Disruptive Voices from UCL Grand Challenges

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 from marginalised communities.   Joined by project co-leads Dr Keri Wong and Dr Lusi Morhayim, the discussion uncovers the critical role of youth clubs and community spaces in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of 14 to 25-year-olds.  As they explore the impact of reduced funding and the closure of youth clubs across the UK, the conversation highlights the insights gained from interviews with young people and community youth workers, revealing how these spaces serve as essential safe havens for vulnerable youth.   This episode also examines how the project's findings are influencing policy discussions around youth wellbeing and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in research. 

In this episode, host Jade Hunter is joined by UCL Professor of Anthropology, Jo Cook, to explore AnthropoloJOY, an ambitious project examining how joy is experienced, expressed and understood across different cultures. AnthropoloJOY is the first long-term qualitative research project of its kind, investigating what joy means in the UK and beyond. Professor Cook shares how the absence of joy during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the project’s creation, and why it’s time to rethink the way we talk about human emotions. The episode explores the project’s innovative research methods, including: participant observation, micro-phenomenological interviews, and photovoice. Together, these approaches aim to deepen our understanding of joy’s role in strengthening resilience, connection and wellbeing. Featured in this episode: Presenter: Jade Hunter; Guest: Professor Joanna Cook;Producer: Decibelle Creative

In this episode, Jade Hunter explores a pioneering Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) project focused on early detection and support for university students. Joined by Dr Georgina Krebs, Dr Thomas Kador and Dr Thomas Osborn, the conversation highlights a Grand Challenges-funded project developing scalable digital tools to identify BDD symptoms and deliver accessible interventions. Co-designed with students, the project aims to prevent escalation of this often-overlooked condition and offers a model for tackling wider mental health challenges among young adults.

In this episode, Jade Hunter explores the Grand Challenge-funded project "Embodying the Social: ‘The Challenge of Urban Violence and Inequalities in the Era of the Exposome’ with the project’s co-leads: Professor Sahra Gibbon, Rosie Mathers, and Professor James Kirkbride. This interdisciplinary research initiative brings together experts from anthropology, epidemiology, and psychiatry to investigate how various exposures throughout life shape the mental health of young women living in urban settings.

In this episode, host Ethne James Souch speaks with Professor Mette Louise Berg, Dr Judith Spirig, Faith Nyamakanga, and Nelson Gomez about the lived realities of asylum housing in the UK, and the wider political and policy landscape that shapes them. Drawing from a Grand Challenges-funded participatory research project focused on asylum dispersal areas in Yorkshire, the episode explores how narratives of "deservingness," local resource pressures, and privatised housing systems intersect with the everyday experiences of people seeking sanctuary in the UK. With co-researchers Faith and Nelson sharing their experiences navigating the asylum process and housing insecurity, this conversation amplifies voices that are often left out of public discourse while also offering concrete insights into how policy and public attitudes might change.  Date of episode recording: 2025-08-25 Duration: 00:31:00 Language of episode: English Presenter: Ethne James Souch Guests: Professor Mette Louise Berg; Dr. Judith Spirig, Faith Nyamakanga and Nelson Gomez Producer: Annabelle Buckland Podcast Owners:  Annabelle Buckland; Daisy Harvey, Ethne James Souch and Siobhan Morris

In this episode, host Ethne James Souch is joined by Professor Sara Mole, Noël Caliste, and Dr Sinead Murphy to explore how UCL is fostering inclusion and equity through intersectional initiatives focused on protected characteristics, mental health, and institutional change. This conversation highlights the work of Grand Challenges-funded projects such as Safer Space Conversations and Heads Together, designed to address the experiences of staff and students related to gender, LGBTQ+ identity, disability, and mental health. The episode also touches on frameworks like Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter and discusses how lived experience and co-production are shaping more thoughtful, resilient approaches to equity at UCL. Date of episode recording: 2025-08-05 Duration: 00:27:55 Language of episode: English Presenter: Ethne James Souch Guests: Sara Mole; Noel Caliste; Sinead Murphy Producer: Annabelle Buckland Podcast owner: Ethne James Souch; Daisy Harvey; Siobhan Morris; Annabelle Buckland

