Mark Mann

What universities are for.

Cambridge is one of the top universities – if not the very best - in the world.

This has been the case for centuries. Some of the best ideas have come from the brightest minds from within our walls. Our bright minds have undertaken pioneering world-changing research, become trailblazers in the fields, and inspired others to go onto great things.

While much has remained the same within our walls for many years, a crucial change came a couple of decades back with the emergence of the “Third Mission”. But what is this mission, and why is it third?

From my discussions with institutions across Europe, it seems that teaching and research come one and two. although there is much debate over which is in pole position. The third mission is the impact that the university has on the community it is in, and on society at large. Terms such as “civic universities” and “anchor institutions” may be familiar to some reading this. But here is my challenge: in the 21st century, why is the impact a university a tertiary nice to have objective? Why, given the societal need for technological and social advancement, isn’t it joint first?

I have spent over a decade in the world of technology transfer. I’ve worked with academics who are passionate about their work, people who want to see their ideas deployed at scale to the benefit of society. Likewise, I’ve worked with students who are devoted want to fixing the many problems they see with the world. These groups form an evergreen source of ideas with game-changing potential, driven by people dedicated to making a difference.

When new ideas and insights emanating from a university grow and combine with expertise from the outside world, this forms a deep well of innovation that can have a profound impact on society. Whether it is a new therapeutic, a social sciences approach that can alleviate mass suffering, or an insight from a piece of art of literature which completely transforms someone’s outlook on life, these critical university-born ideas can be life-changing for those who are affected by them. And when those who benefit realise that the innovation that has positively changed their life has come from a university, their respect and trust for that institution knows no bounds.

This is the process that gave us penicillin and eradicated rickets, gave rise to ARM and Google, and is the reason you can read these words anywhere in the world. More recently, it was three university spinouts – Moderna, BioNTech and Barinthus Biotherapeutics (through its partnership with Oxford and AstraZeneca) – that released us from the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Even as a ‘third’ objective, our collective impact has repeatedly changed the world for the better, and will continue to do so.

However, there are dark clouds forming.

At a university innovation conference in Birmingham a fortnight ago, a senior university representative said she was sure that what is happening in America - unprecedented and ill-conceived research cuts driven by ideology and the demonisation of Harvard - cannot happen here.

Are we sure about that?

Popularism is on the rise across the West, powered by rampant misinformation and – let’s just call it what it is –lies and mass manipulation. The UK is far from immune. The Brexit referendum in 2016 was not exactly replete with evidence-based arguments, and there are no more than four years before our next general election, where those aligned with Trump are predicted to perform well.

How many times have universities in recent times been tarred and feathered in the media as woke and liberal? Or perhaps how often we’ve heard that the public are ‘tired of experts’, evidenced by the alarming rise in anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists? Or seen our friends and loved ones disappear into darker areas of our digital world, only to emerge fundamentally changed?

Cambridge is the biggest science and technology cluster in Europe, with a plan to become even bigger. We have demonstrated our ability to change the world for the better, and have unlimited potential to keep doing so. But make no mistake: our ability to do so is entirely contingent on our capacity to keep our beacon of truth burning bright.

It is essential that we do all in our power to advocate for, provide world-class support to, and passionately enable the brilliant work that our academics and student entrepreneurs and their myriad of supporters do.

They need to have the time and the resources necessary to garner the maximum impact from their work. It will be my core objective as Chancellor to tenaciously empower these groups, building on already incredible foundations to push the impact of our research and innovation to new heights.

This will extend beyond science and technology. Cambridge has the finest social scientists and humanities scholars in the world. They too have insights that, through my work at other universities, I’ve personally seen can change millions of lives for the better. As Chancellor, I will help to unlock this latent potential, and enable our academics of all disciplines to have the impact their ideas deserve.

It has never been more important for Cambridge to make the most of the knowledge and talent it has and to offer it to the world – but offer is the wrong word. If you leave an idea on a shelf for anyone to take, very few, if any take it. You have to put effort into getting noticed, to fight for what you know is important and work hard to put that knowledge into action.

And that is the vision I have for a 21st century University of Cambridge – an impact-first university, where all of its members are mobilised to create a tidal wave of positive change and energy in a world that desperately needs it.

We will defend academic integrity and freedom and demonstrate that it is these core principles that drive human progress. We will unleash the research and innovation that comes from these principles and change lives globally as a result. And we will evidence that the truth that comes from academic inquiry – our beacon of truth – is where the real innovative ideas with the potential to shape a better future for society comes from .

