At UniSC, creating a better tomorrow through learning, research and collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we continue to embed sustainability across our teaching, research, community engagement and operations.

Download the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 (PDF 21.4MB)

As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequality and rapid technological change, universities have a vital role to play in developing solutions and preparing future leaders. Our 2025 Sustainable Development Goals Report showcases how UniSC is driving positive change through impactful research, innovative education, meaningful partnerships and sustainable practices that benefit communities locally and globally.

UniSC's commitment to sustainability continues to be recognised on the global stage. In the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, UniSC achieved five SDGs in the global top 25, ranked seventh in the world for Life on Land, and was recognised as Queensland's top university for both Zero Hunger and Climate Action. These results reflect the collective efforts of our staff, students, alumni and partners in advancing a more sustainable, equitable and resilient future.

Explore a snapshot of our 2025 achievements and impact across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals below.

SDG 1: No poverty

Teaching

• 37.9 percent of UniSC students were the first in their family to attend university.
• Courses included SWK302 Community Development and Social Action, SCS201 International Development and Global Justice and DEV700 International Development and Aid.
• More than 200 HDR candidates received scholarship support to undertake postgraduate research.

Research

• 37 publications between 2021–2025.
• Research supported street-connected girls and young women through the Consortium for Street Children.
• The Regenerative Vanua project in Vanuatu strengthened food security, livelihoods and community resilience.

Engagement

• Researchers evaluated the Street Up lived-experience inclusion model for homelessness responses on the Sunshine Coast.
• UniSC supported The Smith Family Giving Tree Appeal to reduce educational disadvantage.

Operations

• 1,919 students received scholarships or bursaries.
• More than $3.7 million was provided through scholarships and bursaries.
• City of Moreton Bay and Unitywater scholarships helped reduce barriers to higher education.

SDG 2: Zero hunger

Teaching

• NUT102 Food in Society explored food security, nutrition policy and sustainable food systems.
• The Agriculture and Aquaculture minor developed skills in sustainable food production and resilient agricultural systems.

Research

• 180 publications between 2021–2025.
• Research supported sustainable pest management and food security in Ethiopia.
• The Pacific School Food Network promoted healthy food systems across Pacific Island nations.

Engagement

• The Student Guild provided free student dinners across multiple campuses.
• Emergency Food Banks operated across UniSC campuses.
• Sustainability Week featured cooking demonstrations promoting affordable and nutritious food.

Operations

• 74,442 subsidised food items were distributed through SSAF-funded initiatives.
• UniSC prioritised sustainably sourced food through its Catering Operational Policy.
• UniSC hosted the South East Queensland Food Systems Forum.

SDG 3: Good health and well-being

Teaching

• Mental Health and Neuroscience postgraduate programs supported up to 299 students per semester.
• UniSC advanced plans for a future Doctor of Medicine program.
• Brain Science for Wellbeing webinars attracted 4,302 views during 2025.

Research

• 855 publications between 2021–2025.
• Research advanced cancer, kidney disease and newborn health outcomes.
• The Thompson Institute continued globally recognised mental health and PTSD research.

Engagement

• UniSC Clinical Trials delivered 4,721 community appointments.
• More than 4,000 people participated in more than 60 clinical trials.
• Approximately 3,300 people completed suicide prevention training.

Operations

• Student Wellbeing services trained 301 peer leaders.
• UniSC implemented a Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
• Smoke-free campus policies support healthy environments.

SDG 4: Quality education

Teaching

• Students accessed international learning opportunities through partnerships with more than 70 institutions.
• Four students received New Colombo Plan Scholarships.
• Forty-one students undertook overseas mobility experiences.

Research

• 249 publications between 2021–2025.
• UniSC launched a Researcher Development Hub and HDR Masterclass program.
• Research informed innovative outdoor and Steiner education approaches.

Engagement

• More than 80,000 secondary students engaged with outreach activities.
• Widening participation roadshows reached 1,322 regional Queensland students.
• The Best Field Trip in the World program continued to inspire future students.

Operations

• 2,578 students accessed counselling, accessibility and support services.
• More than 26,000 AI literacy course submissions were completed.
• UniSC maintained AACSB accreditation for business education.

SDG 5: Gender equality

Teaching

• SCS395 Gender and Culture explored gender, identity and inclusion.
• CRM101 challenged gender stereotypes in criminology.
• Gender Affirmation Guidelines supported inclusive learning environments.

