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Features Archive


Colour and community: How a Fallowfield gardening project is making the community blossom
7th July 2023

Colour and community: How a Fallowfield gardening project is making the community blossom

Native flowers, wild grasses and garden herbs — community group ‘Fallowfield Tree Bases’ are planting more than new bulbs but rather sowing the seeds for a more vibrant and collaborative neighbourhood.
Activist Peter Singer speaks out on student protests and veganism
4th June 2023

Activist Peter Singer speaks out on student protests and veganism

Animal rights activist Peter Singer sits down with the Mancunion to discuss a need for greater student activism and non-violent protests despite their controversy
11th May 2023

How Mayfield Park is turning an abandoned space into a Mancunian heartland

Mayfield Park is quickly turning a once abandoned space into a core, green part of Manchester’s urban life. But how did the site’s developers turn a once disregarded lot into a natural Mancunian paradise?
How helping an older neighbour had given me much more than a chance to volunteer
10th May 2023

How helping an older neighbour had given me much more than a chance to volunteer

As we grow older, we grow more detached from the world, often without choice. However, Manchester tackles issues of isolation and the generational gap with its community programmes, sparking life back into the retirement years.
Catching up with stand up Schalk Bezuidenhout ahead of his Mancunian debut
7th May 2023

Catching up with stand up Schalk Bezuidenhout ahead of his Mancunian debut

As Schalk Bezuidenhout takes the stage across the UK, we caught up with the award-winning South African comedian on what to expect from his energising shows.
Redundancies in hospitality sector raise anxieties among students
30th April 2023

Redundancies in hospitality sector raise anxieties among students

Several redundancies in the service industry have left many students uncertain and anxious about their time at the University. We look at how recent Manchester closures are affecting student employees.
Six Mancunian women who made Britain
10th April 2023

Six Mancunian women who made Britain

The Mancunion explores six women who lived in and around Manchester who all helped shape modern Britain, from LGBTQ+ activism to black rights.
Purple Collective: UoM students revolutionise how poetry is enjoyed
26th March 2023

Purple Collective: UoM students revolutionise how poetry is enjoyed

The Mancunion sat down with Purple Collective, a new group fusing jazz and poetry, finding out who they are, their future plans, and why students should care about the arts.
“If we don’t laugh, we’ll cry”: São Paulo UoM student on poverty, democracy and life in Brazil
25th March 2023

“If we don’t laugh, we’ll cry”: São Paulo UoM student on poverty, democracy and life in Brazil

Maju Muchon, a first-year psychology student at UoM, tells the Mancunion about the crises of poverty and democracy in Brazil, as well as how Brazilian students in Manchester are struggling with the cost of living.
“A duty to stand in solidarity”: Peter Tatchell on his LGBTQ+ activism
23rd March 2023

“A duty to stand in solidarity”: Peter Tatchell on his LGBTQ+ activism

Peter Tatchell discusses a life dedicated to the liberation of LGBTQ+ people, including risking his own freedom when protesting in Qatar last year.

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Why Withington Walls are so colourful
20th March 2023

Why Withington Walls are so colourful

The Mancunion explores the history behind Withington’s colourful street art, discussing the impact it’s had on Mancunian life with its creator.
For the love of the underground: In conversation with DR3 Sounds
17th March 2023

For the love of the underground: In conversation with DR3 Sounds

DR3 is an exciting part of the Manchester music scene. Made up of UoM students, they perform across the city with fusions of many different genres. The Mancunion discusses their history as a group and what they plan to do next.
Before the downfall: Catching up with the Sam Alex Occupiers
17th March 2023

Before the downfall: Catching up with the Sam Alex Occupiers

In just a few short weeks, UoM Rent Strike’s occupation has taken on wins and defeats. Before it all kicked off, we paid the Sam Alex occupiers a visit to see what was occurring before UoM intervened.
Redefining “The Safe Space”: Black Girls’ Space
10th March 2023

Redefining “The Safe Space”: Black Girls’ Space

Black Girl’s Space disproves orthodox notions of what safe spaces are, and what they achieve
It’s just banter: The acceptance and whitewashing of Lad Culture
7th March 2023

It’s just banter: The acceptance and whitewashing of Lad Culture

Arising from the 90s Brit-Pop era, Lad Culture has been accepted and cemented itself into UK life. But what are the consequences of this? And is it just a bit of ‘banter’?
In conversation with Dick and Dom: The return of Da Bungalow
28th February 2023

In conversation with Dick and Dom: The return of Da Bungalow

They’re back, causing mayhem live on stage, reliving the 2000s glory of ‘Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow’. We sit down with the duo to discuss success, the death of CBBC and DJing at BoomTown.
Blended and Flexible Learning explained: Under the Spotlight with Dan George
27th February 2023

Blended and Flexible Learning explained: Under the Spotlight with Dan George

Dan George, Vice-President for blended and flexible learning, sets out the university’s new digital skills strategy and what it means for students and staff alike
“I was barely aware of my own feelings”: Fleeing China’s reign over freedom and thought
16th February 2023

“I was barely aware of my own feelings”: Fleeing China’s reign over freedom and thought

Chinese international student Emma reveals the conflicting realities of life in China, from female freedoms to relentless attainment and nationalism
“We can have a better Britain, a better world”: Under the Spotlight with Afzal Khan
14th February 2023

“We can have a better Britain, a better world”: Under the Spotlight with Afzal Khan

Representing so many students in his constituency, Afzal Khan MP gave The Mancunion his insights into some of Manchester’s biggest issues
Ongoing resistance: Manchester shows solidarity with Iranian women
9th February 2023

Ongoing resistance: Manchester shows solidarity with Iranian women

Following the brutality in Iran, we spoke to protestors outside Manchester’s Islamic Centre, uncovering their reasons for resistance and experiences in Iran.