Sustainable Development Goals & IUI

What are the SDGs?

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the cornerstone of IU Indianapolis' campus internationalization efforts. Our goal is to create interdisciplinary and solution-oriented opportunities for developing curriculum, partnerships, and research focused on the 2030 agenda for global change.

The SDGs are a universal call-to-action to end poverty, protect the planet, and improve the lives and prospects of humankind, and it is only by working cooperatively that we can make any headway. Already IUI has Gold Star status as a sustainable campus, and we have a considerable number of research projects that are geared to specific SDGs: the AMPATH medical program in Kenya, our Lugar Center for Renewable Energy, the IAHI Environmental Justice seminar series, and more. By working in close cooperation with our international partners, the potential impact of our current efforts will be increased immeasurably. 

Times Higher Education Impact Ranking

IU Indianapolis has participated in the Times Higher Education Impact ranking every year since 2020, ranking in the top 10% of universities addressing the UN SDGs. In 2024, IU Indianapolis ranked 5th in the U.S. overall, and in the top 50 of universities worldwide and second in the U.S. for SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Press:

Read the article: IU Indianapolis ranks 5th nationwide in Impact Rankings for sustainable development

Read the article: "IUI awarded the 2023 Innovation Award in Internationalization"

Official Press Release: "IUI ranks Top 10 US, Top 10% in world for second year"

Official Press Release: "IUI ranks 2nd in US, 28th in world in Impact Rankings 2021 for sustainability"

Read the article: "From the Desk: Why the Sustainable Development Goals matter to IUI"

Read the article: "How poisonous mercury gets from coal-fired power plants into the fish you eat"

Read the article: "For Insect Farming to Work, Scientists Need to Build a Better Bug"

Read the article: "Polis Center through SAVI and WFYI Public Media Help Tackle Equity and Social Justice"

Achieving the Goals

Though we are proud of the progress IUI has made, we still have a lot of work to do. Here's our basic plan for how to continue engaging IUI in the SDGs.

Create, Translate, Survey, Foster, Highlight, Initiate

  • View IUPUI's 2022 complete THE Impact Rankings

    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

    2022 US Ranking - 3rd

    2022 World Ranking - 70, top 7%

    SDG 4 Quality Education

    2022 US Ranking - Top 20

    2022 World Ranking - 301-400 tier, top 29%

    SDG 5 Gender Equality

    2022 US Ranking - 4th

    2022 World Ranking - 63, top 7%

    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

    2022 US Ranking - Top 20

    2022 World Ranking - 301-400 tier, top 44%

    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

    2022 US Ranking - Top 15

    2022 World Ranking - 401-600 tier, top 52%

    SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

    2022 US Ranking - 3rd

    2022 World Ranking - 43, top 6%

    SDG 13 Climate Action

    2022 US Ranking - Top 15

    2022 World Ranking - 101-200 tier, top 17%

    SDG 16 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions

    2022 US Ranking - 4th

    2022 World Ranking - 54, top 7%

    SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

    2022 US Ranking - 4th

    2022 World Ranking - 90, top 7%

    2022 Overall Ranking

    Top 10 in the U.S.

    101-200 tier, top 10% globally

     

View the SDGs in Action

To dive into the details of how IUI is engaging with the SDGs across campus, view the SDGs in Action page

SDGs in Action at IUI

Visit sdg.indianapolis.iu.edu for a full campus view

Learn more about upcoming opportunities

View previous SDG Global Conversations

To learn more about events, speakers, and to connect with others at IUI, join the SDG Mailing List. This list brings together faculty, students and staff at IUI and IUI partners to explore the potential for collaboration on the UN Sustainable Development goals. This open forum provides participants an opportunity for sharing ideas, information, funding opportunities and other posts concerned with the SDGs. Membership is open to all interested faculty, students, staff and IUI partners.