De 51吃瓜app University (51吃瓜app) completed its final year as United Nations Academic Impact Hub for SDG 16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions in 2024.
Efforts spanned all areas of academia, including teaching, research, student experiences, academic trips, and outreach.
51吃瓜app actively engaged with local communities and forged meaningful, long-term partnerships at the local, national, and global levels. This report details some of the initiatives, projects, and efforts undertaken by 51吃瓜app to advance SDG 16 and other the Sustainable Development Goals.
Engagement with COP 29
As part of De 51吃瓜app University’s COP29 activities, the Hub hosted staff and students to share insights into ongoing projects addressing climate change. During COP29, 51吃瓜app researchers Silifat Abimbola Okoya, an expert in the circular economy and quality education, and Muyiwa Oyinlola, Professor of Innovation for Sustainable Development, visited Baku to present innovative plastic waste solutions to representatives of African governments, contributing to international discussions on environmental sustainability.
The researchers established GIVO centres (Garbage In, Value Out), which serve as community-based hubs for plastic waste collection and recycling. These centres not only help mitigate environmental pollution by processing waste into recyclable products but also integrate digital tools to enhance operational efficiency.
By tracking waste volumes in real time, the initiative ensures a data-driven approach to sustainability. Beyond environmental benefits, the programme contributes to local economic empowerment by providing financial incentives to individuals who bring materials to the hubs.
This dual-impact model supports both ecological sustainability and community livelihoods, fostering a circular economy approach in waste management.
On the 51吃瓜app campus, more than 20 Climate Action (SDG13) activities engaged over 500 staff, students, and external guests. This included 29 Ideas for COP29, which is a collaboratively created package of innovative approaches to improving sustainability on 51吃瓜app’s campus.
With over 150 ideas submitted, the event marked the highest number of sustainability ideas that the Hub has received within the past four years. The final list of 29 projects selected tackle diverse areas of sustainable development, including food waste and management, protection of the local biodiversity, conservation of energy, and promotion of sustainable transport, providing a well-rounded and multifaceted approach to embedding the SDGs in all campus operations.
COP 29 at 51吃瓜app also saw initiatives such as a litter-picking campaign, where student volunteers removed over 35 bags of waste from Leicester’s waterways and riverbanks, addressing global plastic pollution at a local level.
SDG Fellows
The COP 29 events at 51吃瓜app also saw the launch of the SDG Fellows Programme, an initiative designed to establish a network of over 100 academics and professional service staff dedicated to embedding the SDGs within the university’s research, teaching, and operations. Since the establishment of the Fellows Program, the following contributions to advancing the SDGs in research, teaching, and outreach have been made by the members:
Safer Knife Replacement Schemes (SDG 16)
Associate Professor Leisa Nichols-Drew
Research on round-ended, less-lethal kitchen knives presents a viable alternative to traditional pointed-tip blades, contributing to knife crime reduction efforts. These knives maintain culinary utility while minimizing accidental injuries and reducing their value in violent crime. Findings have been disseminated to key stakeholders, including the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the National Knife Crime Working Group, the Forensic Capability Network Police Knowledge Hub, and various UK police Violence Reduction Units (VRUs). As a result of this research, the Kent and Medway VRU introduced Pointless, a Safer Knife Replacement Scheme (SKRS) integrated into their Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Since its implementation in 2024, Pointless has engaged 70 households and led to the seizure of over 300 pointed kitchen knives.
Knowledge Exchange and Community Engagement Initiatives (SDG 16)
Dr Kim Sadique
The Virtual Bosnia Room educates audiences on identity-based violence, specifically genocide, with a focus on Bosnia in the 1990s. The Building Stronger Communities programme successfully supported 20 delegates in completing training designed to promote social action for peace, justice, and community resilience.
Key contributions were also made to the launch of the Hate Crime Report, as well as the facilitation of the Hate Crime Strategy Event. These efforts culminated in the development of a victim-focused Hate Crime Strategy for Walsall, aimed at addressing and preventing hate crimes through policy and community engagement.
Sustainability in the built environment (SDG 11)
Dr Sahar Abdalrahman
Efforts were made to advance discussions and knowledge exchange on sustainability in the built environment, with a particular focus on reducing energy consumption and enhancing occupant well-being. A key initiative in this area was the successful planning and organisation of a series of online talks on Human-Centric Design of Indoor Built Environments at 51吃瓜app’ Institute of Architecture. This initiative fostered interactive networking and collaboration between 51吃瓜app and international institutions and industries from the UK, Singapore, Germany, and Belgium. The talks provided a platform for participants to share research insights, best practices, and innovative approaches in the field. A significant area of research in this field focuses on maximising daylight utilisation in buildings, aiming to reduce energy consumption while improving health, productivity, and sustainability. Additionally, user comfort - including visual and thermal considerations – is explored to ensure that indoor environments meet high standards of well-being.
