Sustainable Development Goals
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 1 Imperial College London
Contents
GOAL 1 04 Introduction 24 Ge tting a grip on NO POVERTY infectious disease 04 Foreword by Professor GOAL 2 ZERO HUNGER Alice Gast 25 The unique centre striving for more sustainable GOAL 3 05 Foreword by Professor global business GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING David Nabarro The WISER project – working GOAL 4 26 QUALITY EDUCATION 06 Tackling the threat of towards cleaner water to antimicrobial resistance prevent schistosomiasis GOAL 5 GENDER EQUALITY 07 Empowering communities 27 Building equitable, healthy GOAL 6 with innovative off-grid cities for the future CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION energy solutions 28 School students around GOAL 7 08 Boosting global crop yields the world compete to tackle SDG Explainer AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY to end hunger the SDGs GOAL 8 The United Nations’ Sustainable DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC 09 Leading the fight to eradicate 29 Tackling childhood mortality Development Goals are the blueprint to GROWTH malaria in sub-Saharan Africa GOAL 9 achieve a better and more sustainable INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND 10 Driving the global transition 30 Inclusive STEM learning and future for all. They address the global INFRASTRUCTURE to zero pollution innovation challenges we face, including poverty, GOAL 10 12 Nurturing generations 32 Research by Imperial physicists REDUCING INEQUALITY inequality, climate change, of Change Makers to tackle spans local energy and health GOAL 11 global challenges tech discoveries environmental degradation, SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND peace and justice. COMMUNITIES 13 Cleaning the air we breathe 33 Delivering innovative solutions to improve global health GOAL 12 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION 14 Helping the injured victims of AND PRODUCTION conflict around the world 34 Managing rainforests for the ecological and economic GOAL 13 15 Delivering vaccines to those benefit of all CLIMATE ACTION who need them most GOAL 14 35 Synthetic biology paves the way LIFE BELOW WATER 16 Empowering enterprising for new drugs, materials, fuels women to drive societal change and food GOAL 15 LIFE ON LAND 18 SDG Start-ups infographic 36 Mastering the elements GOAL 16 PEACE, JUSTICE, AND STRONG 20 Design and innovation meets 37 Calculated progress – INSTITUTIONS global development Mathematicians progressing the SDGs number by number GOAL 17 PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS 21 The world’s most advanced centre for disease and 38 Imperial’s new Global emergency analytics Development Hub
SDGS.UN.ORG 22 Paving the way for next-gen quantum tech
23 Innovation for global energy Published by challenges Imperial College London, 2021
3 Imperial College London to equivalent technology. These are just a few examples of the many ways Foreword Imperial’s staff and students are turning academic thinking into transformative, real-world innovations that will enable and advance sustainable In September 2015, the seen since I arrived in The Imperial community development. leaders of the world's nations 2018. First, elements of the is fully engaged in research, We know that ‘leaving no one agreed on a vision for our strategy are incorporated analysis, policy formulation behind’ applies as much to our global future. It establishes into the underlying values and action that relate to local London community, as it priorities for urgent action to and everyday behaviours contemporary systems does to cities and communities ensure the well-being of all that are reflected across challenges. As we advance into around the world. We believe people and the regeneration of the College. Its principles the current decade, I sense that that by joining forces with local, our planet’s natural resources. and goals are incorporated the College will increasingly be national and international It was produced through the into core teaching, extra- guided by the 2030 Agenda partners, we have an important worldwide collaboration of curricular competitions and when contributing to human role to play in fulfilling the SDGs. thousands of citizens from opportunities for all students. and planetary well-being. That More importantly, we know that all walks of life. It took more Second, the College seeks is why I am so pleased that our students will go on to be the than two years of soundings, to ensure that vital STEM the College’s contributions dimension to this environment innovators, entrepreneurs and dialogue, expert consultations, education can be accessed by will be accelerated through and our ability to impact on the leaders of the future who will and intense negotiations. It school-aged students around a Global Development Hub, Foreword SDGs. Imperial’s new White City take this agenda forward. is called the 2030 Agenda for the world. This contributes to which will increase the synergy Campus is home to a significant Our new Global Development Sustainable Development. the SDGs and inspires future and impact of innovations cluster of start-ups and growing Hub will advance our The vision focuses on the generations to achieve more in flowing from groups across the enterprises developing new contribution to the SDGs by needs of people, wherever years to come. College. I am delighted that Pursuing world-leading Sustainable Development. technologies to tackle global building communities of practice Professor David Nabarro is they live. It is interconnected Third, the 2030 Agenda our Institute of Global Health research and education for the The case studies selected challenges. across sectors and disciplines. Co-Director of the Institute of and calls for integrated encourages Imperial to Innovation will be part of this benefit of society has always for this booklet illustrate the One such start-up, RFC It will be a vital connection point Global Health Innovation and responses, implemented nurture innovations that effort. been at the heart of Imperial College’s breadth of talent, Power, is developing a low-cost, for building new institutional the WHO Director General’s through collective action. At its have relevance in a variety For me the 2030 Agenda College London’s mission. diversity of thinking and long-duration battery that will partnerships focused on policy Special Envoy on COVID-19. heart is a strategy built around of different contexts is both a compass and an extensive global outreach facilitate the transition to 100% impact and translation of Prior to joining the College, 17 goals with multiple targets. internationally. Priority is inspiration. I am excited Our staff and students operate creating culturally relevant renewable energy and is working research into economic and Professor Nabarro was the Implementing this strategy given to approaches that are to be part of the College across sectors and disciplines solutions. We are proud to have on a project to improve access social progress. Special Adviser to the United calls for innovation in social relevant to the SDGs and these community as we intensify to develop new technologies, the greatest concentration of to clean, reliable and affordable We take our position on Nations (UN) Secretary- organisation, governance, are showcased here. our commitment to a world of discover new cures, educate high-impact research of any energy in Sub-Saharan Africa. the global stage seriously and General on the 2030 Agenda business strategies and Fourth, the College’s the future that is sustainable, and inspire the next generation major UK university and to Another small company, VUI by working together we are for Sustainable Development. political leadership. leadership is increasingly equitable, just and leaves no and find ways to answer have a unique environment Diagnostics has a new retinal confident that we will continue He played a key part in the As an international focused on the complex one behind. the greatest of challenges. where students at all levels imaging tool that dramatically to make further progress analysis and development of university focused on science, systems challenges that Amplified by a network of work alongside our leading speeds up the diagnosis of towards creating a better the Sustainable Development engineering, medicine and result in persistent inequities, collaborations in over 192 researchers in multi-cultural, diseases that lead to sight loss. society. Agenda and Goals. His business, Imperial College infectious diseases, climate DAVID NABARRO countries, Imperial’s research multi-national teams. With 90% of the world’s blind particular area of focus was London is making major change and the damage to CO-DIRECTOR OF THE and education transforms lives, Our deep-seated culture of people living in the developing food and nutrition, and the contributions through nature. These have been made INSTITUTE OF GLOBAL HEALTH creates opportunity and moves entrepreneurship, innovation world, they hope to bring retinal ALICE GAST reduction of hunger, which collaborating in both research more visible as nations have INNOVATION AND WHO us towards achieving the United and community-embedded imaging to isolated regions that PRESIDENT OF IMPERIAL evolved into Goal 2 of the and education. sought to respond to the DIRECTOR GENERAL’S SPECIAL Nations’ 2030 Agenda for solutions adds an extra previously did not have access COLLEGE LONDON SDGs. Here is what I have COVID-19 pandemic. ENVOY ON COVID-19.
