Through our education, research and operational management, we are committed to the realisation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Seventeen goals that put the world on the path to an inclusive, equitable and sustainable society by 2030 and lead to the ending of poverty, inequality and climate change. Our three priority areas and four profile themes are closely aligned with these goals.
Based on the principle 'to measure is to know', the Aurora Network, a network of research universities in Europe that are focused on societal impact, has developed the Aurora SDG Research Dashboard under the leadership of VU Amsterdam. This bibliometric tool provides insight into the scientific publications from Dutch universities and European universities in the Aurora Network that are related to the SDGs.
In addition to showing academic impact, the tool indicates whether the research is openly accessible. It also shows the extent to which policymakers reference the research. For example, does the research appear in reports by the World Health Organisation? Reviews show that many of these publications are mentioned in policy documents related to poverty reduction, health and wellness, and sustainable energy. To have an even greater impact, it is important that research is openly accessible. This helps us to contribute even more to addressing societal challenges.
