Social responsibility

Social responsibility describes the way that our School is making a difference to the social and environmental wellbeing of communities on campus, in Manchester, and around the world.

Social responsibility is built into every aspect of life in the School, including our teaching, research, and public events and activities.

Our priorities form part of the University’s overarching goals around social responsibility. 

It covers many different types of activity, including:

Business, civic, and public engagement

We recognise the power of our research to influence the policies, priorities and programmes of a range of governmental, business and non-profit organisations working to improve society and economy. We recognise the impact our activities have on communities in Manchester and beyond, nationally and internationally.

Through our commitment to Social Responsibility, we invest in building and sustaining our relationships across these communities and commit to engaging and partnering with diverse organisations to support new conversations and new ideas to improve lives.

Explore some of our projects: 

Our research doesn’t just shape and influence the ideas of policy-makers. We are proud to see SEED colleagues commercialising their research into non-profit ventures that benefit people, society and the economy.

Explore some of these projects:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion issues are the responsibility of all members of the School. At The University of Manchester, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion forms one of the priority areas in ‘Our Futures’ which is the document outlining the vision and strategic plan of the University.

This sets out the desire that “our students and staff will be representative of the diversity of talent in our communities.” And emphasises that equality, diversity and inclusion strengthen the University and should be at the heart of our core activities of teaching, research and social responsibility.  

In SEED, we have an EDI team made up of the Associate Director for EDI and the Director for Social Responsibility, along with staff leads for Disability Equality, Race Equality, Gender and Sexuality Equality, and Taught Students as well as Postgraduate Researcher representatives.  

In December 2023, the School was granted the Athena Swan Silver Award. The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research.

Our activity is currently shaped around five themes: 

  • Belonging, influence and respect
  • Inclusive teaching, supervision and student support
  • Fair leadership and progression
  • Supporting staff and students with caring responsibilities
  • Support when things go wrong

Are you a member of SEED Staff? Please visit our EDI intranet pages (login required) for more information and to apply for funding to run projects with the aim of enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion within SEED.

Teaching and learning and supporting student change-makers

We recognise the power of our students as change-makers in the world, both today and into the future. We strive to give students the ability to lead Social Responsibility activities in SEED and to enable them to become socially responsible graduates equipped to navigate and make positive contributions in increasingly uncertain worlds.

The University Living Lab led by SEED's Professor Jennifer O'Brien, helps to develop student research projects in partnership with external organisations, to help them meet their sustainability goals in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Founded in SEED, and available to University of Manchester staff and students. 

Alongside The University of Manchester SR initiatives such as Stellify and activity led by the Faculty of Humanities, students are encouraged to get involved with SEED led activities and Students' Union societies:

  • SEED Change-Maker - A Stellify accredited role in the Step up and Lead category, open to both UG and PGT students within SEED, established by Professor Nicola Banks
  • Community Mapping - Creating maps of previously un-mapped areas of the world, in order to help address chronic humanitarian crises, established by Professor Jonny Huck
  • One World Together Students' Union Society - supporting One World Together C.I.C. a solidarity-based movement transforming funding for equitable and impactful global development
  • MUGS Students' Union Society - Manchester University Geography Society (MUGS) is the oldest society at the University, bringing together Geographers from all year groups to socialise and learn
  • Tree Musketeers Students' Union Society- Where students can get out into nature and get their hands dirty in some conservation-based tasks

Sustainability@SEED

The School of Environment, Education and Development aims to embed sustainability as a key theme in teaching and research, as a meaningful contribution to The University of Manchester's Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023 – 2028: Our Sustainable Future.

A steering group, led by Heather Alberro, Lecturer in Sustainability, with representatives across SEED departments, works to facilitate collaborations amongst SEED staff and students for promoting and embedding transformative sustainability across relevant school activities.

The Symposium: 'Getting Serious About Sustainability: Research, Education and Advocacy', held from 22–23 May 2025, was the first major event organised by Sustainability@SEED working group. 

SEED has a Sustainable Travel policy guiding all staff in making climate conscious decisions, and a Sustainable Travel Alternatives Routes Fund (STAR Fund) to support sustainable travel options. We also have a SEED eVehicle available to staff to travel locally for work purposes.

SEED's Laboratories have been certified as operating to a Gold standard in the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF).

Find out more about environmental sustainability activities on the Faculty webpage.

Are you a member of SEED Staff? Please visit our intranet (login required) for more information and guidance about sustainability in our School.

Catalyst funding for staff and student projects

SEED staff and students who have a great idea to make a difference can apply for funds through the SEED Social Responsibility Catalyst Fund.

A call for applications is circulated early in Semester 1, with an additional funding call in Semester 2 if funds are still available. 

SEED staff can find further information on our intranet (login required)

Catalyst Fund Projects 2023/2024

Please contact SEED's Director for Social Responsibility, Nicola Banks, if you're interested in learning more about or getting involved in Social Responsibility in SEED.