INTRODUCTION work in the 1950s on highly efficient Sustainable Development Goals external partners to bear on societal intelligence (AI) and clinical built to facilitate cross-disciplinary together a litany of examples where Yet such ambitions cannot be zeolite catalysts transformed modern (SDGs) – which came into effect and industrial problems, particularly medicine; and helping farmers research and innovative solutions in Imperial academics, students achieved alone: The 17 SDGs are At the heart of Imperial’s mission industry and focused attention on in 2016 – provide a framework through the work of established in Africa improve crop yields and partnership with industry, third sector and staff are engaging with the interconnected and require a truly has always been the pursuit of sustainability. for tackling these challenges, and centres and institutes such as the protect against drought with and the local community. Sustainable Development Goals, collaborative approach. Imperial world-leading research in science, As a global society we now endeavour to achieve a sustainable Grantham Institute for Climate innovative new financial instruments. The launch of Imperial’s Their scope, goes beyond the will therefore continue to create technology and medicine and face an urgent and unprecedented future for humanity and the Change and the Environment; This multidisciplinary approach Academic Strategy in 2020 saw 2030 timeframe of the UN’s SDGs, collaborative platforms such as its translation into innovative set of challenges, including the natural world. Institute of Global Health Innovation; now permeates Imperial’s entire another step change in this highlighting a key point about the our Global Development Hub for solutions that benefit industry all-encompassing spectre of climate Crucially, the SDGs provide a Centre for Environmental Policy; and ecosystem and is exemplified approach with a focus on creating nature of Imperial’s fundamental multidisciplinary research, capacity and wider society. change; plateauing crop yields in the focal point for universities, industry, Energy Futures Lab. through the creation over the past a world in which society is healthy, research: we have always been, building and knowledge exchange face of a growing global population; third sector and government partners These centres have already had few years of dozens of new Networks sustainable, smart and resilient. and will continue to be, focused to achieve long-term social and Perhaps most famously, Fleming’s the continuing epidemics of malaria, working across disciplines to come a transformative impact in helping of Excellence and Centres of The new strategy has facilitated the on anticipating and preparing for economic impact. Whilst we have discovery of the antibiotic penicillin tuberculosis and HIV in addition to together to develop and deliver to achieve the SDGs. For example, Excellence – including those focused launch of several transformational challenges that might arise 20, 30 much to offer, we also have a great at St Mary's Hospital in 1928 our proven global vulnerability to innovative solutions to shared global by pioneering new advances on Air Quality; Sustainability through cross-disciplinary programmes in even 50 years into the future. deal to learn. Imperial welcomes heralded a global revolution in infectious diseases like the novel challenges. in electrochemical materials to Life Cycle Approaches; Translational research, education and innovation As a world-leading STEM global partners and friends to engage medicine and healthcare. The coronavirus; health inequalities; Imperial has an established track improve batteries and fuel cells for Nutrition and Food Research; Ocean that will help our society, including institution, we recognise our with us on this pathway so that we College has also played host to other and rising air pollution in our rapidly record of leading multidisciplinary sustainable cities and transport; Plastic Solutions; Malaria and more. Transition to Zero Pollution, Institute urgent and critical role in can collaborate and learn from one pioneers such as Richard Barrer, one expanding cities. research collaborations, as well driving improvements in disease Meanwhile, Imperial’s White of Infection and Imperial-X. accelerating society towards another to achieve our shared goal of of the first ‘green’ chemists, whose The United Nations’ 17 as convening a broad spectrum of screening by combining artificial City Campus is being purpose- These programmes bring this resilient, sustainable future. a sustainable world for all.
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Tackling the threat of antimicrobial resistance Growing levels of resistance to antimicrobial treatments present a threat to all human health (SDG 3) which Imperial is tackling through an interdisciplinary programme of research and translation.
n 1928, Alexander Fleming spanning technological, BELOW: through co-design of technology, ushered in the era of modern behavioural and policy approaches. Professor Alison implementation research and local medicine when he discovered For example, artificial intelligence Holmes leads a entrepreneurship and innovation; regular ward round the antimicrobial properties of for clinical decision support; in the adult and to SDG 10 (reduced Ipenicillin whilst working at St pragmatic surveillance systems; intensive care unit inequalities) by looking at timely Mary’s Hospital (now part of online GP prescribing tools to at Hammersmith access to effective anti-infectives Imperial). Yet, he also presciently optimise antibiotics use; Hospital, where and excess use of antibiotics, healthcare warned that bacteria might interventions targeting health- professionals are investigating where the burden is eventually adapt and become seeking and health-provision constantly vigilant highest within and across countries. resistant to antibiotics. behaviours; point-of-care for antimicrobial Without action to address diagnostic systems to identify resistance antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogens and resistance; and there could be an estimated 10 microneedle biosensors that track million extra deaths a year by 2050 patients’ antibiotic levels. – with simple infections no longer As well as SDG 3 (health and easily treatable – and yet, initially wellbeing), this work also SDGs TARGETED: “pay-as-you-go” basis, helping the SDGs did not have a single contributes to SDG 9 (industry, Empowering communities people in areas with limited energy indicator specific to AMR. However, innovation and infrastructure) infrastructure access electricity and modern medicine, as well as SDGs cooking solutions which they pay 1,2,3 and 8, depends on ensuring with off-grid solutions for using mobile money. that life-saving drugs continue Bboxx has installed over to work. An innovative social enterprise from the Imperial ecosystem is 500,000 systems, monitored with Professor Alison Holmes leads Bboxx Pulse® and using machine Imperial’s response to this helping to deliver affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern learning to track customers’ energy challenge as Director of the energy to communities across Africa (SDG 7). use and payments. In 2019, the Antimicrobial Research company raised a $50 million Collaborative. “There will be no Series D round, led by Mitsubishi single solution to the global threat Corporation, to expand to more of antimicrobial resistance,” she lobal access to electricity After graduating, the students ABOVE: homes and communities in Africa. comments. has been steadily rising in setup Bboxx, a next generation Electricity enables They also launched a new product local businesses “We need to tackle this problem recent decades; yet some utility, transforming lives and to take off and line, Bboxx Cook, providing clean synergistically, on multiple fronts, 840 million people unlocking potential through access catalyses cooking services for both urban and which will require an Garound the world are still entirely to energy. Bboxx provides solar and enterprise as the rural areas using LPG. unprecedented level of without it and close to three billion clean cooking installations on a key to unlocking Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and international cooperation.” rely primarily on inefficient and economic growth Co-Founder of Bboxx, said: “In at scale Imperial has a strong track polluting cooking systems. 2021, it is unacceptable for billions record in addressing drug resistant In 2008, three Imperial students of people to live in energy poverty. infections and AMR. The College is established a charitable We are steadfast in our mission to at the forefront of multidisciplinary organisation called e.quinox. The use technology to transform lives research into improving how we use charity, which is still going strong and unlock potential and Bboxx antimicrobials, highlighted by the today, sees students creating and Cook is fundamental to helping establishment of the DHSC-funded installing solar kiosks in remote meet SDG 7 – clean energy for all.” Centre for Antimicrobial villages in countries such as Optimisation (CAMO), led by Tanzania and Rwanda, providing SDGs TARGETED: Professor Holmes. CAMO explores electricity to communities for the and develops innovative solutions first time.
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Boosting global crop microbial dynamics vary with different farming practices and to identify new microbial yields to end hunger candidates for agricultural products. Working alongside industry, Imperial initiatives have helped to ● AnywhereHPLC, which is boost crop yields sustainably and ensure access to safe, nutritious developing a handheld device to and sufficient food all year round (SDG 2). monitor pesticide levels in the soil. By giving instant results it means less carbon-emitting mperial’s institute of Chemical insecticides, are transported within BELOW: travel for lab tests and a Biology (ICB) Centre for plant cells. They also look at how FungiAlert delivers reduction in the over-fertilisation Doctoral Training (CDT) they interact once they reach their soil health analysis of crops, decreasing negative tools to increase provides key opportunities for target. A number of the projects agricultural environmental impact. Istudents to develop next also team with industry leaders productivity and generation molecular tools and such as Syngenta, in order to find sustainability Dr Laura Barter, Deputy Director technologies to strive towards the ways to increase plateauing yields BELOW: of the ICB CDT, said: “By directly fourth industrial revolution. One whilst making crop production Dr Laura Barter partnering with industry, our focus of the CDT is agri-science, environmentally sustainable and students learn about the which is driving innovation to resilient to climate changes. agrochemical innovation pipeline, support an increase in food Several students from the turn their research into practical demand, given the world’s programme have established tools which are having a significant population is estimated to grow to successful agri-tech start-ups. impact upon society.” nine billion by 2050. These include: Students work on various complimentary research projects to ● F ungiAlert which has developed develop new technologies to a unique technology to provide SDGs TARGETED: Leading the fight to eradicate malaria explore how agrochemicals, data about the soils' microbial including fertilisers and community to reveal how the Researchers at Imperial are delivering major breakthroughs and radical new approaches in the fight to eradicate malaria by 2030 (SDG 3).
