UWShas a strong collaborative culture and works closely with our stakeholders and partners to find solutions to global societal issues which will create a more sustainable world and help achieve net zero. This page details our partnership activities and how they are helping us to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.

Local Partnerships

In 2025,鈥疦HS Education for Scotland (NES)鈥痑nd the UWS(91影视破解版) signed a 鈥楽trategic Collaboration Agreement鈥�.鈥疻orking鈥痶ogether, they鈥痺ill design and deliver new skills in new ways, using technology and data to design and deliver innovative education,鈥痶raining鈥痑nd learning.

This innovative new partnership will focus on鈥痥ey鈥痑reas鈥痮f career development鈥痵uch as:

  • identifying鈥痮pportunities to develop skills that staff have right now

  • designing and delivering flexible workplace-based learning that adapts to the needs of health and social care learners

  • enabling more on-the-job learning through bite-sized 鈥榤icro-credential鈥� learning, graduate鈥痑pprenticeships鈥痑nd new kinds of continuous professional development

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWSsaid of the agreement:

The UWSis committed to creating and removing barriers to educational opportunities across all the communities we serve. With鈥痭ew technologies鈥痑nd breakthroughs in clinical research, education is vital for healthcare and social care regionally,鈥痭ationally鈥痑nd globally. Patients and staff rightly expect care鈥痑nd treatment that keeps pace with the technologies of today, not simply repeating the approaches of the past. Healthcare delivery is changing too. This partnership allows us to pool our educational and workforce鈥痚xpertise, to deliver a revolution in health and social care education.鈥�

NES Deputy Chief Executive & Executive Director of Nursing, Karen Wilson said: 

NES provides education, training, workforce development, data and technology for health and social care in Scotland. We help people who work in this area to get the education and skills they need to provide鈥痝ood quality鈥痗are for people in Scotland. Our work affects every person in every community in Scotland.

The world changes quickly. We need to prepare and shape the workforce for the future and the changes in health and social care that we all need to improve people鈥檚 health.鈥�

One of the key objectives of the extended partnership is to create tailored educational and professional development programmes aimed at addressing recruitment and retention challenges in the healthcare workforce. Joint appointments and enhanced input into teaching programmes will help ensure that academic expertise remains aligned with the evolving needs of the healthcare sector.

The partnership will also promote collaborative clinical research, with both organisations working on joint grant applications to fund research projects that improve clinical practices and patient outcomes. These efforts will focus on addressing critical healthcare challenges and contribute to the broader goal of creating more integrated care services.

The 91影视破解版-Oxfam Partnership is an innovative model of research and knowledge exchange between the UWSand Oxfam Scotland, an NGO dedicated to the eradication of poverty.

The Partnership was launched in 2012 after years of successful collaborations between the University and Oxfam Scotland. The development of Oxfam鈥檚 UK Poverty Programme in Scotland and its Our Economy report, with input from UWSresearchers, were significant milestones for the establishment of the Partnership.

The Partnership continues to bring together academic expertise from UWSand the social justice and anti-poverty campaigning strengths of Oxfam Scotland and seeks to collaborate with civil society organisations to conduct research to inform policy. Its activities seek to promote a more equitable and sustainable Scotland. The Partnership鈥檚 work is closely aligned with supporting the , particularly , , and .

Under the umbrella of the Partnership, the impact of public policies on equality, sustainability and poverty in Scotland have been critically examined. The overarching aim of the Partnership鈥檚 diverse activities has been to inform the public debate about the future of Scotland.

The Partnership鈥檚 agenda is led by its Policy Forum which regularly invites stakeholders to discuss and challenge existing ideas and policies. These discussions also feed into Oxfam Scotland鈥檚 work.

Launched in 2017, Vision Schools Scotland is delivered by the School of Education and Social Sciences at 91影视破解版, in partnership with the Holocaust Educational Trust.

Its aims are to create a national schools鈥� network of good practice in Holocaust education and to support primary and secondary teachers in their teaching and learning about the Holocaust through accrediting schools, sharing good practice and developing professional learning opportunities.

