A Year of Policy Impact: MetroPolis 2025–26 Highlights
Over the past year, MetroPolis has strengthened its role as a bridge between research, policy and practice, convening influential stakeholders, amplifying academic insight, and supporting evidence-led policymaking. Since September 2025 alone, we have engaged over 500 policymakers and practitioners across a range of organisations, ranging from government departments such as the Department for Work and Pensions, organisations such as the NHS, and regional authorities such as Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
We were delighted to host the AI in Government and Academia Summit 2025, bringing together around 200 policymakers, academics and technologists. Delivered in partnership with DSIT, the event marked a key gathering of the UK Government’s AI Community of Practice and showcased cutting-edge research across sectors including climate, local government and citizen engagement. The summit reinforced the importance of cross-sector collaboration and public trust in AI, with MetroPolis playing a central convening role.
In November, we supported the Elevating Young People’s Voices in Healthcare Summit, co-designed with 42nd Street and delivered with the Institute for Children’s Futures and Manchester City Council. The event brought together practitioners, policymakers and young people to embed lived experience into health policy, focusing on improving access to mental health services and strengthening youth-led accountability. It highlighted the importance of treating young people as equal partners in shaping healthcare systems and laid the groundwork for continued engagement.
A major milestone this year was the publication of the MetroPolis Magazine (Issue 6, 2026) which centred on the theme of Reform. Bringing together leading academics, the publication explored challenges across public services, inclusion, technology and governance, offering forward-looking, evidence-based policy insights. Around 100 copies were distributed to external policymakers and organisations, ensuring the research reached key decision-makers.
We also hosted a DWP Areas of Research Interest (ARI) Roundtable in March 2026, in collaboration with the Decent Work and Productivity Research Centre. The sold-out event connected senior policymakers with researchers through focused sessions on Good Work, including job quality, careers progression and welfare reform. The roundtable strengthened partnerships and demonstrated the growing demand for research-informed policymaking.
The academic year concluded with the Advancing Responsible AI Through Cloud Technology Summit in June 2026, co-hosted with DSIT. The event brought together over 100 attendees from government departments and agencies, including DSIT, DWP and GCHQ, to explore how AI can be responsibly deployed at scale. Discussions focused on governance, accountability and sustainability, reinforcing Manchester Met’s position as a hub for digital policy innovation.
Through the Chancellor’s Fellows programme, MetroPolis continued to support academic engagement with policy. Chancellor’s Fellow Professor Michelle McManus completed her fellowship with the College of Policing, and we supported her to engage with the Crime and Policing Act 2026. Dr Katy Jones also completed a Visiting Fellowship with the Department for Work and Pensions, helping to translate “good work” into practical policy. Ongoing fellows made further contributions: Professor Karen Pashby engaged European policymakers through GENE in Prague and is developing collaborations and a policy brief;
Professor Susan Postlethwaite worked with national stakeholders including the UK Fashion and Textile Association and the House of Lords, with her research cited in parliamentary debate and reports; and Emily Abbott led consultations with staff, students and community stakeholders, with further engagement planned with GMCA and LiveWell. This work will feed into a forthcoming symposium and white paper on intergenerational health policy for Manchester.
Looking Ahead
Together, these highlights reflect a year of meaningful progress in connecting research with real-world policy impact. As MetroPolis continues to support academics, convene partners and drive evidence-informed debate, it remains committed to advancing innovative and inclusive approaches to the complex challenges shaping the UK’s future.
