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 impact

The Liverpool Law School is committed to advancing SDG 16 through research that promotes social justice, strengthens institutions, and drives global policy reform. In 2025, the University hosted the first global workshop of the National Human Rights Action Planning (NHRAP) Network (16.6, 16.7), bringing together experts from over 35 countries, including the UN OHCHR and Council of Europe, to develop international guidelines for rights-based institutional frameworks. The Law School launched the Centre for People’s Justice, a £5.8 million UKRI–AHRC-funded programme (16.5, 16.6) with partners such as Citizens Advice and The Big Issue, pioneering community-led law reform and citizen participation. Further international leadership was shown through the Summer School on the Effectiveness of the Council of Europe (16.6), which examined enforcement of European Court of Human Rights judgments and migration governance. In 2025, Liverpool researchers also contributed to revised UK Government guidance on Modern Slavery Act reporting (Section 54), strengthening corporate transparency (16.6). The Access to Justice in Liverpool project continues to improve local pathways to justice. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate Liverpool’s global leadership in shaping peaceful, just, and accountable societies.

Education and student experience

The University builds future leaders in peace, justice, and strong institutions through innovative programmes and experiential learning opportunities. The Liverpool Law Clinic (16.3) delivered 490 legal appointments in 2024–25, supporting more than 380 clients in areas including immigration, special educational needs, family, and housing law, while enabling 436 students to gain real-world legal experience under expert supervision. Students engage with critical issues through modules such as International Human Rights Law (16.6, 16.10), which explores business and human rights, conflict, and development. Postgraduate students can specialise further through options in Transitional Justice and International Peace and Security (16.a, 16.7). Similarly, the Law, International Business and Society module (16.6) examines corporate accountability, inclusive trade, and governance in a globalised context. Beyond formal study, students develop ethical leadership through student-led initiatives such as Model UN, guest lectures from international practitioners, and clinical projects including SEN appeals, which have influenced local school policy.

Sustainable campus and operations

The University is committed to SDG 16 by embedding ethical governance, inclusivity, and accountability into all operations. Inclusive governance (16.7) is ensured through Council, Senate, and the Senior Leadership Team, with student, staff, and Guild of Students representation shaping decisions at the highest level. The Guild remains one of the UK’s best-funded student unions, amplifying student voices locally and nationally. Ethical investment and accountability (16.6) are advanced through the Ethical Investment Policy aligned with the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and the UN Global Compact, with a student representative on the Investments Sub-Committee. The University is a Living Wage employer and Fairtrade University and excludes fossil fuel and arms companies from its investment portfolio. Integrity and freedom (SDG 16.10) are protected by robust policies on freedom of speech, whistleblowing, anti-bribery, and corruption, alongside the Report + Support tool and commitment to the Can’t Buy My Silence pledge, ensuring transparency in handling misconduct. Research integrity (SDG 16.6) is overseen by the Research Integrity and Governance Committee, while the CFO-chaired Sustainability Committee drives integration of ethical and accountable practices under the Sustainability Strategy.

Case studies

Improving lives through law: The Centre for People’s Justice

April 2025, the University of Liverpool launched the Centre for People’s Justice, a £5.8 million interdisciplinary initiative funded primarily by a £4.1 million UKRI–AHRC grant, the largest ever awarded to a UK Law School. The Centre promotes fairer, safer, and more inclusive societies by bridging the gap between law, policy, and the lived experiences of diverse communities (16.3), (16.6), (16.7), (16.b).

The Centre unites 45 partners spanning community groups, legal bodies, government departments, cultural organisations, businesses, and universities including Glasgow, Sheffield, Swansea, Wrexham, Ulster, and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies London. High-profile collaborators such as The Big Issue, Citizens Advice, National Museums Liverpool, and The Royal Shakespeare Company reinforce its multi-sectoral impact (16.6).

A grassroots, co-production model ensures communities shape research priorities on urgent issues such as food insecurity, precarious work, violence prevention, and children’s rights (16.7). One flagship initiative, the Brown Envelope Project, addresses the anxiety caused by official correspondence on benefits and bills. In partnership with Citizens Advice, the Department for Work and Pensions, and Cadent Gas, the project develops clearer communication tools to improve engagement and reduce distress, benefiting thousands of people facing financial and literacy barriers (16.b).

The Centre also enhances existing legal clinics across partner universities, expanding free advice on housing, immigration, disability rights, and sexual violence. This strengthens access to justice for vulnerable groups while providing essential training for future justice practitioners (16.3).

Through transparent reporting, wide stakeholder engagement, and scalable innovations, the Centre for People’s Justice exemplifies how universities can drive systemic reform, influence national policy, and improve everyday lives.

Two years of the Twin for Hope partnership

In 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.

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

Since 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.

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.