A Vision School is a school committed to the view that learning about the Holocaust is a vital part of young people鈥檚 education. To become a Vision School, schools demonstrate a sustainable commitment to the importance of Holocaust education and to continued professional development in the Holocaust and its related issues. There are currently 30 Vision Schools in Scotland.

Vision Schools Scotland supports the promotion of the UN SDGs, particularly SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; SDG 4: Quality Education; and SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals; and promotes, respects, and protects the rights of children and young people in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Visit the Vision School Scotland Webpages

UWSand Ayrshire College have signed a strategic partnership agreement to address鈥痩ocal鈥痵kills and training needs.鈥疶he partnership commits both institutions to work collaboratively to address current and future economic opportunities across Ayrshire.

Both partners鈥痺ill鈥痺ork together to develop鈥痑 vision for regional skills:鈥痮ne that will have wide ranging benefits for staff,鈥痵tudents鈥痑nd the wider community. A key鈥痗omponent鈥痮f this is a focus on delivering a comprehensive skills portfolio in areas of strategic importance within the Ayrshire Growth Deal and Regional Economic Strategy, including digital, healthcare and nursing, creative鈥痠ndustries鈥痑nd enterprise.鈥�

The agreement underscores the mutual intent of Ayrshire College and UWSto work closely together to cultivate a vibrant and sustainable tertiary education provision for Ayrshire to meet current needs as well as the innovation鈥痳equired鈥痶o grow the regional economy. This will include developing the workforce across the organisations and working together on facility and service development to deliver an efficient and joined-up presence across Ayrshire. 鈥�

Angela Cox, Principal and Chief Executive of Ayrshire College, highlighted the ambition behind the partnership:

This newly formalised partnership between the UWSand Ayrshire College is firmly focused on the needs and aspirations of the people of Ayrshire and in strengthening the role we play as anchor institutions locally."

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of 91影视破解版, said:鈥�

Ayrshire College and UWSare both committed to Ayrshire and proud of what we both contribute to the area. We both share an ambition to play an even-greater role, by working together and fulfilling the needs of people,鈥痓usinesses鈥痑nd organisations across the region.鈥濃��

This agreement鈥痺ill enable鈥痓oth institutions鈥痶o jointly鈥痯lan ahead鈥痶o deliver a comprehensive and integrated regional skills portfolio for the people and employers of Ayrshire now and in the future.鈥疘t will deliver joined up鈥痯rovision across the region which reflects鈥痩ocal priorities and future trends,鈥痙riving economic growth and prosperity for local people.鈥�

Both organisations have also formed a new partnership between with Phoenix Software, focusing on advancements in artificial intelligence, cyber security and technological innovation set to transform the institutions鈥� education programmes. These innovative joint initiatives will help UWSand Ayrshire College roadmap, implement and scale AI responsibly, developing best practices and shared learning across both institutions.

Meanwhile, students and staff will benefit from digital workshops, training sessions, and information events, with emphasis on latest tools from Microsoft and other leading technology platforms, giving students the skills needed when it comes to navigating the workplace.

Working with Global Institutions to Develop Sustainable Solutions

UWSworks on a range of infrastructure projects to promote sustainable solutions to economic and societal issues. These include:

A project led by UWS(91影视破解版) scientists is set to transform shrimp farming in Southeast Asia by developing low-cost, early-warning monitoring systems to improve sustainability in one of the region鈥檚 most vital industries. Backed by the International Science Partnership Funds (ISPF) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the 拢3,038,104 grant project brings together leading scientists from 91影视破解版, Can Tho University in Vietnam, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology in Thailand, University of Strathclyde, and the James Hutton Institute.

The three-year project, aims to arm small-scale shrimp farmers with affordable tools to鈥痬onitor鈥痺ater quality, detect pathogens, and predict environmental threats in real-time.鈥疭hrimp farming, a major economic driver in Vietnam and Thailand, provides millions of jobs and contributes significantly to global seafood exports. However, disease outbreaks and environmental challenges cost the industry billions of dollars every year. Existing monitoring technologies are often too expensive or complex for small farmers, leaving them vulnerable to sudden losses.