espite considerable Imperial also leads an ABOVE: Meanwhile, another Imperial progress in preventing international consortium, Target The Baum group has spearheaded efforts to and treating malaria in the Malaria, which is backed by the Bill laboratory focuses identify compounds that could on the biology of past two decades, the & Melinda Gates Foundation and every stage of the prevent malaria parasites from Ddisease continues to take a heavy the Open Philanthropy Project, and malaria parasite being able to infect mosquitoes, social and economic toll, especially aims to reduce the numbers of lifecycle in order to halting the spread of disease. in Africa. In 2018, there were malaria mosquitoes to reduce the develop strategies The leader of this research, around 228 million malaria transmission of the disease. to combat it Professor Jake Baum said: “Fighting cases and an estimated 405,000 Projects being led include BELOW: malaria is a constant battle as Professor Jake deaths worldwide, mostly of development of innovative gene Baum parasites become resistant to children under five years old. drive technology that spreads a antimalarial drugs. Since Imperial is now at the vanguard variant rapidly through malaria- transmission occurs in the of the global fight against malaria, causing mosquito populations, mosquito, drugs targeting this taking a truly multidisciplinary ultimately causing their numbers to process have the added benefit of approach to the problem through crash. The work has been validated being naturally much more the Network of Excellence in in caged populations of mosquitoes resistance-proof, which could be Malaria. Here, researchers are and computer modelling shows it essential for eliminating malaria”. focusing on every stage of the could significantly reduce malaria in complex life cycle of the disease, as the wild. The teams are working well as diagnostics, treatment of with local communities in the clinical symptoms, epidemiology, sub-Saharan African countries SDGs TARGETED: mathematical modelling and where Target Malaria trials will take economics of the disease. place.
8 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 9 Imperial is Imperial College London collaborating with startup Arborea to develop pioneering ‘BioSolar Leaf’ technology to improve air quality in cities Driving the global transition to zero pollution Imperial’s aim to help the world transition to a zero pollution future encompasses many of the Sustainable Development Goals. Several research projects and start-ups are already helping to create the innovative new industries and frameworks required (SDGs 2, 3, 7, 12, 13).
mperial’s pioneering new research and education “It’s really about an programme, Transition to Zero Pollution, will help tackle the entire system: thinking Ichallenge of global pollution. about pollution in the The programme, led by materials whole life cycle” scientist Professor Mary Ryan, aims to help society build a future free from human-made pollution and will together on problems. The bring together scientists, engineers programme will look to identify and economists collaborating on a solutions which take a global scale not seen before. approach to pollution and not The programme will inspire ‘simply offshoring our problems’ to fundamental changes in areas such other developing countries. as the way materials are used in Professor Ryan says, “We need manufacturing (SDG 12), how we to be wary when, for example, produce food and energy (SDGs 2 & somebody proposes making the 7), and will help mitigate the impact most efficient, highest capacity of air pollution on people's health battery that’s ever been made, (SDGs 3 and 13). without a sense of where the raw Professor Ryan, Vice-Dean materials for that will come from (Research) of the Faculty of and whether it’s recyclable and how Engineering, said: “We see CO₂ as a that links into a broader pollutant, a major and urgent infrastructure of power supply.” pollutant, but not the only thing we Imperial has the foundations to should be thinking of. deliver a framework for zero “It’s really about an entire pollution through its unique system. Thinking about how to multi-disciplinary centres, including address pollution at source and the Grantham Institute – Climate understanding the impact of it in Change and the Environment; the the whole life cycle.” Energy Futures Lab; and the Centre Professor Ryan says momentum For Environmental Policy. is building around the zero pollution space, but that there’s even greater opportunity for SDGs TARGETED: government, industry and research- intensive universities to work
10 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 11 Imperial College London Cleaning the air we breathe Imperial College’s NExAir – Air Quality Network is bringing together a multi-disciplinary network of researchers to find a range of solutions to improving air quality for all (SDGs 3, 11, 12, 13, 15).
ir pollution is a pervasive global threat to both environmental and human health, estimatedA to effect 91% of the world’s population and contribute to more than 7 million deaths globally every year. Air quality is an issue that is intrinsically linked to other environmental, public health and urban challenges. Therefore, in order to tackle this global problem, researchers at Imperial are conducting multi-disciplinary research to better understand air pollution and inform changes in policy and people’s behaviour. The Network of Excellence in Air Quality (NExAir – Air Quality Network) was set up with the aim of creating a cross-disciplinary platform Nurturing generations of Change to deliver new insights and identify the next big frontiers in air quality research. The network sits across Makers to tackle global challenges Imperial College Faculties of Natural Science, Engineering, Medicine and Since the programme's inception in 2012, all of Imperial’s students have had the opportunity to the Business School, providing a diversity of expertise in air pollution. become Change Makers. Aligning with SDG 4 , cross-departmental teams of students are tasked NExAir members work on a large with using their skills to design broad, innovative and inclusive solutions for global challenges. range of research areas relating to air pollution, including modelling and monitoring emissions, helping local authorities quantify the ‘hidden n the first-year Change (SDG 5), smart cities (SDG 11), and ABOVE: the real-world impact that every costs’ of air pollution (SDG 7), better Makers module, students health and wellbeing (SDG 3). Imperial students person has the power to make. understanding health and well-being are introduced to are introduced to the SDGs Postgraduate students are the SDGs and She states: “The first steps are for impacts of inhaled toxins (SDG 3) and by critiquing the framework also offered the opportunity tasked with using the students to build their own developing health-promoting built Ithrough the lenses of strategy, to experience Change Makers. their skills to understandings of the issues facing environments and policies (SDG 11). measurement and innovation. Elysia Lucas, a PhD candidate design solutions humanity, alongside exploring the Dr Audrey de Nazelle, Over 240 students registered for in the Department of Chemical BELOW: SDG framework. Students need Senior Lecturer at the Centre of this optional module in 2020, Engineering, embarked on an Dr Elizabeth Hauke to feel that the SDGs capture and Environmental Policy and one of the demonstrating the student undergraduate module and has frame issues that they care deeply leads at NExAir, says: “Within the body’s immense enthusiasm for since returned to the programme about and empower them to network, we bring together multiple Dr Apostolos interdisciplinary and solutions- as a co-learner. Elysia says that create and live change in their own disciplines and interests related Voulgarakis uses driven learning. “The Change Maker module truly communities and beyond.” to air pollution, so we’re better high-resolution satellite Following that, the modules are enriched my degree by allowing me prepared to work collaboratively images at the Global directed towards teams of students to explore the wider sustainable in developing systemic solutions Data Observatory in the designing feasible solutions for development context. Now as a with far-ranging impacts to make Data Science Institute to examine the impact real-world sustainable development co-learner, I have the opportunity the world a healthier and more of wildfires on the challenges. This builds upon the to facilitate a similar experience for sustainable place.” environment. students’ knowledge of the SDGs, current students.” SDGs TARGETED: with projects focusing on the Course director Dr Elizabeth inclusion of women in development Hauke is keen to emphasise SDGs TARGETED:
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Delivering vaccines to those who need them most Imperial is a world-leading centre for vaccine research and is pioneering new approaches to manufacturing and outbreak response – ultimately helping to end the epidemics of coronavirus, AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and infectious diseases (SDG 3).
Helping the injured victims of conflict around the world Researchers at Imperial are committed to improving the health, quality of life and opportunities of survivors of blast and conflict injuries around the world (SDGs 3, 10) through interdisciplinary programmes of research and technology development.
