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Expertise
UCL’s expertise across key themes
UCL has access to the world's leading minds.
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
Our experts in neuroscience, psychology, and social policy focus on holistic approaches to mental health, addressing prevention, treatment, and the societal factors affecting wellbeing.
Theme Leads:
Professor Essi Viding, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology Research Department, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, UCL.
Professor Argyris Stringaris, Clinician and neuroscientist and the Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UCL and Co-Director of the AIM lab and clinic at UCL.> visit Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Climate Crisis
With expertise in environmental science, climate resilience, sustainable technology, and energy solutions, UCL leads in climate action research. Connect with our theme leaders and climate experts to address shared sustainability goals.
Theme leads:
Professor Lisa Vanhala, Professor of Political Science
Professor Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth System Science at UCL and the Natural History Museum of Denmark.> visit Climate Crisis
- Data-Empowered Societies
UCL’s data science, ethics, and policy teams work to leverage data for social good, emphasising privacy and digital equity.
Theme leads:
Professor James Hetherington, Director of the Advanced Research Computing Centre at University College London
Professor Allison Littlejohn, Professor of Learning Technology in UCL's Institute of Education and Society and Director of the UCL Knowledge Lab.> visit Data-Empowered Societies
- Justice & Equality
UCL researchers address inequality by exploring the roots of social, economic, and health disparities, developing evidence-based policies that drive equity.
Theme leads:
Professor Louise Archer, Karl Mannheim Professor of Sociology of Education at UCL IOE and co-chair of the Centre for Sociology of Education and Equity.
Professor Nick Gallent, Professor of Housing and Planning at the Bartlett School of Planning> visit Justice and Equality
- Cultural Understanding
In a globally connected world, UCL’s experts in cultural studies, linguistics, and anthropology promote understanding and cooperation across borders.
Theme leads:
Professor Doug Bourn, Director of the Development Education Research Centre in the UCL Institute of Education
Professor Audrey Prost, Director of the Centre for the Health of Women, Children and Adolescents, at UCL’s Institute for Global Health.> visit Cultural Understanding
- Transformative Technology
UCL experts explore how cutting-edge technologies can shapre a more sustainable, inclusive and resiliant future.
Theme leads:
Professor Patty Kostkova, (UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction) is Professor in Digital Health and the Director of UCL IRDR Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies.
Professor Marc-Olivier Coppens, (UCL Chemical Engineering) is Ramsay Memorial Professor in Chemical Engineering and Head of Department.
Professor Jack Stilgoe, Senior Lecturer in Social Studies of Science at University College London> visit Transformative Technology
- Cutting edge research insights
- Tailored solutions for societal impact
- Global network connections
- Innovative approaches to problem-solving
- Opportunities for joint research and development
- Support from leading academics and practitioners
- Enhanced community and societal outcomes
- Acces to UCL's research infrustructure
- Pathways for long-term partnerships
If you're passionate about making a real impact and driving innovative solutions, we want to work with you to create lasting change.
Meet the Grand Challenges Team
The UCL Grand Challenges team is here to support interdisciplinary projects and partnerships. Our team connects experts across UCL and with external partners to maximise the societal impact of our research and collaborations.
Sam Balch
Director, UCL Grand Challenges
Sam leads the UCL Grand Challenges team. He joined the team in 2024, and previously worked in a range of roles across government and the third sector. All his roles have been anchored around driving positive environmental and social outcomes for people and planet. In his most recent roles he worked for a national responsible business network - Business in the Community - as their Executive Director of Campaigns and Content, and as a senior Civil Servant on building decarbonisation policies and regulations.
As a senior leader, he plays an active role in supporting staff networks, in particular, faith and minority ethnic networks. Sam has significant experience in establishing and running large financial programmes, with a focus on driving positive outcomes. Sam is a UCL alumni, with a BA in Geography & Anthropology, and MSc in Environment, Science, and Society.
