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UCD Ranks 22 in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

Published: Thursday, 22 April, 2021

UCD is now ranked 22 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Impact Rankings use calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparison across the areas of research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching, and this year’s overall ranking includes 1,115 universities from 94 countries/regions. 

UCD has risen 12 places in the Impact Rankings since 2020, following the adoption of the ‘Rising to the Future 2020-24’ strategy which includes ‘Creating a Sustainable Global Society’ as a strategic theme.

Participating in 10 of the 17 SDG individual Impact Rankings, UCD was ranked the highest in Ireland in two rankings:

  • SDG 8: Decent work and Economic Growth (41st placement)
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (32nd placement).

Commenting on UCD's achievement, Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Dean of Social Sciences Professor Colin Scott said:

“UCD has been strongly engaged with advancing sustainability and with ensuring lasting impact for society over a long period. The University recently published its first Sustainability Report.

Key new initiatives include an innovative interdisciplinary undergraduate programme in Sustainability, and a new online-only MSc in Sustainable Development, both launched in 2020, and already proving very popular with students.

It is very good to have this international recognition for UCD as a leader in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. But more important than this is the University’s ambition and actions to further enhance global sustainability.”

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