onflict-related death Furthermore, the College is ABOVE: Project lead Professor Anthony accines are one of the national centres and industry to ABOVE: vaccines and to be deployed against and injury are major working in partnership with groups Imperial's Dr David Bull, says: “The UN Sustainable great success stories of revolutionise this area. The Imperial-led future pandemic threats. Henson develops Future Vaccine contributors to the global in Cambodia to develop a low-cost healthcare Development Goals encompass modern medicine, having Professor Robin Shattock and Manufacturing Professor Shattock says: “Vaccines burden of disease. prosthesis that specifically caters technology a target to promote peaceful and eradicated or controlled his team work on the manufacturing Research Hub is have been the single most effective CIn 2017, a partnership between to the economic, environmental, projects with a inclusive societies (SDG 17), but manyV severe infections of major of self-amplifying RNA vaccines developing a range public health implementation Imperial, the University of Moratuwa lifestyle and cultural requirements focus on we must also address the harmful global importance, improving the to enable quicker responses to of innovative globally. They have saved more lives (Sri Lanka) and the American in low-resource countries. lower-limb legacy of past and current conflicts lives of millions across the world. outbreaks of known pathogens, vaccine than any other medicines. prosthetics in the technologies and University of Beirut (Lebanon) set In 2019, researchers from the UK and overseas around the world. Through our Yet, nearly one in five infants across such as a flu, as well as unknown platforms “Our approach could enable us up a conflict-injury hub. Centre for Blast Injury Studies programmes of interdisciplinary the world, or 19.5 million children, pathogens. His team is developing to develop vaccines with a speed BELOW: BELOW: The group is working to (CBIS), together with Save the Professor Anthony translational research, we aim to do not currently have access to basic synthetic RNA vaccines, which Professor Robin that's never been realised before, understand the injury burden Children, launched the world’s Bull improve the health and well-being vaccines. Almost one-third of deaths harness the body’s own cell Shattock revolutionising how we respond to from wars in Sri Lanka, Lebanon first guide for treating children of survivors of conflict injuries in among children under five could machinery to induce an immune disease outbreaks in future.” and Gaza, and how to save limbs severely injured by explosives. The line with SDG 3. Crucially, we want be prevented through vaccine use. response. Other teams in the Hub are after blast and gunshot injuries. Paediatric Blast Injury Field Manual to try and reduce the inequalities Distributing vaccines in developing Synthetic RNA vaccines also working on making vaccines The team is developing a low-cost is designed for medics in war zones facing this community (SDG 10), countries, particularly in rural areas, could allow regions and cities to that can withstand extreme external fixator that can be made who often lack specialist training, often living with disabilities, is often difficult because of the manufacture their own vaccines – temperatures, avoiding the in low-resource settings from local and is now in use across the world through the development of costs associated with producing, which are ‘globally approved but need for refrigerated distribution materials, using local machines. It (including Sierra Leone, Yemen, assistive technologies.” transporting, and storing the locally made’. and storage. is also developing biodegradable Iraq, Syria, Turkey, The Philippines, vaccines using limited resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has scaffolds which may be able to Afghanistan, Nigeria and Myanmar). The Imperial-led Future Vaccine accelerated the technology and the prevent osteomyelitis – a bone It is currently being used to train SDGs TARGETED: Manufacturing Research Hub has team’s self-amplifying RNA vaccine SDGs TARGETED: infection often seen in these medics and first responders from developed a range of strategic could be used to adapt to new injuries. humanitarian organisations. partnerships with researchers, coronavirus variants, to boost other
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“In total, 34 ventures “Over the past five have been incorporated years, the WE Innovate and £3.2 million has been programme has supported raised in funding.” hundreds of women on their entrepreneurial journeys.”
“The businesses to emerge from the programme have the 253 potential to disrupt Female entrepreneurs industries, solve problems have been supported and improve lives.”
2019 government-backed this area for several years with government to develop low-cost FROM LEFT: Vice President (International) review found that the the WE Innovate pre-accelerator reusable sanitary pads, which can A guest at the and Associate Provost (Academic Althea Imperial UK is losing out on £250 programme, which caters for be given to schools and villages in Partnerships) comments: “Over the Empowering Final 2017; billion of economic value early-stage business ideas led a bid to make menstrual health and Charikeia Spathi, past five years, the WE Innovate everyA year because women face by women. In total, over 350 hygiene sustainable and accessible Althea Prize programme has supported hundreds barriers to becoming successful female entrepreneurs have been to all. Winner in 2015; of women on their entrepreneurial enterprising women Clementine entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, a recent supported, 59 ventures have been Another student from the journeys. At a time where fewer than Chambon; Olivia Harvard Business Review revealed incorporated and £3.2 million has programme, Clementine Chambon, Ahn one in ten venture capital dollars go to drive societal change that among venture capital- been raised in funding. launched Oorja Development BELOW: to female-founded companies, this financed, high-growth technology Crucially, these start-ups are Solutions, which is currently Professor Maggie support is critical. start-ups, only 9% of entrepreneurs having an impact on the UN working in rural India installing Dallman “The businesses to emerge A thriving community of entrepreneurial women has emerged are women. Catalysing women’s Sustainable Development Goals. pay-as-you-go community solar from the programme have the entrepreneurship and economic Alumnus Olivia Ahn founded start- pumping systems, as an alternative potential to disrupt industries, solve at Imperial, whose ideas, start-ups and social enterprises empowerment will accelerate the up Planera which has developed to expensive and unreliable diesel problems and improve lives.” are having a profound impact on the SDGs (SDG 5). achievement of the Sustainable the world’s first certified zero- irrigations pumps. They have Development Goals, especially SDG waste, flushable menstrual pads already run three successful pilots 5, on achieving gender equality and to tackle the environmental impact in the region – transforming the SDGs TARGETED: empowering all women and girls. of disposable sanitary products. fortunes of farming communities. Imperial has been working in Planera is working with the Indian Professor Maggie Dallman,
16 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 17 Imperial College London SDG Start-ups Imperial’s innovative ecosystem has produced a plethora of start-ups and social enterprises that are tackling the entire spectrum of SDGs.
BREATHE BATTERY DNA NUDGE TECHNOLOGIES Fuses technology, engineering, Developing state-of-the-art genetic testing and up-to-date control software known as nutrition research to provide a ‘health-adaptive charging’ genetic testing service that to speed-up the time it takes guides consumers to make the to charge electric vehicles. best food purchase choices to improve health and reduce PURAFFINITY SYNTHESEA obesity. CAPTA Specialises in designing and Building a biological manufacturing novel platform to produce Capta has developed a FRESH CHECK advanced materials for sustainable omega-3 for low-cost, smart diagnostic environmental benefit, such aquaculture that's up to tool for diagnosing parasitic A start-up which is combatting as removing harmful 80% cheaper than fish oil. works using smartphones. waste in the food industry by pollutants from water and developing novel products to wastewater. detect the presence of SYNBIOSIS CERES POWER bacteria on surfaces. RFC POWER Building material modelling Founded using Imperial capabilities that can greatly research, Ceres Power is HUMANISING AUTONOMY Developing the world’s increase the speed and helping develop a clean lowest-cost flow battery, accuracy of materials energy economy by A behavioural AI company with a mission to enable the developments and enable a developing fuel cells that that uses predictive AI to transition to 100% greater understanding of can be used to generate help urban mobility systems renewable energy by new sustainable low-carbon electricity. become more agile, safer, developing the cheapest composites, as well as the greener and smoother. form of long-duration energy design and construction of PLANERA storage. machines and infrastructure. CHARCO NEUROTECH LENDOBOX Planera has developed the Offers a novel, non-invasive first certified flushable and SOLAR FLOW TOFFEEAM wearable device that reduces Product and rental reuse to biodegradable sanitary symptoms of slowness and support the growth of the MATERRA pads. When flushed, the Solar Flow’s patented Optimises product designs stiffness for people with Circular Economy and pads are designed to technology harnesses solar for Additive Manufacturing Parkinson's disease. reduce the amount of waste A planet-centric technology disintegrate quickly in energy and converts this (AM) – also known as 3D that will need to be recycled company that’s building agile, existing infrastructure, with into both electricity and printing – cutting down on or sent to landfills. climate -resilient agriculture a similar environmental useful heat with higher logistic, waste of materials CHEESECAKE ENERGY systems to produce more impact to toilet paper. efficiencies than existing and energy waste. sustainable cotton for the conventional panels. Developing the world’s LIXEA fashion industry. greenest energy storage POLYMATERIA UNHINDR technology, lowering the An innovative novel MULTUS MEDIA NOTPLA OORJA PELATION SOLVETEQ cost of medium to chemical process that uses MITT Polymateria provides a Unhindr develops wearable long-duration energy waste wood, agricultural Seeks to innovate the cultivated A sustainable packaging Oorja is a project developer A cycle technology company tailored biodegradable Offers a low-energy and devices by combining AI storage, and turning by-products and sustainably A revolutionary upper limb meat industry by developing start-up, Notpla creates of solar PV systems to power that deploys innovative solution for conventional low-pollution solvent-based with robotics and renewable energy sources grown biomass to produce a prosthesis that aims to animal-free, environmentally unique and revolutionary affordable, reliable energy design and engineering to plastic packaging, aiming to alternative to current microfluidics in a unique, like wind and solar into greener alternative to the address the limitations of sustainable, and ethically biodegradables made from for livelihoods in emerging eliminate sustainable stem endemic global plastic smelting processes for award-winning, and reliable, on-demand power. petrochemical industry. artificial prosthetics. sourced growth media. seaweed and plants. markets. mobility barriers. pollution. recycling lead-acid batteries. innovative way.
