Shared Screens, Split Realities: Rethinking Online Safety Together In the first episode of our Inequalities mini-series, host Ethne James Souch is joined by Prof Jessica Ringrose, Dr Marc Tibber, and Sophie Wilson to delve into the complex intersection of social medi

Following the government’s announcement of a legal ban on smartphones in schools in England, Ethne James Souch, Jessica Ringrose, Marc Tibber and Sophie Wilson discuss whether phone bans are supporting young people or excluding them.

Listen now: https://bit.ly/4vDehG5

Pleased to share our findings from the #VisibleCoSpace study on #DisruptiveVoices podcast @uclgrandchallenges.bsky.social !

Check it out! 👇 📻
@ioe.bsky.social @clscohorts.bsky.social

Applications open for Mental Health & Wellbeing ECR Catalyst Grant Call with funding of up to £10k available to support innovative, cutting-edge research that crosses disciplinary boundaries & focuses on bringing discovery to practice.
Deadline: 18 May https://bit.ly/3PKtgxh

As part of its visit to Europe, @ucl.ac.uk has announced a new partnership with UNESCO to address global inequalities in education through the Global Happy Schools Initiative.

The collaboration focuses on wellbeing, inclusion and equity, informed by learning science.

#UCLEurope

🚨 Calling researchers interested in policy impact 🚨
Applications are open for 2 UKRI Research and Development Missions Accelerator Programme Fellowships
Work at the science–policy interface on:
⚡ Clean energy
🏠 Experimental evaluation
Apply by 28 April 2026: bit.ly/4sOjpVA

We’re delighted to announce that Prof Ibrahim Abubakar, UCL Vice‑Provost (Health) will deliver the opening remarks for our conference on Friday 5 June.

Join us to hear his opening remarks and explore what works in tackling complex societal challenges.
https://bit.ly/49KJdd9

UCL and UNESCO partner to tackle global inequalities in education UCL joins UNESCO to tackle the global ‘learning crisis’ by expanding a global initiative that puts happiness and wellbeing at the centre of education policy and practice.

UCL and UNESCO are joining forces to expand UNESCO’s Global Happy Schools Initiative - a programme focused on improving wellbeing, engagement and learning outcomes for both students and teachers.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4vARZVq

One month to go! Improving interventions for children’s & young people’s mental health 🧠 13 May | 9am–5pm

Join us during #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek as we showcase cutting‑edge research, NHS partnerships & approaches to prevention & early intervention. https://bit.ly/3N2ah0l

Making Visible Invisible Communities: How youth clubs and local community spaces can support young people’s health and wellbeing In this episode, host Jade Hunter delves into Grand Challenges-funded project, Visible CoSpace Study - a youth-led, co-produced study aimed at addressing the health inequalities faced by young people

🎧 How can we better support the health & wellbeing of young people from marginalised communities?
Jade Hunter explores the Visible CoSpace study with Dr Keri Wong & Dr Lusi Morhayim, highlighting the vital role youth clubs & community spaces play🎙️Listen: https://bit.ly/4cjOLg6

In a new blog, Katherine reflects on her move into the Grand Challenges team. She talks about managing two of the new Grand Challenge themes and the ‘can‑do’ culture within RIGE.

https://bit.ly/4tCsPnw

Please note: this SharePoint link is available to UCL staff only.

UK-Ukraine ResearchBridge Conference: Accelerating Reconstruction through Science & Innovation The UK–Ukraine ResearchBridge project, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and supporting the 100-year partnership between the two countries, officially launched at a confe...

We were proud to mark the launch of the UK-Ukraine ResearchBridge project recently at The Royal Society. Thank you to all speakers, chairs and participants for their contributions and commitment to advancing UK–Ukraine collaboration.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4sVwooH

Looking ahead: futurecasting global health at the 2026 UCL–Lancet Lecture UCL Student Storyteller Nurulhuda Gumay Riswandi shares key insights from this year’s UCL–Lancet Lecture, hosted by UCL Grand Challenges and the UCL Institute for Global Health.

2026 UCL–Lancet Lecture recording now live. 🎥

Prof Natalia Kanem recently explored the long‑term forces that will shape global health to 2100.

Watch the full event and hear key insights from UCL Student Storyteller Nurulhuda Gumay Riswandi. https://bit.ly/4bSFDi9

Climate Crisis Funding Calls: 2026/27 The UCL Grand Challenge of the Climate Crisis has opened two funding schemes for new UCL-led projects to run in 2026/27

🚨 Grand Challenges Climate Crisis Funding Opportunity
Climate Network Accelerators (Apply for up to £25k)
Strategic Sub-Theme Awards (Apply for up to £40k)
Deadline: 14 May
Got any questions? Join our webinar 📅 15 April, 13:00–14:00

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bsBmTy

Catalyst Seminar Series in Children and Young People’s Mental Health The UCL Catalyst seminar series is intended to spark fresh thinking and debates.

