Ending poverty. Fighting inequalities. Tackling climate change. Ensuring that no one is left behind.
These are the overarching themes behind the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the that were adopted in September 2015. Agreed upon by leaders around the globe, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have provided numerous opportunities for partnership as the world’s top researchers apply their brain power to this century’s most pressing concerns.
These goals can be found throughout Dal’s Strategic Direction for Research and Innovation. The university’s five signature research clusters and two cross cutting themes are all grounded in specific UN SDGs, and represent the work being done by hundreds of faculty, staff and students at all levels to tackle complex global issues.
Engaging with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
±«Óătv’s Research and Innovation Strategic Direction was officially launched in the fall of 2018. As it moves forward, there needs to be a better understanding of how researchers at the university are engaging with the UN SDGs. In order to gather this important information, the Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation has created a survey that focuses on three major areas:
- How researchers engage with the SDGs
- Which of the SDGs have the closest alignment with their research
- With which networks/organizations researchers are currently engaged and sharing information.
“This survey will help us identify new sources of funding and partnerships that will help grow the ±«Óătv research and innovation enterprise,” says Alice Aiken, vice-president research and innovation.
The survey is specifically targeted towards faculty, and will only take 10-15 minutes to complete. It will remain open until Friday, April 12. Responses can be anonymous, and will not be linked to researchers unless they choose to provide their name. Participation is completely voluntary, and each question about engagement with the SDGs is optional.
“The results of this survey will help us understand how we are solving some of the world’s most complex global issues,” says Dr. Aiken.
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