UCL joins with Challenge Works to shape next Longitude Prize

The collaboration will bring together leading researchers, industry pioneers, policymakers and entrepreneurs to explore potential themes for the next global challenge. Areas under consideration include future construction, metamaterials, predicting and preventing neurodegeneration and environmental restoration.

The Longitude Prize has a long history of catalysing transformative technologies, with previous challenges driving innovation in areas such as antimicrobial resistance, dementia technologies and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The prizes are designed to accelerate breakthroughs with the potential to deliver significant industrial and societal impact.

One potential focus area, future construction, could examine how to deliver millions of high-quality homes at pace while reducing pressure on the natural environment.

As part of the collaboration, UCL and Challenge Works will convene a series of expert workshops over the summer, bringing together cross-disciplinary expertise to explore emerging trends, breakthrough science and future global challenges. Insights from these discussions will inform the Longitude Prize board’s decision-making on the next challenge.

Jennifer Reed, Head of the Policy Impact Unit at UCL said: “Shaping the next Longitude Prize asks us to think big and differently about what’s possible. UCL’s community thrives on ambitious, cross-disciplinary ideas, and this partnership creates a unique opportunity for our researchers and innovators to help define a challenge with truly global impact.”

Olivier Usher, Director of Development for Challenge Works and the Longitude Prize said: “The Longitude Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious technology prizes. Picking the topic of its next round is an exciting but daunting task. As we work to define this global challenge, and explore the breakthroughs it could bring, we need to bring in expert perspectives from the cutting edge of science and engineering to guide us. That’s why we’re delighted to have the support of UCL and their world-class researchers working alongside us.”

Researchers and innovators from across the UK are encouraged to contribute ideas as part of the process, helping to identify where the next Longitude Prize can have the greatest impact.

Those interested in contributing ideas or learning more about the collaboration can contact Challenge Works at longitude.prize@challengeworks.org