Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

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 8: Decent work and economic growth.

Research and impact

The University has retained the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for 12 consecutive years, demonstrating our long-standing commitment to improving research culture, working conditions, and career development for researchers (8.5, 8.8). In 2025, the School of Law and Social Justice co-led the launch of the Global Network on National Human Rights Action Planning (NHRAP), a major international collaboration involving UN agencies, governments, and civil society actors across more than 35 countries. Analysing over 150 national action plans, this research strengthens global frameworks that support inclusive employment, safe working environments, and labour rights (8.3, 8.8). Also in 2025, our policy paper Youth Entrepreneurship Policy: Contemporary Challenges and Ways Forward addressed barriers facing young entrepreneurs and proposed evidence-based reforms to enhance access, diversity, and support. The paper contributes to policy debates on reducing youth unemployment and promoting sustainable growth (8.6).

Education and student experience

The University equips students and young people with the skills and resilience needed to thrive in a changing labour market. Our Careers and Employability team provides access to internships, placements, and graduate opportunities, including the Liverpool Interns programme, which offers paid 80-hour roles with local SMEs and is accredited through the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) (8.3, 8.6). We also widen participation and support social mobility through initiatives such as the IntoUniversity Mentoring Scheme, where Liverpool students mentor pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to raise aspirations and build pathways to higher education (8.6). The LivUni Mentors programme connects alumni with students to provide career guidance and professional insight (8.6). Beyond formal education, the GiveGetGo volunteering programme, delivered with Transform Lives Company, supports unemployed individuals, including veterans and those facing health challenges, through skills training, placements, and guaranteed job interviews (8.6, 8.8). At programme level, courses such as the BA (Hons) Business Management and the MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation develop leadership, enterprise, and sustainability skills that equip graduates to lead ventures, drive inclusive economic growth, and promote decent work (8.3, 8.5).

Sustainable campus and operations

The University advances SDG 8 through inclusive employment practices, enterprise development, and regional economic impact. As a major economic anchor in the Liverpool City Region, we drive innovation and livelihoods through our IP commercialisation and spin-out ecosystem. In the Enterprise report, published in January 2025, we reported supporting 24 spin-out companies over the past six years, generating more than £23 million in IP-related income since 2018, demonstrating sustained commercialisation success and regional economic contribution (8.3).” Our commitment to fair work is demonstrated through Living Wage Foundation accreditation, ensuring staff receive a wage that meets the real cost of living (8.5, 8.8). In 2025, we also achieved Fairtrade University status, embedding ethical procurement practices across our supply chain (8.7). We continue to address the gender pay gap, prevent modern slavery, and support staff well-being through inclusive networks and recognition schemes, while maintaining our status as a Stonewall Diversity Champion (8.8). The Law Clinic further contributes to SDG 8 by supporting access to justice. In 2025, it delivered more than 490 free legal appointments, many focused on employment rights, workplace protections, and labour justice (8.8).

Case studies

Delivering economic impact and inclusive growth

In 2024, the University published the Economic and Wider Impacts Report, a comprehensive analysis of its role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and supporting inclusive prosperity across the Liverpool City Region and the UK. The report directly advances SDG 8 (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.5, 8.6).

Findings show that in 2022/23 the University generated an estimated £1.2 billion in economic activity and supported 15,870 jobs in the Liverpool City Region, representing over 3% of the local economy and creating 1 in every 50 jobs. Nationally, the contribution reached £2.2 billion and 26,630 jobs. The University’s £675 million annual income underpins local supply chains and supports hundreds of businesses, while spending by students and staff further stimulates regional growth.

Education and workforce development are central to this impact. Graduates enjoy significant wage premiums, with an uplift of £230.8 million projected for 2024/25, supporting Target 8.6 by reducing youth unemployment and strengthening productivity. Research and innovation also generate growth: in 2022/23, the University secured £160.7 million in research awards and supported 770 jobs through intellectual property and spin-outs, aligning with Target 8.3.

The impact is also social. Nearly 4,000 students volunteer annually, contributing more than 925,000 hours to local projects that strengthen community cohesion. Partnerships with global industry leaders, such as Unilever at the Materials Innovation Factory, further drive innovation, job creation, and diversification of productive industries (8.2).

By combining evidence-led analysis with real-world outcomes, the report highlights our pivotal role as an anchor institution in advancing inclusive and sustainable economic growth regionally and nationally.

Shaping Investment Zone plans

The University is playing a pivotal role in the Liverpool City Region’s Investment Zone plans, which were unveiled in March 2024. The UK government pledged £160 million to fund 21 projects aimed at advancing health and life sciences, with a total anticipated investment of £800 million over the next decade. Key projects included the expansion of the University’s Centre of Excellence for Long-acting Therapeutics and the Civic HealthTech Innovation Zone. CELT focuses on transforming existing drugs into long-acting medicines, while CHI-Zone aims to revolutionise health and social care using AI. The funding will also support the Microbiome and Infectious Disease (MaID) Innovation Hub and The Pandemic Institute, which will enhance research on microbiome therapies and pandemic preparedness. Additionally, the HEMISPHERE One and Two buildings in the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool will address the growing need for advanced laboratories in chemistry and life sciences. Mayor Steve Rotheram highlighted the Investment Zone’s potential to boost regional science and innovation. The Liverpool City Region, selected for both Investment Zone and Freeport status, aims to leverage its strengths to attract substantial investment and create high-skilled jobs. The Investment Zone is set to drive significant advancements in health and life sciences, with projects designed to tackle global challenges and improve public health outcomes.

Driving significant economic impact

A 2023 economic review revealed that the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC), co-directed by the University of Liverpool and three other institutions, generated an economic impact of £204 million. The NBIC, a leading UK center for biofilms research, also created 101 jobs and supported 76 students, including 66 PhD candidates. Liverpool’s role includes leading the Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces, directed by Professor Rasmita Raval. This hub focuses on developing new technologies to address biofilm and antimicrobial resistance. The review, conducted by Black Kite Ltd, highlights NBIC’s substantial contributions to environmental and social benefits, totalling £53 million. The center engages over 300 businesses across sectors like health, personal care, water management, marine, and food production. The NBIC, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Innovate UK, represents a model of interdisciplinary research and industry collaboration. Its work addresses key global issues, including antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and water security. In May 2022, NBIC estimated that biofilm-related markets are worth £45 billion in the UK and $4 trillion globally. In December 2022, further funding of £7.5 million was allocated to support Phase 2 of NBIC, aiming to enhance the adoption of innovative biofilm solutions and drive advances in standards and regulations.

Supporting SME’s to become a sustainable business

The University played a key role in supporting Buzz Education, an SME in Chorley, through a Clean Growth Project as part of the Eco-I North West initiative. This £14 million project, which involves six partner universities, helps SMEs in the North West of England develop sustainable business solutions. Buzz Education worked with a specialist environmental researcher from the University's School of Environmental Sciences to assess their carbon emissions and create a tailored report with recommendations for reducing their carbon footprint. This collaboration allowed Buzz Education to take the first steps towards sustainability, with both short-term and long-term measures outlined, such as energy consumption reductions and plans for more energy-efficient office equipment. Through this project, the University helped Buzz Education develop a sustainability framework that will inform their long-term business activities and guide their "Buzz Does" strategy, focusing on environmental and social responsibility. This partnership not only supported Buzz Education's sustainability journey but also demonstrated the University’s commitment to fostering sustainable practices in SMEs across the region.