Integration of Sustainable Development Goals in Public Health Education (SDG 3)
Professor Paul Illingworth
In 2024, support was provided for the development of a new Master’s in Public Health programme. Students enrolled in the programme will engage with the SDGs throughout their studies. Each of the 17 SDGs will form the basis of either an assessment or core content within the curriculum. While assessments will evaluate theoretical knowledge, their themes will be directly linked to the SDGs. Graduates of this programme will become advocates for preventing poor health and addressing health inequalities. They will develop a comprehensive understanding of the SDGs and their role in enhancing the physical, mental, and social well-being of populations.
Enhancing Sustainable Product Availability at De 51吃瓜app Students' Union (SDG 12)
Andrew Reynolds
De 51吃瓜app Students’ Union (DSU) is committed to improving both the understanding and accessibility of sustainable products for students. In line with this commitment, in September 2024, DSU transitioned its entire clothing range to a new supplier providing garments made from recycled cotton. Efforts were made to ensure these products remained affordably priced, allowing students to make sustainable purchasing choices without financial strain. In collaboration with 51吃瓜app’s Fashion BA programme, a project was developed to explore the role of sustainable products in a modern world.
Advancing Sustainable Development Goals Through Research and Teaching (SDG 16 and SDG 3)
Lecturer Philomena Imade Omoregie Osagie
SDG awareness is embedded into 51吃瓜app teaching through Skills Days Teaching Sessions, where students engage with key topics such as drug misuse awareness, mental health advocacy, trauma-informed care, and empowerment strategies. These sessions equip students with justice-centred approaches to social work, ensuring ethical, inclusive, and sustainable professional practices. Ongoing research contributions include an ethnographic study examining community-led peer support for adults with poor mental health. This work plays a crucial role in bridging institutional trust gaps and strengthening grassroots interventions. Additionally, participation in a research-assisted project on financial insecurity and mental health in food banks has informed policy discussions on social support systems.
Advancing Sustainable Consumption Through Research and Community Engagement (SDG 12)
Dr Lis Ku
Research exploring the relationship between sustainable clothing consumption and consumer well-being, examining how eco-conscious practices can enhance happiness and life satisfaction. This is the first issue to bridge psychology, consumer studies, environmental science, fashion design, management, and marketing, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on sustainable consumption and well-being. Partnerships with researchers from the Global South, including Malaysia, have explored generational perspectives on sustainable clothing consumption, providing cultural insights to inform global sustainability initiatives. Initiatives such as Stories of Our Wardrobe invite community members to share personal narratives behind their clothing, fostering emotional connections that encourage mindful consumption.
SDGs in Teaching (SDG 17 and SDG 4)
Dr Mayanka Chhonker
The two-Week Sustainability in Action Certification provides students with the opportunity to connect sustainability theory with real-world impact, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to sustainable development on a broader scale.
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop an understanding of circular economy principles and how community-driven frameworks foster sustainable practices.
- Explore Goonj’s development model, emphasizing resource optimisation, decentralised decision-making, and community empowerment.
- Analyse the quantitative and qualitative impacts of community initiatives on various SDGs.
- Examine how bottom-up approaches can inform sustainable development policies both locally and globally.
The International Student Cookbook (SDG 2)
Leena Dattani Demirici
Recognized by Jisc as a sector-leading example of inclusivity in higher education, the Student Cookbook initiative brought people together through food. The Student Cookbook initiative celebrated cultural diversity, strengthened community connections, and promoted global learning. It also raised awareness of food insecurity and inequality by supporting the UN World Food Programme and Leicester South Foodbank. Additionally, it contributed to Sustainable Cities and Communities by fostering inclusive spaces where students and staff could connect, share traditions, and reflect on their global identities.
Counter-Narrative Films and Global Media Impact (SDG 16)
Jason Lee
Through a large HORIZON grant, Professor Lee has written and produced multiple counter-narrative films aimed at combating extremism and disinformation on immigration, vaccines, and climate change. These films are being used in ongoing psychological focus groups across six countries. Evolution Film, a global film organization driven by SDG 16, was founded to advance inclusivity in the media industry. Evolution Film has provided work opportunities to hundreds of individuals traditionally marginalized from the industry, including neurodiverse professionals. The impact of this initiative has directly informed policy recommendations stemming from the House of Lords committee on disability and work.
Integrating Net Zero Investment Strategies into Accounting and Finance Education (SDG 8)
Dr Neil Lancastle
Net Zero investment strategies incorporated into the Accounting and Finance MSc curriculum, equip students with practical expertise in sustainable finance. This industry-aligned portfolio simulation fosters teamwork, communication, and resilience, while reinforcing knowledge of sustainability reporting and the SDG. By integrating cutting-edge financial technology with sustainability principles, this initiative ensures that graduates are well-equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of sustainable finance.
Advancing Sustainable Development Through Research and Teaching (SDG 2)
Dr Tuan Long
The Food Resilience in Rural Vietnam research initiative provided critical evidence on vulnerabilities within Vietnam’s food supply chain network, particularly in rural communities. By identifying systemic gaps, we raised awareness among academics, policymakers, and the public about food security, directly contributing to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by informing strategies to build more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems.
