The SDGs Scholars Academy serves as a think tank bringing together leading researchers and encouraging them to pursue transdisciplinary research and knowledge mobilization to address issues that are crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and informing future global goals.
The Scholars Academy wants to position U of T as leaders in transdisciplinary research that empowers positive actions on the SDGs and informs future global goals for an equitable and sustainable future. Its mission is to be a global powerhouse of knowledge that enhances learning, catalyzes equitable action, and facilitates inclusive outcomes on the SDGs through an innovative network of faculty, trainees, and partners.
The SDGs Scholars Academy will bring together, support, and mobilize a global community of scholars, policy makers and practitioners in open discussion and dialogue to conduct transdisciplinary research to address complex issues crucial to sustainable development. The SDGs Scholars Academy will be guided by the following four objectives:
Research Acceleration
Conduct transdisciplinary research that reflects epistemological and methodological diversity to create the evidence needed to advance the SDGs and inform future global goals.
Trainee Empowerment
Empower trainees to engage in transdisciplinary research related to the SDGs. The SDGs Scholars Academy will empower trainees to engage in SDG-related research through mechanisms.
Public Engagement
Build sustainable collaborations and partnerships to catalyze transformative research and training on the SDGs.
Knowledge Mobilization to Maximize Impact
Mobilize transdisciplinary research and inform policy and practice to address the complex intersecting challenges presented by the SDGs.
The Academy operationalizes its vision through its fellows who lead transdisciplinary research to create novel research frameworks relevant to the SDGs, with the goal of influencing intellectual and public discourse and shaping evidence-based policy and practical solutions to global challenges that promote just, equitable and empowering outcomes. Through these activities, the Fellows will help drive the shift from a fragmented to a more holistic approach to the SDGs at UofT. All Fellows will be thought leaders who are already engaged in SDG relevant research, who have demonstrated a commitment to partnership and collaborative work.
The SDGs Scholars Academy includes distinguished fellows and fellows, who will be united by the breadth and depth of their expertise and interest in engaging in open and transparent dialogue about SDGs issues today and the future of the SDG, and who will engage affiliates interested in participating in SDGs Scholars Academy events.
Distinguished fellows are selected based on the recommendations of the SDGs@UofT leadership. Distinguished fellows are pre-eminent thought leaders in field who have made impactful contributions to advancing knowledge with relevance to the SDGs, and who are internationally recognized for their reputation and performance, their ability to innovate and constructively disrupt the status quo, and their capacity to advice on the strategic priorities of the SDGs Scholars Academy. Distinguished Fellows are thought leaders from UofT as well as academia, government, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Distinguished Fellows will be part of the SDGs Scholars Academy for as long as they actively contribute to the Academy.
Fellows are appointed to the Academy based on recommendations from the senior leadership of the SDGs@UofT, using the Academy’s nomination, selection, and appointment process. Fellows are early career and established researchers who are interested in leading and participating in synthesis and catalyst research activities. Fellows will have appointments at one of the University’s three campuses.
Any faculty, staff, or student with interest in the mandate of the SDGs@UofT can become an affiliate of the Academy, by completing our membership form.
By acting as a think tank, fellows of the SDGs Scholars Academy will lead the catalysis and synthesis of novel ideas, methods, and evidence needed to advance the SDGs and inform future global goals. Bringing together local and international experts and experts-in-training, Fellows will lead work on specific problems aligned with one or more of the SDGs@UofT research themes.