FIU ranks among top universities in the world for impact by Times Higher Education

Based on the United Nations criteria for the Sustainable Development Goals, FIU ranked No. 2 in the world for impact on Life Below Water, No. 7 for impact on Clean Water and Sanitation and No. 12 for impact on Life on Land. FIU also ranked top 50 in the world for impact on Affordable and Clean Energy and No Poverty.

Overall, FIU was ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and No. 7 in the United States for impact in the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

“These stellar rankings are a reflection of our commitment to environmental resilience,” said FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell. “Our researchers are focused on finding solutions to many of the greatest environmental challenges of our time and they are doing it on a global scale.”

The rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals across the areas of research, outreach and stewardship. The 2023 rankings include 1,705 universities from 115 countries.

At FIU, students, faculty and staff are working on campus, in communities and all across the world to address critical challenges. This includes work on preserving ocean health, protecting and restoring populations of endangered species, and delivering clean water and sanitation to communities all across the world.

FIU scientists lead the multi-institution NSF-supported Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research program and recently completed the world’s first global shark survey as part of Global FinPrint. FIU’s marine predator team contributed research that helped form the foundation for the most recent decision to increase protections for sharks by the 19th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

FIU research teams are also focused on tropical botany, sustainable fisheries and restoration of forests. In a unique collaboration between its Institute of Environment and Global Forensic and Justice Center, FIU features a research and outreach initiative to disrupt illegal wildlife trafficking of endangered plants and animals. FIU houses the UNESCO chair on Sustainable Water Security. These are among a large portfolio of research and community engagement programs led by FIU’s Institute of Environment and Tropical Conservation Institute that contributed to this year’s rankings.

“These rankings are a testament to our researchers, students and staff who are working tirelessly to create a more sustainable and inspiring future,” said Mike Heithaus, executive dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education. “FIU is where innovation meets impact. It’s great to have our efforts recognized on a global scale, but it’s also fair to say, we are just getting started.”

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call for action by all countries — developed and developing — in a global partnership. They are intended to provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.