91影视破解版鈥檚 Professor Kath Sloman, who will lead the project, explained the significance of the research:

The aquaculture sector in Southeast Asia is vital for livelihoods and food security, yet small-scale farmers face huge challenges in managing disease and water quality.鈥疧ur project will co-develop accessible, low-cost biosensors and climate models to empower farmers with real-time data, allowing them to act before disease strikes.鈥疶his is about boosting resilience, increasing productivity, and ensuring sustainability.鈥�

The project will combine the local knowledge of shrimp farmers with鈥痚xpertise鈥痠n biosensing technology, climate modelling, aquatic health, and artificial intelligence. The team is working on a hand-held sensor that can quickly detect pathogens and harmful nitrogen levels in pond water, alongside an AI-driven prediction tool that uses climate data to forecast disease risks.

By working closely with local farmers,鈥痳esearchers鈥痑re ensuring that the tools鈥痙eveloped鈥痑re not just scientifically advanced, but also practical, affordable, and easy to use. This research has the potential to drastically reduce shrimp mortality rates鈥痶hereby鈥痠ncreasing鈥痽ields鈥痑nd improving economic鈥痠ndicators for local communities.鈥疶he study will also pioneer gender-inclusive approaches to aquaculture, ensuring that both men and women in the industry benefit from training and technology adoption.鈥疻hile the project focuses on shrimp farming in Vietnam and Thailand, the technology鈥痠nvolved鈥痠s highly adaptable and鈥痗an be transferred to similar鈥痑quaculture systems across Southeast Asia and beyond.鈥�

UWSis involved in a groundbreaking early warning system for extreme weather events in South Africa. The project, titled 鈥榃arning system for Extreme weather events, Awareness Technology for Healthcare, Equitable delivery, and Resilience (WEATHER),鈥� is a multi-partner collaboration involving UWS(91影视破解版); University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN); the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery; and the University of Portsmouth.

The project partners have been awarded a pivotal grant of more than 拢2 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to develop the system. The project focuses on two vulnerable districts in KwaZulu-Natal, eThekwini and Ugu, collaborating closely with local communities and healthcare providers throughout the research process. Using cutting-edge technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the WEATHER project will develop a comprehensive warning system tailored to the needs of affected communities. Geospatial technologies will collate weather and climate data while AI algorithms will analyse weather, climate, and health data to identify patterns and trends which allow for more accurate predictions of flooding and associated health risks. Additionally, AI-powered tools will continuously monitor and assess flood risks in real-time, enabling swift interventions to minimise disease outbreaks. Warnings will be shared through a mobile app providing more detailed information, maps, and resources tailored to specific locations and needs and through SMS text messages, ensuring widespread reach even in areas with limited internet access. By integrating AI and digital technologies into the warning system, healthcare systems and vulnerable communities will be empowered with real-time predictive information about extreme weather events and associated disease outbreaks, giving them the time, they need to prepare and reduce the harm from extreme events.

Cross Sectoral Dialogue 91影视破解版 the SDGs

In May 2024, UWSplayed host to a one-day conference examining the key role universities in Scotland can play in helping to achieve SDG focused positive outcomes in social and economic equality. The conference was led by academics from our School of Business and Creative Industries and Education and Social Sciences and was attended by academics and key stakeholders from a range of organisations, including NGOs, from the UK and beyond. Keynote speakers included experts from UNHCR and the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG). The conference focused on how universities have contributed to SDG-aligned initiatives and objectives by conducting research and delivering outputs which have had tangible impacts on promoting economic and social cohesion.

