UCL GRAND CHALLENGES

UCL Grand Challenges

• UCL Grand Challenges Small Grants 2013-2014
• 2013 UCL Grand Challenges Small Grants awards
• UCL–French Embassy science and technology workshops 2012–2013

UCL–French Embassy Conférence-Débat Series: Research Frontiers

A series proposed by UCL’s Pro-Provost (Europe), Professor Mike Wilson, and Dr Serge Plattard, Counsellor for Science and Technology of the French Embassy in London, in which distinguished figures from research-intensive universities and industry in France and from UCL speak and debate on issues of major contemporary importance at the interfaces between science, technology and society. Sponsored by the French Embassy, the UCL Pro-Provost (Europe) and the Office of the UCL Vice-Provost (Research).

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Past Events

2011/2012

3 May 2012: The Origins of Humanity

• Professor François Bon (CNRS-UMR 5608, University of Toulouse 2-Mirail)
• Professor Mark Thomas (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment )

>> Play the video of the event

25 January 2012: Origins of Life

• Prof Patrick Forterre (University of Paris XI-Orsay & Institut Pasteur)

• Dr Nick Lane (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment )

Professor Forterre works on the novel hypothesis that viruses were instrumental in the transition from RNA to DNA and the evolution of single cell, and ultimately more complex, organisms.  Dr Lane, UCL’s first Provost Venture Research Fellow, leads UCL Research Frontiers' Origins of Life project, involving cell biologists, molecular biologists, chemists, geologists, planetary scientists and astrobiologists, addressing the hypothesis that alkaline hydrothermal vents in the primordial deep ocean of prebiotic Earth provided conditions central to the origin of life.  

26 October 2011:  The Origin of Planet Earth

• Prof Jean-Pierre Bibring (University of Paris XI-Orsay)
• Prof Lars Stixrude (UCL Earth Sciences)

Prof Bibring is a researcher in the Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale and a professor at the University of Paris XI-Orsay. His main contribution to solar system exploration has been the leadership of the OMEGA experiment aboard the ESA Mars Express spacecraft, which led to the first direct detection of water ice at the South Pole of Mars, and the characterisation of three ages of Martian geological history, namely the Phyllocian, the Theiikian and the Siderikian eras. Prof Lars Stixrude studies the behaviour of matter at the extreme pressure-temperature conditions of planetary interiors as a way of illuminating their origin and evolution. To this end, he has played a leading role in developing a new approach to the study of planetary interiors based on density functional theory.

23 June 2011:  The Origin of the Universe

• Prof Jean-Loup Puget, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay)
• Prof Ofer Lahav (UCL Physics & Astronomy)

Prof Puget is lead designer and principal scientist in the Planck High Frequency Instrument Consortium. Prof Lahav leads the international Dark Energy Survey science programme and chairs the UK consortium for this survey. 

2010/2011

30 March 2011: Energy Supply and Demand

• Monsieur Vincent de Rivaz, CEO, EDF Energy
• Prof Robert Lowe (UCL Energy Institute)

Policy development and technological innovation to reduce energy demand struggle to meet the challenge, often to good effect at the local, regional or national level, but falling way short of the mark in terms of internationally-agreed actions. The 4th UCL–French Embassy event provides a unique opportunity to hear and question the perspectives and analysis of two influential figures who are well-qualified to address this hugely important issue.

19 January 2011: L'Evolution du Climat

• Prof Jean Jouzel, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace / Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement
• Prof Chris Rapley (UCL Earth Sciences)

Prof Jouzel spoke on the contribution of palaeodata to the evidence for human-induced climate change. In his response, Prof Rapley focused on the importance of effective communication of climate research and monitoring by scientists to the public, policymakers and politicians.

• Videos
• Prof Rapley's presentation slides (pdf)

5 October 2010: Deuxieme événement

• Prof Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Marseilles
• Prof Yves Cabannes (UCL Development Planning Unit)

Prof Olivier de Sardan spoke on ‘Development, provision of public goods and practical norms in West Africa’. In his response, Prof Cabannes addressed the issues raised in the context of participatory budgets in African countries.

6 July 2010: Inaugural Event

• Dr Bruno Spire, INSERM, Marseille
• Prof Robin Weiss (UCL Infection & Immunity)

Dr Spire spoke on medical and social support for those living with HIV infection today. In his response, Prof Weiss addressed the promise and pitfalls of developing an HIV vaccine to prevent infection tomorrow.