18 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 19 Imperial College London
The world’s most advanced centre for disease and emergency analytics The Jameel Institute was set up to rapidly respond to emergencies such as pandemics, extreme climate events, and natural and humanitarian disasters (SDGs 3, 13, 17). The Institute is part of Imperial College’s COVID-19 Response Team, which has been at the forefront of the response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
he world’s most advanced centre for disease and emergency analytics, the Jameel Institute, Twas set up to rapidly respond to emergencies such as pandemics, extreme climate events, and natural and humanitarian disasters (SDGs 3, 13 17). Imperial has a wealth of
CHRIS NATT CHRIS experience in planning for, and dealing with, disease outbreaks all over the world – these have Design and innovation included ongoing epidemics such as malaria and HIV, as well as emergent diseases such as swine meets global development flu, SARS, MERS, Ebola and Zika. In October 2019, this expertise Imperial’s Dyson School is training the next generation of design engineers to create was consolidated with the creation of the Jameel Institute, which brings breakthrough solutions to global sustainable development challenges through the GoGlobal together leading epidemiologists, programme (SDGs 3, 4, 11, 12). biostatisticians, medics and data scientists to form the world’s most advanced institute for disease and rom air pollution to sexual is central to GoGlobal’s learning ABOVE: has led to a range of provocative emergency analytics. health and from Ghana structure,” explains Dr Baxter. “The Imperial's ideas for the future. The biggest Shortly after its launch, the GoGlobal module to Russia, the GoGlobal focus is always on working closely takes students on impact and main focus of GoGlobal, Jameel Institute mobilised to module, which forms part of with stakeholders in a local context a three-week however, has always been the understand the emergence of Fthe Innovation Design Engineering through a human-centred design cross-cultural transformational experience the novel coronavirus in China (IDE) dual masters programme, process.” collaborative students have from participating. in January 2020. The Institute UN PHOTO/MARTINE PERRET takes students on a three-week In 2019, IDE students travelled project, covering Kevin Chaim, a 2020 IDE subsequently had a major influence globally significant cross-cultural collaborative project to Nairobi, Kenya to collaborate themes graduate, says, “Perhaps the most informing government policy have been accessed by over a ABOVE: and planning. which covers globally significant with students from the Nairobi powerful and memorable moments around the world in controlling hundred low and middle-income The Imperial- Dr Katharina Hauck, Deputy BELOW: hosted Jameel themes within a local context. The Design Institute (NDI) and Gearbox. Dr Weston Baxter [from GoGlobal] stem from cultural the pandemic – primarily through countries during the pandemic. Director of the Jameel Institute Institute has ethos of the module stems from Students were tasked with creating immersion, excursions and creative its world-class epidemiological Examples includes a weekly short- experience in says: “We use advanced modelling the philosophy that impactful innovative and actionable solutions discussions within multidisciplinary modelling. term forecast of COVID-19 deaths planning for, and to provide practical support to innovation can be created by to one of two challenges: access to teams. The conversations have The Jameel Institute’s Director, in multiple countries and a hospital dealing with, lower- and middle-income settings bringing together diverse people to sexual reproductive health services offered a new perspective on how Professor Neil Ferguson, says: “Our planning tool, which calculates disease outbreaks in planning effective policy work on a common goal. (SDG 3) and waste management design can change behaviour and quantitative approach spanning how much capacity for the urgent all over the world interventions, particularly in areas The module is run by teaching and the circular economy (SDGs 11, impact lives with a focus on real data analytics, epidemiological treatment of COVID-19 patients BELOW: with limited modelling capability Professor Neil and academic staff from both 12). The final solutions ranged from contextual projects.” modelling, and health system can be obtained with targeted Ferguson and constrained healthcare Imperial and the Royal College of cleaner ways for schools to burn analysis, is proving a powerful interventions, such as cancelling capacity.” Art, with Dr Weston Baxter and rubbish to digital support to help tool in combating the threat of elective surgeries and re-organising Maria Apud-Bell the most recent parents talk to their children about COVID-19.” care. In addition, working with the module leads from Imperial. sexual reproductive health. With particular relevance to UK’s Department for International “GoGlobal partners with institutions The GoGlobal project has served SDGs TARGETED: the UN Sustainable Development Development, the team have SDGs TARGETED: to address pressing human-facing to strengthen institutional ties and Goals, the COVID-19 Response produced a public, easy-to-use issues – making the project real begin research projects, and it Team has developed tools which dashboard for disease projections
20 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 21 Imperial College London
Innovation for global energy challenges Imperial brings together science, engineering and policy to generate positive energy solutions for the global stage, in strong alignment with SDGs 7, 9, 11, 13.
plausible is simulations of other nergy Futures Lab is quantum systems: the idea that you Imperial’s global energy can understand molecular institute and aims to structures and dynamics better and promote energy innovation use that to help design molecules Eand advance systemic solutions for for bioprocesses – such as drugs, a sustainable energy future. The or more efficient fertilisers. What institute supports researchers by quantum computing brings is the bringing together the science, possibility that we might have a engineering and policy expertise at way to do that, which could be Imperial and fostering collaboration transformative.” with a wide variety of external Quantum computers have the partners, and runs an outstanding potential to help in the design of interdisciplinary Master's better energy storage materials, programme. Energy Futures Lab logistics and supply chain builds networks with leading problems, and even potentially fluid international institutions to support dynamics modelling for research with global impact. understanding climate change. Imperial’s energy researchers have There are also a whole host of other a strong track record of creating quantum technologies, such as technical solutions and informing Paving the way for quantum sensing, quantum policymakers to support the imaging and even quantum transition to sustainable energy compasses for better navigation. systems across the globe. These next-gen quantum tech They all have the potential to help advancements strongly align to with solving SDGs, but the many of the SDGs – clean and Imperial is pioneering fundamental research into next-generation important thing is to seed many affordable energy, (SDG 7), industry, ideas as a foundation for the future, infrastructure and innovation (SDG quantum technologies which could herald a step change in drug says Professor Walmsley. 9), sustainable cities (SDG 11) and design and even climate modelling. “The way scientists work is to climate action (SDG 13). identify an important question and Researchers at Imperial have then to seek the best answer. Nine also been integral to the cleantech times out of 10, it turns out not to revolution. Ceres Power, which is cientific breakthroughs more than one state or place at the ABOVE: have an immediate use beyond one example of a spin-off company into the behaviour of same time. Imperial has a world- Imperial has driven new understanding, that’s just the launched from Imperial's research, advances in maser matter at the smallest leading presence here, in both technology, which nature of exploration. So if we need is now one of the UK’s most scale, by figures such as theory and practical applications, could be used in a group of ideas to build valuable cleantech companies. It SAlbert Einstein and Niels Bohr at for example through the work of the applications such applications from, that will in turn has been making fuel cell ABOVE: been at the forefront in developing the beginning of the 20th century, Imperial Centre for Quantum as medical imaging help the SDG challenges, then we technology accessible and A flat-plate and refining electrochemical “Imperial has long photobioreactor underpin our modern world. The Engineering, Science and and airport better have a large enough pool of cost-effective for a variety of technologies such as fuel cells and security been at the forefront in for studying semiconductors in our digital Technology. Quantum computing is good ideas to draw from. In that applications, including transport, growth and batteries that underpin the shift to BELOW: developing fuel cells hydrogen devices and the fibres that connect one exciting area of current study. Professor Ian sense, fundamental research data centres, homes and low carbon transport – and this production kinetics them globally all take advantage of “There are classes of problems Walmsley remains really critical.” commercial purposes. work is starting to have a tangible and batteries” in the Solar Fuels the basic principles of quantum that you just can’t solve on any Professor Nigel Brandon, Dean Lab. Part of the impact as industries mature and mechanics. foreseeable future generation of of Imperial’s Faculty of Engineering, Artificial Leaf scale up.” Researchers are now looking to conventional computer,” says and his colleagues in the Project exploit some of the more unusual Professor Ian Walmsley FRS, Department of Materials first phenomena of the quantum world, Imperial’s Provost and Chair of SDGs TARGETED: produced the research upon which SDGs TARGETED: for example where subatomic Experimental Physics. Ceres Power is based over 20 years particles can essentially exist in “One of the things that is ago. He states: “Imperial has long
22 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 23 Imperial College London
any current screening approaches for Getting a grip infectious diseases often require expensive Mequipment and trips to clinics, on infectious which may not be feasible in rural or developing areas with little medical infrastructure. The emerging field of disease point-of-care diagnostics is therefore working on cheaper, Bringing an end to the epidemics faster, and easier-to-use tests. of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and For several years, the lab of Many smartphones have sensors Professor Molly Stevens (pictured, built in that could aid diagnosis, infectious diseases by 2030 relies on right) at Imperial has been such as heart rate monitors and accurate, cost-effective diagnostic pioneering the design and oximeters, while simple testing testing – something Imperial is development of nanomaterials- technologies, of the like Stevens based biosensors that could be and team are developing, could be actively pioneering (SDG 3). used to detect a number of linked to phones. In theory, a diseases with global implications person could test themselves using including HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, an easy to collect sample, such as a heart disease and cancer. pinprick of blood, and the results Professor Stevens and her team would be scanned onto mobile also published a framework in apps and sent to local clinics. Nature detailing how healthcare Professor Molly Stevens says: workers in low-income countries “People increasingly use could use existing smartphones to smartphones to manage their diagnose, track and control money and connect with the world. A unique cross-faculty centre infectious diseases. It makes sense that phones can BELOW: Biosensors could also play an even larger role in be used to detect healthcare than they already do. on business for society a number of “There’s an exciting opportunity The Leonardo Centre at Imperial College Business School is using innovative data science diseases with for researchers and policy makers to global implications, develop new tools and systems that techniques to track, assess, and experiment with the integration of Sustainable Development including malaria could drastically improve human Goals in global businesses. health and wellbeing in the future.”
