Fair Enough? From UCL's Grand Challenge of Inequalities

About Fair Enough? From UCL's Grand Challenge of Inequalities

Fair Enough? is a new podcast from UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities, asking a simple but urgent question: when it comes to tackling inequality, are we really doing enough? In an increasingly divided world, where competing interests often pull us apart, what would solutions that most people consider fair actually look like? Hosted by UCL’s Pro-Vice-Provosts for Inequalities, Dr Victoria Austin and Prof Lauren Andres, each episode brings together a UCL expert and a leading external voice. Blending research, policy insight and lived experience, these discussions challenge assumptions, unpack evidence, and explore what meaningful, systemic change could look like in practice. At a time of growing political and social polarisation, Fair Enough? creates space for open, constructive dialogue. From economic divides and political representation to identity and cultural belonging, the series examines how inequalities shape our lives, and what it would take to address them. Across the series, we explore three core themes: economic, political and cultural inequality, with a focus on how these issues play out across places and in an increasingly digital world. New episodes are released monthly. Whether you work in policy, research, industry, or simply care about building a fairer future, Fair Enough? invites you to be part of the conversation. About the hosts: 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. 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.

Publisher

UCL Podcasts

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Mar 2026

Latest episode

13 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

5 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Jul 2026

   The Empathy Gap: Cultural Inequity with Alison Koslowski & Rama Gheerawo

   In this episode of Fair Enough, Lauren Andres and Victoria Austin take a deep dive into the pressing issue of cultural inequity and explore innovative solutions for fostering empathy and inclusivity. They are joined by Alison Koslowski, Pro Provost for Equality and Inclusion at UCL, and Rama Gheerawo, a global authority on design for all and accessibility. Together, they discuss the challenges of inclusivity in corporate settings and the pitfalls of performative diversity initiatives. The panel examines the empathy gap in society and the importance of recognising our shared humanity. Alison highlights the need to focus on commonalities rather than just differences, while Rama emphasises the role of design in addressing systemic inequalities. In this episode: The Empathy Gap: Exploring how a lack of empathy can exacerbate societal inequalities and the importance of fostering connections. Designing for Humanity: Rama shares insights on how design can be reoriented towards inclusivity and empathy, moving beyond traditional metrics of success. Education and Creativity: The need for educational systems to nurture creativity and empathy, rather than stifling them through rigid structures. Cultural and Systemic Change: Discussing the importance of embedding inclusivity within core business strategies and the role of leadership in driving systemic change. Valuing Care Work: Understanding the significance of care work in both personal and professional contexts and how it relates to broader societal structures. As always, this episode of Fair Enough encourages us to get curious about the complexities of cultural inequity, and reminds us that addressing inequalities requires not only awareness but also actionable change and a commitment to understanding the lived experiences of others. Fair Enough is a podcast from UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore innovative ideas and solutions for delivering everyday justice. Fair Enough is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative (https://www.decibellecreative.com/) / @decibelle_creative (https://www.instagram.com/decibelle_creative/)

2. 

   16 Jun 2026

   Horizontal Injustice: Understanding Economic and Political Disparities

   Why do inequalities persist, even when opportunities appear to be expanding? How do factors such as gender, ethnicity, and geography shape our life chances? And can technology help create a fairer society, or risk deepening existing divides? In this episode of Fair Enough, hosts Lauren Andres and Victoria Austin explore the concept of horizontal injustice: the inequalities experienced by different social groups that continue to influence economic outcomes, political participation, and social mobility. They are joined by two leading experts: Professor Imran Rasul (UCL), an economist specialising in public policy and inequality, and Professor Peter John (King's College London), a renowned scholar of public policy and democratic engagement. Together, they examine why disparities persist across generations, the complex relationship between education and labour market success, and the growing challenges posed by wealth inequality. The conversation also explores the role of technology, from artificial intelligence to behavioural interventions, and asks whether these innovations can help tackle injustice or inadvertently reinforce it. Guests' Final Reflections As always, our guests share a cultural recommendation that captures the spirit of Fair Enough: - Imran Rasul: Challenging Inequalities – the second volume of the Deaton Review of Inequalities. - Peter John: From the Gutter – a quartet from Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes. Fair Enough is a podcast from UCL's Grand Challenge of Inequalities, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore ideas, evidence, and solutions for delivering everyday justice. Produced by Decibelle Creative.

