Abstract

Universities have traditionally focused on two core responsibilities: teaching and research. However, a third pillar—community engagement and service—has gained significance in recent years. As universities redefine their roles, they are placing greater emphasis on their broader impact. This expanded perspective involves addressing issues such as carbon footprint reduction, waste management, campus design, and inclusive labour and gender policies, all through the lens of a comprehensive sustainability. Efforts to create more sustainable campuses have been ongoing for decades in some institutions. This shift, driven by the demands of students and the civil society, has translated into national and international institutional initiatives like the Swiss Sustainability Network and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) framework, respectively.

Nowadays, several emerging impact rankings assess universities based on their environmental and social policies, focusing on how they contribute to the societal well-being and sustainability. Research publications are not the main component of these rankings, however they still carry significant weight, especially in their relation to specific SDGs. The field knowledge of research managers is crucial in collecting and reporting this data. Moreover, many universities do not participate in these rankings because the staff lacks a clear understanding of them, offering an opportunity to share insights among institutions.

At the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, significant steps have been made to promote sustainability across various aspects, with a focus on the implementation of the policies rather than improving ranking positions. The sustainability service, which has been in place for 2 years, plays a key role in implementing a sustainability strategy at operational level and is actively pushing for greener policies and practices. Meanwhile, the research promotion service has taken on the task of data collection and curation, ensuring the inclusion of the University in local and international impact and sustainability rankings. These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the ability of the administrative sector to raise awareness within academic institutions, this presentation will emphasize the role of university officials in promoting sustainability while analysing how rankings influence policies and practices.