The day concludes with Creative 野狼社区鈥檚 Solstice and Equinox event and an exclusive DJ set by Jazzie B himself. 

The summer solstice event brings together two remarkable cultural figures against the backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Jodrell Bank, home to the iconic Lovell telescope. This unique combination of research and public engagement events contributes to Creative 野狼社区's ongoing mission to foster dialogue between different creative disciplines and cultural perspectives.

The conversation, chaired by Dr Sophie Everest, Lecturer in Film Practice and Filmmaker, will explore the intersections of music, history, and cultural heritage in a setting of scientific discovery and innovation.

Coach transport to and from Jodrell Bank and admission to the Solstice and Equinox event are included in the conference ticket. 

Celebrating Jazzie B's legacy

Trevor Beresford Romeo OBE, known as Jazzie B, is a DJ, music producer, entrepreneur and founding member of the iconic music collective, Soul II Soul. Born in London to parents of Antiguan descent, Jazzie began DJing in the 1980s on pirate radio and holding parties adapting the reggae sound system. This evolved into the formation of the Soul II Soul Collective and signature sound, a number one single, global success, two Grammy Awards, and the sale of millions of records.

Soul II Soul and Jazzie B have left an indelible mark on British culture, not only through their music but also via legendary club nights, fashion lines, retail ventures, and radio shows on both pirate station Kiss FM and the BBC. Jazzie was awarded an OBE in 2008, and in 2024, Soul II Soul received the MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of an enduring impact on British music and culture.

Archival Collaboration with The University of 野狼社区

The event is part of an ongoing collaboration between Jazzie B and researchers at The University of 野狼社区, who are working together to document his extensive personal archive. This archival project represents an important effort to preserve and study the cultural impact of Soul II Soul and the broader musical and cultural movements they influenced.

Following their conversation, the evening will culminate in a special DJ set from Jazzie B himself, bringing his signature sound to the First Light Pavilion鈥攁 rare opportunity to experience his musical artistry in such a unique scientific setting.

The Solstice and Equinox Series: Bridging Arts and Sciences

The evening event is part of Creative 野狼社区's Solstice and Equinox series, which brings innovative creative artists to The University of 野狼社区's four Cultural Institutions. Each of our unique cultural institutions 鈥� the Whitworth, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 野狼社区 Museum and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre 鈥� focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.

On 29 April 2025, and the hosted a compelling in-conversation event featuring Professor (Harvard University) and Professor (University of 野狼社区), at the Alliance 野狼社区 Business School.  

The afternoon began with a welcome address from Professor , Vice Dean for Research in the Faculty of Humanities, who introduced the speakers and highlighted the significance of the discussion in today鈥檚 political climate. 

In a wide-ranging dialogue, Professors Lamont and Younge explored the politics of recognition and multiculturalism in the context of Trump鈥檚 second presidency, drawing comparisons between the US and UK. Their conversation focused on the experiences of working-class communities and racialised groups, and the cultural shifts occurring amid political backlash.

Professor Lamont, currently a Leverhulme Visiting Professor at 野狼社区, shared insights from her new book project, which investigates recognition claims across different social contexts. Her reflections were enriched by her interdisciplinary work in sociology, African and African American studies, and European studies at Harvard. 

Professor Younge, known for his incisive journalism and sociological commentary, brought a sharp lens to the discussion, highlighting the role of media, memory, and political backlash in shaping public discourse around identity and belonging. 

The event concluded with a lively audience Q&A and a drinks reception, offering attendees the opportunity to continue the conversation informally. 

This event was part of Professor Lamont鈥檚 Visiting Professorship, hosted by Professor Andrew Miles and the Department of Sociology.  

was delighted to host the inaugural event in a new series examining the critical role of arts centres across the UK and Ireland, in at the University of 野狼社区 on 29 April. 

Led by Honorary Research Fellow Dave Moutrey in partnership with , the event brought together cultural leaders, researchers, and policymakers to explore the funding landscape and future potential of these vital community institutions.

Arts centres have long served as dynamic spaces for creativity, inclusion, and local engagement. Often operating outside the spotlight of larger cultural venues, they have nonetheless played a transformative role in shaping artistic practice and fostering social cohesion. Their significance was particularly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, when their adaptability and deep community roots proved essential.

The event commenced with a networking lunch, followed by a presentation of new research by Ray Morrison, Research Associate to Dave Moutrey. Morrison鈥檚 analysis of Arts Council England (ACE) funding data offered a detailed view of how arts centres are resourced and the implications of current funding models.

A panel discussion followed, featuring Gavin Barlow of Future Arts Centres and Dr Jennifer Cleary of Arts Council England. The panel engaged in a robust dialogue on the findings, considering how funding structures influence the sustainability and reach of arts centres, and what strategic changes might be necessary to support their continued evolution.

This event marks the beginning of a wider programme of research and public engagement led by Moutrey during his fellowship. With the support of Future Arts Centres, the series will continue to investigate the development, impact, and future trajectory of arts centres, particularly in the context of ongoing political, social, and economic challenges.

This year鈥檚 Festival of Libraries is headlined by Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Poet Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who will be joined by a host of authors, poets, historians, performers and more.

After winning Best Event at the 野狼社区 Culture Awards in 2024, this will be the Festival鈥檚 fifth year.

has curated a series of six free events for the Festival programme, showcasing our research, in partnership with the , and .

Writing for Wellbeing workshops will see poets from the Centre for New Writing run three sessions at Middleton, Oldham and Walkden libraries, exploring how creative writing can positively impact wellbeing.

At Bolton Central Library, 野狼社区 Histories and Creative 野狼社区 will unveil their new Heritage for Wellbeing Toolkit, sharing insights into the toolkit鈥檚 development and inviting attendees to participate in one of the activities firsthand.

The Linguistic Diversity Collective have two workshops on offer. 鈥榃hat鈥檚 in a word, and what鈥檚 in a dictionary?鈥� will look at how dictionaries define words, and will take place at new Festival partner 野狼社区 Cathedral Library.

鈥楤lackout the Jargon鈥� is a session of blackout poetry at Cheadle Library, inviting attendees to find art and meaning in scientific texts.

Find out more about the University鈥檚 Festival of Libraries workshops and book your free places by visiting .

Following on from a successful series in 2024, this year's events bring together University of 野狼社区 researchers, creatives from fashion, music and publishing and professionals from the technology industry for important conversations about emerging technologies.

Throughout this series AI will be the focus and approached via three different themes. The pace of development of this technology is rapid and leads the creative sector into previously unchartered territory, which may prove as much a threat as it provides opportunity to the future of the creative and cultural industries.

Please book your free place via .
 

Creativity + AI: Music
Monday 12 May, SISTER, M1 3NJ
How can creative businesses take advantage of emerging technologies and create opportunities for innovation and knowledge exchange? A panel of expert speakers will explore applications, challenges and opportunities of AI in the Music industry focussing on creative technologies for composition, inclusive economic development of regional and national creative clusters and more.

Creativity + AI: Publishing
Monday 16 June, Oddfellows Hall, M1 7HF
The rapid expansion of AI is impacting and changing the publishing industry. We will be asking a panel of publishers, authors and librarians to reflect on the pace of change in the sector, and where they see opportunities emerging for their work. We will be asking how best we can take advantage of new technologies and how new technologies are taking advantage of creatives.

Creativity + AI: Fashion
Thursday 26 June, Arbeta, M40 5BP
How can fashion businesses can take advantage of emerging technologies affecting design, materials, production and retail, and create opportunities for innovation and knowledge exchange?

We talked about music, Karen鈥檚 interest in uncovering and showcasing forgotten artefacts of Black music history and working with Creative 野狼社区 and the .

Tell us a bit about yourself and your areas of interest.

Where do I start - My background is in business administration, television, and radio production and in popular culture, music, and social histories.

I specialise in pop culture as I am one of those people who held on to the pop and soul magazines, music releases in its many formats, and artefacts through the years and this ultimately led to the perfect transition into working in television as I had the research in my head and in my home.

I have a deep and declared interest in Black British social affairs and music, which also extends to across the black diaspora as well as the effect of migrant communities on the neighbourhoods of 野狼社区. I have explored this across Caribbean, Sikh, Irish, Italian, and African communities. Now I have to say that I always bring the international perspective to my work, as international musicians impact our culture, and British culture has a huge impact on international musicians of note.

I have a curious mind and realised some time ago that sharing stories is particularly uplifting to creators, collaborators and lovers of Black music. I also realise it was, and is, deeply upsetting and saddening to those, who feel consistently overlooked, to not have their stories heard and see them in popular culture. Feeding into this is also how much Northerners are overlooked in the general conversation about the culture in the UK, and in particular, the 野狼社区 Black music scene.

