• Charles Sturt University continues to be a global leader in sustainable practices according to the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 
• The University ranked within the top 5 per cent out of more than 1,500 participating institutions  
• Charles Sturt ranked highly in the Sustainable Development Goals of Gender Equality, and Clean Water and Sanitation, among others

Charles Sturt University continues to be a global leader in sustainable practices according to the latest figures within the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. 

The 2023 rankings considered more than 1,500 universities across the globe, with the number of participating institutions growing annually.  

The 2023 report, released today, shows the University has maintained its standing within the top 5 per cent of universities in overall assessment against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.   

The University achieved impressive results within individual SDGs, including ranking: 

• in the top 3 per cent for Gender Equality 
• in the top 5 per cent for Clean Water and Sanitation 
• in the top 1 per cent for global partnerships towards the goals 

Charles Sturt Manager of Sustainability Mr Ed Maher said the continued standing of the University as a leader in sustainable practices went to the core of the Charles Sturt ethos.  

“Charles Sturt prides itself on making its mark in areas that have a major impact on the world, such as those assessed by the THE impact rankings,” Mr Maher said.  

“Gender equality, clean water and sanitation, and partnerships with Indigenous communities, international universities and industry leaders are critical for sustainable futures around the world.”

Contributing to the University’s performance for gender equality, in 2022 Charles Sturt was awarded an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation from the Commonwealth Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) for the third year in a row. 

Lecturer in Environmental Management in the Charles Sturt School of Agricultural Environmental and Veterinary Sciences Dr Alexandra Knight, and Sessional Lecturer Ms Jessica Leck were also selected for the 2023/24 cohort of the international women’s leadership initiative Homeward Bound. 

Mr Maher said Charles Sturt is proud to have women working in some of its most senior roles. 

“Some of these include our Chancellor Dr Michele Allan AO, Deputy-Chancellor and Council Appointed Graduate Member Dr Saranne Cooke, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Renée Leon PSM, and Chief Operating Officer Ms Michelle Crosby.” 

Under the Clean Water and Sanitation Goal Charles Sturt led a world-first captive breeding program to support the repopulation of endangered freshwater fish such as stocky galaxias into their natural habitat.  

Mr Maher said the University had also established an acoustic monitoring project for wetlands at the Albury-Wodonga campus to improve understanding of the behaviours and distribution of the vulnerable Sloane’s froglet.  

Contributing efforts continue with the Southern NSW Drought Hub, based at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga, co-hosting the Future Drought Fund’s 2023 Science to Practice Forum from 6 – 8 June to explore innovative tools and practices helping our farmers and regions prepare for future drought. 

The Partnership for the Goals category considers how universities support the SDGs through partnerships with other countries and knowledge sharing.  

Mr Maher said Charles Sturt’s emphasis on partnerships with global industry leaders and international institutions allowed students and the wider community to stay abreast of future opportunities and sustainable practices impacting the world.    

“The Charles Sturt Office of Global Engagement and Partnerships (OGEP) works with our faculties and schools to ensure international study options are available to students and that these align with degree requirements,” Mr Maher said.  

“For example, the 2023 Charles Sturt New Colombo Plan Scholarship recipients are immersed in internships aiming to enhance knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia.”  

ENDS