By: Communications
A global league table released today has placed the University of East Anglia (UEA) in 7th position worldwide for its promotion of sustained economic growth and inclusive and decent employment for all.
The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact rankings assess universities against the United Nations’ (UN’s) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a blueprint for future peace and prosperity for the planet across all UN member states.
UEA was ranked 7th out of almost 700 educational establishments worldwide in one of the 17 SDGs, ‘SDG8; Decent Work and Economic Growth’, which promotes ‘sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all’.
The rankings take into account published research in the area of economic growth but also the University’s commitment to fairness and equality amongst its staff and wider supply chain, with this year’s position representing a rise of 30 places from 2020’s table for SDG8.
Part of the submission for the rankings were UEA’s commitment to paying staff the Living Wage, the University’s role as a Stonewall Diversity Champion, evidence of policies on anti-discrimination and modern slavery, and the ongoing commitment to eliminating the gender pay gap.
UEA has been an accredited Living Wage employer since 2019 and has since paid in excess of £200,000 to a range of operational and support staff who are eligible for the rate.
One such employee is 30-year-old Abigail Dukes, a Catering Assistant at the Modern Life Café at the Sainsbury Centre, situated on campus.
Abigail said: “It’s been a big help to me. Before I was living month to month for every pay cheque and had nothing to spare. I couldn’t save for the future. Now I can save a bit more, it’s helped with our bills, I’ve put it towards my car repayments and my partner and I are looking to buy our first house.
“It definitely means less pressure on us. I think it’s also helped staff morale, it shows that UEA is thinking of us and they realise that a small pay rise makes a difference. I love my job but I certainly feel more motivated to do my best.”
You can watch Abigail telling her story about the Living Wage on video.
Another factor in determining ‘sustainable economic growth’ and ‘full and productive employment’ was the number of students who undertook work placements while studying their degree. For UEA this figure was 2,968, only a narrow drop on last year despite the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic created for taking work placements. Many of these placements took place online through digital innovations across each of UEA’s four Faculties.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Sarah Barrow, Chair of UEA’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, said: “These rankings demonstrate our commitment to our people and to embedding our values across UEA. They show that we’re a University that puts respect, ambition, sustainability and future generations at the heart of our policies and decision-making.
“To be acknowledged as a world leader in some of these areas is another incentive to continue to improve so we can provide the best possible working environment for all of our students and staff, no matter who they are.”
The THE Impact rankings scores universities across the 17 individual SDGs, and also creates an overall global table. For this, UEA ranked between 101-200 out of 1,115 institutions in total, placing it in the top 20% for its sustainable development.
UEA participated in six of the 17 SDGs, and achieved some other positive results, including:
- 57th place out of a possible 653 for ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’ (SDG16)
- Joint 74th out of a possible 871 for ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’ (SDG3)
UEA is also a signatory of The SDG Accord, which cements its commitment to delivering the UN’s SDGs and recognises educational establishments’ importance in delivering them for governments, businesses and wider society.
The full list of today's SDG rankings can be found on the THE website and full details of the UN’s 17 SDGs and what they mean are on the UN SDG website.
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