Themes

UCL Grand Challenges brings researchers together from across UCL, setting the agenda for future research, while building bridges with external partners. The programme has become part of our university’s institutional fabric.

By investing in interdisciplinary research, the UCL Grand Challenges initiative is having a major impact on solving some of the world's most pressing problems.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

The mission is to become a beacon for improvements in mental health and wellbeing through transformative interdisciplinary research, practice and partnerships.

Climate Crisis

Explores how we can tackle the urgent issues to protect our planet.

Data-Empowered Societies

Explores how we can empower people by bringing transformative technologies and data use into harmony with the values, vulnerabilities and needs of society.

Justice and Equality

Examines the barriers that people face to just solutions and equality of opportunity.

Cultural Understanding

Looks at the differing, complex and evolving relationships between people, communities and culture.

Transformative Technology

Considers how innovation and technology can have far-reaching benefits for society and the planet.

Previous Grand Challenges

The Grand Challenge of Sustainable Cities

Academic expertise

UCL has a wealth of academic expertise across a full range of academic disciplines.

> Explore the expertise

Impact

Since the Grand Challenge programme was launched in 2008, the programme has invested in nearly 500 projects and brought together over 850 researchers from 170 different centres, institutions and departments.

> See more about impact