Grand Challenges Week 2015

Students from across disciplines in Exeter and Penryn worked with top academics to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our world, from conflict resolution to digital futures, gender equality to obesity crisis, earth tomorrow, population pressures and digital society. They were helped in their enquiries by external partners such as 3D-printing company Choc Edge, IBM, Waitrose, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and students from local schools.  Participants also had the chance to hear from influential leaders such as Tim Smit (Eden Project co-founder,) community chef Sanjay Kumar, and David Haslam, Chairman of the National Obesity Forum.

The final showcase event gave everyone the opportunity to celebrate the students’ achievements and discover the other Challenges’ outputs, which ranged from apps to blogs, videos and recipes. These outputs will be made available on the Grand Challenges website for all to enjoy.

Professor Nick Kaye, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education, said: "This innovative and interdisciplinary programme puts Exeter firmly on the world stage as a forward thinking and international University."

This successful collaborative work will not end with the conclusion of Grand Challenges week, and several groups are already planning to take their work further.  This includes setting up a running group, presenting outputs to a London-based company, and an internship opportunity, and many students have been inspired and empowered to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing humanity and the environment in the 21st century.  Grand Challenges also gives students the chance to develop a range of employability skills.