The rise of Sustainable Development Goals in higher education institutions

The focus on sustainable development and social responsibility as part of higher education's ‘third’ mission has grown, especially with the emergence of global ‘impact’ rankings such as Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking (IR) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Sustainability Ranking. This study identifies three drivers behind universities’ increasing focus on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their strategies and operations. It also presents various implementation approaches and reflects on the challenges and opportunities associated with this trend. It is a literature-based study drawing upon secondary data to critically review the growing attention to SDGs in higher education, through the lenses of institutional isomorphism and stakeholder theory. Institutional isomorphism can be observed in the response of universities to SDG initiatives and participation in impact rankings. Stakeholder theory can explain the incorporation of SDGs into universities’ operations and strategies, whilst this paper pays particular attention to the limitations of implementation.