AI ethics, fashion design and community engagement

“Be prepared, read about AI, always question it… and realise that humans are still in control.”In this final episode of the MetCast digital mini-series, Professor Keeley Crockett, expert in computational intelligence at Manchester Met, explores the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence - what it really is, how it’s being used, and why ethical considerations matter more than ever.From concerns around job automation and copyright to the rise of deepfakes and misinformation, the episode unpacks some of the biggest challenges AI presents. We also look at how tools like AI-powered fashion design software are enhancing creativity and opening up new career opportunities, rather than replacing them.Importantly, we also hear how community involvement is shaping the future of AI through innovative projects like Peas in Pods and the People’s Panel for AI projects. These initiatives empower underrepresented voices to take part in key decisions around the development and use of AI technologies.

 “It blows my mind that today somebody can stumble online and listen to the life’s work of a band in an evening…what we’re discovering through generative AI is this archive of Dead Already.”Thrash metal meets academia in this second episode of our AI-themed mini-series. You’ll hear from leading digital arts researchers about an innovative project that uses generative AI to bring long-forgotten fictional band Dead Already back to life. Showcased by our School of Digital Arts (SODA) at Texas tech festival South by South West (SXSW), it’s pushing boundaries, prompting debate, and blasting riffs.

“Austin is a very progressive, creative and technologically forward-thinking city, which is exactly what Manchester is.”Join us as we talk all things South by South West (SXSW), the trailblazing Texas arts and tech festival. You’ll hear why Manchester Met joined the cool crowd of musicians and artists this year, how our School of Digital Arts (SODA) is pushing boundaries, and why Manchester – like Austin, Texas – likes to stay weird.

Welcome to this special festive edition of MetCast. First, we step back in time to uncover a long-held Christmas tradition: the telling of ghost stories. From gothic Victorian tales and the enduring magic of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, we discover how the festive season once embraced the spooky and the supernatural – and how this convention has been updated for modern audiences. Then, we turn to the sparkle of festive fashion - and its impact on the planet. With insights from Dr. Patsy Perry of the Manchester Fashion Institute, we’ll discuss how to shine sustainably this season, while reducing waste and embracing a circular economy. 

As part of our ongoing celebration of Manchester Met’s 200th anniversary, in this edition of MetCast, we are exploring our final area of strength: Tackling Inequalities. We hear from psychology student, inclusivity model and coach, Kai Da’Costa. Kai’s life took an unexpected turn after a motorbiking accident left him without the use of his left arm. But his journey didn’t stop there. Thanks to the support of the University’s Manchester Movement Unit and its cutting-edge physiotherapy clinic, Kai’s story has become one of resilience and transformation. We also sit down with Professor Sara Ryan, a leading voice in social care. Sara shares her fight for justice for her son, Connor, whose life and legacy inspired the critically acclaimed play Laughing Boy. The production earned rave reviews during its recent West End run, and Sara will tell us more about the powerful message behind the story. Finally, we’ll talk with Professor Rob Drummond about accent prejudice and the complex relationship we all have with language. With oracy education gaining national attention, Rob shares insights from a report recently launched in the House of Lords that calls for a focus on speaking, listening and communication skills. 

In case you hadn’t heard, it’s our 200-year anniversary here at Manchester Met, and we’re celebrating two centuries of proudly driving progress. One of our key areas of strength is sustainability, and that’s what we’re talking about this month.We’ve been a top three sustainable university for over a decade, prioritising the environment in everything we do – whether that’s geography, printing, or poetry.In this episode, we hear how a top poet from our Manchester Writing School responded to climate change when she visited Greenland with our climate scientists. Expect science, sediment, and stanzas. And we'll also explore how our biodiversity research is identifying key climate threats in the Amazon, and how’s it’s helping to shape protective new laws.

In this September episode of MetCast, we continue our 200-year anniversary celebrations here at Manchester Met and we’re turning our attention to our next theme, sustainability. As a top three sustainable university, protecting the environment is key to everything we do.In this edition, we hear how a graduate’s vital conservation work is helping to protect one of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef.We explore how our Manchester Fashion Institute is combatting fast fashion and instead leading the way to help reduce, reuse, and recycle. And we find out from our lecturers how Manchester’s climate is changing due to global warming, as well as the impact of the humble domestic garden.

Welcome to our August edition of MetCast. As we gear up for the Paralympic Games later this month, we catch up with Manchester Met visiting professor and honorary graduate Dame Sarah Storey, who is part of the Paralympic cycling squad for Paris 2024. Dame Sarah has made history with 17 gold, eight silver, and three bronze medals. From her rise to stardom at just 14 in Barcelona 1992, to her unstoppable success as a para cyclist, Sarah's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.  With her sights set Paralympic glory once again, we had the privilege of catching up with Sarah at the Manchester Metropolitan Institute of Sport. We dive into her medal memories, her thoughts on the future of inclusive sports, and those all-important preparations for the Paris time trial and road race ahead of the games. 

In the July edition of MetCast, we turn our focus to the excitement of the Olympic Games, which will begin at the end of this month in Paris.  With Manchester Metropolitan’s world-class Institute of Sport offering state-of-the-art facilities and supporting elite athletes and top-class teams, it’s no surprise to hear that our impactful research is not only relevant, but provides vital insight to help Olympians prepare for the games.  In this edition, we meet Irish track cyclist, Olympic hopeful and Manchester Met Alumna, Alice Sharpe. Alice discusses her preparations for the games and her fond memories of studying at our University.We also look at the undeniable impact genes have on athletic performance and we revisit our environment chamber and discuss how athletes can prepare for Summer games and extreme temperatures.

In the June edition of MetCast, we continue to champion Creative Excellence and explore how Manchester Metropolitan innovates and shapes the film, media, fashion, literature, art and design industries. First up, we explore how we are making our mark at the box office. We meet creative writing lecturer, Andrew Hurley, and senior filmmaking lecturer, Loran Dunn. They share more about their involvement in writing and producing for film and discuss how it feels to see your work come to life on the big screen.  Then, we meet Manchester Metropolitan alumnus and Creative Director of Max Mara, Ian Griffiths. Ian talks about his life as a student in 1980s Manchester and how studying a creative subject at University helped shape his career.  And finally, we hear more about Passiontide, the new novel from Monique Roffey. Monique  won the Costa Book of the Year award for her last novel, The Mermaid of Black Conch.  She is also Professor of Contemporary Fiction at Manchester Met’s Manchester Writing School. We learn more about her inspiration behind the novel’s key themes of feminism, protest and politics.