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Sydney places 25th in the world in global impact ranking

4 April 2019
New impact ranking recognises positive impact on society
The University of Sydney has been ranked 25th in the overall 2019 Times Higher Education University Impact Ranking.

The inaugural Times Higher Education University Impact Ranking, released today, has placed the University of Sydney 25th in the world out of more than 450 institutions across 76 countries.

Aimed at capturing universities’ impact on society, the new ranking was based on institutions’ success in delivering the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ranking referenced 11 of the 17 SDGs – the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. 

The University of Sydney performed exceptionally well, with three of the five submitted SDGs ranked in the top 15 including Good Health and Wellbeing (4th), Decent Work and Economic Growth (7th) and Gender Equality (13th).

The University of Sydney’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence said, “Developing leadership for good is a guiding principle in everything we do, and it is wonderful to see this reflected by this impact ranking.

In addition to our world-class research and teaching, these results are testament to the globally significant work of our professional and academic staff, who ensure Sydney is delivering on our sustainable development goals.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence

About the ranking

The impact ranking was created to highlight institutional activities and efforts not covered in other rankings, with each SDG assessed across three broad areas including research, outreach and stewardship.

Universities were required to submit in Partnerships for the Goals as a mandatory field, which looks at the broader ways in which we support the SDGs through international collaborations with other institutions, governments and NGOs, as well as at least three of the other 10 selected SDGs.

Good Health and Wellbeing assessed our research on key conditions and diseases that have a disproportionate impact on health outcomes across the world, such as the Charles Perkins Centre's work on easing the burden of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. It also assessed support of the healthcare profession through graduate numbers, collaborations and the health of students and staff. 

Decent Work and Economic Growth focused on universities’ research relevant to economic growth and employment, their employment practices and number of student work placements.

Gender Equality looked at on universities’ research on the study of gender, the proportion of first-generation female students, policies on gender equality and commitment to recruiting and promoting women.

The overall ranking combines the score for Partnerships for the Goals plus the three best scoring SDGs per university. This approach allows universities to demonstrate their excellence in the areas that are most relevant to them, their community and their country.

Recognition of our research excellence

These excellent global rankings follow the University of Sydney’s strong results in the Australian Research Council’s 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) and Engagement and Impact Assessment which were released last week.

The ARC’s ERA report recognises our global excellence, with all 22 broad fields of research undertaken at the University of Sydney rated as above or well above world standard.

In the Engagement and Impact Assessment the University’s results were well above the sector average, with 96 per cent of our impact and engagement ratings being 'high' or 'medium'.

These results demonstrate the high-quality work taking place by researchers at University of Sydney and the positive impact we are having on our global community.