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A few examples of the interdisciplinary work that UCL's Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding has supported and facilitated - highlighting the impact the work has had in the world.
For more details of the impacts of other work funded, view all our UCL's Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding projects.
Cultures of Decolonisation
The UCL Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding Working Group assessed UCL's research structures and norms. It builds on a range of UCL decolonisation initiatives since 2018. Most of these initiatives have focused on the curriculum. This project aimed to map decolonising research initiatives. It sought to see if the institution's research structures support them.
A major report, including recommendations, was then compiled from the discussions. It should spark discussions at UCL and better reflect decolonisation in all faculties.
The workstream is ongoing through several funding calls and events.
> Cultures of Decolonisation at UCL Report (2022)
Brexit Survey
Amid the Brexit turmoil, UCL's Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding supported a survey. It asked over 5,000 representative UK voters to rank four Brexit outcomes by preference.
In March 2019, Professor Christina Pagel (UCL Mathematics) and data analyst Christabel Cooper conducted a survey, with YouGov. They collaborated with Dr. Uta Staiger of the UCL European Institute.
The work looked at how Brexit attitudes have changed since the 2016 referendum. It focused on those struggling with their own finances. The research received significant media coverage. Articles ran in The Times, HuffPost, and Politics.
Also, Owen Smith, Labour MP for Pontypridd, cited the survey in an opinion piece in The Guardian.
> UCL Research Cited in Call for Second Brexit
UCL Bi-Lingo
UCL BiLingo is a UCL-based Bilingualism/Multilingualism Education and Information Service. It was kick-started by a Grand Challenge Cultural Understanding small grant. It gives the community research-based advice on childhood bilingualism. It provides up-to-date information and training. It provides support for learning English as an additional language.
The project built collaborations across disciplines. It engaged parents and teachers. It set up networks with schools, local authorities, and speech therapists. It also won a £305,000 grant from the Leverhulme Trust. It will study how early bilingualism affects the brain.
> UCL Bilingo: a bilingualism / multilingualism Information Education Service
CHAMPIONS stands for 'Children in Homeless Accommodations Managing Pandemic Invisibility Or Non-inclusive Strategies.' It studies COVID-19's impact on families with young children and what will help. The CHAMPIONS team, led by Professor Monica Lakhanpaul, studies how to help children in TA and their families.
The ESRC funded the project, with extra support from UCL Grand Challenges. It created a digital knowledge exchange platform. It advocates for a home's vital role in providing a safe, healthy, and educational environment.
> Find out more about the impacts of this project.
Lost and Found: A European Literary Map of London
The project was in collaboration with the UCL Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, UCL European Institute, and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The result is the "Lost and Found: A European Literacy Map of London." It is an interactive, online map. It has over 70 entries in 20+ European languages. Users can explore London through the eyes of Europe's writers, artists, and thinkers.
A Writer in Residency Programme has been developed with EUNIC London, the European Literature Network, and the EU Delegation to the UK.
> European Literacy London Digital Map