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 media, mental health, and regulation. The conversation spans topics from online safety and digital literacy to phone bans in schools and the lived experiences of neurodivergent communities. It explores how we can better support young people in navigating digital spaces without reinforcing inequalities. Drawing from research, policy, and lived experience, this episode offers a rich and nuanced discussion on what it means to build an inclusive and just digital future. With insights from two UCL Grand Challenges-funded projects, Ethne and guests consider the risks and possibilities of online life, the evolving landscape of regulation, and the power of co-production in developing ethical and effective interventions. Date of episode recording: 2025-07-31 Duration: 00:33:15 Language of episode: English Presenter: Ethne James Souch Guests: Prof Jessica Ringrose; Dr Marc Tibber; Sophie Wilson Producer: Annabelle Buckland

In the fourth episode of our Mental Health & Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter is joined by UCL's Pro-Vice Provosts for Mental Health & Wellbeing, Professors Essi Viding and Argyris Stringaris to discuss the findings of a significant new survey conducted in partnership with YouGov. This survey, which gathered responses from 1,545 young adults aged 16 to 25, sheds light on the pressing mental health challenges faced by young people across Britain. This episode delves into the survey's key insights, exploring the perceptions of mental health support and the urgent need for effective early intervention and prevention strategies. Essi and Argyris discuss the implications of the findings, including the high percentage of young individuals seeking help and the dissatisfaction with current support systems.Date of episode recording: 2025-08-19Duration: 00:14:00Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Jade HunterGuests: Essi Viding and Argyris StringarisProducer: Annabelle Buckland

In the third episode of our Mental Health & Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter speaks with Dr Flaminia Ronca, Evie Watson, and Katie Sykes about the Active Minds Project at UCL, an innovative pilot exploring how students’ physical activity and lifestyle habits impact their mental wellbeing and cognitive function. Through wearable technology and behavioural insights, the team is working to refine interventions that can motivate students to move more, sleep better, and thrive both academically and personally. Together, they unpack the data-driven approach behind the project and how it aims to foster a healthier, more supportive university environment. This dynamic conversation touches on the real-world challenges facing students today and the ways in which physical fitness can serve as a pathway to mental resilience.

In the second episode of our Mental Health and Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter sits down with Professor Hugo Spiers, Dr Fiona Zisch, and Isabelle Charval,  the trailblazing team behind the world’s first international centre for neuroarchitecture and neurodesign. Together, they delve into how neuroscience and the built environment are converging to shape healthier, more inclusive spaces for everyone. This wide-ranging conversation touches on the potential of this pioneering field to transform sectors such as healthcare, education, and urban planning. With deep insights from research and practice, the episode explores how our brains respond to the spaces we inhabit, and how better design can enhance wellbeing, accessibility, and human connection.Featured in this episode:Host: Jade Hunter – Coordinator, UCL’s Grand Challenge of Mental Health & WellbeingWith special thanks to our guests:Professor Hugo Spiers – UCL Department of Experimental PsychologyDr Fiona Zisch – Lecturer in Architecture, UCL Bartlett School of ArchitectureIsabelle Charval – Design Strategist and Co-Founder, Centre for Neuroarchitecture

In this special episode for Mental Health Awareness Week, host Jade Hunter is joined by Professor John Tomaney, Dr. Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros, and James Fildes, founder of Space North East. Together, they explore a growing public health crisis: rising rates of male suicide in the UK, particularly in post-industrial regions like the North East.This conversation examines how non-clinical, community-led interventions are filling critical gaps in mental health support for working-class men in the North East of England. Drawing on lived experience, academic research, and grassroots activism, this episode highlights the importance of belonging, place-based identity, and social infrastructure in men’s mental wellbeing. Featured in this episode:Host: Jade Hunter – Coordinator, UCL’s Grand Challenge of Mental Health & WellbeingWith special thanks to our guests: Professor John Tomaney – UCL Bartlett School of Planning, Pro-Provost for Regional CommunitiesDr. Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros – Research Associate and Honorary Research Fellow, UCLJames Fildes – Founder and Managing Director, Space North East Resources:Learn more about UCL Grand Challenges https://www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/Visit Space North East https://spacenortheast.org/Read about the project’s progress and future outputs via the Grand Challenges Mental Health and Wellbeing page https://www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/themes/mental-health-wellbeing