Research

• 150 publications between 2021–2025.
• Research supported women-led seaweed enterprises across the Pacific.
• Studies examined cyberbullying and its impacts on adolescent girls.

Engagement

• UniSC hosted the WATTLE Women Attaining Leadership symposium.
• Research celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women entrepreneurs and leaders.
• UniSC graduate Jane Larkin's film The Edge showcased diverse women in sport.

Operations

• Women represented 67 percent of all staff appointments.
• UniSC received five Athena Swan Cygnet Awards.
• A Gender-Based Violence Prevention Taskforce was established.

SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation

Teaching

• Courses included CIV700 Management of Water Resources, CIV304 Water and Wastewater and ENG421 Design of Water Supply Systems.
• Sustainability tours highlighted campus water initiatives.

Research

• 93 publications between 2021–2025.
• Research addressed Pacific water security and climate adaptation.
• Shellfish reef restoration trials improved water quality in Moreton Bay.

Engagement

• Partnerships with Unitywater supported healthy waterways.
• Leaf to Reef research improved understanding of water quality impacts on reef ecosystems.

Operations

• Recycled water represented 29.57 percent of water use at UniSC's Sunshine Coast campus.
• Recycled water represented 19.74 percent of water use at UniSC's Moreton Bay campus.
• Campuses used rainwater harvesting, water reuse and refill stations.

SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy

Teaching

• Renewable energy engineering courses developed expertise in solar, microgrids and energy storage.
• The Master of Renewable Energy Engineering prepared future clean energy professionals.

Research

• 115 publications between 2021–2025.
• Research contributed to renewable fuel development from forestry residues.
• Climate-resilient solar-powered infrastructure was designed for Pacific communities.

Engagement

• UniSC partnered with Queensland Hydro to support renewable energy workforce development.
• Research informed low-carbon energy transitions globally.

Operations

• Solar systems generated 2.95 million kilowatt hours of renewable electricity.
• Renewable energy supplied 25.41 percent of energy consumption at UniSC's Sunshine Coast campus.
• Approximately 2,036 tonnes of emissions were avoided.

SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

Teaching

• UniSC delivered 10,197 work placements for 5,399 students.
• Work-integrated learning (WIL) partnerships involved 1,174 organisations.
• Business and AI-focused courses prepared students for future workplaces.

Research

• 212 publications between 2021–2025.
• Human factors research improved workplace health and safety.
• Research explored creative approaches to workplace wellbeing.

Engagement

• Commerce Careers Pitch Night connected students and employers.
• Tax Clinics supported local businesses and community financial capability.
• Business planning programs assisted Queensland small businesses.

Operations

• UniSC employed 1,289 staff.
• JustASK workshops promoted healthy workplaces.
• Workforce development initiatives strengthened career pathways.

SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Teaching

• Entrepreneurship, tourism and innovation courses developed commercialisation and technology skills.
• STEM education initiatives supported future workforce capability.

Research

• 190 publications between 2021–2025.
• UniSC received more than $2.3 million in competitive research funding.
• The world's first koala chlamydia vaccine received regulatory approval.

Engagement

• Eight start-ups participated in the Space to Sea Accelerator.
• RoboDog research showcased agricultural automation.
• Community events promoted STEM and innovation participation.

Operations

• UniSC invested in the $4.1 million Future Skills Labs project.
• Collider and Launch Pad supported entrepreneurship and industry collaboration.
• AI capability and responsible technology adoption were strengthened.

SDG 10: Reduced inequalities

Teaching

• Courses explored Indigenous Australia, multiculturalism and justice.
• The TPP-STEMM partnership has supported more than 70 young mothers.

Research

• 168 publications between 2021–2025.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student enrolments reached 4.5 percent.
• Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre (ITRC) delivered 144 research outputs focused on equity and inclusion.

Engagement

• Marigurim Yan created pathways for First Nations youth.
• MindSET-do expanded STEM participation for underrepresented students.
• Community programs strengthened Indigenous engagement.

Operations

• UniSC joined the Welcoming Universities network.
• A staff Pride Network was established.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff representation exceeded its target at 2 percent.

SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Teaching

• Courses addressed sustainable urban planning and transport systems.
• Students collaborated with Gympie Regional Council on community projects.

Research

• 253 publications between 2021–2025.
• Naamba Free Uni supported community dialogue and resilience.
• Biosphere research achieved international recognition.

