A Novel and Comprehensive Approach to Mapping University Research onto the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) -- The Case of University College Cork, Ireland
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| Title: | A Novel and Comprehensive Approach to Mapping University Research onto the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) -- The Case of University College Cork, Ireland |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Julie O’Donoghue, Paul Bolger, Maria J. Kirrane, John F. Barimo, Ashleigh Byrne, Niall P. Dunphy, Claire Edwards, Christie Nicole Godsmark, David Hogan, Saba Loftus, Sean Lucey, James F. Rohan, Allen White, John O’Halloran, John F. Cryan, Siobhán Cusack |
| Source: | International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 2025 26(9):55-71. |
| Availability: | Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Sustainable Development, Educational Research, Research Methodology, Concept Mapping, Research Universities, Information Dissemination, Publications, Case Studies |
| Geographic Terms: | Ireland |
| DOI: | 10.1108/IJSHE-10-2024-0759 |
| ISSN: | 1467-6370 1758-6739 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The mapping of university research onto the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is important, as it demonstrates the crucial contributions that research makes to the SDGs while also showing researchers how the SDGs can inform research and enhance research impact. This paper aims to detail a novel and comprehensive research mapping approach implemented by University College Cork (UCC) and helps to guide other higher education institutions (HEIs) who are beginning their own mapping exercises. Design/methodology/approach: This paper adopts a mixed-method approach, involving the quantitative mapping of publications, qualitative impact case studies, and the collation of researchers' self-assessment data at innovative SDGs workshops. Findings: The workshops generated a high level of engagement from the research community, resulting in 119 impact case studies and 497 researchers mapping their own research to the goals/targets. The results provide a clear picture of the main goals/targets that are the focus of UCC research, at the institutional level, in schools/research centres, and at the researcher level. Research limitations/implications: This study was resource intensive. Its reach may be challenging for other universities to replicate, as success was supported by UCC's longstanding institutional commitment to sustainability, the mature structures in place and the practical investment in this project. Originality/value: The authors are unaware of other universities using this comprehensive approach. While other studies focus on the 17 overarching goals only, UCC research, as far as possible, was mapped at a deeper level to each of the associated SDGs targets. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1498081 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The mapping of university research onto the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is important, as it demonstrates the crucial contributions that research makes to the SDGs while also showing researchers how the SDGs can inform research and enhance research impact. This paper aims to detail a novel and comprehensive research mapping approach implemented by University College Cork (UCC) and helps to guide other higher education institutions (HEIs) who are beginning their own mapping exercises. Design/methodology/approach: This paper adopts a mixed-method approach, involving the quantitative mapping of publications, qualitative impact case studies, and the collation of researchers' self-assessment data at innovative SDGs workshops. Findings: The workshops generated a high level of engagement from the research community, resulting in 119 impact case studies and 497 researchers mapping their own research to the goals/targets. The results provide a clear picture of the main goals/targets that are the focus of UCC research, at the institutional level, in schools/research centres, and at the researcher level. Research limitations/implications: This study was resource intensive. Its reach may be challenging for other universities to replicate, as success was supported by UCC's longstanding institutional commitment to sustainability, the mature structures in place and the practical investment in this project. Originality/value: The authors are unaware of other universities using this comprehensive approach. While other studies focus on the 17 overarching goals only, UCC research, as far as possible, was mapped at a deeper level to each of the associated SDGs targets. |
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| ISSN: | 1467-6370 1758-6739 |
| DOI: | 10.1108/IJSHE-10-2024-0759 |
