WEBINAR: Practical approaches to mapping university contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Universities have a critical role in helping the world achieve the new UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their research, teaching, operations and community leadership.

Many universities are already working to strengthen their contribution to the SDGs. A key first step in this process is to map how existing university activities – such as research expertise, courses and institutional policies – align with and contribute to the SDGs. Whilst the mapping concept is simple, the execution can be complex.

This webinar, co-hosted by SDSN Australia/Pacific and the Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS), aimed to help universities get started with this process.

The webinar heard from a panel who have carried out SDG mapping in their own universities. Drawing on their experiences and learnings in undertaking the mapping, the panel discussed the range of approaches available, their benefits and uses, and practical guidance and tips on how to carry them out.

Speakers were:

• Leah Dudley – Macquarie Sustainability, Macquarie University
• Dr Tahl Kestin – SDSN Australia/Pacific Network Manager (Moderator)
• Caitlin Leahy –  Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney
• Dr Susan Pepper – Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University
• Andrew Wilks – Sustainability Office, Victoria University of Wellington

Download the Compiled list of SDG keywords mentioned in the webinar.