The key objectives of the conference were:

  • To review, account for, and help develop critical thinking and progress on social justice initiatives in Scotland, in line with the UN SDG goals

  • To scrutinise the relationship between progress on the SDGs and social inequalities in Scotland as we move towards 2030

  • To further interrogate the connections between social justice, social inequalities, and climate change as one of the most urgent challenges being encountered

  • To disseminate new research findings on the themes of social justice and social inequalities in Scotland

  • To publish an edited collection and/or special issue of an academic journal on the topic of social justice and social inequalities in Scotland and their relationship with the UN SDGs

Topics for discussion included:

  • Examining the role of Scotland's enterprising universities, towards achieving SDG focussed social equality and economic outcomes

  • SDG-Driven Internationalisation: Transforming Scottish Higher Education for Social Impact

A series of presentations and guided workshops provided opportunities for participants to share ideas and good practice, collate information highlighting the key role universities play in supporting the SDGs and formulating a plan for future actions. Papers from the conference have been shared and published across relevant academic publications.

Many of the academics presenting at the conference continue to research and progress work discussed at the conference. Key updates on papers discussed include:

Paper: 鈥淢obilising research, innovation and enterprise in the Scottish waste sector and its capacity to improve SDG performance.鈥�

Following the conference, a further peer reviewed publication was published (this can be viewed  There continues to be active research in this area, and this work will contribute to UWSREF2029 impact case study.

Paper: 鈥淐hildren鈥檚 participation in research and society 鈥� an inter-disciplinary enquiry鈥�

Academic and PhD students involved in this project presented their research at the in Dundee.

Paper: 鈥淭he Social Work practitioner role and the multifaceted challenges posed by the environmental crisis鈥�.

At the conference initial findings from this research project were discussed, this has subsequently been published in the .

The research study was replicated by an academic in Austria which led to Conference presentation at European Conference on Social Work Education (Salzburg). UWSacademics, working with two academics from Austria and South Africa, created the Environmental Social Work and Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaption Special Interest Group (SIG), affiliated with the European Social Work Research Association (ESWRA).

Paper: 鈥淨uestioning Sustainability Ontologies: A Dialogue with the S脿mi Philosophy of Kinship鈥�

UWSacademics involved in this paper coedited a special issue of Education in The North. and

Paper: 鈥淓xamining the role of Scotland's enterprising universities, towards achieving SDG focussed social equality and economic outcomes.鈥�

Following the conference, one of the UWSacademics involved in this paper was invited to guest edit a related special issue journal call with the Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice (JPAAP), titled: ''. This call led to a guest editorial and publishing of the .

Furthermore, this work along with prior data collection led to the submission to a 'call for evidence' and this evidence has been cited in the .

Paper: 鈥淧overty stigma and socioeconomic inequalities in mental health鈥�

Work on poverty stigma has now been

Paper: 鈥淭he 鈥楬idden鈥� Problem with Drug Use in Scotland: A Mixed Method Investigation into the Increasing Rates of Drug Use in Older Women.鈥�

There are two publications from the work presented at the ESS SDG,

Paper: 鈥淚nequality and drug-related deaths: Integrating a social determinants analysis into policy development in Scotland and internationally鈥�

The paper was published: 鈥�.

The lead academic hosted UWSHarm Reduction Futures Conference November 2024 with attendance and feedback from practitioners, policy makers and people with lived experience and participated in the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs annual meeting in Vienna in March 2026.

The lead academic also co-organised a public engagement event on this theme at the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP) conference (June 2025) in collaboration with the Drugs, Policy, and Social Change research group at the Manchester Metropolitan University. The event was attended by c100 policy makers, practitioners, and researchers from across the UK and internationally.

The academic was also invited to present on this theme on a series of Central European conferences (in Brno, 2024; Brussels, 2025; Prague, 2026) to European policymakers, EUDA representatives, health policy specialists and advocates, mental health services providers, NGOs to advance addiction and mental health policy.

Paper: 鈥淪DG-Driven Internationalisation: Transforming Scottish Higher Education for Social Impact.鈥�

Academic published a book chapter titled 鈥�.鈥� The chapter considers some of the challenges facing internationalisation and global engagement in Scottish higher education, with a particular focus on resilience and overcoming barriers.

An Educational Commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The University is a signatory to the鈥疷N SDG Accord 鈥� a global agreement which acknowledges the key role universities play promoting a culture of sustainability and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 through learning, teaching and research. As a result of our commitment to the Accord, sustainability is being integrated across our full curriculum.

