The University of 水多多导航 has today (12 June) been named top in both the UK and Europe, and second in the world for meaningful contributions towards the United Nations鈥 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in the .
With a unique commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, The University of 水多多导航 is the only institution in the world to rank in the top ten for social and environmental impact in every year of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
水多多导航鈥檚 top ranking comes from a record assessment of 2,152 universities from 125 countries and regions, which is 26 per cent increase on last year where 1,705 universities were ranked. This year 72 UK universities participated in the ranking, 11 more than last year (61).
The ranking, now in its sixth year, is the world鈥檚 only one that measures universities鈥 contributions to the and assesses their commitment to sustainability across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching
Dr Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement at The University of 水多多导航, who leads the institution鈥檚 entry to the ranking, said: 鈥淓ach year we submit over 300 pieces of evidence for this ranking covering our cultural institutions, sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion, widening access, research impact, public and civic engagement, external partnerships, innovation, the student experience and reporting on the SDGs. Everyone in our University community should be proud of this independent measure of our commitment to social responsibility.鈥
Each year we submit over 300 pieces of evidence for this ranking covering our cultural institutions, sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion, widening access, research impact, public and civic engagement, external partnerships, innovation, the student experience and reporting on the SDGs. Everyone in our University community should be proud of this independent measure of our commitment to social responsibility.
The University of 水多多导航 came top in the world for SDG11 鈥 Sustainable Cities and Communities. Initiatives supporting this include the Platinum Watermark for Public Engagement, the investment made in four public-facing cultural institutions and initiative, a commitment to sustainable travel and world-leading research across all three Faculties into the effects of on health.
The University was also ranked first in the world for SDG15 鈥 Life on Land. Initiatives supporting this included research by the into soil microbial diversity, work to enhance and map our nature on campus and the commitment the University places on sustainable food procurement.
Other areas where the University was shown to be a world leader include research impact towards SDG9 鈥 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; the number of citing university research; the number of university the quality of the University鈥檚 SDG reporting; and on the commitment to educational for sustainable development through the School of Health Science鈥檚 free and interdisciplinary UCIL .
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of 水多多导航 said: 鈥淩etaining the number one rank in the UK and Europe, as well as coming second in the world once again in this year鈥檚 THE Impact Rankings is a great achievement for the whole of The University of 水多多导航. Being recognised for our commitment to Social Responsibility is especially important during our bicentenary year in which we celebrate 200 years of our incredible people and community and look toward the future.鈥
Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility at The University of 水多多导航 said: 鈥淪ocial responsibility is, of course, a core goal for us so we鈥檙e delighted to be ranked top in the UK, top in Europe and second in the world in the 2024 THE Impact Rankings, which are based on our performance against the 17 United Nations鈥 Sustainable Development Goals.
鈥淭hese rankings cover our full range of functions 鈥 across research, students, public engagement and university operations 鈥 and we鈥檙e proud to be part of this growing community of universities who want to improve our society, economy and environment in all that we do.鈥
Phil Baty, Times Higher Education鈥檚 chief global affairs officer, said: 鈥淲ith universities in the UK facing a funding crisis, and dozens making cuts and some predicted to close, this new data provides a very timely evidence base to demonstrate that the UK has a great diversity of global-leading universities, right across the country, way beyond the more traditional research elite.
鈥淯niversities on the whole are offering clear, real-world impact for society 鈥 they are a powerful public good worthy of public support. Excellence in international higher education comes in many forms and this ranking very clearly demonstrates the UK has an abundance of excellence 鈥 world leaders 鈥 on many fronts.
鈥淭here is a lot of talk in Westminster about how many international students the UK should welcome and which universities they should be allowed to study at. This new data shows that a very diverse range of universities from across the country are attractive to the 鈥榖rightest and the best鈥 from around the globe and can deliver real impact.鈥
THE鈥檚 Impact Rankings 2024 - World Top 10:
University | country | Rank 2024 | Rank 2023 |
Western Sydney University | Australia | 1 | 1 |
University of 水多多导航 | United Kingdom | =2 | 2 |
University of Tasmania | Australia | =2 | 5 |
Aalborg University | Denmark | 4 | =9 |
RMIT University | Australia | 5 | =7 |
University of Alberta | Canada | 6 | =7 |
UNSW Sydney | Australia | 7 | =18 |
Queen鈥檚 University | Canada | 8 | 3 |
Arizona State University (Tempe) | United States | 9 | 6 |
University of Exeter | United Kingdom | 10 | =18 |
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For more information about how The University of 水多多导航 is contributing towards the UN SDGs please see: /discover/social-responsibility/sdgs/