Ethical Grand Challenges

Create a better world. Complete the Ethical Grand Challenges.

The Ethical Grand Challenges are now closed and will re-open on Monday 22nd September 2025

At The University of Manchester, we are committed to social responsibility and making a difference to society which is why we created the Ethical Grand Challenges programme. Our online activities allow you to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the world in the 21st century - Social Justice and Workplace Ethics. By completing them, you'll have the tools you need to become a more socially responsibility graduate and stand out in the workplace. Find out more about each of our activities below:

Social Justice Challenge

Explore how you can support human rights and work to build fairer communities in Manchester, the UK and across the globe. In this activity, you'll get a chance to focus on current issues of social justice which have been highlighted by the global pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement. Working through interactive activities, you’ll be introduced to current social justice issues including race, gender, higher education, homelessness, mental health and energy. The Challenge includes input from over 20 academic colleagues drawn from all faculties and enables students to consider issues of social justice from multidisciplinary perspectives. To complete the challenge, you need to work through the Introduction and two themes of your choice. 

 

Workplace Ethics Challenge

Are you prepared to tackle ethical challenges in your career? Get to grips with ethical dilemmas in the workplace, whatever your career plans in this online activity. These interactive scenarios will challenge you to reflect on your own, and others’, ethical responsibilities and decision making in relation to issues such as harassment, bullying and discrimination, privacy and confidentiality.

 

Key Facts About the Ethical Grand Challenges

What are the Ethical Grand Challenges?

The Ethical Grand Challenges are interactive online activities which allow you to learn about some of the biggest challenges facing the world in the 21st century - Social Justice and Workplace Ethics. These activities will help you to become a more socially responsible graduate and ensure you stand out in the workplace.

How do I access the Ethical Grand Challenges?

You need to self-enrol to each challenge to complete it.

The Ethical Grand Challenges are now closed and will re-open on Monday 22nd September 2025

 

Why should I complete the Ethical Grand Challenges?

Successful completion of an Ethical Grand Challenge will appear on your HEAR (Higher Education Achievement Report)

By completing the Ethical Grand Challenge, you will :

  • Develop knowledge, skills and understanding of challenges facing society in the 21st century
  • Enhance your employability skills

  • Explore issues of social justice and workplace ethics and hopefully be inspired to take action on issues of importance to you

  • Contextualise your postgraduate degree and place it in a wider national and global context

I can’t access the Ethical Grand Challenges

The Ethical Grand Challenges are now closed and will re-open on Monday 22nd September 2025

How can I take action?

At the end of the challenges there are suggestions for how you can get involved and take action.

Does completion count towards the Stellify Award?

Yes, you will need to complete both of the Ethical Grand Challenges to complete the 'Understand the Issues that Matter' section of the Stellify Award. 

 

Are these Ethical Grand Challenges different to the ones I completed when I was an undergraduate student at the University of Manchester?

No. These are the same Ethical Grand Challenges that are available to our undergraduate students. If you did your undergraduate degree here at the University of Manchester, then you may have already completed some or all of these Challenges. 

When is the deadline to complete the Ethical Grand Challenges?

The Ethical Grand Challenges are now closed and will re-open on Monday 22nd September 2025