About us

Liverpool 2031: Our strategic ambition

Our strategic approach

The University of Liverpool is a remarkable place, combining academic excellence with the attributes of our famous home maritime city: a spirit of creativity, originality, welcoming to all and committed to social responsibility.

With a history of innovation that spans life-changing discoveries through research, ground-breaking global education partnerships and a steadfast commitment to opening up higher education to all, we have always believed in doing things differently and in partnership with others.

Outward-looking, and built upon our distinctive strengths and characteristics, Liverpool 2031 sets out how we will develop the confidence and sustained excellence to break into the top-100 ranked universities worldwide.

As our strategic framework, it explains our ambitions and the main priorities we will deliver on to reach our goals. To find out more, download the full version of the Liverpool 2031 Strategic Framework (PDF).

Watch on Panopto: Introducing Liverpool 2031

Introducing Liverpool 2031

Our strategic framework sets out what the University aims to achieve over the coming years, as well as outlining how we'll achieve those goals and how we're measuring success. Explore the Liverpool 2031 strategic framework with our Vice-Chancellor and members of the University of Liverpool community.

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Our purpose

Embracing Liverpool’s enterprising and creative spirit through research and education that transform students’ lives and create a fairer, better world.

A man and a woman sitting at a table looking at a laptop

Our vision

The University of Liverpool will be recognised for globally-leading research and education, the quality and scale of its partnerships, and its positive impact on people, our place and the planet.

Driven by our values and diverse community of colleagues, students and alumni, we will make ground-breaking discoveries that shape the future, empower individuals to become changemakers, and inspire students to fulfil their academic and personal ambitions.

Our values

We are a values-led organisation. Our five values reflect the character of our University and the things our people believe are most important to creating an environment in which individuals and the University as a whole can thrive.

Ambitious

We dream big and make things happen.

We have the confidence to make bold decisions to achieve success.

Collaborative

Together, we achieve more.

We make an impact through partnerships, releasing the power of collective expertise and shared endeavour.

Inclusive

Shaped by diversity, powered by difference.

We champion a culture in which all are valued and supported to thrive.

Innovative

Original thinking with an independent spirit.

We create, reimagine and break new ground.

Responsible

A focus on doing the right thing.

We create positive change that improves lives.

Strategic pillars

Liverpool 2031 establishes four pillars and two cross-cutting themes. Together, these six areas are our main strategic focus. The pillars are:

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Research and impact

To deliver ground-breaking research that changes our world for the better.

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Education and experience

To create outstanding, transformative, research-connected learning experiences for students.

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Global engagement

To be recognised as a global Top 100 university, making a positive impact in the places we operate and the partnerships we build.

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Place and innovation

To drive prosperity and wellbeing for the Liverpool City Region through research, innovation and partnership.

Overarching themes

The two overarching themes are important in everything we do, both within and beyond the priorities aligned to each pillar.

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People and culture

To foster an inspirational, welcoming and inclusive culture in which all can thrive and reach their full potential.

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Sustainability

To drive forward environmental and social equity through our education, research and operations.

Measuring success

To realise our vision, it’s vital we know what success looks like. And we’re setting the bar high.

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We’ve identified several ambitious goals that will highlight our success and position us as a globally leading university. We are tracking our progress against these measures, which allows us to continually revisit, refocus and optimise our approach to achieve long-term strategic success.

Our success will be evidenced by:

Breaking into the top-100 ranked universities worldwide
Increasing our research funding
Achieving excellent levels of student satisfaction
Achieving excellent graduate outcomes
Increasing co-authored publications with international and industrial partners
Achieving strong knowledge exchange performance
Hitting sustainability targets laid out in our sustainability strategy
Achieving excellent levels of staff satisfaction
Creating a place where equality, diversity and inclusion are demonstrably valued
Re-investing in our priority areas, enabled by an increasingly strong financial position.

Find out more about how we're measuring strategic success.

The University of Liverpool is powered by academic excellence and the attributes of our famous home city, with a true spirit of creativity, originality, welcoming to all and committed to social responsibility. Ideas born here have long transformed societies and industries, touching millions of lives around the world and making an impact that really matters. Liverpool 2031 sets out our ambition to be recognised as a global Top 100 university in time for our 150th anniversary, and a framework for how we will get there.

Professor Tim Jones, Vice Chancellor