From the crisis of plastic in the oceans to gender disparities in pay, the world’s biggest concerns are more and more in the minds of consumers and corporations. And no one understands the importance of tackling these better than universities and students.
But which universities are incorporating these global issues into their governance? And how can we measure the real impact that universities are making on their students and their wider communities?
Times Higher Education has put together the Impact Rankings to shine a light on those institutions that are working hard to tackle global issues such as gender inequality, quality education for all, climate change and achieving peaceful societies and economic growth.
To compile the rankings, we mapped how universities around the world are committing to the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a global call to action to tackle poverty, climate change and inequality.
Universities were invited to submit data on how they were progressing on the SDGs. More than 2,000 universities submitted data this year across the SDGs. You can read more about the methodology here.
This ranking is a crucial resource for students choosing universities because it moves away from assessing universities on their research output and focuses instead on the impact that universities are having on some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Top five universities in the Impact Rankings 2024
1. Western Sydney University
Western Sydney University tops the ranking for the third year running.
The university scored particularly highly for SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 15 (life on land) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production).
The university has prioritised research in areas relating to SDG 4 (quality education), SDGs 13, 14 and 15 (relating to environment and sustainability), SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDGs 11 and 12 (sustainable cities and communities, and responsible consumption and production).
A series of key initiatives has also been introduced on campus to increase its sustainability, including implementing a pilot solar-powered car park on the Kingswood Campus, offsetting the carbon footprint of international travel and installing more electric-vehicle charging stations on campus.
=2. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester takes joint second place this year.
The UK university has demonstrated its commitment to the SDGs through a range of research institutes and centres, including the Manchester Environmental Research Institute, the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research and the Sustainable Consumption Institute, among others.
On campus, the university has implemented the Living Campus plan, which aims to address the challenges of growing an urban campus while encouraging local biodiversity. The students’ union has also set a target for the university to become plastic-free by 2025.
=2. University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is the second university from Australia to feature in the top five of the 2024 Impact Ranking.
It also claims first place for SDG 13 (climate action) for the second year in a row.
The university has been carbon neutral-certified since 2016. There is also a sustainability committee made up of senior leadership and student representatives at the university. The committee aims to identify and share actions that embed sustainability into university life.
Across campus a variety of green initiatives are under way, such as the waste-minimisation action plan and the sustainable transport plan.
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4. Aalborg University
Aalborg University in Denmark climbs five places to take fourth place this year.
The university also claims the top position for SDG 4 (quality education).
Students at Aalborg University can take part in megaprojects at the university that contribute towards the sustainable projects.
The university has made a range of sustainable changes to the campus including climate-optimised buildings, free community garden, sustainable transport, cutting food waste and using biodegradable cutlery in the canteens.
5. RMIT University
RMIT University scores particularly highly for SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) and SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation).
The university has a range of research projects and initiatives dedicated to working towards each individual SDG.
Initiatives include providing free breakfasts for RMIT students to tackle food poverty, financial education for students and incorporating modules on the SDGS within degree curricula.
A range of research initiatives are being conducted by academic staff. Some examples include exploring sustainable farming methods and how to create liveable cities.
Impact Ranking 2024: Top 100
View the full Impact Ranking here
October 2024: After the publication of the Impact Rankings 2024, we identified errors in some universities’ evidence scores. In line with our corrections policy, the affected universities’ scores were recalculated. As per THE’s rankings correction policy, the amendments made only affect the universities in question. We do not rerun the complete ranking. All other universities maintain their original rank. This article was updated to reflect the new scores. More information on the changes can be found here.
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