The Times Higher Education Impact Ranking is an initiative of the British magazine Times Higher Education, assessing universities around the world in terms of their social, economic and environmental impact. It complements the ranking of the best universities in the world (THE World University Ranking), based mainly on the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in the 2030 Agenda. The ranking assesses the contribution of universities to achieving these goals.
University of Lodz in THEIR 2024
Based on the number of publications, implemented projects, research and many other activities, the University of Lodz has been reported in the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
- Clean water and sanitation (SDG 6),
- Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11),
- Life on land (SDG 15),
- Peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16), and
- Partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).
Of the 1,963 universities participating in the Times Higher Education ranking in 2024, the University of Lodz was ranked between 801-1000, taking 11th place among 25 Polish universities. The University of Lodz stood out particularly in terms of the implementation of SDG 15, where it took first place in Poland and was ranked between 201-300 on a global scale. In the context of SDG 6, the University of Lodz took second place in Poland, behind the Gdańsk University of Technology (also ranked between 201-300 in the world). In SDG 11 it took fifth place in Poland, which corresponds to the range of 301-400 in the world.
Dr hab. Agnieszka Kurczewska, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, who was supervising the team working on submitting the application, summarises the debut of the University of Lodz in this important ranking:
I am happy that we are in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking (THEIR), a ranking "different from others", focusing on the university's social involvement. We have taken part in it for the first time, which required the involvement of many people and a complicated evaluation methodology. Social impact is very important to the University of Lodz. We function in society and for society. The UN Sustainable Development Goals, which are the basis for creating the ranking, are consistent with the values of our university and help us set future directions of development. The position we have achieved in the ranking is a source of satisfaction for us, but we believe that we have the potential to achieve even higher positions in the coming years. However, we always remember that the most important thing is the actual commitment of the university, not the fight to advance in the ranking.
Full results of the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking.
Ranking methodology
The Impact Ranking methodology developed by Times Higher Education analyses activities of universities in terms of their impact on society and the environment. The final score consists of an assessment of the Partnerships for the Goals (Sustainable Development Goal 17) implementation and the top three results among the remaining sixteen SDGs. This means that universities are assessed against different sets of SDGs, depending on their specialisation. Indicators assigned to individual goals are weighted according to their importance for all or selected sustainable development goals.
The ranking is dominated by universities that demonstrate innovative research, educational and social programmes, as well as strong cooperation with local and international communities and the public and private sectors.
Source: Dr Ewelina Wełnowska-Zgid (International Hub, Univerity of Lodz), Dr Katarzyna Liberska-Kinderman (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)
Edit: Michał Gruda (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)
The mission of the University of Lodz is to conduct reliable research and actively disseminate facts and research results so as to wisely educate future generations, be useful to society and courageously respond to the challenges of the modern world. Scientific excellence is always our best compass. Our values include: courage, curiosity, commitment, cooperation and respect.