University of Manchester Advances Open, Reproducible Research Practices with Digital Notebooks

Chloe Fox-Robertson Recognized in Women in FinTech Powerlist 2024

The University of Manchester has recently been recognized as one of the inaugural recipients of funding from the newly established Metascience Unit by UK Research & Innovation. This unit was created with the objective of enhancing the methodologies used in conducting, distributing, and funding research.

Professor Andrew Stewart, the Principal Investigator and a Professor of Cognitive Science in the Department of Computer Science remarked that this grant represents a significant investment in the University. He emphasised the importance of metascience and noted that the funding will be instrumental in showcasing the benefits of digital notebooks for promoting open, reproducible, and responsible research. Additionally, it will provide a framework for other higher education institutions to adopt these best practices. Andrew Porter, Co-Investigator and Research Integrity and Training Adviser at the Manchester Institute, highlighted that University teams were already utilising digital notebooks to document their work. He expressed their eagerness to make these tools available to researchers across the University to bolster open and responsible research practices.

In another achievement, Chloe Fox-Robertson, a PhD researcher in Geography at the University of Manchester, was featured in Innovate Finance's annual Women in FinTech Powerlist, recognising her contributions to the sector. She expressed her excitement at being included in the Women in FinTech Powerlist 2024, hoping the recognition would broaden her impact and promote a more inclusive sector. She aimed to inspire young women from diverse academic backgrounds to pursue FinTech careers, showing that meaningful contributions can be made early in one's career.

Additionally, Professor Joyce Tyldesley OBE was named the 2025 Archaeologist of the Year, based on votes from Current Archaeology magazine readers. Dr. Nicky Nielsen praised the award as well-deserved, noting Professor Tyldesley's decades of impact on Egyptian archaeology and her contributions to outreach and scholarly communication. Professor Tyldesley expressed deep honour in receiving the award, thanking Current Archaeology and those who voted. She shared the recognition with her University of Manchester team and thanked Paul Bahn for his support, Rosalie David for her first teaching position, and her husband, Steven Snape. These recognitions highlight the University's commitment to advancing research and fostering excellence in various fields.

Editor's Note:

The University of Manchester continues to demonstrate its leadership in research and academic excellence through notable recent achievements. As one of the first recipients of funding from the UK Research & Innovation's new Metascience Unit, the University is investing in transformative research practices. By promoting open, reproducible, and responsible research through the use of digital notebooks, the University is setting an example for institutions nationwide. In addition to these advancements in research practices, the recognition of Chloe Fox-Robertson and Professor Joyce Tyldesley highlights the University’s commitment to diversity and excellence. Fox-Robertson’s inclusion in the Women in FinTech Powerlist showcases the growing representation of women in the sector, while Professor Tyldesley’s Archaeologist of the Year award honours her significant contributions to Egyptian archaeology and public education.

Skoobuzz acknowledges the University of Manchester's leadership and underscores the importance of cultivating an environment that prioritizes innovative research, diverse perspectives, and a commitment to scholarly excellence.