemens, National Grid, and AstraZeneca, we have delivered impactful environmental, social, and economic solutions that resonate worldwide.
Our community of pioneers boasts the depth and breadth of expertise necessary to transform ideas into realities, creating real-world solutions to significant global challenges. From driving the energy transition and ensuring food security to shaping the future of housing and fostering healthier communities, we are dedicated to making a profound impact on the world.
-
1st in Europe
For social and environmental impact (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, 2024).
-
2nd in world
For social and environmental impact (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, 2024).
-
Only university
Globally, to rank in the top 10 in every year of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
Key achievements
Our research impact spans several key areas, including:
- Creating SpiNNaker, one of the world’s largest neuromorphic computing platform, which simulates brain circuits in biological real time
- Lyra, a radioactive robot ranked as one of the Best Inventions of 2022 by Time Magazine for creating £5 million in inspection cost savings
- Reducing the time it takes to accurately interpret ECG readings, empowering people to better monitor their own health.
- Developing a new method to detect Parkinson’s disease, through pioneering use of mass spectrometry
- Patenting the ‘molecular seeding’ process that forms the basis of Nanoco's unique technology
- Driven advances in nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, helping manufacturers to improve the speed, precision and detail of analyses and commercialise products more quickly
- Harnessing bioprinting capabilities to protect the health of space explorers
- Helping to create the UK’s first high-energy proton beam therapy centre, where over 550 patients have been treated since 2018, saving the NHS £60,000 per patient
- Inventing a technology that measures the 3D shapes and flexibility of potential medicines, helping to reduce the cost of drug discovery
- Creating the world’s purest silicon, a crucial step to paving the way towards scalable quantum computers
- Computer vision research that enables accurate facial motion capture, revolutionising digital entertainment
- RobotAnalyst, a web-based tool used by over 200 teams including NICE to improve evidence-based decisions in healthcare.
- Influencing the United Nations’ policy on plastic
- Helping more than 250 local authorities to reduce carbon emissions
- Enabling international standards for soot emission measurement, impacting air quality around the world.
Developing the UK skills base
Our postgraduate research programmes, including our Centres for Doctoral Training, are training the next generation of innovators and leaders.
Research breakthroughs
Our researchers are at the forefront of discovery, creating social impact and tackling global challenges in advanced materials, biotechnology, and energy.
Connect with us
Business
- Access world-class research and development, cutting-edge equipment and facilities to develop solutions
- Explore funding to support collaboration and make change happen.
Academic collaborations
- Discover research publications, impact and activities
- Search for researchers and view profiles.
Policy work
- Connect with researchers and build long-term relationships
- Gain insight to support pressing policy challenges, and access policy articles and publications.