For the past fifteen years I have curated for a variety of exhibitions, which has involved curating archival footage and soundscapes. This work includes the Emory Douglas exhibition 鈥� Emory is the illustrator of the Black Panthers - and also Belle Vue in 野狼社区.

I am an advocate for women in music and artists from the R&B, soul, dance, rock, and reggae fields in 野狼社区. I actively support all genres but artists from these areas find it difficult to have their voices heard in their hometown, irrespective of success.

I am also known for my passion to raise the profile of Black music history. With this Fellowship, I wish to bring a less selective view of how Black British music, and its history are presented. People, who know me, know I am always at a gig, exhibition, live dance or art event.

Why did you apply for the Simon Industrial Fellowship? How did you feel it could help you explore your areas of interest?

This Fellowship appealed to me as I wanted to explore further recent conversations, I had been having about the process of creating hit songs with music producers. When I chatted with Anne-Marie of Creative 野狼社区 she suggested this pathway to explore this further. This Fellowship enables me to reconnect a random conversation that is in fact a hugely important documentation of music history with a social context.

I am passionate about expanding the knowledge base of the history around 野狼社区 music history and also how Black musicians and DJs have impacted popular music in the UK. This fellowship gives me the opportunity to amplify the voices of those working within this sector. Why? Because audiences deserve to know their contribution and we should highlight the people, who have given us so much without recognition.

What work are you carrying out, or hoping to carry out as part of this fellowship?

My research is exploring the roots of British popular music from the Black perspective, speaking with key musicians about their entry points into pop music and what the commonalities are in these experiences. I am speaking largely, but not exclusively, to Mancunian producers and those, who had to leave the city to develop. I am also in the midst of some exciting research conversations, but I will share the results of those later this year.

What is the benefit and impact of the fellowship on Creative 野狼社区 and the British Pop Archive at the John Rylands Library, respectively, and how are you finding working across both organisations?

I am hoping that that the and Creative 野狼社区 will have a greater understanding of the creative talent that informed the British Pop Music experience. Through the years what is deemed as pop music shifts and changes. Commercial appeal and money-making have squeezed certain popular forms out of the so-called mainstream channels 鈥� this has not stopped the music from being loved and being played in homes, clubs, and laptops.

Due to my everlasting eclectic musical tastes coupled with my continued organic access to these music makers I feel that the history of these lived experiences will give a fuller historical context to the British Pop Archive, to the city of 野狼社区 and re-address the narrative of those artists, producers, songwriters, who have brought the seasoning to British pop. I have interviewed hundreds of music creators from Skin and Willard White to Brinsley Forde and Lianne La Havas. 

My interviews have been the spark to a few iconic meetings and music collaborations that have connected British artists to international musicians. Interviews have often been conducted through my TV producing and radio presenting work, but not always. Many of the interviews and musical experiences have been done independently, and via word of mouth. I have also often heard great musical history anecdotes from non-musicians as, of course, music is a unifier.

By continuing to have conversations that will take the form of music panels and podcasts some of these fascinating and valuable histories will be captured. Creative 野狼社区 have been really supportive of my work and ideas over the past few months, and it is exciting to be involved with such an innovative arm of the University. 

I love the fact that The British Pop Archive is based here in the city of 野狼社区, and it has been fascinating and positively challenging to have an insight into the processes of the foundation of this archive, and to discuss where it is going 鈥� for a pop music nerd what could be better?

Inua will deliver his inaugural lecture in May 2025, as part of the 鈥楽olstice and Equinox series鈥� and the 野狼社区 Museum Lates, plus a week-long celebration around Africa Day. takes place on 28 May 2025, and will begin with introductions by Esme Ward (野狼社区 Museum Director) and John McAuliffe (Professor of Poetry and Creative 野狼社区 Director), before Inua launches Stained Metal with the first reading of his letter to commissioned artists, followed by a conversation with the audience.

Co-produced by Fuel, Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), Creative 野狼社区 and 野狼社区 Museum, this launch event promises to be an unforgettable night of poetry, storytelling, and thought-provoking conversation.

John McAuliffe, Professor of Poetry and Creative 野狼社区 Director said: 

Esme Ward, Director, 野狼社区 Museum said:

Inua Ellams said:

Wednesday, 28 May, 野狼社区 Museum, 5.30pm, FREE

Presented by Creative 野狼社区, 野狼社区 Museum, Fuel and the Museum of West African Art

Find out more and to book tickets on .

On 11 March, presented an enlightening event featuring David Olusoga OBE, Professor of Public History, in conversation with journalist, radio broadcaster, and author, . 

Together, they explored the themes of Kavita鈥檚 multi-award-winning BBC podcast, . The podcast series sheds light on one of the darkest chapters in Britain鈥檚 colonial history: the 1943 Bengal Famine, where an estimated three million Indians, who were British subjects, died. 

The event was introduced by Professor from the History Department at The University of 野狼社区. 

Informed by her 25 years of experience teaching and researching the cultural and social history of colonial India, Anindita's introduction included historical and geographical context for the 1943 Bengal Famine.  

David and Kavita discussed the making of the podcast, from archival research to finding interviewees who lived through the famine. Kavita explained the conditions that led to the build-up of the famine, and they explored why it has taken so long for this history to be discussed both in Britain and India. They also discussed why the public debate around the British Empire remains contentious.  

The event concluded with an engaged Q&A session from the audience.  

Speaking to professionals who make powerful arts-based participatory research happen, we get a sense of the importance of creative practices in sustaining relationships and connecting people together. The work taking place with partners like , or , embedded in the diverse communities of the region, reveals that artistic approaches provide both wide ranging possibilities for research collaboration and nourishing experiences for public participants, arts professionals, and academics. 

The unique expertise of skilled arts practitioners can enable research teams to address big questions holistically, maintaining academic rigor, while ensuring a duty of care and responsibility to those whose lives and experiences are being rendered in the research space. Arts-based participatory research collaborations can generate compelling, effective, impactful outputs, while championing responsible human-to-human connection.

Arts-based practices aren鈥檛 just a 鈥榥ice thing to do鈥� or a way of adding ornament to more 鈥榮erious鈥� research methods; they鈥檙e a vital force for expression, connection, and creative thinking which bridge academic, public, and professional experience. They often lead to surprising insights, and can help make complex, often sensitive topics, more concrete and accessible to a wide range of people.

Genuinely collaborative partnerships can foster meaningful participation and promote more equitable research practices. Where arts-based methods are encouraged and supported, especially through sustained long-term collaboration with arts-sector specialists, public participants can have a clearer creative agency within research projects.

But we are aware, as we have discovered in our project, how this work can be under supported, how inflexible structures can challenge, even impede, the development of mutually beneficial research relationships. Even in our own approach to conducting this research, we experienced barriers to efficiency and creative modes of engagement.

To cultivate trusting, meaningful relationships with non-academic partners, ore work is required to ensure that institutional structures support arts-based participatory research methods, by which collaborative partnerships can develop fruitfully and responsibly. We hope in our Findings Report(s) that by outlining both the affordances, and challenges, in developing arts-based participatory research, we might better understand the steps needed to enact a more reciprocal, creative, and welcoming research culture.

.

AHRC-funded project (2022-2024) built a coalition of researchers and partners from across Greater 野狼社区 to understand creative health better. This included working with Cartwheel Arts to understand more about communities鈥� access to creative health activities in their local area. 

Findings from this research have been published in . We also wanted to understand the .

We are working on future publications from this research that reflect on the challenges of implementing a civic strategy and explore some of the distinctive approaches to creative health within Greater 野狼社区.

To help build research networks we held Creative Health events in June 2023 and June 2024. In 2023 the Organisations of Hope Symposium focused on networks between research, policy and practice in Greater 野狼社区. 

In 2024, our also brought together other researchers from across the UK working on similar projects. Panels at this event focused on: ; ; and . 

Attendees at the event also tried their hand at reflecting on creative health research through . Artist Domenique Brouwers ran a session and .

We are continuing to work closely with our partners at Greater 野狼社区 Combined Authority Integrated Care Partnership, NHS Greater 野狼社区 and other universities from across the region on an ambitious 3-year programme of work (2024-2027) supported by Arts Council England. 

The Greater 野狼社区 Creative Health Place Partnership will pioneer new ways of supporting residents to live as well as they can, by creating new, community-led approaches with culture and creativity at their heart. We have also developed strategic partnerships with key partners on creative health research, regionally and nationally, from , and in Greater 野狼社区, to and the #BeeWell.