Ask me about:
- Research and innovation collaborations around the Grand Challenges
- Learning and insight on developing and delivering the Grand Challenges
- Showcasing your knowledge and experience around delivering on the Grand Challenges
- Learning and development opportunities around the Grand Challenges
- Accessing skills and capabilities to tackle problems around the Grand Challenge themes
E: s.balch@ucl.ac.uk
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Dr James Paskins
Assistant Director, Climate Crisis and Data-Empowered Societies
James joined UCL in 2001 as a Research Fellow in the Department of Civil Engineering. His research work included children’s health and travel behaviour, accessible transport, urban design and wellbeing. He is a member of the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Prior to joining the Grand Challenges team, James was the programme manager for Bridging the Gaps, an EPRSC funded project that encouraged interdisciplinary solutions for urban sustainability. Before becoming an Assistant Director, he was the coordinator for the Grand Challenges of Sustainable Cities and Transformative Technology and the UCL London Agenda.
James holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Westminster, and a PhD in Transport Studies from UCL; his thesis investigated the role of cognitive mapping skills in children’s mobility.
E: j.paskins@ucl.ac.uk
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Siobhan Morris
Assistant Director, UCL Grand Challenges
Siobhan joined the team in July 2018 and is responsible for a broad portfolio working with academics and external partners to facilitate impactful research, interdisciplinary innovations, and cross-sector collaborations.
More broadly, Siobhan is an experienced knowledge broker, working to cultivate and manage strategic high-level relationships and leading and managing award-winning research projects, centres, and public engagement activities.
Specialising in equalities and structural inequities in UK society, she has published extensively on intersectional inequalities in the UK. She is also a host of Disruptive Voices, Grand Challenges' podcast series.
E: siobhan.morris@ucl.ac.uk
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Emily Jennings
Programme Manager, UCL Grand Challenges
Emily is the Programme Manager for Grand Challenges and is also responsible for the management of the RIGE Integrative Cross-Faculty Investment Fund (IxFI). Emily has worked at UCL since 2019 and was previously the Centre Manager for ERBE (Energy Resilience and the Built Environment) in the UCL Energy Institute, which forms part of the Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources (BSEER). Prior to working at UCL Emily was living in Australia, working in communications and marketing for a sustainable horticulture company in Sydney.
Graduating in 2017, Emily holds a degree in Geography from the University of Manchester and has strong interests in sustainability, mental health and wellbeing and climate action. Emily is qualified in Project Management with PRINCE2 and APM and is currently studying for a further two professional qualifications within the project management field.
Ask me about:
- The UCL Grand Challenges Programme – strategy, objectives, and key performance indicators
- Financial questions related to UCL Grand Challenges
- Exploring potential partnerships and collaborations with UCL Grand Challenges
- Finance queries, application process, acceptance criteria, and terms & conditions related to the RIGE Integrative Cross-Faculty Investment Fund (IxFI)
E: emily.jennings@ucl.ac.uk
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Daisy Harvey
Daisy is the Communications Manager for UCL Grand Challenges. Daisy has worked at UCL since 2016 and was previously the Senior Communications and Events Officer for the UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences where she led the delivery of the ‘Women’s Health at UCL’ campaign in March 2024 and the ‘Public Health Disrupted’ podcast series. Daisy has also worked in communications roles for the UCL Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources (BSEER) and the UCL Institute of Americas.
Graduating in 2014, Daisy holds a degree in History from the University of Liverpool and is qualified in Advertising (IPA - Institute of Practitioners in Advertising). Daisy has strong interests in women’s health, health inequalities, mental health and climate action, and is currently a Communications Manager for UCL’s ASTREA network.
Ask me about:
- The UCL Evolved Grand Challenges
- Communications queries related to UCL Grand Challenges
- Events queries related to UCL Grand Challenges
E: d.voake@ucl.ac.uk
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Zulekha (Zu) Mayet
Programme Officer, UCL Grand Challenges
Zulekha is the Programme Officer for Grand Challenges and also assists in the management of the RIGE Integrative Cross-Faculty Investment Fund (IxFI). Previously, Zulekha was working as a Business Change and Project Manager at Coventry University, facilitating and managing a portfolio of change projects. As part of this role, Zulekha worked on the Department of Education grant awards to develop the infrastructure for vocational courses.
