La Trobe world-leading for food sustainability

La Trobe University has once again reinforced its position as a global leader in research, teaching and community engagement aligned to key United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

La Trobe is 1st in Australia and 5th globally for its focus through research and teaching on food security, its commitment to tackling food waste on campus and in addressing hunger among students and local communities (Zero Hunger SDG2).

The University also ranked 3rd in Australia, 1st in Victoria and 10th globally for Gender Equality (SDG5), recognising both the increased proportion of senior women academics and the proportion of women receiving degrees. La Trobe has put several measures in place to advance women in their careers, such as mentoring.

Other notable achievements included ranking 4th in Australia for Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG3) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8).

La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said that the University’s impressive position in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings reflected La Trobe’s deep commitment to sustainability and to improving quality of life through its teaching, research and engagement with communities across Australia and globally.

“La Trobe’s global impact is evident through these exceptional rankings that measure our performance against the tangible UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Professor Farrell said.

“Whether it’s through our world-leading research into food security, our focus on reducing food waste across our campus network and in addressing student hunger, we are tackling food sustainability head on, as part of our overall commitment to sustainability.

“And our deep and ongoing commitment to our staff and students who identify as women is also demonstrated through our impressive national and global position against the Gender Equality goal.”

Snapshot of La Trobe’s rankings for contribution to the UN SDGs:

*             1st in Australia for Food Security – 5th globally

*             3rd in Australia for Gender Equality – 10th globally

*             4th in Australia for Good Health and Wellbeing – 12th globally

*             4th in Australia for Decent Work and Economic Growth – 18th globally

*             9th in Australia for Reduced Inequalities – 39th globally

About the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

The 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings identifies and celebrates universities that excel across 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrate excellence in contributing to global sustainable development.

About the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, calling for action in a global partnership. The SDGs – to be achieved by 2030 – recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with improving health and education, reducing inequality, and encouraging economic growth, while also tackling climate change and working to preserve oceans and forests.


Media Contact
Elaine Cooney – E.Cooney@latrobe.edu.au, 0487 448 734