Join me in making our beacon burn brighter than ever in a world that’s in desperate need of our light.

Vote Mark Mann for Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

‘Beacon of Truth’ candidate Mark Mann announces UoC Chancellor race entry

Engineer turned social innovation leader pledges to keep Cambridge the world’s beacon of truth – and to turn that truth into action.

Dr Mark Mann, Cambridge graduate and academic, former BBC R&D technologist and the architect of Oxford’s pioneering social venture spinout programme, today announced that he will stand for election as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

“If scientific theory and research are the core components of truth, then innovation is that truth in action,“ said Dr Mann.

“Only action will counter misinformation and demonstrate to society the value of truth and where you find it, in our universities. As Chancellor, I will empower Cambridge’s brilliant minds into action that will shape our world for the better. I will champion our cause to bring in partners who share our vision of positive impact through innovation, and to burn the beacon of truth brighter than ever before.”

From a state school background in Yorkshire, Mann read Natural Sciences at Pembroke College (1999) and completed a PhD in Engineering in 2008. He went on to translate research into broadcasting innovation at the BBC before joining Oxford University Innovation, where he created the University’s first social purpose spinouts and co founded ImpactU, an organisation backing mission driven ventures across the UK – including Cambridge.

If elected, Dr Mann says he will use the influence conferred by the role to:
• Defend truth and open debate – advocating for academic freedom and policies that reward rigour, evidence, transparency and integrity.
• Enable Cambridge innovators – expanding early stage funds and support and simplifying processes so that any student or researcher, in any discipline, can turn ideas into companies, social enterprises, charities, partnerships or public policy solutions.
• Champion Cambridge globally – using the convening power of the Chancellor’s ceremonial role to unite alumni, industry and governments in supporting the University’s values of discovery, integrity and inclusive excellence.

Turnout from the University’s electorate in 2011 was under two per cent and in-person only. With a switch to hybrid voting enabling a far higher potential turnout, the race to become Chancellor is wide open. Mann’s campaign therefore will not only speak to the heart of the University, but our vast global network of trailblazers and changemakers and will empower them to ensure Cambridge remains an institution that stands for truth, makes a positive impact with that truth, and the advancement of humankind.

What makes Cambridge great is the people who study, research and work here and their relentless pursuit of truth. When that truth is used by society, it changes people’s lives for the better.

But today, truth is under threat. With the spread of misinformation and political and ideological pressures clouding public understanding, society needs its institutions, now more than ever, to be beacons of truth and to do everything in their power to get that truth out.

I first came to Cambridge as a state-school student in 1999, leaving 11 years later after a PhD and research career in Engineering combined with a lifelong commitment to turn brilliant ideas into real-world solutions. At the BBC, I translated cutting-edge research into broadcasting innovation. Later, at the University of Oxford, I launched the University’s first research-based social ventures, showing how academic research—across sciences, humanities, and arts—can tackle real societal challenges, from poverty to climate change. With ImpactU, I brought Cambridge, Oxford, and ten other universities together to combine and grow resources to accelerate mission-driven ventures, demonstrating what’s possible when we combine our truths with real-world action. I now work building capacity for successful knowledge transfer from universities across the UK and Europe.

What my journey taught me is that if scientific theory and research are the core components of truth, then innovation is that truth in action. Therefore, my vision for Cambridge is a simple one: we will burn the beacon of truth brighter than ever before, and our innovation and impact will be the vehicle that carries our light into the world. In the role I will champion Cambridge’s values, amplify our voice, and actively work to help grow existing pathways and create new ones for innovation to flourish.

If elected, I pledge to:
• Defend truth and open debate – advocating for academic freedom and policies that reward rigour, evidence, transparency and integrity.
• Enable Cambridge innovators – expanding early stage funds and support and simplifying processes so that any student or researcher, in any discipline, can turn ideas into companies, social enterprises, charities, partnerships or public policy solutions.
• Champion Cambridge globally – using the convening power of the Chancellor’s ceremonial role to unite alumni, industry and governments in supporting the University’s values of discovery, integrity and inclusive excellence.

This election matters. At a time when truth itself needs guardians, Cambridge must remain both the compass and the catalyst that society relies upon. Every vote makes a difference.

Join me in protecting Cambridge’s legacy, shaping its future, and reaffirming our commitment to truth, integrity, and world-shaping impact.