Centre for Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST)

JUST is a new research Centre focused on the pursuit of sustainability transformations that are joined-up, people-centred, and socially just. It represents a multimillion pound investment by UKRI/ESRC to enable research to make ground-breaking contributions to building a greener future for the UK. The JUST Centre launched in March 2025 and will run through to 2030. Based at the University of Manchester, the JUST Centre brings together over 20 social scientists at the universities of Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, and Newcastle. We are collaborating with practice partners in the policy, innovation, business, local government, community and voluntary sectors. The Institute for Community Studies (Young Foundation) is our core impact partner. The JUST Centre’s work is shaped by five themes: principles of justice; democratic innovations; social and solidarity economies; built and social infrastructures; and policy, governance and change. We will be working with communities and other stakeholders in five areas across the North of England: West Cumbria, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Tyneside.