The Bristol Poverty Institute are really proud of the contributions our research community have made to these scores, and more broadly to impacting on reducing poverty and hunger at the local, national, and global scales. 

These impact rankings identify and celebrate universities that excel across multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Not only do these institutions stand out in individual areas but they also demonstrate comprehensive excellence in contributing to global sustainable development. By excelling in a variety of SDGs, these universities showcase their commitment to addressing the world's most pressing challenges, including environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth, and partnerships. 

Find out more about the THE’s methodology for accessing Universities’ contributions to SDGs 1 and 2. More information on the overall process and results is available on the THE website. 

University Impact Rankings for UN SDG 1: No Poverty 

Times Higher Education surveyed and reviewed 1,093 universities from 107 countries/regions to curate a list of the top universities for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 1: No poverty, each actively engaged in developing poverty solutions through rigorous poverty research and innovative educational programmes. These institutions stand out for their strategic approaches to helping students in poverty, from offering extensive financial aid to implementing supportive learning environments. 

By prioritising poverty alleviation and addressing issues such as homelessness within academic and community settings, these universities not only enhance the educational impact for students but also provide a transformative platform for educators dedicated to making a substantial difference in combating global poverty. 

 

Methodology 

The THE’s methodology for SDG 1: No poverty includes detailed indicators to evaluate universities’ efforts in alleviating poverty and supporting poor students and citizens in the local community: 

 

Research on poverty (27%) 

• Co-authored papers with low- or lower-middle-income countries 
• Field-weighted citation impact of publications on poverty 
• Total publications focused on poverty 

Financial aid for poverty-affected students (27%) 

• Proportion of students receiving significant financial aid because of poverty 

University anti-poverty programmes (23%) 

• Admission and success targets for students from the bottom financial quintile 
• Support programmes for low-income students and students from lower-middle income countries 

Community anti-poverty programmes (23%) 

• Support for local sustainable business startups 
• Training and policymaking to alleviate poverty 
• Programmes designed to improve access to basic services 

 

University Impact Rankings for UN SDG 2: Zero Hunger 

Times Higher Education evaluated and ranked 803 universities across 96 countries/regions for their significant contributions towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero hunger. These universities are recognised for their dedicated efforts in pioneering world hunger solutions, extensive research in food security and impactful educational initiatives aimed at achieving zero hunger globally. By integrating academic research with practical applications, these institutions play a crucial role in addressing food poverty and ensuring sustainable food practices. 

These top-ranking universities exemplify commitment to eliminating hunger through dynamic approaches that encompass both community engagement and global partnerships. By focusing on sustainable agriculture and effective food distribution strategies, they contribute substantially to the eradication of hunger, ensuring that future generations have access to nutritious and sufficient food. 

Methodology 

To provide a fair and comprehensive assessment, the THE’s methodology for SDG 2: Zero hunger includes a wide range of indicators that cover essential aspects of universities' involvement in combating hunger and enhancing food security: 

Research on hunger (27%) 

• Number of publications that address hunger 

• Field-weighted citation impact of publications on hunger 
• Proportion of hunger-related papers in top journals 

Campus food waste (15.4%) 

• Track food waste on campus 
• Amount of food waste on campus 

Student hunger (19.2%) 

• Programmes to ensure all students have access to nutritious, sustainable food 
• Initiatives to combat hunger among the student population 

Proportion of graduates in agriculture and aquaculture including sustainability aspects (19.2%) 

• The proportion of graduates from programmes focused on sustainable agriculture and aquaculture 

National hunger (19.2%) 

• University-led initiatives that impact local and national strategies to combat hunger 
• Collaborations with local and national bodies to improve food security and reduce hunger