The University of Plymouth has been named as one of the top 25 institutions globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021 – and at number one for its marine research.
The rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In its first appearance in the tables, the University of Plymouth has been ranked 23rd of more than 1,100 universities, reinforcing its reputation for world-leading and award-winning sustainability research and teaching.
It also achieved considerable worldwide success in a number of individual tables linked to specific SDGs including topping the list in the “Life Below Water” category ahead of 378 other institutions.
This recognises the quality of the university’s marine research and teaching as well as its efforts to reduce the impact of campus activities on the marine environment and acknowledges its long-standing partnerships with industry and academia.
The university’s work in this field has resulted in a number of national and international awards, notably two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education, presented in 2012 and 2020.
Its researchers were the first to discover microplastics and reveal their global distribution, and significantly improved how to forecast extreme coastal events and their impact on coastal communities.
They were also the first to study the ecological effects of ocean acidification and warming, and now lead the UK agenda for offshore renewable energy.
Representing 3,000 staff, researchers and students, the Marine Institute is the first and largest such institute in the UK and provides an external portal to a pool of world-leading experts and state-of-the-art facilities, enabling understanding of the relationship between the way we live, the seas and the development of sustainable policy.
Professor Richard Thompson, director of the university’s Marine Institute, said: “Our research is fundamental in helping understand the marine environment and how best to tackle the challenges it currently faces.
“That covers everything from understanding the effects of our changing climate, to revealing the impact of plastics on marine life, and highlighting the need for greater understanding of the deep seas.
“Critically, our work also focuses on identifying solutions to help safeguard our oceans for the future, and on inspiring the next generation of marine scientists and guardians.”
The university was also ranked ninth worldwide for its efforts to support the SDGs through collaboration with other countries, the promotion of best practices and the publication of data.
It was ranked 19th in the world for its research on hunger, its teaching on food sustainability and its commitment to tackle food waste and address hunger among students and communities.
And it was in the top 50 globally for its work on affordable and clean energy and sustainable cities and communities.
Professor Judith Petts, vice-chancellor and chief executive, of the University of Plymouth, is one of four sector leaders heading a Climate Commission for UK Higher and Further Education Leaders. She said: “This is an outstanding achievement and a ringing endorsement of our excellence in all aspects of sustainability.
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“At a time when climate change is at the forefront of people’s minds, particularly with the UK hosting the G7 summit and COP26 in 2021, this global endorsement will support our efforts to ensure our work and knowledge continue to have both impact and influence.
“This ranking celebrates decades of building on our core strengths, investing in research teams and facilities and, in particular, it reinforces our leadership in all things marine and rightfully positions us at the global forefront of this field.
“It acknowledges our long-standing partnerships with industry and academia, and our long-standing commitment to use our own sustainability practices to inspire change on a local, regional, and international scale.”
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings use calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparisons across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.
Universities can submit data on as many of the 17 SDGs as they are able, and any university that provides data on SDG 17 and at least three others is included in the overall ranking.
