The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) has had direct involvement and input into national government and regional non-government organisations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) policy development through several impactful initiatives. Here are some key examples:

1. Identifying Problems and Challenges

UniSC has actively identified regional and global challenges aligned with the SDGs through research and community engagement. Youth-led research projects funded by the Queensland Government explored pressing issues such as:

• Climate change and seaweed restoration
• Sustainable consumer behaviour
• Mental health and wellbeing

These projects involved over 200 young people and highlighted emerging challenges in sustainability, directly informing regional policy priorities.

2. Developing Policies and Strategies

UniSC has contributed to shaping policies and strategies at both national and regional levels. Through the PASS–CR Program, UniSC collaborated with the Australian Government and Pacific Island nations to develop strategies for:

• Climate resilience
• Food system strengthening
• Agricultural sustainability

The National Tax Clinic Program at UniSC Moreton Bay and Caboolture supported financial inclusion strategies, helping shape equitable access to tax services and financial literacy.

3. Modelling Likely Futures With and Without Interventions

UniSC’s research centres and projects have modelled future scenarios to guide policy decisions. The Australian Centre for Pacific Island Research used scenario planning to assess:

• The impact of climate change on food security
• The benefits of agricultural interventions in Pacific communities

Youth-led projects also explored future pathways for sustainable communities, offering insights into the consequences of inaction versus proactive policy measures.

4. Monitoring and Reporting on Interventions

UniSC engages in monitoring and reporting on interventions that support evidence-based policy development and adaptive management. Through these activities, UniSC plays a vital role in ensuring that SDG interventions are not only implemented effectively but also continuously improved through rigorous monitoring and adaptive feedback loops. 

• Collaborative Research and Data Collection: UniSC works with regional partners to gather and analyse data on the effectiveness of SDG-related interventions. This includes environmental monitoring, social impact assessments, and health-related data collection, often in collaboration with local councils and community organisations.

• Evaluation Frameworks: The university contributes to the development of frameworks that assess the outcomes of SDG initiatives. These frameworks help identify gaps, measure progress, and inform future strategies.

• Reporting Mechanisms: UniSC supports transparent reporting through academic publications, policy briefs, and contributions to regional SDG dashboards. These outputs are shared with stakeholders to ensure accountability and guide decision-making.

• Adaptive Management Support: By modelling likely futures with and without interventions, UniSC enables stakeholders to adjust strategies in response to emerging challenges. This includes scenario planning and resilience modelling in areas such as climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and community health.

• Capacity Building: UniSC provides training and resources to regional partners to enhance their ability to monitor and report on SDG progress. This includes workshops, toolkits, and student-led projects that build local capability.

5. Enabling Adaptive Management

UniSC supports adaptive management through partnerships, capacity building, and feedback loops:

• The PASS–CR Program included capacity-building for scholars and institutions, enabling them to adapt to evolving climate and agricultural challenges.
• The National Tax Clinic model allows for iterative improvements based on community feedback and evolving financial needs.
• Youth-led research projects fostered adaptive thinking by engaging young people in co-designing solutions and evaluating their effectiveness.

Summary

UniSC has contributed to SDG policy development through identifying regional challenges, shaping national and regional strategies, modelling future scenarios, monitoring impact through global rankings, and enabling adaptive management via partnerships and youth-led research.

More information 

• UniSC Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024
• QLD Government Department of Housing and Public Works grants