Library Help: Office For Open Research

What are the SDGs and why are they important for researchers?

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 interconnected goals that serve as a global call to action to tackle the world’s most pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges.

For researchers, aligning with the SDGs can:

• Demonstrate global impact
  Show how your work contributes to meaningful, real-world change.

• Encourage interdisciplinary research
  SDG themes often cross disciplinary boundaries, opening opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

• Increase funding opportunities
  Many funders now prioritise research that supports specific SDGs.

• Support policy and civic engagement
  SDG-related research can influence policymaking and connect with communities and global stakeholders.

• Build stronger partnerships
  Industry, governments, and non-profit organisations are increasingly seeking academic collaborators aligned with SDG goals.

Why SDGs matter at Manchester

As the UK’s only university to have social responsibility as a core goal, the University of Manchester plays a leading role in addressing the SDGs through its research, teaching, engagement and campus operations.

We are:

• number one in the UK and Europe, and number two in the world for social and environmental impact (THE Impact Rankings 2025)

• the only university in the world to have ranked in the top 10 every year of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

• in the top 10 globally in the 2025 QS World University Sustainability Rankings

To learn more about our strategic commitment and explore live SDG-aligned projects, visit the Office for Social Responsibility website.

How we can help you evidence SDG contributions

The Library’s Research Indicators team works with researchers, departments and professional services to identify and showcase SDG-related research contributions. Services include:

• SDG mapping
  We can help to identify links between your research outputs and specific SDGs—even where these are not explicitly named in titles or abstracts.

• Custom reports
  Tailored insights into your SDG activity for use in funding bids, internal reporting, or REF impact case studies.

• Trend analysis
  Highlighting emerging topics across the SDGs to support future research planning.

• Collaboration insights
  Identifying researchers at Manchester and beyond working on similar SDG-related themes.

• Impact visualisations
  Using tools like SciVal to generate charts and maps illustrating your SDG reach—ideal for presentations or reporting.

• Benchmarking
  Comparing your SDG activity with peer institutions or departments.

For a recent example, see the University’s latest Sustainable Development Goals Report, where the Office for Open Research contributed bibliometric analysis to support institution-wide SDG tracking.

Get in touch

Contact the Research Indicators team to discuss how we can support you in evidencing SDG-related research for funding, reporting, or impact purposes.