Lincoln University’s focus on the challenges facing food production has resulted in a top 10 global ranking in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.
The global rankings assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to understand how they are making a positive impact in the world.
Lincoln ranked ninth out of 290 institutions against SDG 2, zero hunger, scoring highly for its research and graduates in agriculture.
The university’s many research centres focus on areas such as sustainability and land use for food production, as well as food innovation and international development. Lincoln also has strong relationships and collaborations with community groups, indigenous organisations and agribusinesses.
SDG 2 aims to end hunger by 2030, and achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Lincoln also ranked highly in SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities (aiming to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable), at 53 out of 470 institutions, and SDG 15, Life on Land, at 49 out of 268 institutions.
SDG 15 aims to sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and stop biodiversity loss.
In SDG 17, Education for the SDGs, which looks at the broader ways in which universities support the SDGs, Lincoln attained a top grade for its teaching of sustainability.
Overall Lincoln ranked in the top 100-200 in what is its first full entry into the rankings, which only started in 2019.
Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bruce McKenzie, said the rankings reflected Lincoln’s land-based specialisation, and commitment to the area in research and teaching, and around campus, through sustainable projects such as installing a solar array.
You can find out more at www.timeshighereducation.com