In 2015, United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is framed around 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN describes these goals as “an urgent call for action by all countries,” emphasizing the importance of global partnerships.

This podcast series explores the intersections of Higher Education (HE) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Curated by Richard Hall and Kate Mawson, this series delves into how HE can respond to the urgent call for action set out in The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Adopted by United Nations Member States in 2015, the agenda envisions global peace and prosperity for people and the planet, centred on 17 transformative goals.

While SDG 4, Quality Education, stands as a direct link to HE, the implications stretch far beyond this single goal. Higher education institutions hold a unique and powerful role in advancing understanding, reducing inequalities, and fostering innovation across all SDGs—whether addressing gender equality (SDG 5), climate action (SDG 13), or partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).

This podcast series emerges from a collaborative initiative co-facilitated by the British Educational Research Association (BERA) Higher Education and Social Theory Special Interest Groups. At its core, the project aims to explore how HE policy and practice can engage with and impact the SDGs. It invites academics, practitioners, and policymakers to examine the intersections of HE with personal, social, ecological, and resource needs, including poverty eradication, sustainable cities, clean energy, and justice.

There are 7 podcasts in the series. Click below to find out more