Abstract

This poster explores how higher education institutions can advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities, focusing on SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. It also highlights the role of research management activities (RMAs) in supporting these objectives.

Sustainable development is becoming increasingly important in higher education and research, fostering collaboration between stakeholders. Higher Education Institutions like Laurea University of Applied Sciences (UAS) and IUAV University of Venice have a critical role in promoting sustainability by partnering with local, regional, and national ecosystems to impact cities and communities. Laurea UAS has committed to a sustainable future through its 2035 strategy, with a dedicated sustainable development program. Similarly, IUAV is expanding its stakeholder collaborations, particularly with the private sector, to measure the impact of RDI on SDGs, especially SDG 11.

However, promoting sustainability and developing solutions requires broad competencies and organisational capabilities. RDI experts and research managers must understand what ecological, social and economic sustainability means in their respective subject areas and how the core elements are interconnected.

Laurea UAS and IUAV see that evaluating the SDG impacts of research projects develops an understanding of SDGs and sustainability from the individual to the organisational level. Laurea UAS evaluates the SDG impacts of its RDI projects with a web-based tool that fosters learning for staff and partners. Project managers also receive training in sustainable development, which includes SDG assessment. At IUAV, a new methodology and evaluation tools for assessing SDG impacts are being developed, to be tested preliminary on impacts toward SDG 11.

Both universities are partners of the European University Alliance “PIONEER”, dedicating its operations specifically to SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. The PIONEER alliance will have capacity-building activities related to SDG 11, to develop skills across members and to strengthen networks of higher education institutions and cooperation with surrounding ecosystems at a pan-European scale.

Takeaway messages:
Laurea UAS and IUAV have objectives for the RDI activities in their sustainable development programs. Laurea’s RDI projects are assessed with an SDG tool that helps the user understand better the complexity of sustainable development and the different aspects of the SDGs. IUAV will soon develop its methodology and tools with the same aim, focusing on SDG 11 and implementing a PIONEER ALLIANCE monitoring and assessment tool for RDI activities.