Engagement

• UniSC Sport and Fitness supported approximately 250 student visits weekly through social sport.
• The Art Gallery welcomed 8,749 visitors.
• Campuses provided inclusive public spaces and community facilities.

Operations

• UniSC expanded active and sustainable transport initiatives.
• The Borrow-a-Bike program reduced transport barriers.
• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure continued to grow.

SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production

Teaching

• ENG206 Sustainable Engineering Design embedded lifecycle thinking.
• From Op Shop to Classroom promoted reuse and resource efficiency.

Research

• 255 publications between 2021–2025.
• Research advanced circular economy practices in construction and timber industries.
• The Timber Circularity Project investigated waste reduction opportunities.

Engagement

• Sustainability Week promoted responsible consumption.
• The Moving Feast Community Garden supported sustainable food systems.
• Student Guild Market Days encouraged reuse and sustainability.

Operations

• 100.61 tonnes of waste were recycled.
• Waste diversion reached 42.24 percent.
• More than 1,161 electronic items were recovered or recycled.

SDG 13: Climate action

Teaching

• Sustainability and climate-focused courses built climate literacy.
• Students participated in climate research fieldwork in Borneo.

Research

• 293 publications between 2021–2025.
• Research supported coastal climate adaptation and resilience.
• Peatland projects advanced climate mitigation knowledge.

Engagement

• NOBURN citizen science strengthened bushfire resilience.
• Moreton Bay Eco Fest promoted climate action.
• Climate science communication activities engaged local communities.

Operations

• The Carbon Management Plan includes more than 20 sustainability actions.
• UniSC continued emissions reduction and climate adaptation initiatives.
• Sustainable transport and renewable energy programs reduced emissions.

SDG 14: Life below water

Teaching

• Marine science and aquaculture courses built ocean stewardship and conservation skills.

Research

• 352 publications between 2021–2025.
• Researchers documented the first scientific observation of leopard shark mating in the wild.
• More than 100 bull sharks were tagged to support marine conservation.
• Analysis of 1,600 hours of underwater recordings identified important whale and dolphin habitat.

Engagement

• Marine citizen science programs engaged the public in dolphin and whale conservation.
• Moreton Bay Sea Country Showcase strengthened marine stewardship partnerships.

Operations

• Water management practices protected aquatic ecosystems.
• Sustainable seafood considerations are included in university catering procurement.

SDG 15: Life on land

Teaching

• Forestry and ecology courses promoted sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation.
• Place-based learning strengthened environmental stewardship.

Research

• 432 publications between 2021–2025.
• Forest restoration and biosecurity projects delivered international impact.
• New biodiversity measurement tools supported wetland restoration.

Engagement

• Detection Dogs for Conservation monitored 12,578 hectares.
• Around 1,800 students participated in the Insect Investigators citizen science project.
• Community projects supported biodiversity conservation and species protection.

Operations

• UniSC maintained 100 hectares of conservation land at the Sunshine Coast campus.
• Approximately 500 native plants were added during 2025.
• Habitat restoration and ecological management continued across campuses.

SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Teaching

• Courses examined governance, climate justice, public participation and human rights.

Research

• 240 publications between 2021–2025.
• Research addressed violence prevention, safeguarding and institutional trust.
• Work explored ethical governance of artificial intelligence.

Engagement

• Capacity-building programs were delivered in Timor-Leste.
• More than 250 delegates attended the AANZCA Conference.
• Community partnerships promoted democratic participation and civic engagement.

Operations

• UniSC implemented its AI Operational Policy and ethical AI guidelines.
• Students and staff participate in University governance.
• Transparency is supported through annual reporting and policy frameworks.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Teaching

• Students participated in place-based learning and partnership-focused environmental programs.
• Courses developed stakeholder engagement and collaborative leadership skills.

Research

• HDR projects partnered with government, industry and international organisations.
• Pacific agricultural partnerships increased citrus production in Tonga fivefold.
• Research supported regenerative agritourism policy development in Vanuatu.

Engagement

• Strategic partnerships expanded with industry, government and community organisations.
• UniSC hosted forums connecting business, government and researchers.
• Voices of K'gari strengthened collaboration between researchers and Traditional Owners.

Operations

• UniSC continued participation in global sustainability and research networks.
• Memberships included United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Universities Australia, United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) and Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS) Limited.
• Industry and community partnerships supported innovation, research and workforce development.