Our engagement

Academics at UCL are engaging in Europe in many ways, helping to inform public debate, shape policy and create academic partnerships.

Engaging partners

UCL is committed to developing sustainable, multidisciplinary research and teaching partnerships, by offering resources, project expertise and administrative support. Since 2018, our novel Cities Partnerships Programme supports, funds and promotes the work that UCL academics carry out with partners in Rome, Paris and Stockholm.

> Cities Partnerships Programme
> UCL Grand Challenges
> UCL Global Engagement

Engaging policy professionals

UCL academics regularly inform and advise policymakers on EU-related policy issues, from science and research to green technologies. They give evidence to UK and European parliaments, engage with officials in central and local government, and contribute to key working groups and policy forums. UCL has been an active member of LERU (the League of European Research Universities) since 2006.

> League of European Research Universities
> UCL European Institute
> UCL Public Policy

Engaging the public

UCL was founded on a vision to open education and knowledge to the world. On Europe as on all subjects, we are committed to opening conversations beyond the university, experimenting with learning and sharing, informing public debates, and thinking through change – publicly.

> UCL European Institute
> UCL Grand Challenges
> UCL Public Engagement Unit

Engagement Highlights

Here are just a few examples of academic engagement in Europe.

Exploring European Policy Careers

European Institute Advisory Board Members discuss their career trajectories, formative moments, skills they’ve needed to succeed, and advice to UCL students considering a career in policy, or a related field.

> European Institute Advisory Board Members share career advice with UCL students

Citizens’ Assembly on Brexit

UCL’s Constitution Unit, funded by the UK in a Changing Europe initiative, brought together 50 members of the public to engage in detailed, reflective and informed discussions about what the UK's post-Brexit relations with the European Union should be.

> Citizen's Assembly on Brexit

Philosophy of Public Health

Philosophy done well springs from, and returns to, the problems we face in living in the world. The problems that most urgently require philosophical reflection in any generation usually come out of changed conditions of human life. Professor James Wilson (UCL Philosophy) works on public health ethics, and the ownership and governance of ideas and information.

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Lives on hold

Dr Michela Franceschelli (UCL Institute of Education) produced a 30 minute documentary - CCÀ SEMU. Here we are, lives on hold in Lampedusa - based on research into the impact of migration and attitudes towards migrants on a small Italian island. The work was part-funded by UCL’s Grand Challenge of Justice & Equality.

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Advising European Space Sciences

Chris Rapley, Professor of Climate Science with experience in Astronomy, Solar physics, Climate Science as well as Science Communication, is the new Chair of the European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC), Europe’s most prominent space advisory body.

> Professor Chris Rapley CBE announced as Chair of the European Space Sciences Committee

Compromised identities

Black and white photograph of two young boys in military uniform

We readily think of ‘perpetrators’ as those directly involved in physical violence: giving the orders, pulling the trigger, killing innocent victims. How can we understand not only direct perpetrators under Nazi rule, but also those who were complicit in systemic racism, as well as the passivity of ‘bystanders’? Visit this extraordinary virtual exhibition, curated by Professors Mary Fulbrook and Stephanie Bird.

> Compromised identities exhibition

Mission-orientated policy

Mariana Mazzucato, Carlos Moedas and Pascal Lamy

The European Commission invited Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Insitute for Innovation and Public Purpose) to draw up strategic recommendations to maximise the impact of the future EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation through mission-oriented policy.

> Mission-oriented research & innovation in the European Union (Europa.eu)

Pan-European Academic Excellence

Professor Li Wei, UCL Institute of Education’s Director and Dean, has been elected to the Linguistics section of the Academia Europaea (AE). He is one of 366 international scholars to be elected this year to the pan-European academy of science, humanities and letters. With over 4,000 elected members from all countries of Europe and all disciplines, nationalities and geographical locations, the AE recognises sustained academic excellence in each candidate's discipline.

> P rofessor Li Wei elected to the Academia Europaea

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