he UN SDGs have been financial capital, but also of human, ABOVE: The analysis of this unique Imperial has SDGs TARGETED: ratified by 193 social and natural capital. And the digital dataset allows the definition created the first governments around the investors are not only the machine of optimal portfolios of world, each committed to shareholders, but also the learning-enabled sustainability initiatives for each Tachieving all 17 of these targets by employees, customers, suppliers dataset on economic sector, maximising 2030 – through action plans, and the local communities. corporate companies’ financial, social and national legislation and budgets. Communities are key stakeholders sustainability environmental performance. This behaviour But the SDGs cannot be because they give companies their approach enables the design of BELOW: achieved without a transformational license to operate and to impact Professor Maurizio integrated sustainability strategies, change in the way companies their social and natural Zollo investment decisions and public operate, in line with a fundamental environment,” he says. policy interventions based on revision of the very purpose of The Leonardo Centre is tackling frontier research and scientific business. That’s the view of this ambitious agenda through evidence. Professor Maurizio Zollo, who leads collaboration with 15 Imperial Professor Zollo says: “Our the Leonardo Centre, an innovative, research centres and a global ambition is to contribute to the cross-disciplinary, centre of community of 150 scholars in 60 definition of the most effective excellence, dedicated to the universities around the world – the evolutionary pathways for exploration of sustainable and GOLDEN for Impact network. companies, sectors and countries integrative logics of business. One key achievement has been towards the realisation of SDGs.” “The creation of a sustainable, the creation of the first machine healthy, fair and resilient society learning-enabled dataset on requires the redefinition of the corporate sustainability behaviour, purpose of business. Companies with millions of initiatives by 13,000 SDGs TARGETED: are created, grow and thrive companies over 12 years, categorised
SHUTTERSTOCK through the investment not only of by SDGs and types of action.
24 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 25 Imperial College London
THE WISER PROJECT Working towards cleaner water to prevent schistosomiasis To reduce the incidence of the parasitic disease schistosomiasis, the WISER research group are exploring water processing techniques to remove or inactivate schistosome cercariae (larvae) in infested water (SDGs 3, 6).
chistosomiasis, also cause infection. The BELOW: worldwide schistosomiasis known as bilharzia or interdisciplinary ‘Water Imperial prevention practices. Professor 'snail fever', is a parasitic Infrastructure for Schistosomiasis- researchers Michael Templeton, the Principal explore techniques disease affecting an Endemic Regions’ (WISER) team to tackle the Investigator of WISER also Sestimated 258 million people in 78 consists of water engineers, schistosomiasis considers that “our research has countries worldwide. It kills an synthetic biologists, parasitologists parasitic disease raised awareness regarding estimated 280,000 people annually and social scientists. These experts, schistosomiasis and its links with and ranks second only to malaria as hailing from the UK, Ethiopia and water and sanitation in our five the most common parasitic disease. Tanzania, have come together to research case study communities in Control of the disease focuses on help tackle the challenges of SDG 6 Ethiopia and Tanzania, and the aim treatment with the drug (Clean Water and Sanitation) and is that the behaviour change praziquantel. However, rapid SDG 3 (Good Health and Well- communication techniques that re-infection is common if people being). The research is funded by were trialled there during this have continued exposure to the EPSRC via the Global Challenges project will be rolled out to further contaminated water. Research Fund. communities in coming years.” Imperial is leading a team of One of the important impacts of researchers to design sustainable this research is that it will inform Building equitable, healthy cities water infrastructure solutions, for the forthcoming updated edition of Partnering with six major cities around the world, Imperial leads a project using example by determining the the WHO’s Schistosomiasis Fact SDGs TARGETED: effectiveness of chlorine at killing Sheet, which will serve as interdisciplinary methods and big data to help urban centres become ‘inclusive, safe, the schistosome cercariae that authoritative guidance for resilient and sustainable’ (SDGs 3, 11).
ore than half of the with partners in six cities: London, ABOVE: epidemiology and big data world population Vancouver, Tamale, Accra, Dhaka Pathways to to evaluate how policies and Equitable Healthy now lives in cities, and Beijing. Cities uses programmes can improve public with mega-cities such Professor Majid Ezzati, who methods from health in urban regions. Mas Beijing and Dhaka home to co-leads the project, says: “People social sciences, For example, in 2019, Professor more than 10 million people each. have always lived in cities in order engineering, Ezzati and his team published Significant population growth is also to have better opportunities for environmental research showing how deep science, expected in smaller cities, largely in health and wellbeing. However, epidemiology and learning analysis of street-view low- and middle-income countries cities in both poor and rich big data images can be used to measure in Africa and Asia. Despite greater countries are also a setting for BELOW: social, environmental and health opportunities and better access to inequalities that are fundamental Professor Majid inequalities in cities. This could services in cities, there are growing barriers to sustainable human Ezzati be a helpful tool in monitoring health and life inequalities between development. the success of policies to reduce the rich and poor. “What we need are plans inequality, since open source In 2018, a major new research and policies that leverage cities’ data are updated more frequently partnership was launched to potential for innovation to improve than some government surveys or explore ways of reducing health the health of low-income and census data. inequalities in cities around the marginalised groups.” world. Led by Imperial and funded Crucially, the project uses by the Wellcome Trust, ‘Pathways to interdisciplinary methods from SDGs TARGETED: Equitable Healthy Cities’ focuses on social sciences, engineering,
ANA PITOL ANA co-production of rigorous evidence environmental science,
26 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 27 Soroti Hospital, Uganda 8000 admissions per year: are international guidelines relevant for such settings? §
Imperial College London
School students around the world compete to tackle the SDGs In accordance with one of its key priorities of encouraging STEM engagement from an early age and SDG 4, Imperial has established a Schools Science and Innovation Competition, which drives students to design solutions for specific SDGs.
Tackling childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa Over the past 20 years, Professor Kathryn Maitland and her team have pioneered new research into treating children with severe malaria, anaemia, sepsis and malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa – conducting some of the largest clinical trials in the continent that have helped drive down child mortality (SDGs 3, 10).
