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Dear Colleague
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Welcome to the latest edition of MetroPolis Matters, where we highlight how Manchester Met research is shaping policy and practice at local, national and international levels. In this issue, we share how academics are providing key evidence to a parliamentary inquiry, alongside a major evaluation from the Centre for Crime and Youth Justice demonstrating significant reductions in unnecessary child custody.
In further policy impact news, new research co-authored by Professor Tamsen Rochat and published in The Lancet Global Health provides compelling evidence that low-cost, frontline-delivered interventions can improve caregiver mental health and parenting outcomes across multiple countries. The findings strengthen the case for embedding caregiver support within health and social care systems to improve family wellbeing and child development outcomes, and MetroPolis is working with Tamsen to explore how these findings can be applied within a UK context.
We also share opportunities to engage with policymakers, practitioners and researchers at a range of June events covering topics from responsible AI and cultural value to place management and youth outcomes. In addition to the below, don’t miss Policy Live 2026. Hosted by Nesta, this annual conference, taking place on 10th September in London, will explore place-based devolution, neighbourhood health, and innovative, design-led policy solutions across the UK.
If you are collaborating with an external policy-orientated organisation, or looking for funding for projects associated with external policy-relevant partners, then the Chancellor’s Fellowship may be a great opportunity to further your research impact. To find out more, please watch our Chancellor’s Fellowship video and contact Nick O’Dowd (n.odowd@mmu.ac.uk) if you have any further questions.
Chancellor’s Fellow Professor Susan Postlethwaite shares her reflections in a blog for us on the recent Arts and Creative Industries Conference she engaged with, revealing funding gaps, policy failures, and the urgent need for leadership in a sector at a critical crossroads.
We also feature two blogs by DISC Virtual Visiting Fellows - Kate FitzGerald on the risks associated with AI chatbots and Camille Chichet on how AI is shaping public administration in the UK and what policymakers should be aware of.
Finally, for our Spotlight this issue, we’re delighted to introduce new colleagues Simon Wilde and Anna Hill, who will be working to enhance Manchester Met’s external engagement and policy connections.
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Manchester Metropolitan University researchers are gaining recognition for their significant contributions to UK policymaking following recent engagements in Parliament
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Grants of £15k–£500k are available for research exploring racial inequalities, identity, belonging, and future pathways to a more inclusive society.
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Manchester Met’s Centre for Crime and Youth Justice has completed an evaluation demonstrating a significant reduction in unnecessary child custody, in a study backed by the Ministry of Justice and the Youth Endowment Fund. Read the full report here.
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Date/time: 2nd June 2026 (10:00-16:00)
Info: A summit exploring the role of cloud infrastructure in enabling ethical and responsible AI within government and academia.
Date/time: 8th-9th June 2026
Info: Hosted at LJMU and co-organised with Manchester Met, this summit explores cultural value, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of heritage.
Date/time: 10th June 2026
Info:The Institute of Place Management's annual symposium will explore the future of place management,high streets and communities.
Date/time: 16th June 2026
Info: Hosted by New Local, this event, taking place in London and online, brings together local government and community leaders to discuss system change, community wealth building, and public service reform.
Date/time: 29th-30th June 2026
Info:This year’s UPEN conference will explore not only why trust is necessary, but also how it is built, maintained and repaired, and the techniques and actions we can take to support this.
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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 Chancellor's Visiting 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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We would like to welcome Simon Wilde and Anna Hill, who joined the Manchester Met External Relations team in mid-May. Simon takes on the role of Communications Manager (External Engagement) and will oversee the University’s stakeholder, political and community engagement, alongside public affairs activity. As Communications Officer (External Engagement), Anna will lead on university-wide stakeholder engagement.
Simon brings extensive experience in communications and public affairs across the health, science and research sectors, including senior roles at NICE, the Medical Research Council, Genomics England and the Health Research Authority. His work has consistently focused on placing research at the heart of decision-making, translating complexity for parliamentarians, policymakers and the public, and building relationships that turn evidence into real-world impact.
He is looking forward to working with MetroPolis and colleagues across the University to raise Manchester Met’s external profile to further reflect the quality of its research. He is particularly keen to hear from academics whose work speaks to current policy debates in Westminster, Whitehall, Greater Manchester and beyond.
With a communications career spanning over 20 years, Anna has worked across a broad range of public sector organisations and government departments, including the Home Office, Defra and the Department for Education. She is looking forward to meeting colleagues throughout the University and supporting the delivery of strategic stakeholder engagement activity that highlights the positive difference Manchester Met is making to people and places. She is particularly interested in how research contributes to national policy development and informs the conversations that drive social change.
As they settle into their new roles, Simon and Anna will be getting in touch with colleagues to introduce themselves and establish faculty connections. If you would like to contact them in the meantime, you can reach Simon at simon.wilde@mmu.ac.uk and Anna at anna.hill@mmu.ac.uk.
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