Look out for future reports as this work develops! For more information on any of this work please contact: creative@manchester.ac.uk.

Resources and links:

• Greater 野狼社区 Creative Health Strategy 
•  
• storybook 
• Report on the
• Creative Health Symposium 2024: ; ; ; ; . 
• Announcement of Place partnership 3-year programme of work (2024-2027) supported by Arts Council England 

The CreaTech Innovation Lab is a half-day workshop convened by the research platform and the University鈥檚 Business Engagement team with facilitation by the creative consultancy . 

In the course of one afternoon the teams worked on developing a research project focused on a challenge brief provided by the participating companies.

The event brought together several businesses, including , and BandShare - working within creative, cultural and digital sectors with a team of academics to inform their challenge brief by new knowledge, technology or methodology stemming from academic research. 

Over the course of the workshop teams developed tangible project plans to pitch for seed funding to develop the project.

Throughout the afternoon the teams worked through a dynamic, creative process of defining their problem and generating a range of solutions. By the end each team concluded with an optimal project plan and pitch, which was presented to an expert panel of judges for seed funding, with an emphasis on projects with the potential for larger collaborations in the future.

With the third CreaTech Innovation Lab completed the project teams now look towards the next six months to develop research addressing the businesses鈥� challenge briefs and scope out future opportunities with the University.

Our heartful thanks go out to our panel of expert judges, industry and academic participants and our facilitators from Future Everything.

To stay informed about Creative 野狼社区鈥檚 work in the CreaTech theme and our other events and activities please .

This year will be the 9th International Mother Language Day observed in Greater 野狼社区, a celebration of the cultural diversity and vast number of languages spoken across the city region.

, one of the University鈥檚 research platforms, will offer a series of events to mark the occasion in collaboration with partners and colleagues. All events are free to book and all are welcome.

• 19 February 2025 鈥� - Hear from researchers, poets and collaborators about how they came together in the aftermath of the pandemic to create a book capturing local communities' experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic. This event will be held at Contact Theatre at 12pm.
• 21 February 2025 鈥� 鈥� A talk by the 's Dr Alex Baratta on accentism within British teacher training, held at 野狼社区 Museum at 12pm.
• 21 February 2025 鈥� - A language themed trail around 野狼社区 Museum offering visitors of all ages a chance to learn about and celebrate languages and multilingualism. The trail is held in partnership with the and 野狼社区 Museum and takes place from 1pm.

To find out more about International Mother Language Day and the city鈥檚 celebrations, visit the .

As the latest academic to deliver one of these inspiring lectures, Peter will use his talk to delve into the compelling world of Baroque opera, exploring its historical significance in promoting equality and reconciliation.

Having garnered international recognition for his advocacy of 20th century and contemporary music, Peter is a distinguished professor currently teaching in the Department of World Arts and Cultures at UCLA. He has received numerous prestigious awards for contributions to European culture, including the MacArthur Fellowship and the Erasmus Prize.

Peter鈥檚 visit to 野狼社区 follows the launch of a major new partnership between the English National Opera (ENO) and Greater 野狼社区. The organisation鈥檚 exciting relocation project will see the development of longer-term strategic partnerships with venues and organisations across Greater 野狼社区, all working to create operatic experiences for communities and raise the curtain to the opera-makers of tomorrow.

Professor Maggie Gale, Vice-Dean for Research at the University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Faculty of Humanities, said:

Following the lecture, Peter will be joined by distinguished academic, critic and curator Professor Maria Delgado, who will discuss his illustrious career and current interests. Professor Delgado is the Vice Principal at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London. Her extensive work across Spanish-language theatre, film and cultural memory has garnered her numerous accolades, including the ATHE Lifetime Achievement Award in Academic Theatre and the Cross of the Order of Alfonso X the Wise for her services to culture and education.

Reserve your spot on .

The University of 野狼社区 Research Institute (UMRI) invites new applications for pump-priming funds to support interdisciplinary research projects. Funds will be awarded to projects and activities which encourage collaboration and aim to lead to an increase in successful interdisciplinary research.

Themes  

Applications are invited under four themes:  

• (Director: John McAuliffe), priority areas include ; ; ;  
• (Director: Richard Kingston) priority areas include , , , , , but all proposals across all platform challenges are welcome. 
• (Directors: Michael Shaver and Helen Holmes), priority areas include water, energy transitions, climate justice, biodiversity and circular economy, but all proposals across the are welcome. 
• Healthier futures (Director: Nicky Cullum), priority areas focus on the causes, consequences, and ways to address health inequalities. Healthier Futures focuses on the determinants that empower or inhibit people from leading in , and engaging with . 

Whilst applications which relate to two or more themes are welcome, they will not be prioritised over those which sit within one theme.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposal with the Director of the primary theme for their application to ensure that their proposal aligns with the priority areas of the theme.   

Please note that the pump-priming call is competitive and more applications are received than can be funded. In 2025 we expect to make between six and ten awards. 

Preference will be given to applications led by non-professorial staff or staff recently appointed or promoted to professor (in last two to three years). 

For more details, visit the UMRI .

Application deadline: 4pm, 28 February 2025

The University of 野狼社区 is one of three stakeholders in the organisation, and each year offers a diverse series of workshops for the Festival of Libraries. These workshops are organised by the research platform and delivered by academics across the . 

The award went to the Festival of Libraries for its 2023 programme which included a vibrant selection of dance, theatre, music, comic art, poetry and family events, all of which were free.

Headline events featured Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Drag Artist Cheddar Gorgeous, award-winning poet Raymond Antrobus and Icelandic novelist Au冒ur Ava 脫lafsd贸ttir in residence at John Rylands Research Institute and Library.

The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 2023 event offerings included a workshop looking at dictionaries and word meanings, delivered by the Linguistic Diversity Collective,鈥榃riting for Wellbeing鈥� workshops led by poets and authors from the Centre for New Writing, and a family-friendly session exploring food in children鈥檚 literature, run by the Programme in American Studies.

Head of the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, Thomas Schmidt, commented:

The Festival team, including Creative 野狼社区 Director John McAuliffe, took to the stage to accept the award at the ' ceremony at The Hilton, Deansgate, which took place on 23 November.

The next will take place 4-8 June 2025.

Find out more at the taking place from 2.30-4pm, Tuesday, 14 January 2025.

馃挕 Think Big, Think Bold Awards of up to 拢50K available, you鈥檒l have one year to explore new ideas and forge exciting collaborations that push the boundaries of interdisciplinarity.

馃掺锔� Interdisciplinarity Explained:

For more details, visit the .

What will you discover next? 

!

Eligibility  

• Sought from researchers across all discipline areas.  
• To be led by an applicant who is eligible to apply for external research funding. Research associates and research fellows may be included as a Co-PI if the expected outcome of the project will support their applications for independent funding.  
• Encouraged to include early career researchers. For this call early career researchers are defined as being employed in a non-permanent research position or holding a research fellowship or an academic post and who has less than eight years (full time equivalent and excluding periods of maternity, paternity and sick leave) of post-doctoral research experience.  

Preference will be given to applications led by non-professorial staff or staff recently appointed or promoted to professor (in last two to three years). 

• Dave Moutrey: Director of Culture and Creative Industries for 野狼社区 City Council;
• Julie McCarthy: Strategic Lead for Creative Health, NHS Greater 野狼社区 Integrated Care / Greater 野狼社区 Combined Authority;
• Sameed Rezayan: Head of Learning, Factory International.

The appointments have been awarded an Honorary Research Fellowship in the Drama department at The University of 野狼社区. The Fellowships recognise the outstanding contribution and ongoing work that Dave, Julie and Sameed make to the vibrant creative and cultural industries sector in Greater 野狼社区. 

The research projects they will embark upon align with the research themes within the University鈥檚 ; Creative Industries and Innovation, Creativity, Health and Wellbeing, and Creative and Civic Futures. 

From 25 to 27 November the conference took place at The Lowry in Salford, bringing together business leaders, researchers, policymakers, and creative visionaries to explore the dynamic intersection of creative research, business innovation and research and development (R&D). 

As an annual nexus for thinkers and makers, the conference provided a unique platform for delegates to connect, explore pioneering R&D projects, and engage with the global conversation on creativity and opportunity, with this year focussing on creative cities. 

were delighted to support the conference as a local event partner, showcasing the (OHOS) research project, which is a collaboration between the Universities of 野狼社区 and as well as . 

The event kicked off with fringe events in Media City, Salford, on 25 November, followed by the official programme that highlighted cutting-edge research and collaborative opportunities. 