ccording to the UN, the Her team conducted the largest ABOVE: other large clinical trials which global childhood trial in critically ill children ever An Imperial team explore: the quantity and timing of led the largest trial ABOVE: his competition, The prototype. Six teams are then Competition organiser and mortality rate for undertaken in Africa, examining in critically ill blood transfusions in children with A team of pupils Schools Science and selected from approximately 150 Faculty Education Manager Becky under-5s fell from 93 fluid resuscitation strategies in children ever life-threatening anaemia; from Ashmole Innovation Competition, entries from across the world to Middleton says, “I am always deaths per 1,000 births in 1990 to children with severe illness. The undertaken in appropriate feeding regimes to Academy in A Africa run by the Faculty of present their idea in person at London won amazed by the creativity and 38 deaths per 1,000 in 2019. While trial won the prestigious BMJ treat complicated malnutrition; BELOW: Natural Sciences, was initially Imperial in London. The entries are Imperial's Schools ingenuity of the ideas that the this data represents important Research Paper of the Year award optimal oxygen delivery and T Professor Kathryn Science designed for London-based schools, judged in a Dragons’ Den style teams come up with to meet the progress, there is still much work to and influenced changes to World Maitland low-tech respiratory support to give but soon became popular across format by esteemed judges, who in Competition with sustainable development goals. be done, with the data also Health Organization management to children with severe pneumonia 'Aqua Power', a the UK and then attracted entrants past competitions have included project focused It is an absolute privilege to be revealing that in 2019, an estimated guidelines. in the absence of mechanical from around the world including Professor Lord Robert Winston. on hydropower able to run the competition, to see 5.2 million children aged under 5 “The focus of my research is the ventilation; and strategies to deal China, India, Thailand and the USA. Winning ideas include ‘Aqua generation such interest in science and died in Africa, often from critically ill child at the point of with children presenting with Since 2018, the competition has Power’, submitted by a team from innovation from young people preventable causes. hospital admission, and emergency severe malaria – an area where been designed to emphasise Ashmole Academy in Southgate, across the world, and their genuine Since 2000, Imperial’s Professor treatments required to bridge the global progress has stalled, with at innovations which specifically align UK, which focused on hydropower passion and enthusiasm for making Kathryn Maitland has been based gap until the medications start to least one in 10 children dying. with the SDGs. Teams of secondary generation aligning to SDG 7 a difference.” full-time in East Africa, leading a work,” says Professor Maitland. school students select an SDG and (Affordable and Clean Energy). A group that has pioneered “Our research is readily translatable, create a novel idea to help tackle team from Pui Ching Middle School emergency care research to tackle because we design the large clinical the SDG. Each team then submits a in Macau were successful the SDGs TARGETED: childhood mortality in resource- trials for the settings in which the SDGs TARGETED: film depicting their idea and also following year with their ‘Zinc-air limited hospitals in sub-Saharan actual guidelines will be adopted.” has the opportunity to create a batteries’, also aligning to SDG 7. Africa. Furthermore, the team runs
28 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 29 Imperial College London
Inclusive STEM learning and innovation At Imperial's multi-disciplinary White City Campus, we’ve been working with the local community in exciting new ways to create inclusive STEM learning opportunities (SDGs 3, 4, 5, 7, 13).
ince 2010, Imperial has also striving to create an inclusive RIGHT: run the pioneering Wohl society, reduce inequalities and Imperial runs Reach Out Lab to inspire provide equitable lifelong learning various initiatives with the local and engage young people opportunities for all, in line with community in Sfrom all backgrounds in science, SDGs. Indeed, a specific target of White City technology, engineering, and SDG 4 is to ‘increase the number of including, Agents mathematics (STEM). youth and adults who have relevant of Change, a With the development of the skills, including technical and unique women’s leadership new White City Campus in West vocational skills, for employment, programme and London, the College has taken decent jobs and entrepreneurship’ network its model of hands-on STEM – which is exactly what Imperial is outreach even further, opening striving to do at White City. The Invention Rooms in 2017. A number of transformative This unique space offers local initiatives have been running from people the opportunity to access The Invention Rooms, including workshops, cutting-edge design Maker Challenge programmes for studios and interactive spaces to local young people to develop an help them test out creative ideas, idea and see it through to creation; build real prototypes, and learn Agents of Change, a unique more about the world of science women’s leadership programme and technology. and network which aims to support Professor Maggie Dallman, local women lead social change in Associate Provost (Academic their communities; and a What the Partnerships), says: “Our White City Tech?! programme to help older Campus is being purpose- built members of the community get to turn cutting-edge scientific online and get the most out of their research into real-world benefits for smartphones, laptops and other society and to address Sustainable digital devices. Development Goals such as global health – SDG 3, clean energy – SDG 7 and climate change – SDG 13.” In addition to this, by engaging SDGs TARGETED: with the local White City community in exciting new ways, Imperial is
30 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 31 Imperial College London
Delivering innovative solutions Research by Imperial physicists to improve global health For 10 years, a unique institute at Imperial has been improving global health through spans local energy and health evidence-based innovation – from developing wearables to tackle undernutrition to tech discoveries designing digital apps to support stroke survivors’ rehabilitation (SDGs 3, 10). "Through a greater understanding of nature, we often gain new insights into how to solve he Institute of Global problems facing humanity – something which we actively champion and encourage" – Health Innovation Professor Michele Dougherty FRS, Head of Physics. (IGHI) brings together a multidisciplinary team of Tclinicians, engineers, designers, mperial’s Department of policy analysts and scientists. It Physics has numerous includes five centres focused on: breakthrough achievements to health policy, robotic surgery and its name. Two such examples technology, design in healthcare, Iare the design of low-cost solar patient safety, and African research energy technologies to combat and engagement. climate change, aligning with SDGs Since forming in 2010, IGHI has 7 and 13, and developing had a profound and wide-ranging microscopy techniques and cancer impact on the SDGs, including research, driving towards SDGs 3 ensuring healthy lives at all ages, and 12. tackling inequalities in healthcare, Since 1989, Professor Jenny and improved nutrition. Nelson FRS has conducted research The Institute has developed a focusing on understanding the range of technologies that are properties of semiconductor currently being evaluated for their materials and investigating their potential use and benefit in application in low-cost organic real-world settings, including a solar cells. In 2010, Professor digital platform that supports stroke Nelson and her team began survivors in their own recovery. IGHI working with Imperial’s Grantham researchers are also developing Institute to deliver clean energy wearables for a number of different systems for developing countries. applications, including AI-powered This research has culminated with devices that can assess the diets of the design of ‘mini-grids’ that people in developing nations and incorporate solar and other thus support the development of renewable forms of power policies aimed at reducing generation – delivering working undernutrition. solutions for a refugee camp in IGHI is also home to a team of Rwanda and a rural community digital health experts who are health centre in India. leading an ambitious programme of innovation and policy. ABOVE: basic right of access to the health Professor Paul French, Vice Dean ABOVE: develop innovative 3D fluorescence work on cybersecurity in healthcare. In Summer 2019, IGHI partnered The Institute of services they need. Global Health (Research) for the Faculty of Natural Solar cells microscopy techniques to study Their recent global framework for with the World Health Organization “We can accelerate essential “Research in the fabricated at Innovation includes Sciences, is driving health Imperial mechanisms of cancer drug cybersecurity in healthcare aims to to make patient safety a global the Hamlyn Centre progress in patient safety that technologies through physics. His Department is often resistance and help screen for new, help safeguard health systems priority and improve the safety of for Robotic Surgery brings us closer to attaining BELOW: team is developing an open source, interdisciplinary and Professor Michele more effective cancer treatments across the globe from the growing care across the world – with a BELOW: international goals to develop safe modular, sustainable, low-cost immensely varied” Dougherty – ultimately helping to ensure and present threat of cyber-attacks. specific focus on low- and middle- Professor the Lord and universal healthcare.” instrumentation platform to widen healthy lives at all ages. In response to increasing income countries. Darzi access to cutting-edge microscopy recognition of the impact of climate Professor the Lord Ara Darzi, techniques for research, training change on mental health, the IGHI Co-Director, says: “Improving and diverse applications including Institute has also launched an the safety of care is of paramount histopathology. He also leads a SDGs TARGETED: initiative that aims to better importance if we are to achieve the SDGs TARGETED: consortium supported by funding understand and respond to this ambitious target of universal health from Cancer Research UK to complex issue through research, coverage, where all people have the
32 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 33 Imperial College London Managing rainforest for Synthetic biology paves the way for the ecological new drugs, materials, fuels and food Advances in synthetic biology being made at Imperial are ushering in the next industrial and economic revolution and a suite of new therapeutic drugs, sustainable materials, biofuels and foods. The innovative new organisms and materials produced using synthetic biology have exciting benefit of all potential to advance many of the sustainable development goals (SDGs 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15).
