Beck Chamberlain Heslop: Bee-ing in Manchester as a non-binary person
When I first came to Manchester four years ago, it felt (pardon the cliché) different to any other place I had lived. On this day of non-binary visibility, I am reminded that we have so many allies. Along with Manchester’s trans and gender non-conforming community, they are the ones who make this city, and this university, feel like home for me.
Sylvia Masters: Sustainability – Reflections on Climate Action
As we continue to face bouts of extreme heat and sunshine followed by the inevitable rain and wind in Manchester and across the UK, it is difficult not to think of the climate crisis. In this blog, I reflect on set-backs and successes in climate action, to consider where we go from here. To achieve real progress, sustainability cannot be separated from equity and justice, it must be co-created and co-led by our communities, and it must radically reimagine growth.
Ameera Jamil: Why Charter Marks Matter—and How The University of Manchester is Leading the Way with EmilyTest
The EmilyTest Gender-Based Violence Charter, created in memory of Emily Drouet, pushes universities to ask: Would our policies have saved Emily’s life? This year, The University of Manchester joined the pilot, taking a proactive role in fostering safer campuses and adapting practices to new regulations.
Lizzy Cottrell: Fertility Journeys Staff Network
Infertility affects around 1 in 6 people of reproductive age. At our University, with roughly 12,000 employees, this equates to around 2,000 current staff members experiencing some form of fertility issue during their lifetime. The Fertility Journeys staff network has recently been established to support colleagues affected by fertility issues, providing a safe space for sharing experiences and raising awareness within the community.
Dr. Bean Sharp: IDAHOBLIT 2025
IDAHOBLIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia or International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination), is a key date in the EDI calendar, marking the start of summer celebrations of LGBTQ+ acceptance and inclusion and prompting reflections on how far we have yet to go.
Dr Perpetual Eze-Idehen: UoM Parents and Carers Network Hosts – Building Community Through Celebration, Connection & Well-being
The University of Manchester’s Parents, Carers and Guardians Network celebrate Eid with engaging activities, partner with Champions Basketball Club to promote family well-being through sport, and host another Lunch & Connect session to support parents and carers, fostering inclusion and community across the university.
Louise Courtney: Trusting Your Gut and Answering the Drip
Have you ever noticed something—a comment, a glance, or an action—that left you unsettled? Maybe it wasn’t overtly wrong, and if you told someone else, they might not understand why it bothered you. Even so, you felt it—that discomfort in your gut, telling you something wasn’t quite right. This is where being an Active Bystander matters.
Melanie Price: Staff Networks
There’s an old saying, “Birds of a Feather Flock Together.” When you look around at nature, you can see it’s true. By networking, we get the opportunity to flock with people who share our interests and values – building strength in identity and providing a platform for ideas and feedback.
Dr Perpetual Eze-Idehen: Easter and Lent Reflection
As the seasons transition from winter’s cold embrace to the budding warmth of spring, Christians worldwide embark on a profound journey of faith, reflection, repentance, and renewal known as Lent. This ancient tradition spans the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.
Quincy Ernest: “No One Will Help Me” – A Lesson in Being an Active Bystander
“No one will help me,” my co-worker told me, their voice low, tired—almost resigned. It was 2008, the year of the financial crash. For my co-worker, it wasn’t just about the economy. They were the only ethnic minority in their team, and when the layoffs came, they were the first to go. No redundancy consultation, no fair process. When they approached HR, they were met with cold formalities. The union? Even they hesitated, unwilling to take on a fight that might not be won. That’s when I asked if I could help. I wasn’t in a position of power. I wasn’t a lawyer. But I had a choice: to be just another bystander watching the inevitable play out – or to be active.
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