At the end of March, the Sustainability Team was proud to support the very first Manchester Unhackathon – an interdisciplinary pilot event that bought together four universities, expert voices from social enterprise, and a room full of driven students ready to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges.
Held at Sister – a welcoming and energetic space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter – the Unhackathon was anything but your typical problem-solving event. Instead of chasing quick fixes, the day focused on systems thinking, equity, and root-cause analysis. The result? A collaborative and reflective environment where students could stretch their creativity, share diverse perspectives, and generate ideas that have the potential to make a real impact.
What is an “Unhackathon”?
Unlike traditional hackathons, which are often fast-paced and tech-heavy, the Unhackathon was designed to slow things down – encouraging students to explore underlying problems first, before jumping to solutions. The day opened with a powerful discussion that touched on critical themes such as:
- Food justice
- Climate law and sustainability
- Health equity
- Women’s entrepreneurship
- Digital accessibility for wheelchair users
- Refugee and migrant support
Speakers and panellists included a brilliant mix of social entrepreneurs, community leaders, and advocates including Dr Suneel Kunamaneni PhD MBA, Corin Bell, Gulnaz Brennan, Kellie Bubble, Louise Smail, Magdalen Bartlett, Adam Longmate EngTech TMIET, and Michael Ritson. Their insights help introduce the students to the reality of the issues being explored.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Action
One of the most exciting aspects of the Unhackathon was the mix of disciplines and institutions. Students from:
- The University of Salford
- The University of Manchester
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- Royal Northern College of Music
…came together in cross-university teams to co-create solutions to briefs provided by real-world organisations. From redesigning the digital experience for wheelchair users, to rethinking community food systems, the pitches were thoughtful, inclusive, and future-focused.
Reflecting and Looking Ahead
Following the group pitches, the day ended with time for collective reflection – a crucial part of the Unhackathon ethos. Students shared what they had learned not just about the challenges, but about collaboration itself: the importance of active listening, slowing down, and co-creating with empathy.
We’re incredibly proud of the students who took time out of a busy term to engage so fully with this opportunity. Their energy, compassion, and drive to make change is impressive.
A Thank You to Our Collaborators
Events like this don’t happen without a strong community. Special thanks to:
- Dr Suneel Kunamaneni PhD MBA (UoM), Ambarin Asad (UoS), Catherine Brentnall (MMU), and Dr Michelle Phillips (RNCM) for organising and facilitating the day with care and purpose
- Jenna Gibson and the team at Sister for their support
- And of course, the panellists, facilitators, and students who brought the Unhackathon to life
What’s Next?
The success of the first Unhackathon has sparked early conversations about growing the Unhackathon into a multi-day summer school, with even more opportunities for skills development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world impact.
At the University of Salford Sustainability Team, we’re committed to supporting these kinds of initiatives – ones that empower students to take action, think systemically, and imagine bold new futures. We’re already looking forward to the next one!