Longitude Explorer Prize 2019: Supporting tomorrow’s innovators to change the world

The Longitude Explorer Prize encourages young people from diverse backgrounds to shift from consumers of technology, to creators, designers and developers of a whole new generation of technology for social good.

Nesta Challenges designed and delivered the Longitude Explorer Prize 2019, with the support of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Based on the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Grand Challenges, we challenged young people across the UK to come up with ideas that used artificial intelligence (AI) across four themes to help people:

  • Live longer (helping the older generation to stay independent and active).
  • Live better (helping people live healthier).
  • Live together (through better transportation and technology).
  • Live greener (helping tackle pollution and energy saving).

Key findings

  • 100 per cent of team champions said they would enter future prizes – 90 per cent rated their overall experience as excellent.
  • 98 per cent of students said the prize had inspired them to pursue entrepreneurship in the future – 93 per cent said they were inspired to pursue STEM studies in the future.
  • 95 per cent of finalists said they had learned entrepreneurship skills that will be useful to them beyond the Prize – 83 per cent of finalists said they had learned AI and coding skills that will be useful to them beyond the Prize.
  • 98 per cent of finalists said they had learned teamwork skills that would be useful to them beyond the Prize.
  • Of the 807 total entries, 55 per cent of this year’s entrants were female, 30 per cent identified as BAME and 8 per cent identified as having a disability. While the 137 finalists were 52 per cent female, 32 per cent BAME and 9 per cent identified as having a disability.

Building on the success of previous years, this year we have partnered with Amazon to invest in the next generation of digital innovators, supporting young people across the UK to test, create and develop new technological solutions to the biggest issues of our time. Applications now open, find out more: longitudeexplorer.challenges.org

Authors

Maddy Kavanagh

Maddy Kavanagh

Maddy Kavanagh

Programme Manager - Sustainable Communities, Nesta Challenges

At Nesta Challenges, Maddy is a Programme Manager for the Amazon Longitude Explorer Prize. She also works on the business development side of Nesta Challenges.

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Nassin Watson

Nassin Watson

Nassin Watson

Programme Manager, Challenge Works

Nassin is a programme manager at Challenge Works, working on the Sustainable Cities Challenge.

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Constance Agyeman

Constance Agyeman

Constance Agyeman

Director of International Development, Challenge Works

At Challenges Works, Constance brought over 20 years experience in the voluntary sector to develop national and international programs which engage communities.

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Seoana Sherry-Brennan

Seoana Sherry-Brennan

Seoana Sherry-Brennan

Digital Communications and Events Specialist, Challenge Works

Seoana works in the Challenge Works Communications team, working across our different prizes and programmes.

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Shae Harmon

Shae Harmon

Shae Harmon

Communications Manager, Challenge Works

They/Them

As Communications Manager for Challenge Works, Shae works across all themes centre-wide, specialising in digital engagement.

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Hannah Picton

Hannah Picton

Hannah Picton

Assistant Programme Manager, International Development and Education & Skills team

At Nesta Challenges, Hannah was an Assistant Programme Manager in the International Development and Education and Skills team.

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