Tackling Grand Challenges – What Works, What’s Missing, and What’s Next?

The world today faces a convergence of complex and urgent challenges, often referred to as grand challenges, including the climate and nature crises, rising inequality, growing conflict, nationalism, threats to truth, democracy, and the rule of law.

This international conference invites participants from across sectors and regions to share insights, learn from diverse experiences, and build resilient, adaptive strategies for the future. We will explore what works in tackling grand challenges with a view to informing delivery on the Sustainable Development Goals and critically examine how these approaches must evolve in the face of geopolitical shifts, economic pressures, and environmental shocks.
Confirmed speakers on the day include:
- Ibrahim Abubakar (Vice Provost for Health, UCL)
- Polly Curtis (CEO - Demos)
- Steve Kenzie (Executive Director - UN Global Compact Network UK)
- Jenny Hill (Challenge Director - UKRI Research and Development)
- Ravi Gurumurthy (Group CEO - Nesta/BIT)
- David Scott (Director - Cancer Grand Challenges )
- Anca Tacu (Senior Policy Manager - UCL Policy Impact Unit)
- Gail Taylor (Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, UCL).

Join us to connect with others committed to addressing major societal challenges through flexible, effective, and collaborative approaches.
📍Logan Hall, UCL IOE, 20 Bedford Way, London.
Friday 5 June 2026, 09:00-17:30, followed by networking until 19:00.

We are also planning to offer a series of interactive workshops the day before the conference at UCL East (4 June). These sessions will delve into skills and leadership, new technologies, and measuring impact and outcomes related to tackling major societal challenges. They are aimed at practitioner level experiences, with the hope of relaying findings from the day at the main conference. After the morning workshops, attendees will be invited to have lunch on campus and a chance to explore the UCL East campus. There will be an opportunity for a limited number of lightning talks and poster showcases. This day will be limited to 80 places,

We will have a photographer at the event. Please make yourself known if you do not wish to be photographed.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher UCL Grand Challenges