Throughout the conference Creative 野狼社区 presented an engaging expo stand with representatives from the Creative 野狼社区 team, and the Research and Business Engagement team of The University of 野狼社区. 

As part of Creative 野狼社区's presence at the conference the 鈥淥ur Heritage, Our Stories鈥� R&D showcase illuminated the work of the academic team to address critical challenges in digital cultural heritage. 

In an era where communities have increasingly adopted digital technologies to capture and preserve their histories, OHOS responds to the urgent need to archive and link community-generated digital content (CGDC). 

The OHOS project brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the Universities of Glasgow and 野狼社区, collaborating with The National Archives and leading UK heritage organisations. Their mission to dissolve barriers preventing the discovery and integration of diverse community-generated digital content addresses the risk of CGDC being lost or isolated. 

At the OHOS R&D Showcase stand Post-Doctoral Research Associate Hanna Schmueck demonstrated interactive visualisations of the project's innovative approach to archiving community narratives. 

A conference highlight was the presentation by Professor Lorna Hughes (University of Glasgow), Professor Hannah Barker (University of 野狼社区), and Professor Goran Nenadic (University of 野狼社区) on 27 November. Their session explored the project's diverse outputs, showcasing how sophisticated automated tools can make previously hidden community stories discoverable and connected, as well as discussing the ethics and challenges of working with community-generated archival materials. 

The OHOS project aims to change our understanding of historical archives by developing cutting-edge tools and AI methods. By creating meaningful links across diverse collections, the project will not only preserve but also reimagine community-generated content, ensuring these vital narratives survive and thrive for future generations. 

Further information about the , , and can be found on the OHOS website. 

Events took place on campus at the Martin Harris Centre, including an in-conversation with former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, an evening with award-winning cook and food writer Meera Sodha, and a very special appearance by poet Jackie Kay who read from her latest collection. 

Over at Central Library, Scottish author Andrew O鈥橦agan joined us to discuss his latest novel Caledonian Road, and legendary music producer Joe Boyd celebrated his engrossing new book And the Roots of Rhythm Remain: A Journey through Global Music. 

Foreign correspondent Lindsay Hilsum joined Creative 野狼社区 director John McAuliffe to share some of her favourite poems and memories from her decades-long career, and Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers went on to bookend the Festival with his recent event on 8 November in support of his new novel. 

HOME was host to David Peace, discussing his gripping new novel Munich, and to George Monbiot鈥檚 event, hosted by Professor of New Writing Jeanette Winterson, in support of his passionately argued new book, The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism (& How It Came to Control Your Life). 

Prolific designer Thomas Heatherwick joined Ella P. Wakatama at Contact to talk about his book Humanise: A Maker鈥檚 Guide to Building Our World and putting the human emotion at the heart of building design. At John Rylands Research Institute and Library, former National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke ran a highly anticipated poetry workshop, then went on to deliver the annual Rylands Poetry Reading to a sold-out crowd. 

Festival attendees at the Royal Northern College of Music enjoyed an audience with bestselling global sensation and Yellowface author Rebecca F. Kuang, hosted by broadcaster, producer and Chair of 野狼社区 City of Literature Katie Popperwell. 

For more information about the festival, visit the .

The University of 野狼社区 is delighted to announce a new collaboration with English National Opera, as they announce the first wave of plans for a major new partnership between the company and the city-region of Greater 野狼社区 for the next three years, enabling ENO to be firmly established within Greater 野狼社区 by 2029.  

The ENO Greater 野狼社区 partnership, which includes projects across the city-region, covers every aspect of opera production and celebrates new possibilities for the artform. This announcement represents the beginning of longer-term strategic partnerships with venues and organisations across Greater 野狼社区. 

It will include major contemporary works, new work development in opera, presenting ENO signature classics, interdisciplinary experimentations, creating operatic experiences by, with and for communities, and developing the opera makers of today and tomorrow.

The first wave of projects and partnerships announced, include collaborative projects with The University of 野狼社区, Factory International, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, The Lowry, The Bridgewater Hall, Walk the Plank, Royal Northern College of Music, and The Hall茅.

The University of 野狼社区 and ENO will work together on Tuning Into Opera. This invites the people of Greater 野狼社区 to explore the opportunities for the artform, engage with new communities and discuss what it means to have an opera company based in the city-region. 

We will bring a range of perspectives together, including artists, local communities, researchers and the wider sector to discuss how the artform can and must continue to grow. The first of these events will take place at 野狼社区 International Festival at Aviva Studios in July 2025.  

Professor John McAuliffe, Director of Creative 野狼社区 at The University of 野狼社区 said: 鈥�The University of 野狼社区 is delighted to be working in partnership with colleagues at ENO, as part of their move to the city-region. Together, we are planning a shared programme of work, that will look at opera as part of Greater 野狼社区's cultural landscape, listening for the sound of new collaboration and creating more opportunities for our students, staff, artists and research in creative health across the music sector.鈥�

Jenny Mollica, Chief Executive of English National Opera, said: 鈥淭he projects we are announcing today mark the first wave of our developing partnership with Greater 野狼社区, which will be fully implemented by 2029. Working together over the last year, we could not be more clear that Greater 野狼社区 is the right place to put down roots, a place where we can develop, expand and innovate. Where, building on the region鈥檚 legendary reputation as the heart of music making in this country, we can make a difference to audiences and communities, help invest in the next generation of talent and break new ground in the future of the artform 鈥� locally, nationally and internationally.鈥�

ENO鈥檚 Greater 野狼社区 partnerships and programme will continue to develop alongside the continuation of annual seasons at the London Coliseum, and ENO鈥檚 nationwide education and health programmes.

Further information:

• Visit the .

As part of the , The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Research Platforms hosted a dynamic research caf茅 at Contact Theatre, showcasing 鈥�The Art of Research鈥� over lunch.   The event explored the rewards and challenges of participatory research, featuring artists Cookie Love from and , in collaboration with Creative Producer from . 

Chaired by , Director of Creative 野狼社区, the event featured , who shared insights from her humanitarian project,  ; which uses street art to examine conflict-affected spaces and their political implications for policy-making. Additionally, presented the online exhibition showcasing how artists confront racism and inequality.

The event concluded with participants transforming used paint cans into creative keepsakes, promoting sustainable art practices. This engaging experience highlighted the profound impact of creativity in academic exploration.

Sign up to more events from The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Research Platforms, on the event pages.

More information:

• The Art of Research

John McAuliffe, Professor of Poetry and Director of , said:

Karen Wang, Deputy Director, , said:

As part of the exchange, artists from 野狼社区 will visit Nanjing in March 2025. Outputs will include a bilingual illustrated poetry collection and a play, ensuring representation from under-represented groups, including female artists.

The creative collaborations will explore the ecological theme of Real Contentment, inspired by 鈥榮 poetry. Additionally, a schools engagement programme will involve 300 young people, fostering inter-cultural understanding and addressing the climate emergency through creative expression. The work created by the artist exchange and schools programme will be shared at the Festival of Libraries in June 2025 when 野狼社区 hosts the artists from Nanjing.

Partners in the programme also include and . 

The British Council鈥檚 International Collaboration Grants are designed to support UK and overseas organisations to collaborate on international arts projects. 

The is based on research from the Placeholders project, which emerged out of a collaboration between Bruntwood Group Ltd. and The University of 野狼社区.

Conducted from April to November 2022, the project engaged over 100 young people in the Stretford area, and partnered with more than 50 community organisations. 

The initiative aimed to amplify the voices of under-represented groups, particularly young women, in the town centre's development planning.

During the project the team focussed on designing an inclusive process for engaging young people in place-making in Stretford and produced this report co-written by Carl Fraser, Professor Abigail Gilmore, Dr Elena Brearley and Dr Ailbhe Treacy.

The report offers recommendations for future participatory processes in urban development, and highlights the need to carry out participatory engagement with young people earlier in the process of regeneration projects. 

Finally, the report recommends a continuous point of contact within the stakeholder organisation to ensure continuous engagement with young people in Stretford, both during the time of participation to maintain ongoing dialogue.

For more information, contact Creative 野狼社区.

The report is also available to .

Interdisciplinarity is the key to tackling our major challenges, but how to make this happen across university's that are organised around disciplines is something that remains tricky.

On 8th October, The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Research Platforms - , , , and , - hosted the . Chaired by our Vice-President of Research, , the panel featured:

, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Deputy Director of Sustainable Futures

, Professor of Poetry, Director of Creative 野狼社区

, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Graduate and International Research at the University of Melbourne.

