Full Breakdown
Movember Institute for Men's Health to Open at University of York
6/18/2026, 11:59:32 PM
Announcement: Institute Gains Physical Home
Co-founder Travis Garone announced that Movember will locate its Institute for Men's Health at the University of York, moving from a virtual platform to a physical hub that will store research data and findings. The announcement was made during a visit to York Men's Shed, a community workshop that combats male loneliness through shared skills.
Background and Partnerships
Movember began in Australia in 2003 when Garone and Luke Slattery gathered 30 men to grow moustaches and raise money for prostate cancer. The campaign now supports more than 1,320 men’s health projects worldwide. The new institute will be led academically by Professor Paul Galdas, with local government backing from Mayor David Skaith, who previously launched the £715,000 “Shift Your Focus” campaign, and community input from Alan Powell of York Men's Shed.
Official Statements & Responses
Professor Galdas called the university’s involvement a “major vote of confidence” in men’s health research, saying the partnership will generate evidence, foster collaborations, and enable practical actions on mental health, suicide prevention, cancer and other health determinants. Mayor Skaith described the move as “a game-changer,” noting Movember’s status as the leading charity for men’s mental health and the benefit to the region. Garone emphasized that the institute addresses a “huge” unmet need and will serve as a “groundbreaking” platform for research and awareness. Powell added that the institute will support the work of York Men’s Shed, which already makes a “real difference” to many lives.
Data & Statistics
Why It Matters
The institute positions York as a central hub in a global effort to improve men’s health outcomes. Consolidating data and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships aims to produce actionable evidence on mental health, suicide prevention, cancer and broader determinants, potentially shaping policy and services across the UK.
What’s Next
The institute is slated to open later this year, with plans for collaborative research projects, public seminars and expanded outreach through York Men’s Shed. Ongoing evaluation will monitor its impact on research output and local health initiatives such as “Shift Your Focus.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “a major vote of confidence in both the University and the importance of men's health” — Paul Galdas, Professor of Men's Health, University of York
- “The need is huge. This is groundbreaking from a men's health perspective, definitely groundbreaking from Movember's perspective.” — Travis Garone, Co-founder of Movember
- “ Alan Powell, a regular at York Men's Shed, said: "I think there is a real need for a place like this institute at the university.” — Alan Powell, Member of York Men’s Shed