ynthetic biology uses engineering principles to redesign or construct organisms and biological Ssystems. By exploring new ways to engineer biology, scientists can harness nature to solve many of the challenges facing society today, from healthcare to biomaterials and sustainable energy. Imperial is a world leader in synthetic biology, with interdisciplinary activities coordinated via the Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology
SAFE ACOUSTICS SAFE (IC-CSynB). The Centre delivers world-class academic research and For over a decade, Imperial has led one of the world’s largest ecological experiments in training and also works in Malaysian Borneo to understand the impact of agriculture on the rainforest and how to partnership with SynbiCITE, the UK’s national centre for industrial achieve food production (SDG 2), economic benefit (SDG 8) and ecosystem preservation translation and commercialisation (SDG 15) for the benefit of all (SDG 12). of synthetic biology research, and the London DNA Foundry, which automates the design and natural repair systems to drive the ABOVE: manufacture of biological devices. healing process. The technique The Imperial College Centre for “The techniques of he oil palm industry has is located within an area that is ABOVE: aside’ areas of untouched forest. This offers a unique R&D and could be used in a variety of injuries Synthetic Biology helped eradicate poverty currently used for commercial The Stability of Scientific Director for SAFE, innovation pipeline that enables such as fractured bones, scar tissue synthetic biology will Altered Forest (IC-CSynB) delivers and boost food production logging and will eventually be Ecosystem (SAFE) Professor Robert Ewers, considers the transfer and application of after heart attacks, damaged nerves world-class be pivotal enablers in the Far East, but the converted into an oil palm Project that smarter approaches to land academic research to tackle global and diabetic foot ulcers. academic research in achieving many of unfettered expansion of oil palm plantation, giving researchers a encompasses clearing involve facilitating the challenges. Professor Guy-Bart Stan, and training to T tackle global some 8,000 the SDGs” plantations can have a detrimental unique opportunity to assess the movement of animals while also For example, in 2018 an Imperial Co-Director of the Imperial College challenges impact on the environment. impact of gradual habitat hectares of promoting biodiversity. He states, group made a major breakthrough, Centre for Synthetic Biology, says: rainforest in BELOW: The Stability of Altered Forest degradation. Malaysian Borneo “There are options to design these vastly improving the efficiency and “The methods and techniques of Professor Guy-Bart Ecosystem (SAFE) Project, led by Over the course of the project BELOW: landscapes so that you do get that yield of the bioprocess used to synthetic biology and the new Stan Imperial, seeks to understand if the team has gathered a wealth of Professor Robert increased agricultural production, make products such as biofuels, industries it is creating will be these industries can be run data, analysing everything from Ewers but while minimizing the impact on bioplastics and new medicines by pivotal enablers in achieving many sustainably. how air temperature increases in the natural environment.” modifying a key enzyme. This could of the UN Sustainable Development Working at one of the largest logged forest and how certain help bring biofuels to the Goals – from food security and ecological research sites in the species are replaced with others, to mainstream for a range of sanitation through to clean energy world, encompassing 8,000 the level of soil erosion and even applications such as low-carbon and good health. With Imperial’s hectares in Malaysian Borneo, soil bacterial diversity. In this way, transport and clean electricity established pipeline of innovation Imperial researchers study how a the team has also been able to generation. in this area, from fundamental tropical rainforest functions, and work with government and SDGs TARGETED: Meanwhile, in 2019 another research though to application, SDGs TARGETED: how that changes when the forest is stakeholders to recommend group developed a new bio-scaffold we’re already having a tangible under pressure from humans. It optimal ‘buffer zones’ and ‘set- that actively works with the body’s impact.”
34 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 35 Imperial College London Calculated progress – Mathematicians progressing Mastering the elements the SDGs number by number As mathematics underpins our understanding of life and the universe, research at Imperial delivers a range of innovative Master’s degrees that equip the scientists Imperial’s Department of Mathematics spans many diverse topics including and leaders of the future to tackle sustainable development challenges. measurement towards the SDGs and specific SDG directed research.
GLOBAL HEALTH Imperial is a world leader in public health research (SDG 3) and is now also helping to equip the future leaders of this field through an innovative education programme. In 2019 the College launched the Global Master of Public Health, its first fully-online degree in the health field, which provides ‘inclusive quality education’ (SDG 4) across the college. Professor Helen Ward, Professor of Public Health, who is leading the team tasked with developing the new course says: "We face growing epidemics of long-term conditions such as diabetes and obesity, the emergence and re-emergence of some serious infectious diseases, and developing health impacts of climate change, environmental hazards and inequality. Public health tools exist to mitigate many of these threats, but there are far too few people with the expertise to hile assessing engineering and computer science ABOVE: The global outreach and
use these to best effect across the MONTERIO RACHAEL progress towards with medical science to address Flow communities partnering of Imperial’s world. The Global Master of Public the SDGs necessarily issues ranging from patient at multiple scales mathematicians is further in an airport Health is helping to train a cadre relies on statistics, journeys to population analysis. An network demonstrated through the of public health leaders to meet the course from Peru says: “through ABOVE: world, aligning with SDGs 7, 8, 9 ImperialW statisticians have recently example of the centre’s research BELOW: relationship with the African these needs.” a combination of lectures, field trips Students from and 13. A recent graduate of the interrogated the basis of official is developing mathematical tools Professor Francis Institute of Mathematical Sciences MSc Environmental Allotey and practicals, the MSc allowed me Technology on a course, Sudhiksha Unnikrishnan, statistics and thus the measurement to determine disease progression (AIMS). AIMS’ former President, MSc ENVIRONMENTAL not only to learn how to identify field trip says: “the faculty are actively of progress. In their recent through clusters of symptoms. Professor Francis Allotey, who TECHNOLOGY and mitigate potential BELOW: engaged in climate change in one publication ‘From GDP to Sustainable Climate change (SDG 13) is also studied at Imperial in the 1960s, Applying a sound understanding of environmental impacts but also Professor Helen way or another which means that Wellbeing: Changing Lives or a key focus for the Department. The was the first Ghanaian to obtain a science and technology to develop how to work collaboratively within a Ward the kind of insights they are able to Changing Statistics’, Professors Paul EPSRC-funded Mathematics of Planet doctorate in mathematical sciences. practical policy and manage multidisciplinary team to create give in class are unparalleled…the Allin and David Hand also explore Earth Centre for Doctoral Training His return to Ghana facilitated solutions to contemporary environmental strategies.” cohort is also extremely diverse, what improvements could be made trains students in mathematical and the strong relationship between sustainability issues is the both in terms of nationality and for wellbeing and the 2030 Agenda. computational techniques required Imperial and Ghana. AIMS has six foundation of Imperial’s MSc in MSc CLIMATE CHANGE, cultures but also in terms of Furthermore, research by Imperial’s to predict and quantify uncertainty centres of education and research Environmental Technology. For MANAGEMENT & FINANCE academic background, which statisticians has also contributed and risk for extreme weather across Africa, and academics which over four decades students from Partnering with prominent Imperial means that teamwork is very to a new framework for monitoring and climate change. In addition, include pure mathematics and across the world and from a variety initiatives the Grantham Institute exciting.” COVID-19 across the UK and the Professor Mauricio Barahona’s team statistics (see page 21). of professional backgrounds have and the Centre for Climate Change world, strongly aligning to SDG 3. has looked at the interlinkages come together to focus on the and Investment, this master's With another strong drive amongst the 17 SDGs and climate intersections between science, programme focuses on climate SDGs TARGETED: towards SDG 3, the EPSRC Centre change, as a way to analyse how SDGs TARGETED: technology and policy. Tania change and sustainability for Mathematics of Precision different objectives have aligned or Castillo Guido, a recent alumnus of knowledge tailored for the business Healthcare connects mathematics, counterproductive linkages.
36 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 37 Imperial College London SHUTTERSTOCK Imperial’s new Global Development Hub We know that the SDGs can only be realised with strong equitable partnerships and cooperation across the disciplines (SDG 17). For many years Imperial’s students, staff, alumni and the wider College community have pursued education and research towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and beyond. Imperial’s new Global Development Hub aims to create a central repository for these initiatives whilst establishing new networks and education programmes for the College.
he recently launched In addition, the Hub has worked BELOW: excited to be developing this Global Development with representatives from UNDP Professor Mike interdisciplinary Hub which Templeton, Hub has already hit the posts in India, Nepal, Niger and Professor of connects all Faculties, Institutes ground running. In order Palestine to discus the work of the Public Health and facets of Imperial towards the Tto promote the SDG-aligned work UNDP Accelerator Labs in their Engineering, leads goal of sustainable development. across Imperial and the wider countries towards SDG 5 and Imperial's Global Imperial’s global reach in education community, the Hub has launched reducing gender inequalities. These Development Hub and research enables us to forge an SDG of the Month event series. events create opportunities to some fantastic partnerships and we For the first event, panellists from explore new innovative are looking forward to creating Imperial’s Business School and partnerships that move away from more opportunities and School of Public Health joined traditional academic partners to programmes going forward.” representatives from UNICEF and work with local groups that have South Kensington Campus Good Things Foundation to provide in-depth knowledge of the issues in London SW7 2AZ, UK interdisciplinary perspectives on their communities. SDGs TARGETED: SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities, and Hub Co-Chair, Professor Mike tel: +44 (0)20 7589 5111 the digital divide. Templeton, says, “We are incredibly imperial.ac.uk
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