We are a research and scholarship group based in the Manchester Institute of Education that is committed to making higher education work better for everyone. We align with the University of Manchester’s core social responsibility mission and global inequalities beacon, interpreting these to mean that higher education should be inclusive, civically engaged, and contribute to a wide range of public goods. By working better for everyone, we mean higher education should benefit all students, workers, communities, employers, wider societies, and beyond.

Our approach is underpinned by a set of shared commitments, including:

• Fairness, meaning we examine how different groups in society can access and benefit from universities more equitably, and experience higher education in ways less determined by their social backgrounds

• Global Solidarity, meaning we evaluate how universities can recognise their historic advantages, collaborate across borders to dismantle global inequalities, and respond ethically to global and local needs

• Criticality, meaning we explore how universities can develop the methodologies and thinking tools needed to question taken-for-granted assumptions about education, scrutinise claims about merit and neutrality, and examine the ideological and political forces shaping higher education
  
• Transparency, meaning we advocate for universities which are open about their activities, decisions and priorities, and are fully accountable to the communities they serve, whether staff and student communities, employers, local communities or society at large

We approach this work using different research methodologies, but share an ethos of engaged scholarship that acts in collaboration and community with others. We seek dialogue and solidarity across the many groups who are impacted by higher education, working alongside students, academics, staff members, policymakers, and communities. Our research and scholarship recognises the value of collective inquiry and action for making meaningful change.

Our members

We have around 40 core members based in the Manchester Institute of Education and over 150 affiliate members from across the University of Manchester and externally.

Find out more about our core members’ profiles, including their expertise and interest areas:

We welcome contact from individuals and organisations who may wish to visit us for research projects, expert commentary, or consultancy. HERE@Manchester members are also willing to give comments to the media and press regarding issues connected to higher education. Please feel welcome to contact individual members or our shared inbox at: HERE@manchester.ac.uk

our activities

We organise regular events, including workshops, research seminars, webinars, invited speakers, and more. Find out more about our upcoming events at:

We are happy to hear from you if you would like to share your work through one of our future events. You can contact us at: HERE@manchester.ac.uk