The session delved into how The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 research platforms 鈥� and other similar initiatives at The University of Melbourne and elsewhere - drive and amplify interdisciplinary collaborations. Discussions highlighted the platforms鈥� pivotal roles in supporting research, fostering external engagement, and creating impactful connections with local authorities and businesses in Greater 野狼社区 and beyond.

As John McAuliffe noted, given the wide range of complex challenges that communities locally and globally encounter, 鈥榯he future is fundamentally interdisciplinary.鈥� The value of initiatives like 野狼社区鈥檚 research platforms lies in their capacity to provide opportunities for interdisciplinary networks to be nurtured and to grow.

Inspired by each of the Research Platforms 鈥樷�� was showcased, exemplifying our interdisciplinary approach.

This has been made possible following a successful bid to Arts Council England for a grant of 拢800,000 through its National Lottery funded Place Partnership Fund. 

The three-year place partnership aims to create lasting ways for creativity and culture to be at the heart of communities鈥� health and wellbeing. This builds on the growing recognition that engaging with creativity and culture helps us to lead longer, healthier, happier lives - a relationship that is increasingly referred to as 鈥榗reative health鈥�.&苍产蝉辫;

Greater 野狼社区鈥檚 Creative Health Place Partnership is part of Live Well; GM鈥檚 movement for community-led health and wellbeing, and will focus on pioneering new ways of supporting residents to live as well as they can, by creating new, community-led approaches with culture and creativity at their heart. 

Activity will include training early years providers to use dance to support the development of core strength, numeracy and literacy in nursery schools; supporting neurodivergent young people鈥檚 mental health and wellbeing though access to creative activity and creating new, community based mental health support opportunities with and for global majority communities (people who do not consider themselves or are not considered to be white). 

The partnership includes GM based arts organisations with a long history of creative health work, including , and in Stockport who are recognised as developing the first ever Arts on Prescription programme in England. 

National organisations including and are also on board, with Rambert leading the dance and early years strand and ENO working with respiratory experts and communities to expand their award-winning ENO Breathe programme. 

In a move signalling the will for organisations across GM to work together for the benefit of its residents, all five higher education institutions in GM are signed up to the partnership and will provide research and learning support under the banner of the mayor鈥檚 Civic University Agreement. 

Jane Pilkington, Director of Population Health, NHS Greater 野狼社区 said: 
鈥淩esidents of Greater 野狼社区 experience some of the starkest health inequalities in England and we are continually working to find new and innovative ways to support our communities to Live Well. Support from the Arts Council and a wide range of regional and national partners will enable Greater 野狼社区 to continue to lead the way in harnessing the power of culture and creativity to address these inequalities, be that through creative social prescribing, breath training through singing or mental health support through creative engagement. 

鈥淕reater 野狼社区 is home to many organisations whose mission it is to improve people鈥檚 health and wellbeing through access to the arts and heritage and we are proud to be able to build on these foundations to become the world鈥檚 first Creative Health City Region.鈥� 

Jen Cleary, Director North, Arts Council England said: 
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to support this ambitious work through our Place Partnership Fund, designed to help places make a step-change in the cultural and creative lives of the community. We believe in a strong connection between access to creative experiences and the health and quality of people鈥檚 lives, so it鈥檚 fantastic to see such a range of creative, health and community partners coming together in this way to address some of the most prominent health issues in Greater 野狼社区. This project is a really exciting way to address health challenges through the power of arts and culture, and I can鈥檛 wait to see how it develops.鈥�

is a collaborative effort involving the Office for Open Research, the School of Engineering Open Research Lead, representatives from the United Kingdom Reproducibility Network (UKRN), and Cancer Research UK 野狼社区 Institute, with the aim of promoting and facilitating open research initiatives and practices within The University of 野狼社区.

Open Research Kick-Off 2024/25

Join us at the Core Technology Facility on Monday, 28 October 2024, at 9.30am for the launch of our 2024/25 programme.

The event will open with a joint welcome address from our new President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison, alongside our Vice-President for Research, Professor Colette Fagan. Following this, there will be an update on open research initiatives at the University, including valuable insights from our .

2024/25 Opening up Research events

The Open Research Kick-Off is just the beginning of an engaging series of for the 2024/25 academic year, culminating in the . This year鈥檚 events programme is closely aligned with the , which provides essential guidance on fostering openness throughout the research lifecycle. Opening up Research events are open to all University staff, including professional services staff, postgraduate researchers, and early career researchers.

Get involved

If you're interested in presenting your work at one of the events, or if you have any queries, please reach out to the team at: openresearch@manchester.ac.uk.

You can also subscribe to our to stay updated with the latest developments in open research at the University and beyond.

My name is Gweni Matthews, and I am the Creative 野狼社区 Graduate Intern as a part of the 野狼社区 Graduate Talent scheme. I work within the Communications and Engagement team in the Creative 野狼社区 Hub. 

Creative 野狼社区 is one of four research platforms at the University of 野狼社区, supporting interdisciplinary research and championing creativity.

Creative 野狼社区 collaborates with cultural institutions and organisations across Greater 野狼社区, providing me with insights into more than just University administration. Through my time at Creative 野狼社区, I have developed a diverse skill set that will be transferable to future roles. My responsibilities include managing events, social media, communications, and the daily administrative and clerical operations of the research platform.

After graduating with a History and Art History degree in July 2023, I was uncertain about my career path. I鈥檝e always been drawn to the heritage and cultural industries but was put off, assuming they were somewhat inaccessible. Discovering the Creative 野狼社区 role through Career Connect was a relief, offering a way into my desired industry. 

Having previously worked in hospitality roles throughout my time at University, this role has been a useful introduction into a professional workplace. I have broadened my interpersonal skills through engaging with various stakeholders such as artists, Professional Services staff, the public, researchers and students.

Initially, I found this new role rather intimidating, but I quickly adapted by transferring skills from my degree and hospitality experience. The supportive Creative 野狼社区 team helped me grow confident in my role, allowing me to take ownership of projects such as creating Instagram reels and a social media stats dashboard. The length of the scheme being 12 months has allowed enough time to be able to fully develop and grow confident in these new skills. 

I gained valuable insights and hands on experience through running successful marketing campaigns, leasing with other teams inside and outside of the University, creating and commissioning event collateral, creating engaging social posts, conducting audience research and undertaking email marketing. I have also had the opportunity to improve my skills with various systems Including various projects on Excel and using Premier Pro to edit videos. I feel confident in being able to transfer these skills to a variety of different roles in my future career.

What I have enjoyed the most is the events side of the role. This has been exciting and varied, with frequent events at venues across 野狼社区 like , and . 

Through the events and research we convene I have learned how creativity can improve health at our events such as 's Music Cafe鈥檚 and our International Women鈥檚 Day Celebration looking at Muslim Women鈥檚 wellbeing and creativity with .

Additionally, I have been involved in setting up the CreaTech Network across Greater 野狼社区. Being a part of the events administration and delivery of these events proved exciting and rewarding. We have also contributed to a range of literary events with figures like and which have been really exciting to get involved in. The range of events and activities we partake in have also offered vast opportunities to network.

Creative 野狼社区 sits within the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, which does a lot of work for staff well-being. I contributed to the school's EDI and Wellbeing Committee, organizing events such as a Creative 野狼社区 coffee morning. The University's hybrid working charter also promotes a healthy work-life balance.

This role has allowed me to choose areas for skill development through new tasks and training. Weekly one-on-one meetings with my line manager help me stay on track and identify areas for growth. I have undertaken training courses through the University, LinkedIn Learning and the including courses on MS Excel, Photoshop, marketing and accessibility. 

I was fortunate to attend the AMA Conference 2024 in Brighton, which provided an opportunity to network with individuals across the sector. I attended several insightful talks including one on accessibility, trans inclusivity and social media branding amongst others. I feel confident in being able to bring forward these skills into future posts.

My year as an intern at Creative 野狼社区 has equipped me with the tools and knowledge to advance in my career. The MGT scheme has been an excellent opportunity to transition into the professional world after graduation.

This role allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting, enhancing my skills and preparing me for a dynamic career in the arts and cultural sector. I am enthusiastic about leveraging my experience and skills to foster innovation and inclusivity in the creative field.

The primary project I worked on was the , an event funded by Arts Council England (ACE) celebrating 野狼社区's rich literary heritage and extensive local library network. My responsibilities included event planning and coordination, audience development, and communication strategy, and I participated in Zoom meetings with key stakeholders to finalize event details.

Implementing audience development strategies was crucial, involving tailored communication plans and outreach efforts to engage specific demographics. Crafting engaging news stories and social media posts using platforms like Hootsuite and Canva was also a key part of my role, ensuring content resonated with the target audience.