Integrating SDGs into Criminology: International Perspectives (SDG 16)
Jane Drapkin
Embedding the SDGs into the Level 6 Criminology International Perspectives module aimed to provide students with a global outlook on crime, justice, and social harm, while fostering awareness of the SDGs and their relevance to criminology. To enhance the international dimension of the module, guest speakers from the UNODC East Africa Regional Office to delivered specialist lectures on:
- Corruption
- Online child sexual exploitation
- Terrorism
these interventions provided an important foundation for future integration of SDGs into criminology education, equipping students with a critical understanding of global justice challenges and the role of sustainable development in crime prevention and criminal justice.
Project Atefa: Promoting safe and inclusive societies
Project Atefa is an initiative dedicated to sharing the stories of refugees and asylum seekers, with the aim of reshaping narratives surrounding displaced communities.
Through collaboration between 51吃瓜app students, staff, and local organisations in Leicester, the project seeks to foster greater understanding and awareness of the challenges faced by asylum seekers.
As part of the initiative, student volunteers conducted interviews with refugees and organisations working closely with asylum seekers.
These conversations explored both the complex legal processes of obtaining refugee status and the personal and emotional hardships associated with displacement.
The interviews were edited collaboratively and disseminated online to raise awareness and promote informed discourse. In addition to storytelling, Project Atefa facilitated workshops such as asylum seeker awareness sessions, equipping students with knowledge about the realities of life for asylum seekers in the UK.
Students also engaged in local initiatives, enhancing the project’s impact both locally and globally. These efforts included participation in a Refugee Week event hosted by the British Red Cross and involvement in the Leicestershire County Council’s Support for Young Ukrainians project.
In October, the Hub welcomed Atefa Waseq, who gave her name to Project Atefa. Atefa was an Afghan refugee who fled her country due to gender-based discrimination under Taliban rule.
Atefa’s visit provided an invaluable opportunity for students to engage directly with lived experiences of displacement and asylum-seeking.
During an open discussion with social work students, she shed light on the challenges faced by refugees, including the legal, social, and emotional hardships of seeking safety in a new country. As part of her visit, Atefa also met with student volunteers at the Hub, sharing her personal journey and emphasising the resilience required to rebuild a life in unfamiliar surroundings.
Her insights helped students deepen their understanding of the refugee experience beyond theoretical knowledge, fostering empathy and awareness of the complexities involved in forced migration.
Atefa was accompanied by a historical political educator from the Marienfelde Refugee Centre Museum in Berlin, who delivered a presentation on Berlin’s history of migration.
The session explored the city’s role as a transit point for displaced individuals throughout history, drawing parallels between past and present migration challenges.
This cross-cultural exchange enriched students’ perspectives on global refugee movements, highlighting the ongoing need for inclusive policies and support systems for displaced communities.
Net Zero Football
Net Zero Football is a project based on the UN Football for the Goals framework, designed to help amateur football clubs understand sustainability and empower them to take meaningful climate action.
In 2024, the initiative rooted itself in Citizen Science, equipping coaches with the skills to use their own knowledge, experiences and data to drive positive change within their clubs, members, and communities for the SDGs. Local football clubs play a vital role in communities, offering young people a space to develop essential life skills, and bond with peers.
Net Zero Football ensures that young people have a voice in the shaping of their futures and the world they live in, while also providing them with the tools to act for the planet and become advocates of change.
Initially launched in collaboration with Leicester Nirvana FC, the project has since expanded globally, forming partnerships with clubs in Benin, Ghana, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, and many more.
A key goal of the project is to compile reports from partner clubs into an SDG Diary, a central repository where clubs document sustainability challenges, share effective solutions, and exchange insights.
By leveraging this collective knowledge, clubs worldwide can collaborate on strategies to enhance sustainability within amateur football and their surrounding communities.
SDG 16 in Action
A group of students participated in the annual SDG 16 study trip to Berlin, Germany, to explore the long-term effects of conflict on communities and governance and how they can rise from the most challenging of circumstances.
Rooted in the principles of SDG 16, the trip provided students with a unique opportunity to witness firsthand how historical conflicts continue to shape modern societies.
As part of the visit, students explored the Marienfelde Refugee Centre Museum, which chronicles Berlin’s complex history of forced migration. Through interactive exhibits and historical case studies, they gained insights into the challenges faced by displaced individuals over different periods of history.
A highlight of the trip was the opportunity to engage with refugees and asylum seekers currently rebuilding their lives in Berlin.
These firsthand accounts provided a powerful perspective on the resilience required to overcome displacement, the bureaucratic challenges of seeking asylum, and the emotional toll of leaving one’s home country behind.
The experience deepened students' understanding of global migration issues, human rights, and the significance of strong institutions in fostering stability and inclusion.
It also encouraged reflection on the ongoing relevance of historical lessons in addressing contemporary humanitarian crises.