3. 

   19 May 2026

   Wired And Rooted: The Technology Transforming Access to Justice

   In this episode of Fair Enough, we’re exploring the transformative power of technology in promoting access to justice. Hosts Victoria and Lauren are joined by two inspiring guests: Professor Cathy Holloway, a leader in interaction design and innovation, and Elly Savatia, a self-proclaimed tech optimist and social entrepreneur from Nairobi. This episode considers how technology can bridge communication gaps for marginalised communities, particularly focusing on Elly’s groundbreaking work with Signverse, an AI-driven platform for real-time sign language translation. The conversation highlights the critical role of inclusive design and the importance of community involvement in shaping technological solutions that address inequalities from the outset. In this episode: The Role of Technology in Reducing Inequality: How technology can transform access to essential services by eliminating reliance on scarce human resources. Community-Centric Approaches: The necessity of involving local communities when designing technological solutions. Data Justice and Accessibility: Inclusive data and algorithms create inclusive technology. Political Dimensions of Technology: The intersection of technology, policy, and the need for systemic change to address entrenched inequalities. Wired and Rooted: Exploring the balance between being connected globally while staying grounded in local communities. Fair Enough is a podcast from UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore innovative ideas and solutions for delivering everyday justice. Fair Enough is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative (https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.decibellecreative.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ci.dimmer%40ucl.ac.uk%7Cc14f067d1103466d774508deb4d680ab%7C1faf88fea9984c5b93c9210a11d9a5c2%7C0%7C0%7C639147030861235765%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=plLD7kSW6KDf%2BlLQpI9H%2FfnKxedvOBcnUZcC8CwZCJI%3D&reserved=0) / @decibelle_creative (https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fdecibelle_creative%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ci.dimmer%40ucl.ac.uk%7Cc14f067d1103466d774508deb4d680ab%7C1faf88fea9984c5b93c9210a11d9a5c2%7C0%7C0%7C639147030861262526%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Vi7UDNk%2B7D%2FS9eY96m6Hq%2FP4MSlyBxuwBZzV4kLV1Sw%3D&reserved=0)

4. 

   29 Apr 2026

   Housing, Community, and the Future: A New Approach to Urban Inequality

   Welcome back to Fair Enough. In this episode, Lauren and Victoria tackle the pressing issue of spatial inequality, focusing on the dynamics of cities and urban development. Joined by expert guests Bridget Wilkins, Head of Adoption, Engagement and Innovation at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Professor Mike Raco from the Bartlett School of Planning, the conversation explores the intersection of housing, community control, and the planning system. In this episode: Housing Access and Fairness The critical issues surrounding housing availability, ownership, and the impact on social mobility and opportunity. Decision-Making and Local Control Exploring the challenges communities face in influencing decisions that affect their lives and environments. The Role of Technology in Urban Planning How innovations like AI can streamline planning processes while ensuring community engagement and input remain at the forefront. Community-Led Regeneration The importance of empowering communities to take charge of their local environments and the potential for new models of collaboration. Rethinking Economic Models The necessity of transforming the relationship between the state, developers, and community interests to create equitable urban spaces. Mike & Bridget both share their insights on the future of urban development, the role of technology, and the urgent need for a more inclusive planning system that prioritises community needs. This episode is a call to rethink how we approach urban inequality and the structures that underpin it. Fair Enough is a podcast from UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore innovative ideas and solutions for delivering everyday justice. Fair Enough is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

5. 

   23 Mar 2026

   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 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. Fair Enough is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative (https://www.decibellecreative.com/) / @decibelle_creative (https://www.instagram.com/decibelle_creative/)

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.