UCL Grand Challenges (Un)equal Lives, (Un)equal Outcomes in the UK 2024/25 Awards

UCL Grand Challenges recently awarded funding under the special initiative theme (Un)equal Lives, (Un)equal Outcomes in the UK: Addressing Societal Inequalities in academic year 2024/25.

This special initiative supports activities that address the foundations of societal inequalities in the UK, exploring their implications (and outcomes) at any or all levels, and critically, identify responses or solutions to address these - 'what works' locally or systemically. It supports those that adopt a future-focused lens to generate solutions to societal inequalities, rather than the research of the underlying issues of inequalities. In total, over 45 applications were received from all 11 faculties at UCL, as well as Professional Services and external partners. The judging panel approved funding for 4 applications, with total funding of nearly £40,000 awarded.

Professor Nick Gallent and Professor Louise Archer, Co-Chairs of the UCL Grand Challenge of Justice & Equality Working Group, commented: 

“"Following an incredible response to last year’s special initiative, we were pleased to be able to launch a second round of the GCJE funding call, ‘(Un)equal Lives, (Un)equal Outcomes: Addressing Societal Inequalities in the UK.’  A large number of high quality and collaborative proposals were received, often featuring partnerships between UCL researchers and industry or local community groups. The funded proposals will address pressing and topical issues such as smartphone bans in schools, post-prison education and employment, dementia in the LGBTQ+ community, and employment and training outcomes for young people in deprived coastal communities. We look forward to seeing these projects go forward in the coming year, and to the transformations and impacts they will deliver".

Summary details of the projects awarded are below:

Smartphone Free Childhoods? Supporting young people, teachers and parents navigate Smartphone bans in schools

£9,210

Professor Jessica Ringrose, Department of Education, Practice and Society, Institute of Education
Mr Jamie O'Connell, Life Lessons

How can access and use of social support/care services be equitable for people living with dementia from LGBTQ+ communities? Setting research priorities through a stakeholders’ partnership

£9,495

Dr Claudio Di Lorito, Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Population Health Sciences
Mr Matthew Edwards, Dementia UK

Green Jobs for the Future: Co-producing skills strategies with local stakeholders to reduce unequal outcomes for young people in deprived coastal communities

£9,995.17

Dr Rachel Wilde, Department of Education Practice and Society, Institute of Education
Ms Joanne Hand, Right to Succeed 
Professor Avril Keating, Centre for Global Youth, Department of Education Practice and Society, Institute of Education

Aspiration and opportunity: A new vision for post-prison education, training and employment

£9,911.40

Professor John Vorhaus, Department of Education Practice and Society, Institute of Education 
Dr Keri Wong, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education