UN Sustainable Development Goals

Through over 80 research projects in over 30 countries, researchers at the University of Sheffield are working in partnership with universities, businesses and communities across the world, towards a sustainable, equitable future for everyone.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Through over 80 research projects in over 30 countries, researchers at The University of Sheffield are working in partnership with universities, businesses and communities across the world, towards a sustainable, equitable future for everyone.

What are the UN sustainable development goals?

The global population is growing, placing increasing demand on the world's finite resources and exacerbating the climate crisis. At the same time we need to make sure everyone has equitable access to food, energy, health care, education, jobs and justice.

To tackle these conflicting issues, all United Nation member states have adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The agenda outlines 17 sustainable development goals that are designed to address challenges faced all over the world. The goals set out a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

Our research

The University of Sheffield is delivering over 80 research projects that span the breadth of all 17 sustainable development goals. To do this we have partnered with research institutions, businesses, governments and community groups in more than 30 countries.

We understand that one solution will not work everywhere. It is important to consider the different cultural, social, economic and environmental contexts that our projects operate in and co-produce solutions with the people who are directly impacted by our research.

We’re already seeing positive change resulting from our work but there is much more to be done. We will continue working alongside our colleagues across the world to mitigate the worsening effects of the climate crisis, and improve quality of life for everyone.

How we're working towards the goals as a University

signs at an infertility awareness event in The Gambia

Uniting experts to address infertility in The Gambia and beyond

Societal expectations of becoming a parent soon after marriage are high in The Gambia, but thousands of couples face involuntary childlessness, or infertility. Our international research collaboration is improving fertility awareness, guiding policy and transforming practice.

Fertility care in the Global South

Beetle eating flower — Photograph by Dr Stuart Campbell

Have we turned plants against us?

Air pollution is a growing threat to our health and climate. But research by Dr Stuart Campbell found that its effects on plants could be worse than we initially thought.

A vicious cycle

Musician playing traditional Afghan instrument on stage — Image credit: James Berryman for Spitalfields Music Festival

Filling the silence: the powerful music of Afghanistan's exiled musicians

On the morning of August 15 2021 the flourishing musicscape of Afghanistan fell silent. As the Taliban regime came back into force, musicians disappeared and fled. Dr Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey is working with Afghan musicians now living in exile to create new platforms to share their work.

The Orchestras of Afghanistan

UN sustainable development goal 16 with image of press journalist with camera

Creating a safer global environment for journalists

Journalists face serious kinds of human rights abuse simply for trying to keep the public informed. Researchers at the University of Sheffield are developing a framework to improve data collection on the full range of violations against journalists and track trends to prevent future attacks.

Streamlining data to reduce violations

radio presenter interviewing woman outside in Burkina Faso — Reporting in Ouaga, 3. © Kalidou Sy - Fondation Hirondelle

Using radio to tackle Covid-19 misinformation in Burkina Faso

Attacked by extremist groups and enduring climate disasters, Burkina Faso is dealing with a humanitarian emergency that has been worsened by Covid-19. Rumours about the pandemic and vaccinations are commonplace. Our methodology prevents the spread of misinformation across communities in Burkina Faso, and beyond.

Cutting through the noise

Mayor at the formal signing of the Peace Strategy

Co-developing a city-wide strategy for peace

People in Buenaventura face ongoing violence from armed organisations. Researchers at the University of Sheffield and their partners at Javeriana University, CINEP and CORMEPAZ, have been awarded the Economic & Social Research Council’s Societal Impact Prize for the coproduction of a peace strategy.

Improbable Dialogues

Group of people wearing safety clothing and masks in field

Harvesting the sun twice

Solar power is seen as a key way of addressing East Africa’s energy challenges, but the solution is not as simple as installing traditional solar panels across large areas of land. Agrivoltaic energy systems can combine the delivery of solar electricity, crop production, and rainwater harvesting on the same land area.

Increasing crop production and producing sustainable energy

Project team at the launch of Great Latin American Women

Tackling gender inequality in Latin America

Gender equality is a human right. But how do you shift societal views of women in one of the most unequal regions in the world? Research at the University of Sheffield is at the forefront of promoting gender equality in Latin American schools by celebrating women who helped shape the region.

Making women’s stories heard

Impact of federalisation on Nepal's health system

Prior to the start of the pandemic, Nepal was in the midst of a major political restructure. Researchers at the University of Sheffield are investigating the prospects and challenges of decentralising the healthcare system, and how this restructuring has affected the delivery of healthcare during COVID-19.

Co-developing recommendations for Nepal's healthcare policy

Resilience policymaking in Nepal: giving voice to communities

An innovative project has used video to help communities in Nepal voice their experiences of natural disaster to the policymakers responsible for disaster risk reduction strategies.

Voicing the experiences of communities affected by natural disaster

Radio and women's empowerment

Women in Niger are victim to widespread gender inequality. This is enforced by a lack of knowledge regarding their legal rights and best health practices. But radio could provide a platform for female empowerment.

Radio as a route to female empowerment

Dietary transitions in African cities to promote nutritious diets

Africa is experiencing increasing levels of obesity in its cities, particularly in women. Prior to this project, policy responses to the rise in obesity in Africa have had limited success. This is because they were mostly influenced by experiences in higher income countries which are less relevant to African cities.

Developing country-specific guidelines for encouraging healthy diets

A new approach to the water infrastructure challenge in Africa

Researchers from the University of Sheffield are part of a centre that is trying a new approach to support nine partner universities across Africa to tackle water infrastructure challenges.

Establishing community based water and sanitation projects

Community energy systems in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique

In 2018, rates of access to electricity in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Mozambique were 44%, 13%, and 27% respectively. Despite recent improvements, 97 million people living in these countries still lack power. The project investigates the role of Community Energy Systems to bridge the energy access gap in East Africa.

Bridging the energy access gap in East Africa

making sustainable PPE in Zaatari refugee camp — Credit: Aya Musmar

PPE for refugees

In Jordan, neither the government nor the UNHCR who manage the Zaatari refugee camp, have the buying power to compete for global PPE supplies, leaving 660,000 refugees without. This project is about empowering refugees in a moment of health crisis.

Making sustainable PPE in Zaatari refugee camp

Migration, Urbanisation and Conflict in Africa

Understanding migration in the world's most rapidly urbanising region

Rapid urban population growth can leave already overstretched authorities unable to operate effectively. This leads to a lack of safe and suitable infrastructure, service provision and proper documentation.

How migration affects current urban challenges in Africa

woman holding rechargeable battery packs

New batteries deliver affordable, clean energy to communities in Sierra Leone

A new pay as you go smart battery rental system supplies affordable, clean power to poor households and enterprises in off-grid communities. The batteries are charged at solar charging stations and reduce energy costs by up to 75%.

Powering off-grid communities and enterprises