UCL SDG Research Accelerator

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. The UCL SDG Research Accelerator is a research-led, transdisciplinary initiative that aims to align climate (SDG13), health (SDG3) and urban (SDG11) goals in partnership with relevant stakeholders in society (SDG17) and in synergy with the other SDGs. The Accelerator is defined by cutting-edge built environment research that is informed by scientific, policy and industry knowledge and responds to current societal challenges. It undertakes three types of activities:

Primary RESEARCH – which is transdisciplinary and challenge-driven.
Policy IMPACT – by providing scientific evidence within local, national and international policymaking processes.
Public DIALOGUES – that supports knowledge transfer and exchanges outside the academia.

Find out more below and get involved.

Prof. Catalina Turcu participates at the 60th UNFCCC session of the Subsidiary Bodies

Prof. Catalina Turcu was part of a small, dedicated team of experts that represented UCL at the 60th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB60) which took place in Bonn at 3-13 June.

Professor Turcu engaged with negotiators and participated in discussions on cities, adaptation, and research and systematic observation, contributing to UCL’s commitment to impactful international climate action and knowledge advancement. Read more on the UCL Grand Challenges website and on the UCL Public Policy website.

Prof. Catalina Turcu gives presentation at the launch of UCL Urban Health Community

Professor Catalina Turcu delivered a talk at the recent launch of the Urban Health Community. This is an initiative of UCL Health of the Public, which brings together researchers from across UCL whose work focuses on understanding the impacts of the urban environment on human health, and how best to reduce health inequalities in urban areas.

Professor Turcu used the UCL SDG Research Accelerator’s work to provide examples on how urban health justice could be achieved in the current urban conditions; what is the role of urban health experts in the current urban-political landscapes; and highlighted climate change and mental health as the two crucial urban health challenges that should be at the centre of research and policy communities’ attention.

Stocktakes

At the end of every year we release a 'Stocktake' report. In these Stocktakes we provide updates on what's happened that year across our Research, Impact, and Dialogues. Download them below and read them now.

File

UCL Accelerator-2024 Stocktake.pdf

Research

We undertake and facilitate scientific research which is challenge-driven and transdisciplinary, in partnership with the public sector and industry.

Impact

Impact

Learn more about our mission to align climate (SDG13) and health (SDG3) goals in cities (SDG11), in partnership with relevant stakeholders (SDG17) and in synergy with other UN SDGs.

Dialogues

Dialogues

We run and participate in events which facilitate dialogue between scholars and practitioners, disseminate research findings and promote and support academic collaborations

Partners