Prior to this, Zulekha worked at King’s College London for seven years in various roles including overseeing the Central College student enquiry management system and managing a team of Student Services Officers. Zulekha is especially interested in disadvantaged and underrepresented groups and their access to higher education opportunities, and was responsible for the delivery of King’s College London, widening participation flagship programme, K+ Plus. A two-year programme to equip disadvantaged students with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to succeed at university.
Zulekha holds a BA in Human Geography and MA in Migration and Law from Queen Mary, University of London, her post-graduate dissertation focused on a global migration and income inequalities.
Ask me about:
- General queries relating to Grand Challenges
- GC Student Build a Lab
- IxFI general queries
- IxFI application guidance
- Queries relating to Grand Challenges Operations
- Opportunities for partnerships
- Grand Challenges Student Build-a-Lab
E: z.mayet@ucl.ac.uk
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Ethne James-Souch
Coordinator, UCL Grand Challenges
Ethne joined the team in October 2023 and is responsible for supporting and coordinating the Grand Challenges’ work on Justice & Equality and Cultural Understanding. Ethne joined UCL in 2021 having been a Governance Administrator and the Executive Assistant to the Chair of a national charity.
For the past two years, Ethne has worked as a Personal Assistant to the six Vice-Deans in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Faculty. Ethne has assisted in developing strategic plans and creating project impact reports that link to the strategic priorities using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Ethne has a particular interest in Mental Health awareness, having completed i-act training on managing and promoting positive mental health and wellbeing and is certified mental health aware. In her previous role, she was the wellbeing and accessibility champion for her faculty.
Ethne completed a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of West of England, with a particular interest in social regeneration and the impact of globalisation.
Ask me about:
- Potential opportunities for interdisciplinary activities related to the Grand Challenge of Justice and Equality or Cultural Understanding
- Funding opportunities, workshops and events
- Knowledge exchange inquiries
- Commission opportunities
- Support with collaborative networks
- Any queries related to the Working Groups
E: e.james-souch@ucl.ac.uk
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Max Gillingham
Coordinator, UCL Grand Challenges
Max is the Coordinator for the Grand Challenges themes of Climate Crisis and Data-Empowered Societies. He joined UCL Grand Challenges in September 2024 having previously worked in academic-policy engagement on the CAPE project at the University of Nottingham. In this role, he worked closely with researchers and policymakers to coordinate a range of cross-sector collaborations and knowledge exchange activities. Prior to this, he worked in student engagement.
Bringing a keen interest in the natural world, Max holds an undergraduate degree in Zoology and an MRes in Biosciences from the University of Nottingham. His thesis explored the practical and policy considerations of a novel soil remediation method, and he has published in the international multi-disciplinary journal Science of the Total Environment.
Ask me about:
- Funding calls, events and other activities offered by the Grand Challenges of Climate Crisis and Data-Empowered Societies.
E: max.gillingham@ucl.ac.uk
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Jade Hunter
Coordinator, UCL Grand Challenges
Jade is the Coordinator for the theme of Mental Health and Wellbeing. She joined UCL Grand Challenges in November 2024 after having previously worked in the Data & Impact team at UCL. In this role, she worked closely with colleagues in Access and Widening Participation, Student Funding and Student Success to develop, undertake and commission research projects relating to student experience at UCL. Prior to this, she worked within Access & Widening Participation, working on their research, and teacher engagement strands.
Part-time at UCL, Jade is also studying for a collaborative PhD at Queen Mary University with Eastside Community Heritage, using oral history interviews to focus on themes of home, mobility and belonging on a suburban estate in Havering. Jade holds an MA in Sociology from Goldsmiths , during which she explored the effects of Thames Gateway regeneration on an estate community, and an MRes in Geography from Queen Mary.
Ask me about:
- Funding calls, events and other activities offered by the Grand Challenges of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Milly Metcalfe
Coordinator for Education, Student Experience, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Initiative, UCL Grand Challenges
Ask me about:
- Our educational offerings on the Grand Challenges and SDGs.
- UCL Sustainable Development Goals Initiatives