What universities can do to become fairer and more sustainable

By kiera.obrien, 13 June, 2024
An illustration of the SDGs arranged as part of a flower
Find out how higher education institutions can work towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

With the launch of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, which assess universities against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, we are sharing advice from experts across the sector on what can be done to tackle global challenges. In this collection of resources, find out how higher education institutions can drive progress towards six of the SDGs, harnessing teaching and research to encourage sustainable behaviour, take climate action, rebalance inequalities, make good health global, provide quality education for all, advocate for gender equality and innovate for a better future. 

What universities can do to become fairer and more sustainable
Find out how higher education institutions can work towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
An illustration of the SDGs arranged as part of a flower
What universities can do to become fairer and more sustainable

With the launch of the Times Higher Education 2024 Impact Rankings, which assess universities against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, we are sharing advice from experts across the sector on what can be done to tackle global challenges. In this collection of resources, find out how higher education institutions can drive progress towards six of the SDGs, harnessing teaching and research to encourage sustainable behaviour, take climate action, rebalance inequalities, make good health global, provide quality education for all, advocate for gender equality and innovate for a better future. 

By Eliza.Compton, 27 July, 2023

A whole-university road map to sustainability impact

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sustainability
Top-ranked Western Sydney University combines immediate action with long-term planning to drive progress in achieving impact aligned with the SDGs. Here, Deborah Sweeney and Kevin Dunn share insights learned from their institution-wide approach
Reading time
3minutes
Climate action
Resources
A tiny glass globe sits next to green shoots
By Miranda Prynne, 21 August, 2023

A practical approach to tackling eco-anxiety

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Young women campaigning for more action on climate change
We induce eco-anxiety by teaching students about climate change, so training them in practical and achievable solutions to it are needed, too, write Helen Hicks and Dawn Lees

Reading time
3minutes
Reduced inequalities
Resources
By Eliza.Compton, 19 January, 2024

Fostering student co-creation to give back to the community

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Pottery wheel
Engaging in local civic projects offers students meaningful learning opportunities, fosters co-creation and supports the community at large. Here, Martha Sullivan outlines the benefits based on working with the Empty Bowls project
Reading time
4minutes
Stones are arranged to represent unqueal scales
By Eliza.Compton, 11 June, 2024

Fulfilling a mission and serving Indigenous students

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male university student outside
Universities can do much to support Indigenous students, strengthening the institution’s community, increasing visibility and highlighting the needs of Native Nations students and faculty through deliberate action, writes Melissa Faircloth
Promoting good health for all
Resources
A smiling woman sits in a park, basking in sunshine
By Eliza.Compton, 2 October, 2023

A case study in developing the next STEM generation

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High school students in lab
University ‘taster days’ can introduce teenagers to what global health research and advocacy might be like as a future career. Here four academics describe a pilot training session and what they learned from it
Reading time
4minutes
Quality education
Resources
Two students walk around a well-stocked library
Gender equality
Resources
A woman in a hard hat writes on a clipboard
By Eliza.Compton, 8 May, 2024

‘Gender equality is more rewarding than just ticking a box’

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Tundra swans flying in formation
A whole-culture change to dismantle structural barriers has included mentoring, promotions workshops, and childcare and family leave support. Here are reflections on 25 years of advancing gender equality at Queen’s University Belfast
Reading time
4minutes
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Resources
A tree grows between solar panels
By kiera.obrien, 19 March, 2024

How can we imagine a new university?

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An illustration of an open book with a lightbulb and several figures working
In this existential moment for higher education, the corporate university is not the only end point possible – we can imagine so much more. David J. Staley offers 10 new ways of thinking about universities, in this excerpt from his book ‘Alternative Universities: Speculative Design for Innovation in Higher Education’
Reading time
4minutes