Sustainability

Sustainability is a key focus in the Faculty of Humanities, shaping how we understand and respond to environmental challenges.

We examine sustainability through its social, cultural and economic dimensions, exploring how environmental challenges affect people, societies and everyday life. This work helps inform policy, practice and public debate, including research led by centres such as the Manchester Urban Institute.

Our work

Our work brings together research, teaching and collaboration to address global challenges and support more sustainable futures. We work with external partners to apply this knowledge in practice and support real-world change.

Areas of focus

Our sustainability work spans a range of themes and disciplines, including:

• climate change and society;
• environmental justice;
• sustainable development;
• urban sustainability;
• and global inequalities and environmental impact.

Learning and teaching

Sustainability is embedded across our curriculum, giving students opportunities to engage with real world challenges through their studies and initiatives such as the Sustainability Challenge.

Our approach

We consider how our own practices, including resource use and travel, can reduce environmental impact and support long‑term change.

Our impact

By connecting research, teaching and partnerships, we help shape policy, inform public debate and support action at local, national and global levels.

This aligns with the University of Manchester’s wider commitment to social responsibility, bringing together environmental sustainability, social impact and civic engagement.