Sustainable Development Goals
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Sustainable Development Goals
Our Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
We strive to build a better, more sustainable world. Aligned to our Vision 2028 goal to 'increase the reach and value of our activities to the communities we serve', we are growing research contributing to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 17 SDGs are an urgent call for action by all countries working together in a global partnership. Our research priorities align with the UN's SDGs and are driving innovation in:
- creating sustainable cities and communities;
- reducing inequalities;
- transforming health and sustainable well-being.
We recently launched our Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, which will support a more sustainable and resilient future for businesses, students and residents in the Royal Docks area.
Here are some ways the University of East London has responded to the UN's call for action.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Professor Siraj Sait is a world-leading expert in land rights and preserving the land ownership of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups across Africa and the Islamic world. As a founding member of the Global Land Tool Network, find out how UEL is leading the way to fair land ownership.
SDG 1 - No Poverty
In Bihar, India, UEL's Dr Meera Tiwari has been collaborating with local organisations to empower women through signature literacy. The JEEViKA Trust self-help groups that Dr Tiwari has worked with are now using their literacy to advocate for important issues in their communities, including the quality of school meals after the Bihar school meal poisoning incident.
SDG 2 - Zero hunger
UEL's Institute of Connected Communities works in partnership with communities to ensure we are at the cutting edge of public health research. Leading a wide variety of projects, our most recent success is the Kick-Out Covid-19 initiative in Zambia and Sierra Leone which has delivered over 17,000 food packages to vulnerable people and surveyed the mental wellbeing of disabled young people.
SDG 3 - Good health and well-being
Working collaboratively with policy makers' other institutions, Dr Rebecca Wood has been fighting for the inclusion of children with autism in schools across the country. Her work has provided policy makers with vital recommendations to safeguard children with autism in a post-Covid world.
SDG 4 - Quality education
From UEL's School of Psychology, Dr Ava Kanyeredzi is the research and evaluation lead for the Black Church Domestic Abuse Forum, an interdisciplinary collaboration of academics, practitioners and faith leaders from across the country. The forum aims to support faith communities in finding better ways to respond to domestic abuse.
SDG 5 - Gender equality
Our students and postgraduate researchers at UEL are an important part of our efforts in striving for the goals. Ria Devereux, a postgraduate researcher, has been conducting vital work illuminating the state of microplastic pollution in the Thames. The level of pollution she found after the 2019 New Year's Eve fireworks display would truly shock you.
SDG 6 - Clean water and sanitation
Dr Rabih Bashroush has been leading industry to improve the energy efficiency of data centres. Data centres and the digital industry produce more CO2 than the entire aviation industry and their numbers are only going to grow as the world turns more and more to online data storage. Dr Bashroush's research was featured on Channel 4's Dispatches.
SDG 7 - Affordable and clean energy
At UEL's Tax and Accountancy Clinic, we provide SMEs, local businesses and the local community with training in annual accounts preparation and tax services to empower them to continue their growth.
SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth
The Sustainability Research Institute is leading the way in industry collaboration. Through their extensive consultancy projects, the institute guide their industry partners to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practice.
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
At UEL, our performing artists are pushing the boat out with dynamic and inclusive performances. Liselle Terret works closely with disabled and neurodivergent actors to create theatre centred around the experiences of living with disability.
SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
The borough of Newham has the highest proportion of households in temporary accommodation and the highest population of rough sleepers in London. Exploring the housing crisis through a suite of workshops, performances and installations, Dr Lynne McCarthy teamed up with the Victoria and Albert Museum to deliver a brick-a-thon as part of Newham Heritage Month, engaging local communities in making around 500 bricks and multiple opportunities to experience the history and labour of brickmaking.
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
UEL's ARENA project supports London start-ups, spin-outs and SMEs to develop innovation for areas of resource efficiency, urban green infrastructure, and nature-based solutions for urban resilience.
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Michael Pinsky has created thought-provoking installations across the world. Renowned for his engaging exhibits about issues of climate change, his activist art reaches audiences in unusual ways. His exhibition, Pollution Pods, used perfumes and humidifiers to replicate the atmospheres from a variety of cities to challenge and engage policy makers, climate activists and the general public.
SDG 13 - Climate action
In collaboration with environmental charity GreenSeas Trust and the Mayor of Blackpool's office, Emily Hodgkinson and George Davis, two third-years on the BSc (Hons) Product Design course, designed and launched bins which both served the practical purposes of recycling and litter collection but also raised awareness about the dangers of plastics in marine ecosystems.
SDG 14 - Life below water
At UEL, our academics study all sorts of ecosystems. Our work with peatlands is well-known but we also work within the London city environment to understand and support the unique urban ecosystem. Caroline Nash's work is about conserving the flora and fauna, such as bats, of endangered brownfield ecosystems and developing green urban infrastructure projects which help monitor biodiversity.
SDG 15 - Life on land
The Institute of Connected Communities is exploring the prevalence and impact of harmful online behaviours and harassment. Working with the Rwandan Government, the University of Rwanda and the 5Rights Foundation, Professor Julia Davidson has developed a pilot programme to protect children online.
SDG 16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions
Dr Annalisa Meloni researches EU visa policy, EU external border controls and immigration law. Her policy reform recommendations seek to protect those activists fighting for human rights in their home countries.
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the goals
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UEL ranked inside the world’s top 200 institutions for its works on the sustainable development goals ‘No Poverty’ and ‘Reduced Inequalities'
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UEL is in the top quarter of institutions worldwide for impact on and commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
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UEL is in the top 50 universities for the lowest CO₂ emissions