Pioneering interdisciplinary systems approaches to environmental research
We recognise the need for diverse perspectives to solve environmental challenges.
At the Manchester Environmental Research Institute, we bring together expertise from across the natural, social, health, and data sciences to tackle complex socio-environmental problems.
We are distinctive in our commitment to understanding the societal dimensions of environmental problems, and in our focus on developing solutions to environmental problems that are effective, sustainable, and equitable for people and nature. By working across disciplinary boundaries and in partnership with other University institutes and platforms, we are helping to shape international environmental agendas on diverse issues including water scarcity, forest restoration, air pollution, and wildlife conservation.
Our research
Translating research into impact on environmental policy, innovation, and practice
We have a strong track record of leading ambitious, large-scale applied environmental research programmes that generate real-world impact in the UK and internationally.
We partner with governments, multilateral donors, civil society, and industry to co-produce the knowledge and tools needed to address complex socio-environmental challenges. By uniting research strengths from across the University, MERI's solutions-focused research is changing how organisations understand and respond to environmental challenges — including through building advanced environmental data infrastructures for the UK, developing satellite-based agricultural monitoring platforms for governments and donors across Africa, pioneering research on the health impacts of environmental pollution in Greater Manchester and beyond, and identifying effective policies to restore forests and address land use change globally.
Our research initiatives
Environmental data science and AI
Academic leads: Liz Lewis and Zhonghua Zheng
Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, big geospatial data, and advanced computational methods to transform how we monitor, understand, and respond to complex environmental challenges at local and global scales.
Global change and one health
Academic leads: Cyrill Bussy, Susanne Shultz
Generating the evidence needed to understand how environmental change and climate disruption drive health inequalities, translating this knowledge into policies and interventions that protect the most vulnerable communities in the UK and internationally.
Land and resource futures
Academic leads: Polyanna Bispo, Johan Oldekop
Producing the science and policy insights needed to balance competing demands for land from people and nature, and supporting governments, communities, and other organisations worldwide to make more sustainable and equitable decisions about land and natural resource management.
Explore our impact
Health impacts of environmental change
We lead research across the university at the intersection of environmental change and health. Our researchers are generating landmark evidence on the health impacts of air pollution, plastic pollution in freshwater environments, and the links between ecosystem health and human wellbeing - translating findings into policies and interventions that support healthy communities and biodiversity at local, national, and international scales.
Protecting and restoring the world's ecosystems
Our researchers are at the forefront of global efforts to understand and reverse ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss. Drawing on cutting-edge geospatial data and partnerships with indigenous communities, our research is generating the evidence base needed to design policies to manage land systems such as forests in ways that benefit both nature and people. This work is directly informing environmental governance and conservation policy across some of the world's most ecologically critical regions including in the Amazon and beyond.
Shaping global environmental policy
Our researchers are active contributors to the world's most influential environmental forums. From working with our city regions partners to support the UK Govenment’s delivery of IPBES-12 in Manchester to representing our research at COP30 in Brazil and World Water Week in Sweden, we are ensuring that University of Manchester science shapes national and international environmental policy agendas.
Tackling water and food insecurity
Supported by multi-million-pound investments from the Gates Foundation, the European Commission, and Innovate UK, MERI researchers are developing satellite-based monitoring tools that are changing how governments, donors, and farmers manage water resources for sustainable food production in Europe, Americas, and Africa. Projects such as IrrEO and TRANSCEND are delivering practical, scalable solutions to some of the world's most pressing resource challenges.
Our people
-
Polyanna Bispo
Land and resource futures
Read Polyanna's research profile
-
Cyrill Bussy
Global change and one health
Read Cyrill's research profile
-
Nicholas Hylton
Research Development Manager
-
Tim Foster
Institute Director
Read Tim's research profile
-
Asha Fullonton
Research Development Officer
-
Liz Lewis
Environmental data science and AI
Read Liz's research profile
-
Johan Oldekop
Land and resource futures
Read Johan's research profile
-
Susanne Shultz
Global change and one health
Read Susanne's research profile
-
Zhonghua Zheng
Environmental data science and AI
Read Zhonghua's research profile
Contact
Get in touch
If you're interested in collaborating with us, or want to know more about the institute’s activities and how to get involved, contact meri@manchester.ac.uk.
If you want funding and event updates, sign up to our newsletter below or follow our LinkedIn page.
Sign up to our newsletter
Find out the latest from MERI by signing up to our newsletter.