As part of the event, I helped to establish detailed communication planning and implementing audience growth strategies for four key seminars in the Festival of Libraries schedule. Each session was carefully crafted to appeal to a wide variety of age groups and interests, providing participants with a rich and immersive experience suited to their preferences and expectations. I hoped that by implementing these ideas, we would not only broaden the festival's reach, but also deepen engagement and foster long-term relationships with our audience.

To illustrate, take the "Tasting Children鈥檚 Literature 鈥� An Edible Readathon" workshop, for instance, which was designed to captivate young children up to the age of 8, along with their parents, caregivers, and educators. Employing audience development strategies, we orchestrated targeted social media plans and community outreach endeavors to ensure broad participation and robust engagement.

This is also one of the highlights of my placement. This event was a resounding success and a truly delightful experience. The workshop's innovative approach combined the joys of reading with sensory play, allowing children to explore literature through interactive and edible elements. 

Promotional materials emphasized the educational benefits and fun nature of the event, which helped in drawing a significant number of participants. The event featured a variety of activities where children could taste food items inspired by their favourite storybooks, making the experience both memorable and educational. 

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and laughter as children immersed themselves in the stories, transforming the act of reading into a multi-sensory adventure.

The success of the "Tasting Children鈥檚 Literature 鈥� An Edible Readathon" workshop not only demonstrated the power of creative engagement in fostering a love for reading among children but also highlighted the importance of community involvement in cultural events. It was incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of our efforts on the participants, reinforcing the value of inclusive and accessible cultural programming.

The votes have been counted. The People鈥檚 Choice Award winners of the 2024 UK-China Photography Competition are Chih-Yu Chuang鈥檚 photo 鈥楳y Morning Ritual of the Day鈥�, and Muhammad Sajeer Parambath鈥檚 entry 鈥楤rewing Bonds: Jing鈥檚 Overflowing Coffee鈥�. Each winner claims a prize of 拢100 in cash.

Coincidentally, both images focused on the theme of food and drink. 

Chuang commented of the winning photo: 

鈥淪tarting my day means embarking on a daily breakfast adventure, a joy I find even when travelling.鈥� 

And Muhammed said of his image: 

鈥淛ing鈥檚 morning ritual of crafting coffee for his colleagues brims with warmth and care, fostering heartwarming moments and laughter among the group.鈥�

Run by the (MCI) and at The University of 野狼社区, the theme of this year鈥檚 competition was 'Daily Rituals鈥�. The top 30 finalists and winning photos were shortlisted out of hundreds of submissions received from China and the UK.

Each entry demonstrated how a thoughtful photograph can transcend cultural and linguistic divides, reveal our common humanity, and enhance mutual understanding between China and the UK. The votes were registered in person at this year鈥檚 Photo Exhibition at Alliance 野狼社区 Business School, at the , and online via Google and WeChat.

MCI Director, , said: 

The day commenced with a panel discussion on 鈥淎rchaeotecture鈥� chaired by Professor Teresa Anderson, with Professor Clive Ruggles and Professor Bob Cwyinski, to explore the intersection of ancient cosmologies and modern scientific discoveries. The panel discussed how Garner's fiction has bridged dialogues between disciplines such as archaeology and physics, offering imaginative continuities that enrich our understanding of the universe. The discussions were a testament to Garner鈥檚 ability to weave complex, interdisciplinary ideas into his narratives, making his work a subject of academic interest and admiration.

One of the highlights of the day was "A Walk in Time" with archaeologist Melanie Giles. Participants were taken on a journey through the Jodrell Bank site, where Giles reflected on the objects and ideas that have inspired Garner鈥檚 writing. The walk included hands-on experiences with archaeological artefacts and replicas, bringing to life themes of landscape lore, craft skills, and protective charms that are prevalent in Garner's novels.

Following the walk attendees were invited to a film screening of To The Round Meadow: Alan Garner & Jodrell Bank by Al Kenny. The film featured an intimate conversation between Alan Garner and his daughter, Elizabeth Garner, discussing his connection to the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. This conversation delved into Garner's personal memories and reflections on the site, highlighting how it has influenced his writing and enriched his imaginative landscapes.

The day continued with the panel discussion "Archaeology & the Imagination of Place" chaired by Melanie Giles. The panel, Tim Campbell-Green, Richard Morris, and Rose Ferraby, explored how Garner鈥檚 work, deeply rooted in the past, has woven archaeological knowledge, discoveries, and folklore into his narratives. Melanie Giles and Rose Ferraby discussed how their professional practices have been influenced and enriched by Garner鈥檚 storytelling and explorations of histories in the Cheshire landscape.

The final panel, "A Place Across Time" chaired by , featured Elizabeth Garner and medieval scholar David Matthews. This discussion centred on the intersections of historical and mythological time within imaginative fictions, poetry, and actual landscapes, drawing on Alan Garner鈥檚 vivid depictions of place across time in his works.

In the evening our Solstice celebrations culminated with a reading and discussion of Sarah Perry鈥檚 latest novel, Enlightenment. Set in a small town in Essex, the novel intricately weaves a narrative of entangled relationships and emotional turmoil, exploring the conflict between faith and fact. Perry, renowned for her award-winning works such as The Essex Serpent, explored the novel's themes with Chair Teresa Anderson, and wowed guests with her seamless integration of astronomical principles into the storytelling.

鈥� the University鈥檚 creativity-championing research platform 鈥� hosted five workshop sessions in partnership with the , , and .

鈥榃riting for Wellbeing鈥� took place at Tameside, Rochdale and Bury Libraries on 13 - 15 June. Facilitators Rebecca Hurst, Tessa Harris and John McAuliffe worked with participants to explore the benefits of creative writing on personal wellbeing. 

One attendee commented:

鈥楾asting Children鈥檚 Literature 鈥� An Edible Readathon鈥� returned on Friday, 14 June with two sessions: a private workshop for Reception children at St. Andrew鈥檚 C of E Primary School Levenshulme, held at Arcadia Library, and a public session at 野狼社区 Central Library. Children enjoyed a storytime session with play food, colouring activities, and fruits to eat.

The Linguistic Diversity Collective held two well-attended workshops at The Portico Library on 12 and 14 June. The first, 鈥榃hat鈥檚 in a word and what鈥檚 in a dictionary?鈥� saw attendees take part in activities looking at how dictionaries define words and phrases. 

鈥楤lackout the jargon鈥� then invited participants to engage with scientific literature in a unique way through blackout poetry. 

Supported by , the Festival of Libraries 2024 was a testament to 野狼社区鈥檚 enduring commitment to literacy, learning, and inclusivity. 

Find out more about the Festival of Libraries .

I am a Master鈥檚 student in Creative and Cultural Industries at The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 . My keen interest in creative production and event management is what led me to choosing Creative 野狼社区 for my placement module. 

The placement option stated that the placement student would have the opportunity to support the curation, planning and delivery of the University鈥檚 Bicentenary Festival, as well as supporting Creative 野狼社区鈥檚 activity and engagement events. 

Since I was looking for specific project management experience, I knew that Creative 野狼社区 was the best place to be, especially as they were so well-connected with the wider cultural and creative community of 野狼社区.

My placement began in January and would last until the end of May, every Wednesday for 20 weeks (with a short break over Easter). After completing the health and safety induction, I was asked to familiarise myself with the projects I would be assisting on. 

This included our Bicentenary festival programme for Friday, 7 June, the Diagrams collection (a collection of diagrams relating to the university), and a cross-platform art installation. With this information, I had to research what type of structure we could use for the art installation, producing a document with price, material, size, sustainability, and other relevant information.

Then, in the afternoon, I helped install a new art installation in the glass corridor in the Samuel Alexander building. This mix of activity represents my days at the placement quite well; I would work on the main projects, as well as the organisations many other engagement events such as research caf茅s, talks, panels, and installations. 

This allowed me to grow my understanding of Creative 野狼社区 as a research platform, but even more generally of what a creative and cultural organisation may look like. Every week was a different experience and I never felt idle in my time. 

One such event was the , focusing on women of colour, partnering with (MACFest). It was an afternoon event held in the Whitworth Gallery, Grand Hall, with performances, food, and a panel discussion on inequalities in women鈥檚 health. I helped to set up the event, assisting MACFest, and offering event support throughout the event. 

This was such a highlight of my placement as I got to meet such a variety of people, and really enjoyed the performances and the panel talk. I understood first-hand how Creative 野狼社区 connects with other creative organisations in 野狼社区 and supports researchers, in both networking and their projects.

