Cultural Understanding
UCL's Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding looks at the differing, complex, and evolving relationships among people, communities, and cultures.
The Challenge
Cultural understanding is navigating the complex differences between diverse backgrounds. These include beliefs, values, practices, and world-views. In our connected world, people often meet others of different cultures, ethnicities, and religions. This happens in workplaces, schools, and communities, and through the media. A lack of knowledge or appreciation for other cultures can cause misunderstandings, stereotypes, and biases.
What UCL's Grand Challenge is doing
UCL's Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding explores the complex, changing ties among people, communities, and cultures.
As the world grows more connected, we must understand each other's religions, politics, and heritages. This will determine how well we adapt to future challenges. UCL's Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding fosters interdisciplinary work with external partners. The goal is to achieve real-world impact. Since 2010, £310,000 has funded 82 projects and has raised over £500,000 in additional funding.
- 82 projects were funded.
- 164 researchers are involved.
- Approximately £0.7m in further funding has been generated.
Leadership Team
The academic direction of the UCL Grand Challenges of Cultural Understanding is led by its Working Group.
- Professor Doug Bourn, Co-Chair of the Cultural Understanding Working Group
- Professor Audrey Prost, Co-Chair of the Cultural Understanding Working Group
- Siobhan Morris, Assistant Director, UCL Grand Challenges
- Ethne James-Souch, Coordinator, UCL Grand Challenges
Funding
Up to £4,000 is available for proposals. They should focus on innovative ways to decolonise research and its ethics at UCL. Focus on activities that boost engagement and change in the institution. Proposals should build on the UCL report, Cultures of Decolonisation. They should push boundaries by rethinking research practices through a decolonial lens. We welcome proposals from UCL faculties with little work on, or engagement with, decolonising research.
Deadline: Monday, 25 November 17:00 (GMT)
> More information, including the full eligbility criteria and application form.
UCL received nearly 40 applications from its 11 faculties and Professional Services. The panel approved funding for 4 applications, totalling nearly £14,000.
News highlights
A forum was held in partnership with the Development Education Research Centre. It discussed the challenges and possibilities of decolonising research in higher education, both in the UK and globally.
Parliament Buildings: The Architecture of Politics in Europe was edited by Sophia Psarra (The Bartlett School of Architecture), Uta Staiger, and Claudia Sternberg (UCL European Institute). The book was launched on 5 March 2024.
A new report examines and stresses the vital, diverse roles of the humanities in a fast-changing world. They are vital for a healthy society and a functioning democracy. They also drive innovation, business success, and a competitive edge in all fields.
On 15 May 2024, the UCL European Institute, the Institute of Advanced Studies, and UCL Grand Challenges hosted a talk. They called it 'Nostalgia: A History of a Dangerous Emotion - In discussion with Agnes Arnold-Foster'. The event examined the history of this complex emotion. It used nostalgia to reflect on society's fast pace, our regrets, and today's work conditions. It also looked at the politics of fear and anxiety.
See more on the impact in our project highlights →
Stay connected
Sign up to the UCL Grand Challenges newsletter for news about upcoming educational workshops and opportunities. > Join our mailing list
Partner with us
Join forces with UCL’s world-class experts and global network to tackle today’s most pressing societal challenges.> Learn more about our Partnerships
Close
