Our Reports & Publications
MetroPolis publishes a magazine and works with our academics to produce policy reports to help bridge the gap between researchers, practitioners and policymakers
Reports
MetroPolis develops reports to help researchers, practitioners and policy makers interact. We also provide training for researchers seeking to influence policy.
The MetroPolis Magazine
The MetroPolis Magazine is our flagship publication that showcases Manchester Metropolitan University’s policy relevant research. You can read and download a copy of our latest magazine by clicking the button below.
Explore our Policy Reports
Tackling the NEET Crisis
In their policy briefing, Professor Lisa Russell and Dr Katherine Davey set out recommendations for improving the quality and targeting of support provided to young people at risk of exclusion from secondary school.
Policy Priorities to Support Relational Public Services (December 2025)
In this policy briefing, Professor Chris Fox and Professor Hannah Hesselgreaves make the case for placing relational public services at the heart of public service reform, rather than relying primarily on targets and technology-driven solutions.
Putting “good work” at the centre of employment policy (October 2025)
Drawing from her research and experiences as a Chancellor’s Fellow at the Department for Work and Pensions, Dr Katy Jones outlines her policy recommendations on how to secure better employment outcomes for jobseekers.
In the margins: Taking action on children and young people’s health (September 2025)
This report by Professor Deborah James examines the mental health crisis facing young people and details key findings for policymakers
Harnessing Hydrogen Harnessing Hydrogen: Exploring the Challenges to Real-World Impact (May 2025)
Hydrogen is key to the UK’s Net-Zero transition, but its large-scale deployment is hindered by fragmented development, policy uncertainty, outdated regulations, and weak cross-sector collaboration.
Racial Disproportionality in the Youth Justice System (May 2025)
This policy briefing outlines the research findings revealed by Dr Anne-Marie Day et al and provides key policy recommendations to make a fairer youth justice system.
Honour-Based Suicides: Shaping Criminal Law (May 2025)
This report highlights the issues surrounding forced and honour-based suicides, and comes with recommendations for policymakers on how women can be safeguarded from abuse and harm. A policy briefing document is also available here.
APR Wales Main Report (March 2025)
A thematic practice review by Professor Michelle McManus on safeguarding adults in Wales. A reflective learning and action point plan can be found here and a policy briefing can be read here.
Pay in Adult Social Care: How much does it vary and why does it matter? (March 2025)
This policy brief demonstrates how low pay is a barrier to the effective recruitment and retention of care workers and why this needs to be resolved.
Rethinking the Circular Economy (January 2025)
A policy briefing by MetroPolis that showcases Manchester Met’s research in this area and also contains a number of policy recommendations to unlock the potential of the circular economy.
Endometriosis: Challenges Accessing Workplace Support (December 2024)
A policy briefing by Dr Jasmine Hearn that highlights the challenges facing women with this debilitating condition and how policymakers and employers should support them.
Innovation, Improvement and Impact: How our Research Shapes the World (December 2024)
An overview published by MetroPolis outlining Manchester Met’s research strengths.
Child Practice Reviews (November 2023-August 2024)
An overview of Child Practice Reviews in Wales in November 2023, with a further update in August 2024 which examined the 12Cs of safeguarding.
The Rwanda Policy and the European Convention on Human Rights (June 2024)
An analysis of UK legal and policy duties.
Innovation Accelerators: Designing effective academia-industry collaboration to drive knowledge and technology diffusion (May 2024)
A briefing paper exploring how to accelerate innovation by better understanding the impact of collaboration between industry and academia.
Young People’s Engagement with the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit’s Strategy 2023/2024 (March 2024)
A report examining the views and opinions of violence from young people in Greater Manchester.
Read the full press release here.
A Good Work Revolution: How to improve the UK’s employment landscape and tackle inequality (April 2024)
A policy briefing paper highlighting research from across Manchester Met on how the roles and responsibilities of DWP, Jobcentres and employers all must change in order to improve outcomes for those in the UK’s labour market.
Boxing and its Societal Effects: A Literature Review (March 2024)
A report assessing the societal effects of boxing, commissioned by the All‑Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing.
Honour-based abuse in the courts: shaping strategy for key issues – Full Report (March 2024)
A report highlighting findings and recommendations from Dr. Maz Idriss’ research around Honour-Based Abuse (HBA) and Forced Marriages (FM) in the Courts.
An updated policy brief, published in January 2025, is available here.
A Road Map to a Child-Centred Youth Justice System (March 2024)
A report by Manchester Met’s Professor Hannah Smithson, exploring a child centred youth justice system.
Uncertain Futures: 100 Women – Manifesto (March 2024)
A manifesto calling for action to tackle the inequalities facing older women in relation to work, both paid and unpaid.
Progress report on the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, 2021-2023 (November 2023)
A report to assess the progress made in the first phase of implementation of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, from 2021 to mid-2023.
High Streets Task Force – Annual Report 2022-2023
The Annual Report for the UK Government’s High Streets Task Force, containing case studies, evidence of impact, and insight from professional bodies, the report summarises the Task Force’s key activity over the year.
Well Women in the Workplace: Shaping Strategy for Key Health Issues (October 2023)
A summary document containing key findings and recommendations on women’s health issues.
The BASES Expert Statement on Physical Activity and Limiting Sedentary Behaviour for Effective Management of Sarcopenia in Community-dwelling Older Adults (October 2023)
An expert statement on the effective management of Sarcopenia in older adults by academics.
Care Experience, Ethnicity and Youth Justice Involvement: Key Trends and Policy Implications (September 2023)
A policy briefing based on research into care experience, ethnicity and youth justice involvement.
Northern Care Alliance Well Women Strategy: Research into practice on women’s health in the workplace (August 2023)
A research report exploring women’s health issues, based on bespoke surveys to employees, it includes multiple policy recommendations.
Keeping Girls and Young Women Safe: Protecting and supporting the girls and young women at risk of exploitation, violence, gangs and harm (July 2023)
A joint report on girls who are at risk of violence, exploitation, harm, and involvement with gangs.
GMTRENDS: 2022 Monitoring Cycle – Full Report (June 2023)
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) commissioned this report monitoring emerging substance use trends and changes in drug markets across Greater Manchester.
Research Services: A New Approach to Leveraging Sports Legacies: Social Impact, Inclusivity and Pre-legacies (March 2023)
A report exploring the approach to delivering the Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) 2021 and how legacies and social impact were leveraged.
Explore our Previous Policy Reports
Webinars
‘From Harm to Hope’: Opportunities and Challenges for Criminal Justice and Social Work Professionals – Wednesday 28th June 2023
Exploring the impact on probation work and social work of Dame Carol Black’s review of drugs and the subsequent 10-year government strategy with Professor Robert Ralphs (Manchester Metropolitan University), Ellie Reed (Change Grow Live) and Kevin Ball (HMI Probation).