My main work with the Universally 野狼社区 Festival involved planning, programming, and marketing. Over weeks, the event day was built up through meetings, emails, and communications with relevant partners to perfect tech, timings, and other specifics for each event. I learnt how to plan and execute a marketing and event communications campaign and design the graphics for social media. 

Getting down to the minute details was so important for this process and I learnt that planning each step carefully would lead to a more efficient and low-risk event day. It was a privilege to be able to help organise Creative 野狼社区鈥檚 events at the Universally 野狼社区 Festival, and I am looking forward to seeing them become reality!

I would like to thank the convenor of the placement course, , as well as Anne-Marie Nugnes and the rest of the Creative 野狼社区 team, and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, for making this placement possible. It has been the highlight of my Master鈥檚 course and I look forward to taking the skills I have gained into my future career.

This series of events aimed to build a CreaTech network to provide support, funding and connections to help grow this sector. These events echoed the aspirations of the Greater 野狼社区 city region to develop the CreaTech sector and to facilitate partnerships between the university and the wider GM Business Community.

We are pleased to announce that is now live, featuring photos and outputs of the breakout sessions. We are also pleased to have worked with to produce a suite of after movies showcasing People's experiences at the events and highlighting the importance of networking across the emerging CreaTech sector. Watch the full videos .

Our first event invited individuals interested and working in the gaming/animation/VR/AR industry within Greater 野狼社区 to network with each other and collaborate. We asked them to uncover the overall theme of 鈥淗ow Do We Make 野狼社区 Great?鈥� within breakout groups. See what attendees had to say about CreaTech innovation and the importance of networking across the sector.

 

In our second event 鈥楧igital Artisans鈥� we bridged the gap between tradition and innovation through looking at how artisanal craft can harness Createch This event was held at a fitting setting to delve into how independent artists can come together to chart a path towards a future where tradition and innovation converge, propelling 野狼社区's artisan arts and crafts sector to new heights of success.

Our next event focused on CreaTech innovation in the Audio and Sound sector. Held in the entrepreneurial atmosphere of , the event brought together enthusiastic, experts, and visionaries from diverse backgrounds, all united by their passion for the intersection of creativity, technology, and sound. See what attendees had to say about the importance of CreaTech in the sound industry.
 

Our next event focused on the fast-paced world of 鈥楥reative AI鈥� and took place at . This event brought together creatives who have an interest in digital technology and AI. Furthering the CreaTech ethos, the event connected inspired individuals who wanted to understand how to stay at the front of technological change and how their work practice has adapted to the advances in accessible AI.

The final instalment in the CreaTech Network Series surrounded the theme of Fashion, taking place in the iconic in Ancoats. Bringing together professionals and enthusiasts in the Fashion scene around 野狼社区. We asked attendees about how they thought technology could change the landscape of the Fashion industry.

As our CreaTech Network events of March 2024 have drawn to a close, we reflect on the exciting potential all attendees have reflected through the CreaTech network and look forward to future collaborations. 

We have helped to pave the way for a strong network of Creatives in Greater 野狼社区 ready to tackle the evolving CreaTech sector. We have also gained an understanding of the University of 野狼社区鈥檚 role in an increasingly digital and technology focused landscape.

From 12-16 June 2024, Greater 野狼社区 will once again celebrate the Festival of Libraries 鈥� which promises a rich tapestry of vibrant events for all ages and interests.

Authors, poets, performers, artists and historians will share their love for libraries and literature across the region鈥檚 libraries. The Festival of Libraries programme is brimming with imagination and attendees can expect exhibitions, author talks, performances, installations, live music, workshops, and international collaborations. 

These free events highlight the diverse offerings of libraries, showcasing their role as service, learning and creativity hubs which are open to all.

is delighted to be offering a series of workshops for the Festival of Libraries celebrations, partnering with the , and .

All workshops are free to attend but booking is required due to limited spaces.

This session delves into the meanings of everyday words and idiomatic phrases, offering insights into how dictionaries define words and how language learners acquire vocabulary. Run by the . 

• Wednesday, 12 June 2024, 3pm - Portico Library

Facilitated by professional writers from the , these workshops explore the positive effects of creative writing on mental health and wellbeing. 

• Thursday, 13 June 2024, 6pm -  
• Friday, 14 June 2024, 1pm 鈥� Heywood Library
• Saturday, 15 June 2024 鈥� Ramsbottom Library

Participants will engage in blackout poetry, finding meaning in scientific texts by selecting certain words and redacting the rest to create literary and visual works of art. Run by the . 

• Friday, 14 June 2024, 3pm - Portico Library

An immersive experience and read-a-thon of classic and contemporary children鈥檚 literature aimed at young children aged 0-8. Run by the staff and students. 

• Sunday, 16 June 2024, 1pm - Central Library

An immersive audio experience allowing listeners to walk in the footsteps of those with the misunderstood condition of chronic cough. Run by the project. 

• Wednesday, 12 June 2024, 12pm, 2pm and 6pm 鈥� Longsight Library
• Thursday, 13 June 2024, 12pm and 2pm 鈥� Longsight Library

More information on the Festival of Libraries 2024, including the full programme, can be found on the website. 

In the evening novelist Sarah Perry will discuss her new novel 鈥楨nlightenment鈥� in an intimate setting, featuring a reading and a Q&A.

Date:  Friday, 21 June 2024, 10.30am 鈥� 5.30pm
Location: Jodrell Bank

The day begins with a variety of panel discussions, a walk of the Jodrell Bank site and a filmed conversation with Alan Garner exploring the themes of his literary work. Alan Garner鈥檚 writing is deeply rooted in the history and landscape of Alderley Edge, draws inspiration from the area's archaeology and the cosmic wonders observed at Jodrell Bank Observatory. 

In celebration of his 90th birthday, experts from archaeology, physics, and literature will convene at Jodrell Bank to discuss the impact of Garner's writing on their respective fields, as well as how the sciences have influenced the writer himself. Together, they will explore themes of time and place in his novels, celebrating his contribution to contemporary storytelling.

Purchase your ticket and optional lunch and transport from Oxford Road .

Date:  Friday, 21 June 2024, 6.30pm 鈥� 8pm
Location: Jodrell Bank

Later in the day, attendees can enjoy an evening with author Sarah Perry, featuring her latest novel, Enlightenment. Perry's book delves into questions of faith, physics, and human emotion against the backdrop of a small town in Essex. The newest story from award-winning novelist Sarah Perry weaves a web of entangled relationships and emotion, its characters trapped within the conflict between faith and fact. 

Traversing some of the biggest questions on an intimate and captivating level, Enlightenment will stay with you long after closing the final page.

The event offers a chance to hear Perry discuss her creative process, read excerpts from "Enlightenment," and participate in a Q&A session.

Purchase your ticket and optional dinner .

These events promise a thought-provoking exploration of literature and science, set against the backdrop of the Summer Solstice at Jodrell Bank. Tickets are available for both events, with a discounted rate available for the 鈥楢n Evening With Sarah Perry鈥� event if attending both events.

These events are part of Creative 野狼社区鈥檚 鈥楽olstice and Equinox series鈥�, a series of events which brings innovative creative artists to The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 four Cultural Institutions. 

Each of our unique cultural institutions 鈥� the Whitworth, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 野狼社区 Museum and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre 鈥� focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.

Grammy award-winning jazz percussionist and Simon Industrial Fellow Carlos Maldonado recently ran workshops for year 6 classes in two local primary schools.

Pupils from Stanley Grove Primary Academy and Abraham Moss Community School had the opportunity to learn about the origins and traditions of jazz, including an introduction to jazz instruments and how to recognise styles and music from Latin America. The workshops also saw the children experience jazz first-hand, with a live performance from Carlos and the chance for pupils to perform and improvise using traditional instruments such as Maracas, Guido, Claves, Cowbell as well as different drums such as the Bongo drums and Caj贸n. 

The pupils asked great questions about Carlos鈥� awards, being a professional musician and his favourite instruments and percussion sounds. They described the workshop as 鈥楢mazing,鈥� 鈥楩un鈥� and 鈥楿nique,鈥� with teachers commenting on how well the session aligned with their music curriculum and how it engaged and inspired pupils who would typically not engage. 

Watch the video below to see highlights of Carlos鈥� visit to Abraham Moss Community School:

Carlos has also performed with The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 jazz ensemble. Watch the video here:

To close the inaugural People Fest conference from 5-7 April, the and proudly present '', a free event featuring in conversation with Dr Rupert Cox.

