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Features Archive


Should museums repatriate stolen artefacts? In conversation with Dr. Njabulo Chipangura
23rd November 2023

What would it mean to decolonise an inherently colonial centre? We sat down to speak with Dr. Njabulo Chipangura at the Manchester Museum, to find out more about how the museum is re-evaluating its role in colonial knowledge production

Inside Taylormania: What does it really mean to be a fan of the world’s biggest super-star?
22nd November 2023

Just 55 shows into her record-breaking international stadium tour, Taylor Swift is bigger than ever. From sold-out shows, a recent re-recording project (Taylor’s Version), and politicised documentaries, we ask: what does it really mean to be a fan of the world’s biggest superstar?

“Manchester inspired the movement here”: The Students’ Union President making headlines in Dublin
14th November 2023

A landslide election victory this year brought self-described ‘council communist’ László Molnárfi the presidency of the Students’ Union at Trinity College Dublin. A series of direct actions since his election have cost Trinity College financially and made national headlines while dividing students and sparking debate about the role of Students’ Unions

Student comedy in Manchester: In conversation with the founder of ‘The Giggle Arena’
6th November 2023

Looking for a unique way to spend your Sunday nights? Consider trying ‘The Giggle Arena’, a weekly student comedy night in Fallowfield founded by student comedian Alfie Carter

Napoli: The love-hate relationship Neapolitans have with their city
1st November 2023

Naples is a city which evokes contention, both among tourists and native Italians. The Mancunion discusses the beautiful mess that is Napoli, one of the most densely populated cities in all of Europe

In conversation with the Feminist Collective: “It’s about making sure that no one’s voice goes unheard”
17th October 2023

The Mancunion sat down with the University of Manchester’s Feminist Collective to talk about their society values, their plans for the year ahead, and intersectional feminism

Who are our cities built for? (And why is it only men?)
10th October 2023

The Mancunion discusses feminist urbanism, who our cities are built for, and how we can make them more inclusive spaces

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

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

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

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?

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How helping an older neighbour had given me much more than a chance to volunteer
10th May 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Withington Walls are so colourful
20th March 2023

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

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

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.