Glasgow Caledonian University shines in world impact rankings
Glasgow Caledonian University's dedication to the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has seen us named number one in Scotland for both promoting gender equality and economic growth – and second and third in the UK respectively – in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings.
We are ranked 43rd in the world overall out of 766 universities, a positive improvement on last year's ranking of 44th from 480 universities. The rankings also place GCU second in Scotland and eighth in the UK.
This outstanding performance reflects all aspects of the University's work – education, research, partnerships, employment, facilities and operations.
First published in 2019, the University Impact Rankings show how the global higher education sector is working towards the SDGs; a universal set of 17 goals which were adopted by the UN in 2015 to provide a framework for developing the world in a sustainable way. The SDGs also underpin our research strategy.
GCU performed particularly well in a number of key areas, with the University ranking in the top 20 in the world against three of the SDGs and first in Scotland against two.
We performed most strongly in achieving gender equality, ranking 12th in the world, first in Scotland and third in the UK; promoting decent work and economic growth, ranking joint 13th in the world, first in Scotland and second in the UK; and reducing inequalities, ranking 20th in the world, second in Scotland and seventh in the UK.
The University is also ranked joint 32nd in the world for responsible consumption and production, and joint 40th in the world for evidence of impact on good health and wellbeing.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Pamela Gillies, CBE, FRSE, welcomed the outstanding results, which she said demonstrates the high level of social impact our research, teaching and knowledge transfer has on the communities we serve.
She said: "These results confirm that Glasgow Caledonian University is one of the top performing universities in the world when it comes to the social outcomes we deliver through our work. The University's long-standing commitment to contributing to the SDGs and to social innovation, led by our Yunus Research Centre, has been appropriately recognised. This is particularly the case in relation to our work to promote equality and diversity and reduce inequalities.
"It is remarkable for a relatively young University to be consistently in the top 50 universities in the world for social impact, eighth in the UK and second in Scotland behind Edinburgh University.
"Now, more than ever, as the world recovers from the COVID-19 global pandemic, we need to focus on building more resilient, cohesive and fairer communities. I am proud that GCU continues to be at the forefront of delivering outcomes and impact with these key goals in mind."
Phil Baty, THE's chief knowledge officer, said: "The Impact Rankings redefine what excellence in global higher education actually looks like, and they paint a much richer, a much more diverse, and a much more inclusive picture of global excellence than the one we have traditionally come to recognise through traditional university rankings."
To view the results in full, and to find out more about the THE University Impact Rankings, visit the Times Higher Education website.