SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions 2025 Report
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
The University of Huddersfield promotes inclusive and ethical governance through strong student and staff representation, financial transparency, and robust anti-corruption policies. Its commitment to freedom of speech, legal education, and civic engagement empowers students and local communities to participate in building fair and accountable institutions. Through impactful research, expert policy advice, and public events, the University provides a trusted platform for dialogue and helps shape local and national policies.
Learning for students
Students Union
The University of Huddersfield recognises the Huddersfield Students’ Union as representative of our students. Elected representation from the Student Union is engaged in the operation of the University, including at the highest levels of governance.
Law graduates
The University produces a significant number of graduates whose skills and experience prepare them for work in relevant areas. There were 378 graduates in law and enforcement-related courses from the University in 2023/24, 6% of the whole graduating cohort.
Our graduates are dedicated to advancing gender equality in their respective fields. For example, one of our law graduates has set up their own company, Legal Lynk, aimed at increasing opportunities for women in the legal profession, through accessible and inclusive events.
We uphold a Freedom of Speech and External Speakers Policy
The University of Huddersfield has a clearly stated position supporting freedom of speech and academic freedom, laid out in our Freedom of Speech and External Speakers Policy (reviewed January 2024).
As stated in the opening words of the Policy, ‘The University of Huddersfield is committed to promoting the principles of freedom of speech and academic freedom so far as that is reasonably practical within the law.’ At point 3.2, the policy affirms that ‘Every individual has a duty to ensure that freedom of speech is protected on University premises, including in lectures, tutorials, research and other activities.’
Public and business engagement
Engagement with local stakeholders
The University has established policies and structures for involving representatives of local organisations, businesses and other interests. We have an overarching Knowledge Exchange Strategy, which incorporates all aspects of public engagement. A key part of this process is the adoption of the Watermark standard from the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement; the University of Huddersfield received a Bronze award in 2021.
As part of this approach, the University is creating a Civic University Agreement, identifying key local stakeholder groups for engagement, starting with the local authority, Kirklees Council. Academic Schools engage with relevant communities through stakeholder boards and similar functions, for example in the Huddersfield Business School, engaging with the regional and wider business community, and the School of Human and Health Sciences with its extensive work with local clients and service users.
Participatory bodies for stakeholder engagement
The University has a range of participatory bodies to engage aspects of the local stakeholder community. For example, the Huddersfield Business School has an Advisory Board which exists to strengthen links with industry and the professions. In the Law School, there is an innovative 'Partners in Law' scheme which involves major local and regional law firms in the development of the School. In the School of Human and Health Sciences, client & patient voices are systematically brought into the work of the School via Patient and Client Engagement.
Policy and lawmakers' outreach and education
The University has a strong record of providing upskilling and capacity-building to policy and lawmakers on relevant topics including economics, law, technology, and climate change. Members of University staff participated in the work which led to the formation of the Kirklees Climate Commission, which is now hosted by the University on its campus in Huddersfield. The Commission is an independent advisory body to bring actors from the public, private and third sectors together to support and guide ambitious climate actions across all parts of the local Kirklees district. The Commission is supporting Kirklees as it works towards net zero carbon emissions and greater climate resilience so that it can be a happier, healthier, more prosperous and more inclusive place.
Neutral platform to discuss issues
The University hosts a series of ‘Harold Wilson’ lectures, named in memory of the Huddersfield-born UK Prime Minister and jointly sponsored with the Diocese of Huddersfield. These lectures provide a neutral platform and ‘safe’ space for different political stakeholders to come together to frankly discuss challenges, with speakers, mainly political figures, to discuss their ideas with a wide audience. Further, the University has a tradition of welcoming political figures to open lectures and seminars, in which ideas can be explored.
We provide expert advice to the government
The University was a major influence in the establishment of the West Yorkshire Place-Based Economic Recovery Network during 2020. This multi-university network was created with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and its five local authority members to support and build capacity for evidence-based policymaking, policy internships, training, and wider knowledge exchange. Through the network, our academics provide advice to the West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. The Huddersfield-led work of this operation is recognised in the West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Plan, which has key goals of inclusive growth and a sustainable environment
Operations
Governance
The University of Huddersfield is a well-governed institution with strong representation from students, academic staff, and non-academic staff at the highest levels, including on the University Senate and Council. It upholds high ethical standards through a published Anti-Bribery, Corruption and Fraud Policy. The University also ensures financial transparency by publicly sharing its Annual Report and Accounts.
Our research
The University of Huddersfield has a wide range of expertise through which it contributes locally, nationally and internationally in areas relevant to SDG16.
Prof. Paul Thomas of the Huddersfield Centre for Research in Education and Society undertakes research which focuses mainly on state policies around young people and multiculturalism, racism, community cohesion, and the prevention of extremism, and particularly on how ground-level policy-makers and practitioners mediate and enact such state policy agendas. Prof. Thomas provided research-based policy advice on early reporting of terrorist threats to national governments in the US and Australia in 2023/24, leading to policy developments there.
Find more information
Huddersfield Business School
Our Business School facilitates a wide range of work between the University and other institutions.
Anti-Bribery, Corruption and Fraud Policy
We're proud to uphold a strong Anti-Bribery, Corruption and Fraud Policy to support our qualities of peace, justice and strength.
Our Civic University Agreement
Our Civic University Agreement underpins our work with local communities to drive forward opportunity, wellbeing and prosperity.
Sustainable Development Goals
Click to explore our other sustainable development goal pages and get to know how we're working towards these at the University of Huddersfield.