911±¬ÁÏÍø

Grand Challenges is focusing on the ways in which cross-disciplinary research can address the objectives laid out in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Launched in 2008,ÌýUCLÌýGrand ChallengesÌýaims to deliver significant contributions to solving some of the world’s greatest problems.ÌýThe initiativeÌýwas born of a belief thatÌýaÌýlarge research-intensive university with a global standingÌýcan make significant contributions in key areas.ÌýGrand Challenges brings together a diverse range of expertsÌýfrom across the UCL communityÌýto address these large and complex societal issues.ÌýÌýÌý

TheÌýGrandÌýChallengesÌýstrands – Global Health, Sustainable Cities, Cultural Understanding, Human Wellbeing, Transformative Technology and Justice & Equality –Ìýcover the spectrum of globally complex challengesÌýframedÌýby the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), asÌýidentified by the UN in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, launched in 2015.ÌýÌý

Grand ChallengesÌýworks in tandem withÌýtheÌýUCL SDGs Initiative,ÌýwhichÌýseeks to maximiseÌýUCL’sÌýimpact on theÌýUN’sÌý2030ÌýGoalsÌýthrough research,ÌýinternalÌýoperations, external engagementÌýandÌýteachingÌýactivities,Ìýas well asÌýthoseÌýundertaken by our studentÌýand alumniÌýcommunities.ÌýÌý

Grand ChallengesÌýplays its part inÌýthis byÌýsupporting UCLÌýresearchersÌýtoÌýgenerateÌýcross-disciplinary responses to theÌýgoals.ÌýItÌýdoes soÌýthrough developingÌýpartnerships both within and beyond the university,Ìýfunding projects based on grass roots ideas,Ìýorganising events, andÌýby motivating,ÌýorganisingÌýand delivering specialÌýinitiativesÌýthat relate to the SDGs and their interconnections.Ìý

By aligningÌýits work withÌýthe SDGs,ÌýGrand ChallengesÌýis facilitatingÌýimpactfulÌýnew partnershipsÌý–ÌýwithinÌýthe university and beyondÌý– that areÌýbothÌýintellectually stimulating for researchers and ofÌýclear and immediateÌývalue to society.ÌýSince its inception, the inter-faculty collaborations and external links fosteredÌýby the programmeÌýhaveÌýinspiredÌýnewÌýresearchÌýapproaches andÌýtheÌýpractical translation of researchÌýoutputs. ByÌýcomplementing the UCL SDGsÌýInitiative,ÌýGrand ChallengesÌýwillÌýcontinueÌýto grow and develop UCL’sÌýcapacity to tackle and offer solutions toÌýglobally significantÌýproblemsÌý- andÌýhelpÌýto ensureÌýthatÌýaction on theÌýGoalsÌýis addressedÌýacross a range of spatial scales –ÌýatÌýcity,Ìýregional,ÌýnationalÌýand internationalÌýlevels.ÌýÌý

What we’ve done so far

For more on how Grand Challenges projects are supporting the SDGs, visit our case studies page.Ìý

Find out more about 911±¬ÁÏÍø'sÌýSustainable Development Goals Initiative.