All Publications
Publications from the IAU hold significant value for the global academic community. They provide critical insights into higher education trends, policies, and challenges worldwide. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of the worldwide higher education landscape, IAU publications help shape informed policy-making and institutional strategies. Additionally, these publications promote international collaboration and knowledge exchange, enhancing the quality and accessibility of education globally. The IAU's authoritative reports, research papers, and policy briefs are essential resources for educators, administrators, and policymakers striving to advance higher education in a rapidly evolving world.
The following IAU Publications are written by IAU Board Members, expert or working groups, Secretariat Members or in collaboration with Members. Read on to discover articles or papers written in collaboration with or about the IAU; the latest editions of the IAU Magazine, IAU Horizons; the quarterly publication Higher Education Policy (HEP); Policy Papers; and Annual Reports.
Shaping the Path Forward - Higher Education and Partnerships ahead of 2030
Discover the latest report on SDGs activities carried out by the IAU HESD Cluster members
IAU Horizons: Transforming our World: Shaping the Path Forward
A decade ago, the United Nations set a bold and inclusive vision for global transformation with the adoption of the UN Agenda 2030 – Transforming our World and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a holistic framework built on 5 pillars, environmental, social, economic dimensions, and peace and partnerships as key enablers for this much needed progress. It acknowledged the essential contributions of all sectors, yet, while higher education was recognized as a stakeholder, its pivotal role in advancing the SDGs was not given the centrality it deserves.
Higher Education on the Way to 2030
This fourth comprehensive report on the activities of the IAU HESD Cluster provides valuable insights into the efforts of the Members of the International Association of Universities (IAU) to address the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It underscores the crucial role of higher education and partnership in achieving these global goals.
IAU Global Cluster on HESD Activity Report 2022-2023
The IAU Global Cluster on HESD promotes the role and potential that HEIs globally have in order to achieve the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. The Cluster encourages collaboration and takes a holistic approach to the SDGs, focusing specifically on the whole-institution approach. The IAU Global Cluster on HESD brings HEIs from all continents together and encourages them to develop joint initiatives and synergies.
Accelerating Action for the SDGs in Higher Education
The report, published in January 2023, presents the findings and analyses trends from the third global survey on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD). IAU conducted the survey in 2022 and received 464 valid responses from higher education institutions in 120 countries were collected. The findings show that higher education and partnerships are essential to address the global challenges identified in the UN Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to build a more sustainable future together.
IAU Horizons: Reinventing Higher Education for a Sustainable Future
The In Focus section features a rich selection of papers on the overarching WHEC2022 theme — ’Reinventing Higher Education for a Sustainable Future’. It will take you on a journey from East to West, from South to North, demonstrating the multiplicity and specificity of the contexts in which we are operating, and illustrating similarities in the challenges confronting us and in the opportunities we are leveraging.
Higher Education and SDG 14: Integrating Ocean Research for the Global Goals
The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) calls for increased efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will that ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean.
IAU Horizons: Higher Education Leadership for a Sustainable Future
The In Focus section of this volume is dedicated to the theme Leadership for a Sustainable Future – Higher Education and Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals and features a series of reflections on Leadership for a Sustainable Future – Higher Education and Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals including 34 articles from all regions of the world.
Higher Education Engages with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The International Association of Universities (IAU) is an Implementing Partner for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the two organisations have a longstanding partnership through which they stress the important role higher education can play in promoting and enhancing the rule of law and sustainable development, in particular SDG 16.
IAU Global Cluster on HESD Activity Report 2020-2021
The IAU Global Cluster on HESD promotes the role and potential that HEIs globally have in order to achieve the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. The Cluster encourages collaboration and takes a holistic approach to the SDGs, focusing specifically on the whole-institution approach. Read the IAU Global Cluster on HESD Activity Report 2020-2021 here.
Higher Education and SDG 5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls
Launched on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2021 and part of a series of publications on university actions for the SDGs, this publication features contributions from 12 universities from different parts of the world. It also provides evidence to policy and decision-makers in order to stress the important role of higher education for effective implementation of the SDGs.
IAU Global Cluster on HESD Activity Report 2019-2020
The IAU Global Cluster on HESD promotes the role and potential that HEIs globally have in order to achieve the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. The Cluster encourages collaboration and takes a holistic approach to the SDGs, focusing specifically on the whole-institution approach. Read the IAU Global Cluster on HESD Activity Report 2019-2020 here.
Higher Education and the 2030 Agenda: Moving into the ‘Decade of Action and Delivery for the SDGs’
This report is the result of the analysis of the 2nd Global Survey on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) conducted by IAU in June and July 2019. It shows the important role that Universities and other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations and where issues still exist. It is also proof of the commitment and responsibilities of many Higher Education Institutions globally towards the 2030 Agenda.
IAU Horizons: Transforming Higher Education for the Future
The In Focus section features contributions to sustainable development from the lead institutions in the IAU Global Cluster on HESD. We hope that this will inspire other universities to join the effort towards achieving a more sustainable present and future.
Climate Action Through University Teaching, Research and Community Engagement
IAU has gathered concrete examples of meaningful initatives towards climate action, undertaken by higher education institutions and organizations, from Cyprus to Malaysia, from Peru to India, Lithuania, Costa Rica, Uganda, Ireland, Japan, USA, Jamaica and Australia. This publication is the first of a series dedicated to Member institutions’ contribution to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Higher Education Paving the Way to Sustainable Development
The IAU launched its first Global Survey on the Role of Higher Education in Fostering Sustainable Development in 2016. The aim was to contribute to the UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), by researching and analyzing IAU Members’ approaches to sustainable development.
Open Letter to COP21 Ministers and Governments (2015)
On 1 December 2015, a global alliance of higher education sustainability networks, including the IAU, representing more than 3,000 universities and colleges worldwide, jointly issued an Open Letter urging Ministers and Governments to acknowledge and strengthen the research and education role that universities and colleges play in addressing climate change.
IAU Horizons: Post 2015 Development Agenda
Published twice a year, the magazine features IAU Activities, upcoming events and specific projects the IAU has undertaken; IAU Collaboration and Networking; Membership News; New Publications; and a global Calendar of Events. Each issue is also devoted to a special ’In Focus’ topic of interest and debate for the higher education community worldwide. This In Focus section is dedicated to the theme: Post 2015 Development Agenda.
Iquitos Statement on Higher Education for Sustainable Development
Following the IAU 2014 International Conference on Blending Higher Education and Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Development, held in Iquitos, Peru, this statement reaffirms the commitment of IAU and the higher education community at large to pursuing sustainable development within and through their respective institutions, and to reassessing higher education and its role in the transition to more sustainable societies in the context of the UN Agenda 2030. It fueled debate at the UNESCO 2014 World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (Aïchi Nagoya, Japan) and was adopted officially at the IAU 15th General Conference in Thailand, in 2016.
IAU Horizons: Higher Education and the Global Agenda – Alternative Paths to the Future
This In Focus section is dedicated to: Higher Education and the Global Agenda – Alternative Paths to the Future. IAU Horizons is available in English, in paper format and electronically.