2026 Grand Challenges Penryn
Challenge Overview
This challenge will run only on the Penryn Campus.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it”
– Robert Swan, https://www.robertswan.com
CHALLENGE: What can YOU do now about climate change and the biodiversity crisis?
Do you have an idea for a campaign? Do you want to set up a sustainable business?
Interested in leading community action? Can you influence changes in policy?
Climate change and the biodiversity crisis are the key challenges of our times – influencing global and local issues of political stability, migration, food production, technology development, local and national climate adaptation, etc etc. In this Penryn-based Challenge, we take a planetary health approach, exploring how we can live in balance with our natural environment for the good of both the planet and ourselves. Planetary Health requires a transdisciplinary approach – so we welcome (in fact need) students from all disciplines in Cornwall to take part.
In our Challenge we explore what we can do right now: how we can support a more sustainable future; what actions can we take to drive change – small or large? What can we do to engage with others and how can we support them to live in better balance with nature? What are the inevitable changes we need to prepare for in the face of climate change?
To help us explore these issues, we have a keynote speaker and specialists to inform our ideas and discussions. A transdisciplinary academic team support our enquiry groups, and at the end of the week students present their ideas to a panel of independent experts.
Whether you are interested in the impact of AI on society, how a village addresses flood risk, how you can set up a campus recycling initiative, or how we teach children about the future without fuelling climate anxiety, how we influence policy on water quality, rewilding nature, or anything else, this challenge is for you.
In 2026, our enquiry groups are focused around types of action we and our colleagues can take around climate change and biodiversity, with the focus topic open for you to decide.
Each enquiry group will have specialist inputs to support you to develop your ideas and your skills in each area:
The weather impacts on our lives in a range of ways - from affecting transport systems, to risks (and benefits) to health and impacts on our environments (including the indoor environment). In this enquiry group you can explore ways to adapt to respond to climate change to reduce negative impacts. Could we use sensors to protect our indoor environments? Could we have new warning systems? Could we change the transport system to make it more able to cope with climate change? How could the university better adapt itself to face the challenge of climate change?
Recent developments point toward a future where data and AI not only expand in volume but may become the backbone of decision‑making across science, industry, and policy. With this enquiry group you will focus on opportunities for and challenges of data and AI-driven solutions, from novel use cases to ethical and environmental concerns.
As no place on Earth remains untouched by humans, the overlap between human and wildlife resource use increases, causing human-wildlife conflict. The aim of this Grand Challenge is to create human-wildlife coexistence solutions that are applicable across species and continents.
As antimicrobial resistance accelerates globally, it threatens the effectiveness of healthcare systems and routine medical procedures. This challenge centres on designing interventions that protect human health while preserving antimicrobial efficacy.
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