Regional Inequalities: Empowering Communities for Change
Welcome to the first episode of Fair Enough, the podcast from UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities. Hosted by Professor Lauren Andreas and Dr Victoria Austin, the series brings together researchers, policymakers and practitioners to explore bold ideas for tackling inequality and delivering everyday justice.
In this episode, Lauren and Victoria explore how communities themselves can play a central role in addressing regional inequalities across the UK.
They are joined by Professor Saffron Woodcraft (UCL Institute for Global Prosperity and Director of the UCL Citizen Science Academy) and Professor Graham Thrower (Head of the Institute for Economic and Social Inclusion at the University of Sunderland). Together they discuss why inequalities persist between regions in the UK and how approaches such as citizen science, community-led research and devolved decision-making could help build more inclusive local economies.
In this episode:
Inequality and everyday insecurity
Inequality and everyday insecurity
How insecure work, unstable incomes and rising living costs shape people’s lived experience of inequality.
Communities that feel overlooked
Why some places continue to feel excluded despite decades of policy initiatives.
Citizen science and community knowledge
How the UCL Citizen Science Academy works with residents as “citizen scientists” to generate knowledge about their own communities.
Devolution and place-based solutions
The potential for regional powers and local decision-making to support more tailored responses to inequality.
Why “double devolution” – passing power not just to regions but to communities themselves – could be key.
Investing in social infrastructure
Why public services, community organisations and local networks should be seen as essential infrastructure for thriving places.
Rethinking economic models
The difference between “inclusive growth” and building truly inclusive economies.
A call to Andy Burnham
Reflecting on regional leadership and devolution, Lauren highlights Greater Manchester’s approach and extends an open invitation to Andy Burnham to join the podcast in a future episode to discuss the lessons of “Manchesterism” and what they might mean for tackling inequality across the UK.
Fair Enough is produced by the UCL Grand Challenge of Inequalities and brings together leading voices to explore practical solutions for reducing inequality and creating fairer societies.
Creators and Guests
Host
Lauren Andres
Lauren Andres is Pro-Vice-Provost for Inequalities at UCL Grand Challenges. She is also Professor of Planning and Urban Transformations at The Bartlett School of Planning, UCL, where she serves as Director of Research. An interdisciplinary urban scholar, Lauren explores how cities adapt and transform in times of crisis, from pandemics to emerging technologies. Her work focuses on resilience, sustainability and social justice, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of vulnerable groups, including children and young people. Her recent research spans pandemic recovery, future crisis preparedness, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in urban governance, with projects across the UK, China, and globally.
Host
Victoria Austin
Victoria Austin is Pro-Vice-Provost for Inequalities at UCL Grand Challenges. She is also Associate Professor of Social Justice and Innovation at UCL Engineering and co-founder of the Global Disability Innovation Hub, a global organisation working across 40+ countries to drive disability innovation for a fairer world. She now serves as Strategic Director, having stepped down as founding CEO in 2024. Victoria’s research sits at the intersection of disability justice, technology and urban development, with a strong focus on participatory, real-world solutions. She teaches on UCL East’s Innovation for a Fairer World and co-leads a Master’s on global disability and technology.
