About us


We are a community of researchers from across the university, committed to delivering world-leading research around global sustainable development.
Our Vision
The Institute for Global Sustainable Development’s vision is to be at the forefront of knowledge creation that enables transformations towards a more sustainable, prosperous, healthier and just world for all.
Our Mission
The Institute for Global Sustainable Development (IGSD) provides a focal point for Warwick’s sustainable development research, contributing towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but still challenging of them.
It undertakes world-leading transdisciplinary research and capacity development to tackle global challenges and enable transformative change of human-environment interactions. It also provides support to the Warwick research community to meaningfully and responsibly engage with global sustainable development challenges.
By establishing equitable partnerships with researchers and non-scientific stakeholders across the global North and the global South, IGSD works on challenge-led research projects that cross the boundaries of disciplines in the humanities, natural and social sciences, and achieve impact towards the SDGs.
Our Story
The current environmental crisis, the continued expansion of many social inequalities and consequent slow progress towards the targets of each SDG demonstrate that conventional perspectives on human development and environmental sustainability as stand-alone issues are insufficient to tackle the complexity of the current challenges. We need to develop innovative ways of knowing and doing that can enable transformations of human-environment interactions towards a sustainable future.
IGSD will play a central role in achieving the University of Warwick’s six strategic priorities, providing a focal point for research that crosses disciplinary boundaries and has a transformative impact towards and beyond the SDGs. By building global partnerships, it will expand the reach of Warwick’s research, and through targeted support and a focus on innovative methods for transdisciplinary research, IGSD will enhance Warwick’s ability to deliver excellent, impactful research that results in positive change.
Our Strategy
IGSD will deliver its vision and mission by pursuing the following four goals: