Goal 16: Peace, justice and 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.

Working in partnership both locally and globally, we are tackling each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through our research and knowledge exchange, education and student experience, and through our operations. Discover how our unique commitments align with and support Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions.

Research and knowledge exchange

The Liverpool Law School is committed to advancing SDG 16 through research that promotes social justice and addresses systemic inequalities. Projects tackle the impacts of legal aid cuts and austerity measures, strengthening access to justice for vulnerable groups in Liverpool. The work, including the Liverpool Access to Advice Network (LATAN), fosters collaboration among over 100 organisations, improves legal advice pathways, and highlights the role of free legal support in addressing social challenges like homelessness and health inequalities. Additionally, research theme Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights: Transforming Conflict, Building Peace, explores the intersection of economic rights and peacebuilding, influencing policies and partnerships with bodies like UN Women. Other research projects like #Speakout address online harassment in educational contexts, while studies on the gig economy examine precarious employment practices. Collectively, these initiatives exemplify the Law School’s interdisciplinary approach to fostering peace, justice, and equity at local, national, and global levels.

Operations

The University of Liverpool is deeply committed to SDG 16, actively promoting ethical governance, inclusivity, and accountability across its operations while fostering a culture of fairness, transparency, and respect for human rights. The University is guided by a robust and inclusive governance structure that ensures representation from students, academic staff, professional services staff, and the Liverpool Guild of Students on its highest governing body, Council, which oversees overall governance and delegates academic matters to Senate, supported by specialised committees. The Senior Leadership Team (SLT), chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones, manages operational decision-making. The Liverpool Guild of Students, one of the UK’s best-funded student unions, is recognised as the official voice of our students, working closely with the University to address a wide range of issues and amplify student perspectives locally and nationally. As part of our commitment to ethical practices and employee engagement, the University has established Values and Ethics Principles to guide decision-making, partnerships, global impact, and staff support. We maintain zero tolerance for bullying and harassment, supported by policies such as the Freedom of Speech Policy, which protects academic freedom and ensures all groups can express their views, and the Report + Support tool for reporting incidents of bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, hate crime, assault, or discrimination. The University has also signed the Can’t Buy My Silence Pledge, committing to end the use of NDAs in cases of harassment, bullying, and misconduct. Our Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy ensures integrity and fairness in all business dealings, while the Ethical Investment Policy reflects our commitment to socially responsible investment, considering environmental, social, and governance factors. Transparency is a core value, demonstrated through the annual publication of comprehensive Financial Statements. These initiatives embody the University’s dedication to fostering an ethical, inclusive, and accountable institutional culture.

Education and student experience

The University of Liverpool offers a range of programs in law, social sciences, and international relations, complemented by workshops and seminars on anti-corruption, accountability, and peacebuilding, equipping students with the knowledge and skills for justice and ethical leadership. The Liverpool Law School emphasises challenging injustice and promoting equality of opportunity, providing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in law, social policy, political science, and international relations, with themes such as conflict resolution, human rights, and governance. Notable offerings include the Political Science and International Relations MA, which covers contemporary issues like governance in the digital age. Students can also engage in philosophical exploration through modules like Liberty, Justice, and the Good Society, exploring core concepts like freedom and equality. Practical experience is provided through the Liverpool Law Clinic, where students, under expert supervision, offer free legal advice to disadvantaged communities, contributing to social justice and gaining real-world expertise.

Case studies

Two years of the Twin for Hope partnership

On March 29, 2024, the University of Liverpool marked the second anniversary of its partnership with Sumy State University, Ukraine. Established to support Ukraine during a challenging period, this twinning initiative fostered resource sharing, collaborative learning, and idea exchange. Coordinated by Cormack Consultancy Group with support from Universities UK International, the President’s Fund of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the partnership aimed to integrate Ukrainian academics into the global research network. To celebrate, the University hosted a Twinning Showcase and academic networking event on March 27, 2024. The event, held both on-campus and online, featured presentations, poster sessions, and discussions designed to enhance collaboration between Ukrainian and UK researchers. University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones opened the event, highlighting the ongoing commitment to support Ukraine through academic and research programs. The partnership provided significant support to Sumy State University, including an International Summer School, access to electronic library resources, and cloud-based IT assistance. In 2023, a £197k grant from the Universities UK International UK-Ukraine R&I twinning scheme launched a new research collaboration. Led by Professor Igor Potapov from Liverpool and Dr. Konstantin Kyrychenko from Sumy, the programme focused on digital economics, renewable energy, and digital transformation. By the end of the initiative, 48 Sumy State researchers, mostly early-career, had participated in the programme, benefiting from virtual and in-person research placements and skill development workshops. Professor Potapov expressed enthusiasm for the strengthened relationship and continued collaborative research.

