Unveiling the Research Landscape of Sustainable Development Goals and Their Inclusion in Higher Education Institutions and Research Centers: Major Trends in 2000–2017

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) have become the international framework for sustainability policy. Its legacy is linked with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), established in 2000. In this paper a scientometric analysis was conducted to: (1) Present a new methodological approach to identify the research output related to both SDGs and MDGs (M&SDGs) from 2000 to 2017, with the aim of mapping the global research related to M&SDGs; (2) Describe the thematic specialization based on keyword co-occurrence analysis and citation bursts; and (3) Classify the scientific output into individual SDGs (based on an ad-hoc glossary) and assess SDGs interconnections. Publications conceptually related to M&SDGs (defined by the set of M&SDG core publications and a scientometric expansion based on direct citations) were identified in the in-house CWTS Web of Science database. A total of 25,299 publications were analyzed, of which 21,653 (85.59%) were authored by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) or academic research centers (RCs). The findings reveal the increasing participation of these organizations in this research (660 institutions in 2000–2005 to 1,744 institutions involved in 2012–2017). Some institutions present both a high production and specialization on M&SDG topics (e.g., London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and World Health Organization); and others with a very high specialization although lower production levels (e.g., Stockholm Environment Institute). Regarding the specific topics of research, health (especially in developing countries), women, and socio-economic issues are the most salient. Moreover, it has been observed an important interlinkage in the research outputs of some SDGs (e.g., SDG11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities” and SDG3 “Good Health and Well-Being”). This study provides first evidence of such interconnections, and the results of this study could be useful for policymakers in order to promote a more evidenced-based setting for their research agendas on SDGs.

Role of Actors in the Processes of Sustainable Development at Local Level—Experiences From the Czech Republic

“…Although the different SDGs are interrelated in many ways (cf. Bautista-Puig et al, 2021), the social dimension of sustainability is the most neglected in practice (Cuthill, 2010). Social issues tend to be conceived in development strategies as a problem or an end in itself, to be addressed by measures "from above", rather than as a means to achieve other goals (Chang, 2013).…”

Gender differences among first authors in research focused on the Sustainable Development Goal of Gender Equality

“…At the micro-level, relevant studies have taken a single SDG as the research object or mapped the research landscape of SDGs in higher education institutions and other research organizations or explored the potential of SDGs for improving national agendas and policies. These studies are helpful for guiding the research agendas of SDGs (Bautista-Puig et al, 2021;Pineda-Escobar, 2019;Pizzi et al, 2020;Seidman, 2017). Most studies show that SDGs are gradually becoming an important research agenda for both researches performing organizations and research funding organizations.…”

Remodelling research agendas

“…As a researcher, the ultimate goal is to translate our work to have real-life impact. Undoubtedly, increasing awareness-building in UN SDGs is pertinent to demonstrate real-life impact in local communities and at global level at large 2 . Inclusive innovation, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable industrialization (SDG 9) need to align with and effectively provide solutions for poverty eradication (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).…”