The event will highlight some of Jeremy鈥檚 films and collaborations. Dr Katie Smith and students from Social Anthropology at The University of 野狼社区 will ask how his playful explorations of British identity might connect to themes in anthropological research. The discussion promises to be an engaging exploration of Deller's impactful work within the context of contemporary British culture and societal discourse surrounding it.

Jeremy Deller, renowned for his thought-provoking installations, films, and conceptual art, will offer unique insights into his artistic practice, which often navigates the intersections of history, popular culture, and societal issues. We are looking forward to hearing him share his perspectives on creativity, activism, and the role of art in shaping our understanding of the world.

Organized as part of the inaugural , this event underscores the commitment of the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology and Creative 野狼社区 to fostering interdisciplinary discussions and celebrating by bringing Jeremy Deller to the festival, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from one of the most influential voices in contemporary art.

Registrations for 'Jeremy Deller in Conversation' are open now, and everyone is welcome to attend. to secure your spot.

Event details:

Date: Sunday, April 7, 3.30 pm-5 pm, followed by a drinks reception
Location: , M1 5BY 
 

The other panel members include:

• Director of Creative 野狼社区 and Professor of Poetry, ;
•  Writer, illustrator and opera-maker, Dr Rebecca Hurst, who was commissioned to write a poem celebrating the University鈥檚 2024 bicentennial year;
• 野狼社区-based poet and critic, Maryam Hessavi.

Participants are invited to write a micropoem, of no more than 280 characters, and submit via email or on X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #micropoem24. Submissions are open to anybody and can explore Greater 野狼社区鈥檚 industrial past, dive into the modern-day city and everything it has to offer, or even imagine its blossoming future.

Lemn said: 鈥淭he University of 野狼社区鈥檚 micropoetry competition sets the challenging task of translating a theme into a short, tweet-like form. It鈥檚 a craft to tell a story in such a manner and I鈥檓 looking forward to reading the 2024 entries, centred around the chosen theme. As someone who published a book of tweets in the form of quatrains, I urge you to pen your poem and enter our micropoetry competition.鈥�

Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, 10 April 2024, with winners to be announced Friday, 17 May.

Prizes will be awarded for first place (拢500) and the two runners-up (拢250), with a 拢25 book token for winner of the under-18s category. Authors of the top three micropoems and the winner of the under-18 category will also be invited to attend the University of 野狼社区鈥檚 Community Festival on Saturday 8 June 2024.

Find out more and try your hand at the #micropoem24 competition at .

Creative 野狼社区 were pleased to partner with , and , for 鈥楤ernie Sanders in Conversation with Gary Younge鈥� at theatre on Sunday, 18 February 2024. 

This event discussed Senator Sanders鈥� new book, the New York Times and Sunday Times Bestseller 鈥業t鈥檚 Okay to Be Angry About Capitalism鈥�.

Senator Sanders, who is an American politician and activist from Vermont and the longest serving independent member in US congressional history, was interviewed by Professor Gary Younge, the award-winning author, broadcaster, and Professor of Sociology here at the University of 野狼社区.

Sanders and Younge touched on issues in both the UK and US such as the wealth gap, healthcare, the climate crisis, childcare and many more, all in the name of envisioning an alternative path forward where the 鈥榮ystem is no longer rigged against ordinary people鈥�.

Senator Sanders asked how we can accept an economic order that allows three billionaires to control more wealth than the bottom half of our society. 

He also highlighted the failures of the US political system that allows the super-rich to buy elections and politicians and calls for a change to the energy system that rewards the fossil fuel corporations. 

By calling for fundamental economic and political change in his conversation with Gary Younge he provided useful insights into his book and career, which made for an interesting and engaging event.

This year was the 8th International Mother Language Day observed in 野狼社区, a celebration of the cultural diversity and the near 200 languages spoken across the city.

collaborated with partners and colleagues to present a series of events to mark the occasion.

In partnership with the and , a workshop and language themed trail offered visitors of all ages a chance to learn about and celebrate languages and multilingualism. The 鈥楲anguage of Life鈥� workshop, led by Dr Nick Weise and Dr Tine Breban, explored the origins of scientific vocabulary and where the terms we use for chemicals in the body come from. 

The 鈥楲ooking for Languages鈥� trail gave families the chance to explore 野狼社区 Museum鈥檚 exhibits while thinking about languages along the way. Children who took part commented, 鈥業 enjoyed it because I learned so many different things,鈥� 鈥業t was so good,鈥� and 鈥業t was fun exploring.鈥�

In partnership with The University of 野狼社区 and colleagues at hosted the annual 鈥楥omics Up Close鈥� conference, this year with the theme 鈥極rigin Stories鈥� and featuring keynote speakers Dave Gibbons, Steven Appleby and Karrie Fransman. An exhibition, 鈥楥ollectives for Change鈥�, featuring comics from the Arab world, ran alongside the conference. 

This exhibition is also currently hosted at The University of 野狼社区, in the Samuel Alexander Building鈥檚 glass corridor exhibition space, until Friday, 15 March 2024.

To find out more about International Mother Language day and the local celebrations, visit the .

After being awarded funding to foster the growth of Greater 野狼社区's burgeoning CreaTech sector, Digital Futures, Creative 野狼社区, and the Turing Innovation Catalyst (TIC) 野狼社区 are launching an exciting series of networking events.

The event series aims to provide a platform for industry professionals within the creative, technology, and digital realms to connect, collaborate, and explore avenues for collaboration and innovation. Launching in March 2024, these events promise to bring together the vibrant community of digital and creative professionals in the Greater 野狼社区 area.

The event series is in line with the aspirations of the Greater 野狼社区 city region to develop the CreaTech sector and to facilitate partnerships between The University and the wider GM Business Community.

Each networking event will focus on a different section of the CreaTech industries, ranging from Sound and Vision to Fashion and Creative AI. The Digital Artisans networking event will focus on those working in artisan crafts and manual arts looking to learn to exploit the opportunities of CreaTech and position themselves at the intersection of the digital and creative sectors. 

Throughout March 2024 we will be bringing together professionals from the creative, digital and technological industries in Greater 野狼社区 under the overarching theme of "How Do We Make 野狼社区 Great?".
 

The event take place throughout March on the following dates:

Date: 4 March, 2.30pm - 6pm
Location: No. 1 Circle Square, M1 7FS

Date: 14 March, 3pm 鈥� 6pm
Location: GRIT Studios, Great Northern Warehouse, M3 4EN

Date: 21 March, 2.30pm - 6pm
Location: Arbeta, M40 5BP

Date: 26 March, 9.30am - 11.30am
Location: Fire Up Rochdale, OL11 1DN
 

Date: 28 March, 2.30pm - 6pm
Location: Hall茅 St. Peters, M4 6BF
 

The events are free and everyone is welcome to attend.

This year will be the 8th International Mother Language Day observed in 野狼社区, a celebration of the cultural diversity and the near 200 languages spoken across the city.

Creative 野狼社区 has coordinated with partners and colleagues from the , , and the to present events including:

• Wednesday 21 February, all day - at Sheffield Hallam University
• Wednesday 21 February, 1pm-2pm 鈥� at 野狼社区 Museum
• Wednesday 21 February, 1pm-4pm -

Running alongside the Comics Up Close conference at Sheffield Hallam University is the 鈥楥ollectives for Change鈥� exhibition, showcasing the thriving new comic movement across the Arab world. 

We are delighted to also be hosting this exhibition here at The University of 野狼社区. 

You can view the exhibition in the Samuel Alexander Building glass corridor exhibition space, between 19 February-18 March 2024.

The full programme of IMLD 2024 events can be found on the website.

The competition themed is 鈥�200 years of creativity: 野狼社区鈥檚 past, present or future鈥�. Our theme focuses on 野狼社区, a city with a global reach that celebrates its connections across the world. Entries may be submitted between Wednesday, 17 January 2024 and Wednesday, 10 April 2024.

Participants are invited to write a micropoem, in no more than 280 characters, and include the hashtag #micropoem24. Let your imagination lead your discovery and creativity: your micropoem might explore Greater 野狼社区鈥檚 industrial past, or dive into the modern-day 野狼社区 and everything it has to offer. As a pioneer in word-leading research for two centuries, we are sure there鈥檚 more to come, so maybe pen something you see in 野狼社区鈥檚 future.

The launch of this year鈥檚 competition also marks the University of 野狼社区鈥檚 鈥楲ight Up鈥� event that signals the start of our bicentennial activity for 2024.

We are asking you to send us short poems by Wednesday, 10 April 2024. 

Try your hand in our #micropoem24 competition! 

For the full entry details as well as the terms and conditions, visit the .