Welcome to AHEAD
AHEAD (Arts and Humanities Engagement And Dialogue) is the public engagement programme of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Manchester Metropolitan University.
AHEAD – Arts and Humanities Engagement and Dialogue, aims to elevate the Faculty in national discussions, advocating for the significance of arts, humanities, and social sciences in addressing contemporary challenges and making a positive difference.
Our world-leading research and education changes lives. Our expertise spans, art, design, fashion, English, politics, history, sociology, criminology, architecture, journalism, languages and more.
AHEAD presents a rolling programme of events and collaborations on a range of topics, disciplines and research areas from across the faculty and throughout the year.
Please join us in making a positive impact through research.
We hope you enjoy the programme!
Download the Public Engagement Calendar for upcoming activity involving Manchester Met’s Arts and Humanities Researchers
Events Programme
Our Researchers are sharing their creativity and wisdom across the university all year round. Here are a selection of ways you can hear about their impact and conversations
Highlights from the Faculty
Dr Niall Curry appointed as a UKRI Metascience AI Fellow
Dr Niall Curry, Co-Lead of the Manchester Centre for Research in Linguistics appointed as a UKRI Metascience AI Fellow
Information Lives in DIY Culture call for Facilitators
Information Lives in DIY Culture is a day-long event about the relationship between DIY cultures (grassroots and political cultures and practices) and information, archives, libraries and heritage.
Unmasking Gender: Power, Identity, Privilege in Film Conference : Call for Papers
Unmasking Gender: Power, Identity, Privilege in Film Conference : Call for Papers
Professor Kirsty Fairclough will be delivering the keynote for the Unmasking Gender: Power, Identity, Privilege in Film Conference at MediaCity, University of Salford, Manchester, UK on 10th December 2025 convened by Dr Eleftheria Rania Kosmidou and Pete Deakin.
Moving Images: Exploring Migration Through Audiovisual Storytelling
"Moving Images: Audiovisual Representations of Migration and Migrants", brought together academics, artists, community members, and practitioners from across the UK and beyond, fostering rich cross-sector dialogue around migration and representation.
The Cost of Us : Filming for Good
The Cost of Us”, a thought-provoking short film, created by women from Trafford, exploring the impact of the cost of living crisis on women of all ages. Screenings were held in Partington, Stretford and Whalley Range in July 2025.
Bunker Talks Spotlight : Zodwa Nyoni
On 15th July 2025, Bunker Talks made a very significant move to the Grosvenor East building in order to delve into the research and writing of Manchester Met Scriptwriting Lecturer, Zodwa Nyoni.
Ties That Bind: Reflections on Community and Justice
Across 10 screenings between Wednesday 7th May and Friday 27th June 2025, the Manchester Crime and Justice Film Festival showed films which provoke discussions around 21st century crime, justice and punishment.
Games Workshop Research Day : Saturday 11th October 2025
The Manchester Game Centre is hosting its second annual Games Workshop Research Day on 11 October 2025!
Please join us for a day of talks and games.
For its second outing the event will run all day from 9:30am until 8:30pm and has 3 parts.
Join us at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation in Manchester for a day of talks and gaming. This event is free and is open to everyone.