LSBU named as leading global university for reducing inequality
London South Bank University (LSBU) has been ranked third in the world for reducing inequality in the prestigious Times Higher Impact Rankings 2024. The ranking, based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, measures universities’ research on social inequalities, their policies on discrimination and their commitment to recruiting staff and students from under-represented groups.
With over 2,000 institutions participating, LSBU's outstanding performance in the Times Higher Impact Rankings 2024 demonstrates the cutting-edge work of the university to reduce inequality which includes:
- Supporting students with disabilities: where there has been a 19% rise in the number of LSBU students with disabilities since 2023
- Raising awareness of STEM careers for female students: including LSBU’s work with primary and secondary schools encouraging girls to study STEM subjects at university
- UK-first research projects: including blood pressure testing at barbershops and analysis of the gaps in outcomes among free school meal students in higher education
- Projects supporting the local community: the LSBU Energy Advice Clinic which advises residents about how to save money on energy bills and the LSBU Legal Advice Clinic, which offers free advice to residents on a range of legal issues.
Higher education institutions from 125 countries and regions took part in this year’s ranking which assesses universities’ commitment to sustainability across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.
Professor David Phoenix, LSBU Vice Chancellor and CEO of LSBU Group, said: “LSBU’s third place in the world in today’s Times Higher Education Impact Rankings is testament to our commitment to reduce inequality, and we seek to embed this across all the areas of our work. This was only possible thanks to the outstanding work of our staff and students and I am really proud of what has been achieved.”
The Rt Hon. the Lord Blunkett said: “I am very pleased to reinforce the importance of universities to the most underprivileged. LSBU Group, which includes London South Bank University and South Bank Colleges and its academies, is a classic example. Although it has one of the most diverse student bodies in the country, this week, the university has once again been ranked in the top 10% of all UK universities for graduate starting salaries and is now recognised in the Times Impact Rankings as third in the world for its work in reducing inequalities. This shows why it’s important for business and society that we work to remove barriers to educational opportunity and judge people based on their potential not their past.”
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings follow the 14 national awards won by LSBU students and staff in the past year, which include being named Best University for Apprenticeships.
The LSBU Group Corporate Strategy says the LSBU Group vision is to: ‘transform lives, communities, businesses and society through applied education and insight’, and includes the following commitments: Embed employer relationships in the Group supporting 10,000 apprentices and enabling all students to have the opportunity for a work-based experience / Increase targeted support for the recruitment and retention of hard-to-reach groups including care leavers, military families and students from lower sociodemographic groups.