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Dear Colleague
From pioneering AI leadership to criminal justice reform, this edition of the MetroPolis newsletter highlights how academic insight is shaping real-world outcomes. We are delighted to announce Dr Tommaso Spinelli as the first recipient of the Visiting Chancellor’s Fellowship. We also share highlights from our highly successful research symposium, organised in partnership with the Criminal Justice Alliance.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about the upcoming Community Wealth Building Summit 2025—featuring keynote speaker Mayor Andy Burnham. This major gathering of local policymakers and economic leaders will explore how to build more democratic and equitable futures. We’re also pleased to share news and details of further upcoming events and activities supported by MetroPolis. These include a conference on combating drug abuse, a new interdisciplinary sandpit event and Dr Lucy Montague, who will be networking with policymakers at: Transforming Northern Ireland’s Economy, hosted by Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
We're also excited about Made in Manchester, featured in the new Institute for Children’s Futures' newsletter. This bold research stream aims to build the largest data repository on children and young people in Greater Manchester. By connecting existing knowledge across the region, the initiative will generate evidence-based insights to improve outcomes and inform targeted interventions across key areas such as health, education, and well-being.
Plus, don’t miss our latest blog by Jamie Atkinson, which examines how Gender Equality Plans could transform UK workplaces under proposed employment legislation.
With new opportunities such as the Chancellor’s Visiting Fellowship and a packed calendar of events, this issue is full of inspiration for researchers seeking to influence policy and practice.
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Dr Tommaso Spinelli, a leading figure in the AI adoption field, is the first recipient of a prestigious Chancellor’s Visiting Fellowship.
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MetroPolis co-organised a thought-provoking research symposium on the theme of building a ‘safer’ criminal justice system.
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The first in a new series of workshops, this training brought together academic researchers to explore innovative and creative approaches to policy-making.
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Date/time: Wednesday 6th May-Friday 27th June
Info: A summer film festival screening great films which provoke debate and provide an alternative take on crime, justice and punishment in the 21st century.
Date/time: Tuesday 10th June 09:30-13:00
Info: A half-day ISSDP 2025 workshop on drug-related deaths, hosted by DPSC Manchester Met & EURONET SSD DRD, exploring global challenges and solutions.
Date/time: Wednesday 25th June 10:00-11:00
Info: This event explores the dynamic intersection of law, urban environments, and sustainability, showcasing cutting-edge interdisciplinary research from Manchester Law School. Researchers from all disciplines are welcome.
Date/time: Thursday 3rd July 2025 09:00-16:30
Info: The Community Wealth Building (CWB) Summit 2025, organised by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), will bring together local economic stakeholders and policymakers to explore how community wealth building and local democracy can empower communities.
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We offer a number of routes for enhancing the policy impact of your research. You can apply for support through the links below. To find out which is the most suitable for your work, or for more tailored support, please reach out to the MetroPolis team.
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The Chancellor’s Fellowship: Our prestigious MetroPolis Chancellor's Fellowship scheme offers high-quality researchers from Manchester Met placements with policy organisations including government departments, charities and think tanks.
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The Visiting Chancellor's Fellowship: This opportunity enables expert policymakers to collaborate with teams of researchers at Manchester Met to facilitate policy impact.
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Rapid Funding Scheme: A quick turnaround funding scheme for a range of activities to enhance the policy impact of research including events, travel, networking and (non academic) publications.
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1-1 Policy Coaching: A one-to-one service for support with your pathways to policy impact delivered by Showrunner Communications, who are experts in public policy.
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This month's blog, written by Jamie Atkinson, senior lecturer at Manchester Met, explores the emerging requirement for UK companies to implement Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) under the proposed Employment Rights Bill, examining their potential to drive meaningful change in the workplace. |
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MetroPolis is proud to welcome Dr Tommaso Spinelli (MBA) as the first recipient of the newly established Chancellor’s Visiting Fellowship, awarded through MetroPolis. A leading figure in the AI field, Tommaso will collaborate with Manchester Met researchers to ensure academic research can support the public sector and have meaningful impact on its adoption of AI.
Currently Artificial Intelligence Senior Change Manager at the Government Digital Service (GDS), Tommaso works on AI adoption in the public sector. A board member of the AI Community of Practice, Tommaso coordinates the delivery of technical guidance on AI, including the recently published AI Playbook for the UK Government 2025 and AI Insights series on gov.uk.
As an academic, Tommaso has published several contributions on the impact of new technologies on education and the computational processing of natural languages. He now plans to conduct research into methodologies and technologies that can support the safe and effective use of AI in government, exploring how researchers and public institutions can meaningfully collaborate to accelerate the responsible integration of cutting-edge research and tech into the public sector.
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