Book you place and join our event: Physical exercise and mental health on 15 April at 1pm
Chaired by Essi Viding, hear from Dr Flaminia Ronca and Jonathan Roiser as they discuss stress, wellbeing and physical activity in young people. https://bit.ly/4nyeDbF

Fair Enough? From UCL's Grand Challenge of Inequalities Fair Enough? is a new podcast from UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities, asking a simple but urgent question: when it comes to tackling inequality, are we really doing enough? In an increasingly div...

Looking for something thought-provoking to listen to this Easter? 🎧
Listen to our new podcast series, Fair Enough? Hosted by Dr Victoria Austin and Prof Lauren Andres. Subscribe to follow the series as new conversations are released👇 https://bit.ly/4d0CpLR

UCL Grand Challenges and UCL Public Policy is offering three exciting Policy Fellowships with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), looking at clean energy, home learning and programme evaluation.
👉 Submit your application by 10 April 2026: https://bit.ly/4sOjpVA

The residency would not be possible without the most generous support of UCL's Grand Challenges, @uclgrandchallenges.bsky.social.

Book your place for the Prevention & Early Intervention Conference
🗓️ 16 June | 09:00–17:00 | Logan Hall
Join leading researchers, clinicians and lived‑experience advisers exploring the latest in child & adolescent mental health, risk and resilience.
https://bit.ly/4bBmgtX

🌍 Sign up! Tackling Grand Challenges conference on 5 June at UCL IOE.
Join researchers, policymakers & innovators to explore what works in addressing global challenges.

Workshops on 4 June at UCL East — limited places.

🔗 https://bit.ly/49KJdd9

Early‑bird registration is open for the QHRN Conference 2026 (14 May). Join for talks, workshops and keynotes from Prof Katriina Whitaker, Shabira Papain and Dr Gemma Hughes.
Early‑bird closes 3 April — book now: https://bit.ly/477mVC4

Our March newsletter is out now! Read the latest news, opportunities and upcoming events in our monthly bulletin: https://bit.ly/4c1eH0Y

Make sure you sign up and stay up to date: http://bit.ly/4a0Fjx2

🎧 New podcast out now - Fair Enough?
Hosted by Victoria Austin & Lauren Andres (PVPs Inequalities), ep 1 explores how communities can drive more inclusive local economies across the UK, with Saffron Woodcraft (UCL) & Graham Thrower (Uni of Sunderland).
https://bit.ly/4d0CpLR

Making art: from play to power There is a way in which the current of imagination, as it flows into a work of art, is a form of play – and that is essential to human well-being.

"The current of imagination, as it flows into a work of art, is a form of play – and that is essential to human well-being."

Marina Warner explores making art: from child's play to collective ritual, from Banksy to Balinese dance.
🔗 joinexpeditions.com/exps/1347-making-art-from-play-to-power

Generation One, the UCL climate podcast. YouTube video by UCL

UCL Generation One: The Climate Podcast — Series 1–5 out now
Prof Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin‑Yee dive into the biggest climate challenges with expert guests and public questions.
📺 Watch the new video: https://bit.ly/4aUCPSC
🎧 Listen to all episodes: https://bit.ly/43xHo11

Future London: Technology & Sustainability · Luma Future London is an event series focused on discussion, hosted by the Knowledge Quarter and The London Society. Future London: Technology & Sustainability will…

🌍 Future London: Tech & Sustainability
📅 24 March | 17:30–19:30
📍 Impact Hub London Euston
Join experts from UCL, the GLA, Turing Institute & more to explore how tech can drive a greener city.
🎟️ Free for UCL staff/students (select KQ Member): https://luma.com/gj3a2clp

A @uclgrandchallenges.bsky.social survey shows youth mental health needs are rising: 64% have faced difficulties and 32% expect to need support soon. Academic and financial pressures are major factors.
👉️ www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/se... #BrainAwarenessWeek

Applications are now open for UCL’s new six‑month Peer Mentoring & Coaching Pilot for Early Career Researchers working on Grand Challenge–aligned projects. Deadline 20 March!

Sign up now: https://form.jotform.com/260482200658353

🎧 New Disruptive Voices ep!
What does joy mean across cultures? Host Jade Hunter speaks with Jo Cook (UCL Anthropology) about how joy is experienced, expressed and researched through participant observation, micro‑phenomenology and photovoice.
🎙️ Listen https://bit.ly/3Pzm6f3

Mental health & wellbeing projects highlighted in UCL's Brain Awareness Week campaign UCL's Grand Challenge of Mental Health & Wellbeing takes centre stage during UCL's Brain Awareness Week campaign, running from 16-22 March 2026.

Today marks the start of #BrainAwarenessWeek, a global celebration of the incredible advancements and benefits of brain research. At @ucl, we’re sharing how our pioneering research improves lives worldwide.

🔗 Explore our research stories to learn more: https://bit.ly/4s3AH11

Spaces of Inclusion: Localising Global Strategies to Tackle Inequality An event funded by UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities

🌍 How does space shape inequalities & how can global strategies work locally?
Join Lauren Andres (PVP Inequalities theme) & experts discussing links between climate, migration, urban marginalisation & gendered vulnerabilities.
📆 18 March, 17:30–20:30
👉https://bit.ly/4roHykx