The ERC Advanced Grant is one of the EU’s most competitive and distinguished research funding schemes, supporting world-leading scholars with bold, curiosity-driven ideas that can lead to transformative scientific and societal breakthroughs.
Led by Professor Tufte, REACT—Reimagining Activism, Communication and Trajectories of Participation in the Global South—will investigate how 18–30-year-olds in 20 countries respond to challenges such as inequality, unemployment, and socio-economic exclusion. In-depth case studies will take place in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, India, and South Africa, with the wider research including a survey of 12,000 young people and contributions from over 20 researchers across the Global South.
“This project feels especially timely,” said Professor Tufte. “It will explore how young people in the Global South navigate experiences of exclusion and uncertainty—and how they act upon them. I believe REACT has the potential to generate vital insights and powerful testimonials about the human and democratic condition of young people today.”
Bringing together disciplines including communication for social change, cultural studies, urban research, and critical development theory, the project will also develop a new interdisciplinary research framework: COMPAS (Communication, Participation and Social Change). Creative workshops, scenario-building, and “urban manifestos” will form part of the participatory methods used to amplify youth voices and explore pathways to more inclusive, just societies.
Professor Aidan McGarry, Dean of Loughborough University London, commented: “Professor Tufte’s ERC Advanced Grant will support transformative research that responds directly to urgent global challenges. It exemplifies the innovative, collaborative spirit of Loughborough University London and our commitment to research that makes a difference.”
Professor Nick Jennings, Vice-Chancellor of Loughborough University, added: “This award is a powerful recognition of the world-class research taking place at Loughborough. REACT represents the bold, globally engaged scholarship we champion—addressing real-world issues and giving voice to those too often unheard. We are immensely proud of Professor Tufte and excited to follow the project’s impact.”
The ERC Advanced Grants 2024 will support 281 researchers across Europe with a total funding envelope of €721 million.
Welcoming the new grantees, European Commissioner for Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva said:
“These ERC grants reflect our commitment to making Europe a global hub for excellent research. By supporting projects that push boundaries and redefine entire fields, we are investing in both scientific excellence and the future resilience of our societies. Through our ‘Choose Europe for Science’ initiative, we are creating even greater opportunities for scientists moving to Europe.”
REACT is scheduled to begin in January 2026.