Finding credible research on the impact and effectiveness of different SDG programs and policies is a big challenge, especially for time-poor policymakers. MSDI Evidence Review Service (ERS) is a specialist team of review scientists that provides policymakers with the best-available knowledge on issues of ‘real world’ relevance and impact.
In 2022, ERS worked with both external and internal Monash stakeholders on projects addressing climate action, environment and health, inclusion and diversity, gender equity and more. ERS also co-curates, with McMaster University, the Social Systems Evidence database. With around 9000 records, it is the world’s most comprehensive open-access database of pre-appraised evidence reviews indexed to the SDGs, as well as a broad range of government program and service areas.
360info is an independent nonprofit public information service, hosted with foundational funding by Monash University, to deliver verified and reliable information to publishing, broadcasting and civic society outlets. The organisation’s focus is to address the world’s key challenges as broadly defined by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, going further by providing research-driven solutions. 360 operates as a “wire agency” supplying contextual and explanatory news features ready-for-publication on other publisher’s outlets at no cost under Creative Commons.
Monash Sustainable Development Institute supported the City of Melbourne, in partnership with the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Cities, to prepare its first Voluntary Local Review (VLR), which reports on the City’s progress against the SDGs. The data and insights from the report inform the City’s annual planning and budget process. The VLR was launched in July 2022 at the Partnerships for the UN SDGs: Melbourne Leadership Forum, which brought together leaders from all sectors to discuss the role of the SDGs in supporting the COVID-19 recovery. MSDI also co-authored the “City of Melbourne - Global SDG Cities Benchmarking Report 2022”, which compared the City’s current progress on over 500 SDG-related indicators with hundreds of cities around the world.
Organised by the Alumni Engagement team, the Challenges of the Age event series explores the critical issues facing our world and aims to offer valuable insights and meaningful solutions. In 2022, three public in-person events were held: “Realising thriving communities”, “Working together to create a safer world”, and “Tackling the climate crisis”.
Monash University’s podcast, What Happens Next?, with over 90 episodes since 2019, examines some of the biggest challenges facing our world and provides listeners a chance to learn from leaders, listen to the people making a difference, and discover how they can help drive change. In 2022, the podcast series was recognised in the inaugural global Signal Awards alongside other high-profile podcast creators including Apple, HBO, Netflix and media powerhouses like the New York Times, Bloomberg and the ABC.
Impact 2030 is Monash University’s strategic plan for 2021 to 2030. It affirms Monash's focus on addressing the challenges of the age for the betterment of our communities, both locally and globally, and charts the path for how the University will actively contribute to addressing these challenges through its research and education, and in collaboration with government, industry, alumni, donors, and community. It also identifies three key global challenges that Monash seeks to address: Climate Change, Geopolitical Security, and Thriving Communities.
Monash University was one of the first signatories to the University Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, in 2016. As a signatory, Monash is committed to support and promote the principles of the SDGs through our world leading research, innovation and education, and strives to ensure our campuses and major programs are environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.