#PlanetPartners: Quiz the VC on our work to tackle global issues

Colleagues from across the University have been sharing examples this month of how our research and institutional action is supporting work to tackle global issues as part of a #PlanetPartners campaign.

The campaign, running throughout May, has included daily content highlighting work at the University that supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which include global issues like poverty, employment and climate change .

Now, the entire University community, and members of the public, have the chance to ask the Vice-Chancellor about the University’s partnerships and work towards these goals, and how it plans to further address them.

A Q&A with Professor Robert Van de Noort will take place on Instagram on Friday 28 May, between 2-3pm. Questions can be submitted in writing on Instagram Stories and will be answered by text or video.

Professor Van de Noort said: “The United Nations goals to eradicate major global problems through positive action reflect our own as a university, as we seek to be a force for good in the world.

“This campaign will bring everyone in our community together to think about and share what they are doing to contribute towards providing solutions to societal and environmental issues, and how we can do more.”

The 17 SDGs cover global problems such as poverty, climate change and health, and are intended to focus the efforts of organisations in helping to solve them around the world. At the University of Reading, which has highlighted the principles of sustainability, community, engagement and excellence in its institutional strategy, these goals are integral to much of its research, teaching and broader institutional mission.

The campaign follows Reading’s strong performance in the 2021 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which scored universities on their work towards the SDGs.

Although the THE Impact Rankings only required evidence of how universities are working towards four of the SDGs, Reading submitted evidence to all 17, demonstrating a commitment to contribute to the SDGs in every possible way.

Follow the campaign and share your examples of work  on Twitter: @UniofReading | Facebook: /theuniversityofreading | Instagram: @uniofreading | LinkedIn: University of Reading | TikTok: @uniofreading using the hashtags #PlanetPartners and #sdgoals

This is a continuation of the #PlanetPartners campaign launched by the University of Reading in October 2019.