Social Justice Challenge

Introduce our students to current social justice issues

This Ethical Grand Challenge is available to all students (undergraduate and postgraduate). 

At The University of Manchester, we are committed to social responsibility and making a difference to society, which is why we created the Social Justice Challenge. This challenge introduces students to current social justice issues and invites them to explore themes like race, gender, homelessness, mental health, higher education and energy. 

To complete the Challenge, students must finish the Introduction and two themed sections of their choice, but they can do them all if they wish. 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 and to explore what it might mean to build fairer communities in Manchester, the UK, and across the globe. Completion of the Challenge also contributes towards the Stellify Award. 

How you can help

Share our marketing materials with students:

"I really enjoyed doing this challenge as it was extremely interesting and gave me the opportunity to think and reflect on some of the problems the world is facing" - Student

Explore a range of Social Justice themes

Interactive Content

Each theme is explored using a mix of film and short ‘interactives’, and includes input from academics and representatives from the Students’ Union and third sector organisations. Two examples of interactive content, taken from the Higher Education and Trade sections, are given below.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE

If you'd like to see what the Social Justice Challenge is all about, you can enrol in our staff version by following these instructions:

  • The Social Justice challenge is closed and will re-open on 22nd September 2025.

If you have any questions about the Social Justice Challenge, please email: egc@manchester.ac.uk

Social Justice Challenge FAQs

Why is the university offering the Social Justice Challenge?

The University of Manchester is keen to offer a distinctive undergraduate experience and to help our graduates stand out in a very competitive graduate recruitment market. The Social Justice Challenge supports this ambition by enabling students to consider issues of social justice from multidisciplinary perspectives and to explore what it might mean to build fairer communities in the city, the UK and across the globe. 

Who developed the Social Justice Challenge?

The Social Justice Challenge has been developed by academics from all Faculties, The University of Manchester Students’ Union and external contributors from not- for- profit organisations, working with the Division of Teaching, Learning and Student Development (Directorate for Student Experience).

What will students gain from completing the Social Justice Challenge?

By completing the social justice challenge students will:

  • Develop knowledge and understanding of challenges facing society in the 21st century
  • Enhance their employability skills
  • Explore issues of social justice and be inspired to take action
  • Contextualise their degree, placing it in the wider national and global context
  • Engage their critical thinking skills. 

How long does it take to do the Challenge?

The Social Justice Challenge takes just under an hour to complete. Students can do the Social Justice Challenge in one go or can work through it at their own pace in a number of bite-sized chunks.  To complete the Social Justice Challenge, students must work through the introduction and two themes of their choice. To verify completion of each section, students must take a short multiple choice test. 

How do students access the Social Justice Challenge?

The Social Justice challenge is currently closed and will re-open on Monday 22nd September 2025.

Email egc@manchester.ac.uk if you have any issues with access.

Is the Social Justice Challenge part of Stellify and the Stellify Award?

Yes. Ethical Grand Challenges are an element of Stellify and completion of both Challenges counts towards the Stellify Award.

How can staff help students to engage with the Social Justice Challenge?

  • Promote the benefits of completing the Social Justice Challenge to all students
  • Make links to the content of the Social Justice Challenge if the subject matter is relevant to any of your teaching
  • Make your students aware of opportunities through Stellify and the Stellify Award
  • Encourage students to visit the EGC website to find out more about all of the Ethical Grand Challenges
  • Once students have completed the Social Justice Challenge, encourage them to think about how it can add value to their degree and employability

How can staff find out more about the Social Justice Challenge?

If you have any questions or suggestions about the Social Justice Challenge, please email egc@manchester.ac.uk.

The Social Justice challenge is currently closed and will re-open on 22nd September 2025.