Is Globalisation Really Improving our Lives?

UCL Grand Challenges invites proposals to address the priority theme of Dynamics of Globalisation. We will fund cross-disciplinary projects up to £2,500. With rising concern about the effects of globalisation, we’re looking for innovative scholarly thinking to explore this fascinating topic.

The processes of circulation of people, objects, ideas and capital subsumed under the term ‘globalisation’ are not new. Globalisation has long presented many challenges and opportunities to societies, communities and economies around the world with the increased flow of peoples across national boundaries, the free movement of capital, and the exponential growth of global communication technologies.

The late twentieth century excitement over the multiple transformations made possible by accelerated circulation has given way to concern over concomitant processes of withdrawal. Globalisation seems to be producing friction as much as flow; local and regional identities are being revived, states are attempting to reassert their sovereignty by controlling the movement of people and goods, and everywhere the ability of global capitalism to improve lives is being questioned. It can be argued that recent political events such as the election of Donald Trump, Brexit, and the rise of populism across Europe are direct consequences of the impact of globalisation. Ideologies of ‘purity’ are gaining traction in the face of radical uncertainty.

In this context, cross-disciplinary discussion and interdisciplinary scholarship can shed light on how these processes interact, and on how we may improve our ability to live with difference in meaningful and sustainable ways.

UCL’s Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding therefore invites researchers, at postdoctoral level or above, to apply for funding for activities under the theme of Dynamics of Globalisation. £10,000 of funding is available through the initiative to support four or five activities costing up to £2,500 each for expenditure before 31 July 2019. The 1st and 2nd UCL applicants must clearly represent different areas of disciplinary and methodological expertise. External non-academic partners are also welcome.

The deadline for completed applications is Friday 12 October 2018 – apply here.

To inspire and facilitate collaborations, the Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding’s Working Group co-chairs Professor Doug Bourn and Dr Hélène Neveu Kringelbach, will be hosting a networking workshop on Tuesday 2 October from 12.00-13.30. The workshop will provide an opportunity for researchers to meet potential partners from different schools, disciplines, and fields across UCL. To attend, please email Kasia Koprowska-Diez by Friday 28 September.

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