SR Dragons’ Den

In July 2024 we held second SR&EDI Dragons’ Den. Colleagues (academic, research and/or professional services) were invited to pitch for investment (up to £5k) in a SR project which will benefit the School, the University and/or the wider community. We encouraged staff to be creative, innovative and aspirational with their ideas to enhance our input to the SR agenda. The Dragons’ Den pitching took place on 8th of July 2024.

Panel membership:   Karolina Kluk (SHS SR Director), Jayne Ward (School Operations Manager), Maria Panagioti (SR Divisional Lead for Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care), Zainab Abidoye (FBMH Student Inclusion Partner). 

The panel awarded funding to the following six impactful projects:

Sue Astley, Beverly Corbett, Liz Foster

Project title: Saving lives through education 

In memory of 25-year-old Alex, who tragically died from meningitis in 2020, this project aims to equip young adults with the knowledge to recognize serious illness and navigate healthcare systems effectively. Working with Meningitis Now, Dr. Liz Foster, and the PSHE Association, the applicants are developing accredited educational resources for schools to support National Curriculum objectives. These lessons will teach students how to identify ‘red flag’ symptoms and confidently engage with healthcare professionals. With fundraising underway, the researchers aim to launch these life-saving materials in January 2025, helping young people access timely and appropriate care.

Chris Dickinson, Ana Hernandez Trillo

Project title: Bee Eyecare Aware: a student-facilitated programme to improve eye health awareness in underserved populations

“Bee Eyecare Aware” is a student-led, community project aimed at promoting eye health in Manchester by educating children aged 8–12 about the importance of regular eye exams. Building on the success of the national “Eye Heroes” initiative, the University of Manchester’s Optometry students will facilitate workshops in local schools, encouraging children to become advocates for eye health within their families and communities. The project will assess the feasibility of this model and its potential to improve eye health literacy, increase eye exam uptake, and offer meaningful community engagement for students. The project aims for sustainability and long-term community benefit.

Lisa Riste, Penny Lewis, Harsha Parmar, Ketan Parmar, Gabrielle Saunders

Project title: Understanding the needs of people with sight and/or hearing impairments to enhance pharmacy, optometry and audiology practice

This project aims to enhance pharmacy students’ understanding of medication safety challenges faced by people with sight and hearing impairments. Building on previous research with NIHR Greater Manchester, the researchers highlight the increased risk of medication errors for individuals with sensory impairments. Through interactive sessions like “Ask Us,” “In My Shoes” simulations, and Deaf awareness workshops, students will learn practical strategies to improve communication and care for these vulnerable groups. Partnering with the Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, we will also provide students access to online courses, ensuring they are better equipped to support safe medication use in their future careers.

Christine Rowland, Patty Doran, Helen Brewis

Project title: Creating a compassionate campus at the University of Manchester

This project aims to explore how the University of Manchester can become a Compassionate University, focusing on support for staff and students during end-of-life care, bereavement, and grief. Inspired by the Compassionate Communities movement, the project will involve a university-wide survey to gather experiences and insights from staff, students, and HR on how the university currently supports these challenges. Two workshops will be held to plan the survey, analyze data, and discuss steps towards creating a compassionate campus. The goal is to establish a vision for a Compassionate University and pursue a ‘Compassionate Employers’ award with Hospice UK.

Andrew Devereau, Helen Hulme, Peter Freeman

Project title: A Toolkit to Engage young adults with Bioinformatics

This project aims to develop an engaging toolkit to introduce young adults to bioinformatics, highlighting its crucial role in healthcare. Bioinformatics, the application of computer tools to genetic data, is an essential skill in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, research, and healthcare. To inspire students towards careers in bioinformatics, especially within the NHS, the toolkit will offer hands-on activities and access to real genetic data. The project will involve interviews with experts, testing activities with students, and creating online resources. The final toolkit will include physical resources, lesson plans, and a website, making bioinformatics more accessible and appealing at school career events.

Antje Heinrich, Helen Chilton

Project title: Evaluation of a national resource supporting pragmatic language development in deaf children

his project aims to improve a newly developed resource that helps deaf children acquire pragmatic language skills, crucial for social and academic success. Created by an interdisciplinary team, the resource, launched in October 2023, is used by Teachers of the Deaf (ToDs) and parents. However, its effectiveness has yet to be fully evaluated. Through two in-depth workshops with ToDs and parents, the project will gather feedback on how well the resource meets users’ needs and how it can be improved. The revised resource and guidance will be shared for free on the NDCS website and other platforms, benefiting deaf children across the UK.

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