The University has produced Strategy 2030 which sets out our institutional and strategic focus, ensuring that we maximise our impact in economic, social and global life. The strategy also documents our university values. These were created by our university community and reflect their needs, aspirations and future goals. Our values guide how we will work together to achieve our ambitions and fulfil our purpose.

One of our key goals is to grow our global impact, working with our international partners to build the capacity for strong global economies, fair work, equality and sustainability. This will involve building education and research capacity in developing nations to support sustainable development and strengthen communities.

We have also recently published our Sustainability Plan which details our activities, commitments, and targets across all aspects of sustainability. The plan is a flexible, live document which will be continually assessed and updated over the period of its delivery. The UWSStrategy and Sustainability Statement commit the University to embedding the UN SDGs while delivering our core functions of learning, teaching, research and innovation. UWSSustainability Plan 2025-30.

Sustainability Education

UWSsupports the UN SDGs and Scotland鈥檚 Net Zero 2045 ambitions by aligning teaching with the skills needed for green jobs and sustainable industries. For example, the MSc Sustainable Technology and MSc Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Management are designed to produce graduates who can directly contribute to low-caron transformation across Scotland鈥檚, and the wider world鈥檚, economy.

MSc Sustainable Technology equips students with applied engineering, environmental, and sustainable expertise through modules such as Sustainable Energy Systems, Clean Technology, and Pollution Control. These develop practical understanding of sustainability, efficiencies, and emissions reduction, skills increasingly demanded in a greener workforce.

Complementing this, the MSc Sustainable Logistics programme develops expertise in resilient and sustainable supply chains, focusing on reducing environmental impacts across transport and distribution. Through applied projects and real-world scenarios, students gain skills in designing efficient, low-carbon logistics systems. These capabilities are critical to decarbonising infrastructure, retail, and public services sectors.

Through aligning our curriculum with national, and global, priorities, these programmes and UWSare responding directly to the climate emergency by equipping learners with the interdisciplinary knowledge and applied skills required to support Scotland鈥檚 transition to net zero.

Other sustainability courses we offer include:

  • BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Sustainability |

  • BA (Hons) Business & Sustainability

Sustainability Plan

In February 2025 UWSpublished its new Sustainability Plan (PDF) for the next five years. The plan refreshes the institution鈥檚 commitment to delivering sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as a becoming a leader in climate change and resilience through research and enterprise activity.鈥�

At the heart of the plan is our 2040 Net Zero commitment and the progress the University has made in reducing emissions and the challenges that lie ahead. It outlines our achievements and commitments across seven action areas as well as ongoing work to deliver against each of these.

The 鈥榓ction areas鈥� across Sustainable Energy, Carbon Management, Biodiversity & Environmental Adaptation, Travel, Food, Waste, and Procurement represent a comprehensive breadth of focus and planned actions.鈥�

The plan is a live, evolving document which will grow in its detail. It reflects the work we are doing to incorporate a wider range of institutional sustainability objectives which align with Strategy 2030 including across Learning & Teaching, Research and Knowledge Transfer and Partnerships.

Embedding Sustainability at 91影视破解版

At 91影视破解版, sustainable practices and initiatives are implemented and monitored through both our Sustainability Working Group and Shaping Communities and Society Steering group. Sustainability is considered through all investment requests. The University is making changes to ensure we are a responsible global citizen in our everyday operations.

We recognise that the world is facing a climate emergency and we all have a part to play in reducing the impact of climate change. We are investing in creating more sustainable and environmentally friendly campuses and working to reduce our emissions to meet our net zero target.

Our award-winning Lanarkshire campus, opened in 2018, and was built to be environmentally sustainable. The concept and action of reducing and minimising consumption is a key driver in our capital planning processes, in our investment and in our ways of working. People of all ages around the world, including many of our students, have stood up for climate action. We believe we have an obligation to the communities we serve to act now. 鈥�

In November 2022 we launched our Green Campaign which has been delivered across all campuses to encourage all staff and students to make everyday changes to be more sustainable.

Last updated: 27/10/2026