How can we tackle inequalities embedded in society?

UCL Grand Challenges invites proposals to address the theme of Embedded Inequalities. Despite the demographic, socio-economic, and cultural transformations that have occurred over the past decades, vast inequalities remain both within and among countries. We’re looking for innovative scholarly thinking to tackle these injustices, with funding of up to £2,500 available for cross-disciplinary projects.

With the recent centenary of women gaining the right to vote in the UK, the UK’s first transgender conference being held in September, and more than fifty years after equality commissions were first established in the UK and other European and North American states, there has been increased attention on issues of structural and relational inequality in society. Despite the demographic, socio-economic, and cultural transformations that have occurred over the past decades, vast inequalities remain both within and among countries.

Paraisópolis (Paradise City), Sao Paulo, Brazil. Copyright: Luiz Arthur Leirão Vieira (Tuca Vieira). Photograph: Tuca Viera/Tuca Vieira

Injustice and inequity are therefore becoming increasingly prominent in political debates, particularly concerning access to social goods, education, technology and resources. With recent reporting showing 13.5 million people are living in poverty in the UK and of these, 60% are in households including an inadequately paid full-time worker; close to eight in ten companies and public-sector bodies in the UK paying men more than women; and disadvantage on the basis of ethnicity remaining prevalent in the UK labour market, to what extent can there be said to have been real progress made since the emergence of equality commissions and legislation, or are we witnessing a return to the inequalities of the past?

Such inequalities often overlap and are experienced in relation to one another. In this context, cross-disciplinary discussion and interdisciplinary scholarship can shed light on ways in which research can examine these issues, identifying new ways and effective solutions to tackle the inequalities and injustices that remain entrenched throughout society.

The Grand Challenge of Justice & Equality therefore invites researchers, at postdoctoral level or above, to apply for funding for activities under the theme of Embedded Inequalities. In total, £10,000 of funding is available to support activities through the initiative, costing up to £2,500 each for expenditure before 31 July 2019. External non-academic partners are welcome as a third partner, particularly community or other organisations with experience of the social issues around inequality, however first and second applicants must be UCL-based and must represent different disciplines. Full details are available in the Call for Proposals and guidance on how to apply can be found here.

The deadline for completed applications is 9am Monday 3 December 2018 – apply here.

For further information, advice regarding submissions, or for an informal discussion of the initiative, please contact Siobhan Morris.