Unlike traditional university rankings that mainly focus on research output, teaching quality, or citation counts, the THE Impact Ranking emphasizes universities’ societal responsibility. It measures how effectively institutions contribute to addressing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, gender equality, and access to quality education. The benchmark for this is the set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations. Data collection includes research on sustainability topics, social and environmental responsibility on campus, civic engagement, and partnerships with other institutions and NGOs.
The ranking clearly demonstrates the key role that universities play in driving sustainable development and social progress, both locally and globally.
The University of Bayreuth improved its performance in four SDG areas:
- SDG 4 – Quality Education: Band 101–200 (previous year: 301–400)
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Band 301–400 (previous year: 401–600)
- SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Rank 90 (previous year: 94)
- SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Band 101–200 (previous year: 201–300)
The University's success in SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – is particularly noteworthy. “This result shows that the University of Bayreuth not only conducts cutting-edge research but also translates it effectively into societal transformation,” Prof. Dr. Susanne Tittlbach, Vice President of the University of Bayreuth for Digitalization, Innovation, and Sustainability, says. University President Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible explains: “We will continue along our path of sustainable development and strengthen our role as a driver of innovation for society, the economy, and the environment.”
