New report showcases MDX contribution to UN Sustainability Development Goals

New report highlights how Middlesex is working towards making the world fairer, healthier and more sustainable

From a forest restoration project in Mauritius to working in partnership with Barnet Council on a green economy action plan for the Borough, a new report by Middlesex University highlights its activities during 2022-23 which contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The document is MDX’s latest UN SDG Report covering 2022-23 and outlines how the University is working towards 17 SDG goals which address global challenges such as poverty and climate change and form a shared blueprint for businesses and institutions to help reduce inequalities and protect the planet.

MDX was one of the first universities in the UK to sign up to SDGs which are embedded in the University’s Strategy 2031. The goals include progress towards good health and well-being, reduced inequalities, quality education, sustainable cities and communities, and responsible consumption.

The past year saw the launch of state-of-the art facilities including a virtual reality hospital in the West Stand site of the StoneX stadium for sports, natural sciences, and nursing and midwifery teaching. Meanwhile, MDX research to improve health and wellbeing included investigating music therapy to enhance cognitive functions and support wellbeing in older people, developing a drug education programme for teenagers, and working with local NHS partners in a knowledge sharing initiative to transform the professional development of health workers.

Other highlights in the report include a research project to support West London’s freight and logistics small and medium businesses to introduce greener practices, a business growth programme with Barnet Council to support micro-businesses which were severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and supporting MDX students affected by the cost of living crisis with free hot meals on campus, free laptops, and additional mental health support.

The report features how design students salvaged scrap material from around campus to reuse in their courses, while another design initiative called KilburnLab involved collaborating with external partners to help communities in Kilburn reimagine disused community spaces through a series of exhibitions, talks and workshops. Meanwhile, science and technology students carried out energy efficiency assessments of buildings on campus, while a data gathering project involved developing software and digital technologies for legal records.  

The University has taken a leading role in promoting interfaith dialogue, introduced a reverse mentoring programme to allow staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to receive mentoring from senior staff members, while film students took part in a project to produce videos that promote charities which tackle gender-based violence.

Globally, University projects included supporting the restoration of a palace in Egypt where heritage assets contribute 12% to the economy, research into the experiences of migrant women and the role of gender in forced displacement and labour migration, and research into the potential of the arts and art-based therapies to support the mental health and wellbeing of children affected by conflict in Kashmir, northern India.

More than 230 pieces of research produced at MDX during 2022-23 were aligned with one or more of the SDGs, while 66% of funded projects were relevant to one or more SDGs. The University’s impact on health and wellbeing was particularly strong in the past year due to innovative healthcare and health technology research, while research related to the goals of decent work and economic growth, justice and strong institutions, and partnerships to achieve the goals have been notable. This is partly due to the University’s recent focus on improving working conditions, both in the UK and internationally, for vulnerable workers, and on nature and sustainable finance.

Rabin Doolub, the University’s Head of Environmental Sustainability, said: “We are proud of MDX’s role in championing the aims of the SDGs and the progress we have made through our teaching, research, knowledge exchange, and the work of our staff and students.

“Over the coming year, we will aim to increase the visibility and understanding of the SDGs among our staff and students. For example, we are working on a series of webinars with our global campuses and other organisations to engage staff, students, and the wider community and to raise awareness of the work happening both at Middlesex and further afield to advance the SDGs.

“Next year we look forward to continuing this important work, which is a collective effort, and achieving more research and knowledge exchange successes to contribute towards a healthier and fairer world.”

Read Middlesex University’s Sustainable Development Goals 2022/23 Report.

Find out about Middlesex University’s commitment to the environment and sustainability.