University shines light on key issues at Labour Party Conference

The University of Liverpool played a significant role in discussions at the Labour Party Conference, focusing on pressing societal issues. The four-day event held in Liverpool in in October 2023 featured academic-led discussions on topics such as digital exclusion, NHS recruitment, and the creative industries. One major event, “Levelling up Living Standards – How Do We Bridge the Digital Divide?” was hosted by the University in collaboration with N8 and the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. The panel, including Jennifer Williams from the Financial Times, Professor Simeon Yates from the University, and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, explored strategies to address the widening digital gap. In another session, “Health & Prosperity: How Can Health & Life Sciences Boost Inclusive Growth?” Professor Iain Buchan and Sue Jarvis discussed solutions for NHS recruitment and skills gaps with Aileen Jones, Vivienne Stern, Ian Byrne, and Jan Ross. This discussion was hosted by the Heseltine Institute and Liverpool Health Partners. Professor Tim Jones, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, participated in an event at Tate Liverpool on the role of the creative industries in the UK economy. He emphasised the University’s strong connection with Liverpool’s cultural scene and its contribution through the School of the Arts, which supports over 2000 students from around the world. Tim Jones said, “It was a moment of great pride to see our academics addressing crucial issues and making a positive impact both locally and globally.”

Law students offer ‘pop up’ advice sessions for visitors to St Chads Health Centre

Since February 2024, final-year law students from the University of Liverpool have been providing free ‘work and welfare’ advice at St Chads Health Centre in Kirkby. This initiative, made possible through collaboration with the health centre, offers vital support to local residents, helping them navigate employment and welfare issues. These sessions provided guidance on welfare benefits, basic employment rights, and Statutory Sick Pay, among other areas. They also refer individuals to additional services as needed. The initiative enhances integrated care by allowing other health and social care providers at St Chads to direct patients to these sessions if they have financial concerns or need assistance with benefits. This approach supports a holistic model of care, combining health services with legal advice. Professor Lydia Hayes of the University of Liverpool highlighted the initiative’s significance in preparing students for real-world legal practice and addressing community needs. Megan Hughes, a participating student, noted the increased demand for support amid the cost-of-living crisis, emphasizing the sessions’ impact. The initiative reflects a successful example of how academic and community collaborations can address pressing local issues.

Positive changes to university family-friendly policies

Starting April 6, 2024, the University implemented several enhancements to its family-friendly policies, aligning with new legislation and modern employment practices. A new Carer’s Leave Policy allowed employees to take up to three weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period to care for or arrange care for a dependent with long-term needs. This policy complemented the existing Special Leave Policy, providing additional support for caring responsibilities. The Flexible Working Policy was updated to permit two requests for flexible working per year, up from one. The response time for these requests was also shortened from three months to two. These changes aimed to improve flexibility and responsiveness. Following the extension of paternity leave from two to four weeks in June 2023, adjustments were made to allow greater flexibility. Paternity leave could now be split into two separate blocks of two weeks and taken at any time within 52 weeks of the birth or adoption. Protections against redundancy for colleagues on Maternity or Adoption leave were extended to cover the period of pregnancy and up to 18 months post-birth or adoption placement. These protections also applied to those who had taken Shared Parental Leave in specific situations.

Uncovering the legacies of Australia’s criminal justice system on Aboriginal communities

A four-year research project led by the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with the Universities of Leeds, Tasmania, and Liverpool John Moores, has resulted in a series of documentary films shedding light on the legacies of Australia’s criminal justice system on Indigenous communities. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the project aimed to provide a nuanced understanding of these communities' experiences. The documentaries explore the profound challenges faced by Aboriginal people, particularly in Roebourne, Western Australia. Despite significant social disadvantages, the films highlight the community's resilience, strong collective identities, hope, and commitment to preserving their culture and advancing education. The films are testaments to resilience, hope, and the enduring strength of Indigenous communities, and emphasise the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices and challenging stereotypes to foster understanding and empathy. The project also involved media training workshops at Roebourne High School, where Indigenous youth were equipped with filmmaking and storytelling skills. This initiative empowered them to shape their own narratives and connect more deeply with their heritage. The project not only highlights the often-overlooked histories of Indigenous Australians within the criminal justice system but also broadens the horizons of participating youth. The collaboration aimed to conduct research with, rather than on, the community, enhancing mutual understanding and respect.

Centre for Sustainable Business Summer Conference 2024

On June 13th, 2024, the Centre for Sustainable Business held its second annual summer conference, themed 'Full, Fair, and Honest ESG Communication.' The event addressed the growing pressure on organisations to transparently disclose their environmental, social, and governance practices. The one-day conference, led by CSB Director Professor Jo Meehan, brought together researchers and business leaders to explore the challenges of honest ESG reporting. Keynote speakers included Ben Carpenter, CEO of Social Value International; Dr. Ahmed Al-Abdin, Senior Lecturer in Marketing; Ryan Bromley, Partner at Good Innovation; and Yvonne Filler, Marketing Manager at Good Innovation. They shared diverse perspectives on ESG communication and its implications. The conference featured interactive roundtable discussions facilitated by CSB academics Professor Charlie Cai, Dr. Jen Davies, and Clare Westcott. These sessions encouraged deep reflection and dialogue on ESG reporting strategies, offering practical insights for attendees. A standout moment was Sophia Polson’s creative session, where she discussed the power of visual storytelling in climate change communication. Her presentation, along with the day's discussions, inspired delegates to rethink their ESG strategies and foster meaningful change. The CSB Summer Conference 2024 successfully highlighted the importance of transparent ESG reporting and its role in building trust and driving sustainability. The CSB, part of the Management School Research Centres, focuses on bridging academic research with practical business solutions to address climate and social justice challenges.