SEEDs of Change

In 2024, The University of Manchester marked its bicentenary. As the University celebrated two centuries of learning, innovation and research, it also looked to the future and asked what the next century might bring.

Within the School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED), researchers explored and explained the relationships between societies, economies, governments and the environment. Their work ranged from identifying microplastic pollution in rivers to examining the cost-of-living crisis and the impacts of austerity.

Recognising that creating a more equitable and sustainable future requires collective action, SEED launched SEEDs of Change to spark discussion and inspire solutions to some of society's biggest challenges.

Through a series of expert-led calls to action, the initiative highlighted research addressing the following themes, encouraging audiences to join the conversation:

Global inequalities
Sustainable environments
Cities and infrastructure
Digital solutions

Cities and infrastructure

This theme explored how towns, cities and public services can be designed to create fairer, healthier and more resilient communities.

Ideas focused on reducing inequalities in access to resources, improving transport for low-income communities, rethinking urban planning, and ensuring housing and commercial buildings are better prepared for climate change.

Expert ideas:

Address the unequal distribution of resources and services across the UK
A call for change from Prof Cecilia Wong, Planning, Property and Environmental Management.
Recognise that people experience ageing differently
A call for change from Dr Amy Barron, Geography.
Rethink urban planning and place climate consciousness above financial gains
A call for change from Prof Deljana Iossifova, Architecture.
Treat sustainability education as important as reading, writing and arithmetic
A call for change from Dr Joanne Tippett, Planning, Property and Environmental Management.

Digital solutions

This theme examined how technology can be used to improve society while remaining inclusive and human-centred.

Experts called for educational technology to prioritise dialogue and meaningful learning experiences, while exploring how digital approaches can support better educational outcomes and participation.

Expert ideas:

Address the unequal distribution of resources and services across the UK
A call for change from Prof Cecilia Wong, Planning, Property and Environmental Management.
Consider dialogue when designing or utilising educational technology
A call for change from Dr Louis Major, the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE).
Treat sustainability education as important as reading, writing and arithmetic
A call for change from Dr Joanne Tippett, Planning.

Global ineqaulities

This theme tackled some of the most pressing social and economic inequalities affecting communities locally and globally.

Ideas addressed poverty, food insecurity, unequal access to healthcare, support for community organisations, disparities in education, the experiences of mothers in academia, and the challenges faced by marginalised groups across society.

Expert ideas:

Accept students’ different Englishes when marking their written assignments
A call for change from Dr Alex Baratta, the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE)
Address the unequal distribution of resources and services across the UK
A call for change from Prof Cecilia Wong, Planning, Property and Environmental Management.
Democratise political education in schools
A call for change from Dr Edda Sant, the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE).
Develop local solutions for improving school attendance, particularly for children who have special needs
A call for change from Prof Caroline Bond, the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE).
Empower community organisations in the UK and globally, with direct, unconditional financial support
A call for change from Dr Nicola Banks, the Global Development Institute (GDI).
End the dependency on foodbanks and charities as a response to food insecurity and poverty
A call for change from Dr Alison Briggs, Geography and the Manchester Urban Institute (MUI).
Improve access to outdoor and green spaces that inspire physical activity, support wellbeing and a connection with nature
A call for change from Dr Sarah MacQuarrie and Dr Alexandra Hennessey, the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE).
Improve educational and therapeutic support for children with additional needs and their care givers
A call for change from Dr Kelly Burgoyne, the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE).
Improve transport systems to enable low-income communities to access everyday opportunities
A call for change from Prof Karen Lucas, Geography.
Prevent food corporations using financial and climate crises to generate huge profits and fuel inflation
A call for change from Dr Sophie Van Huellen, the Global Development Institute (GDI).
Prioritise children’s emotional wellbeing over school transition periods
A call for change from Dr Charlotte Bagnall, the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE).
Recognise and redress the disadvantages faced by mothers in academia
A call for change from Sandra Clare, the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE).
Recognise that people experience ageing differently
A call for change from Dr Amy Barron, Geography.
Recognise how poverty, power and place shape educational experiences
A call for change from Dr Louisa Dawes and Dr Carl Emery, the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE).
Reform education by listening to young people's experiences
A call for change from Dr Claire Forbes, the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE).
Restore nature for people and the planet by empowering Indigenous and local communities
A call for change from Dr Johan Oldekop, the Global Development Institute (GDI).
Rethink urban planning and place climate consciousness above financial gains
A call for change from Prof Deljana Iossifova, Architecture.
Save lives by increasing access to treatment for heart disease, the world’s biggest killer
A call for change from Dr Gindo Tampubolon, the Global Development Institute (GDI).

Sustainable environments

Experts looked to investigate how people and the planet can thrive together.

Ideas focused on restoring nature through community-led conservation, expanding access to green spaces, embedding sustainability into education, promoting climate-conscious development, and creating environmentally sustainable futures for communities around the world.

Expert ideas:

Address the unequal distribution of resources and services across the UK
A call for change from Prof Cecilia Wong, Planning, Property and Environmental Management.
Empower community organisations in the UK and globally, with direct, unconditional financial support
A call for change from Dr Nicola Banks, the Global Development Institute (GDI).
Improve transport systems to enable low-income communities to access everyday opportunities
A call for change from Prof Karen Lucas, Geography.
Prevent food corporations using financial and climate crises to generate huge profits and fuel inflation
A call for change from Dr Sophie Van Huellen, the Global Development Institute (GDI).
Prioritise climate adaptation for housing and commercial properties
A call for change from Prof Anupam Nanda, Planning, Property and Environmental Management.
Restore nature for people and the planet by empowering Indigenous and local communities
A call for change from Dr Johan Oldekop, the Global Development Institute (GDI).
Rethink urban planning and place climate consciousness above financial gains
A call for change from Prof Deljana Iossifova, Architecture.
Treat sustainability education as important as reading, writing and arithmetic
A call for change from Dr Joanne Tippett, Planning, Property and Environmental Management