Dr Meena Khatwa and Dr Kelly Dickson delve into the bio-psychosocial impacts of menopause with special guests Lauren Chiren (CEO, Women of a Certain Stage); Sonia Abrams (UCL Head of Events OPVA) and Josephine Falade (Associate Professor, UCL School of Pharmacy). Together, they explore menopause awareness, acceptance, and the transition process. This podcast is part of the wider UCL Grand Challenges funded project ‘Coping with Menopause: exploring women’s lived experiences of work and the multigenerational squeeze’.https://www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/impacts-and-outputs/podcastsDate of episode recording: 2024-07-25T00:00:00ZDuration: 00:40:48Language of episode: English (UK)Presenter:Meena Khatwa; Kelly DicksonGuests: Sonia Abrams; Lauren Chiren; Josephine FaladeProducer: Phil Mason, Meena Khatwa, Kelly DicksonTranscription link: https://otter.ai/u/CDPELeb9YvZIcxTBpUu5z11ZJMw?utm_source=copy_url

Join us in this special episode as we explore UCL's evolved Grand Challenge: Data-Empowered Societies.In this podcast, you’ll hear from UCL staff about the transformative potential of this Grand Challenge, ethical data practices, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.This episode features UCL colleagues, including:• Prof. Allison Littlejohn, Professor of Learning Technology and Director of the UCL Knowledge Lab• Prof. Jack Stilgoe, Professor of Science and Technology, Department of Science & Technology Studies• Dr Jin Gao, Lecturer in Digital Archives, Department of Information Studies• Samantha Ahern, Senior Digital Research Trainer, Digital Skills DevelopmentFor more information on how to get involved, visit our website or contact us at [email protected]: Huda Ahmed, Lisa Juangbhanich, Phil MasonNarrator: Huda Ahmed

In this episode, Professor Nick Tyler (Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering, UCL Engineering) shares his vision of how cities are built, evolve, and how this process might include more creativity and humanity. Using perspectives from academia and the arts, Professor Tyler paints a picture of cities that puts people at the centre.

In this episode, Dr Mine Orlu (UCL School of Pharmacy) shares her positive perspective on ageing, and explains the need for a cultural change in ageing research and policy. She also shares some learning from actively involving participants in her own research and the outputs they have co-created.You can find out more and access the transcript here: Uclsound – Disruptive-voices-celebrating-old-age

In this episode, we speak to Dr Marina Romanello and Professor Ilan Kelman, about climate change as a health disaster. We discuss how to better measure the impact of climate change on health, and crucially, how to protect the most vulnerable from its negative effects. Our guests also propose alternative framings to achieve the best health and prosperity for all in the future.Music: Dancing on the Sidewalk by David Szesztay (social media license)

In Episode 4, we speak to Ayşe Lisa Allison, a PhD Student working with the Plastic Waste Innovation Hub. We explore some of the barriers to environmentally friendly action, and examine the links between behavioural science and design, focusing on biodegradable and compostable packaging and labelling. We also discuss the issue of disposable healthcare items, exploring some of the trade-offs when it comes to health and the environment.

In this episode, we speak to Professor Sophia Psarra (The Bartlett School of Architecture) to discuss how the architecture of parliament buildings across Europe influences the nature of political debates and contributes to shaping national identities.More info: www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/c…d-democracy-europeMusic: Dancing on the Sidewalk by David Szesztay (social media license)Find out more about UCL's research and engagement in Europe on our portal, European Voices: www.ucl.ac.uk/european-voices/

In this series, guests from across UCL and beyond share their innovative solutions and ideas for addressing societal challenges, discussing topics from a cross-disciplinary perspective and inspiring and encouraging us to think differently about issues of local, national, and global concern.In this week’s episode, Professor Rose Luckin (UCL Institute of Education) and Nimmi Patel (TechUK) discuss what AI developments could mean for the future of work in the UK and globally, and how we need to redefine our understanding of good work to harness AI’s potential for positive change.Music: Dancing on the Sidewalk by David Szesztay (social media license)

In this series, guests from across UCL and beyond share their innovative solutions and ideas for addressing societal challenges, discussing topics from a cross-disciplinary perspective and inspiring and encouraging us to think differently about issues of local, national and global concern.--In Episode 1, we speak to two academics from the Faculty of Laws, Dr Myriam Hunter-Henin and Professor Philippe Sands QC, about Democracy and Place. In this episode, we explore the role of international courts in shaping national identities and the role of individuals in the making and breaking of international law. Our guests also discuss how we can deliver justice at a ‘place-based’ level, drawing comparisons between Britain and France, and consider the relationship between politics and law.More info: www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/disruptive-voicesMusic: Dancing on the Sidewalk by David Szesztay (social media license)