UCL Launches UK SDG Reactor: A New Innovation Network Driving Sustainable Development

The Reactor will connect two influential communities: the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) UK Hub, which is hosted at UCL, and UN Global Compact Network UK to foster collaboration, innovation, and impact across sectors. It will be led by Professor Gail Taylor, Chair of SDSN UK and Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences at UCL.

The UK SDG Reactor will support targeted, high impact activities, designed to translate research into practice, build capacity, and foster innovation. This includes providing data and insight on sustainability leadership and best practice, creating opportunities for professional learning, and cross-sectoral knowledge sharing. 

Speaking on the announcement, Professor Taylor said: 

“The SDG Reactor represents a powerful opportunity to harness the collective research and knowledge strengths of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network UK, which we’re proud to host at UCL. With over 20 member institutions – including many of the UK’s leading universities – SDSN UK is driving practical, evidence-based solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals. By partnering with UN Global Compact UK, we’re combining academic insight with business leadership to accelerate progress on the most pressing challenges facing society. Together, we aim to deliver impact that is greater than the sum of our parts.” 

Steve Kenzie, Executive Director of UN Global Compact UK, said: 

“At UN Global Compact UK, our mission is to advance responsible business practices through practical action. The SDG Reactor opens up an exciting new pathway for our nearly 1,000 member organisations to tap into world-class academic expertise on the most pressing sustainability challenges. By connecting businesses with cutting-edge research, we can help them better understand who is leading the way, what best practice looks like, and how to accelerate their own progress. This collaboration with SDSN UK is a powerful step forward in driving meaningful impact on the SDGs – together.”

Innovation networks funding at UCL

UK SDG Reactor is being supported with knowledge exchange funding managed by UCL Innovation & Enterprise. The project will be supported by an Innovation Network grant with funding from Research England, Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), managed by UCL Innovation & Enterprise. The initiative aligns with UCL’s Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Strategy, and its commitment to inclusive, research-driven impact.

Background 

The Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) supports dynamic knowledge exchange between universities and the wider world, fostering collaborations that deliver tangible benefits to society and the economy. Through its £260 million programme, HEIF enables higher education institutions to engage in a broad spectrum of knowledge-based activities. This can range from research partnerships to professional development initiatives. These projects must respond to real world issues and drive innovation across sectors. The fund is designed to sustain and grow these interactions, ensuring that academic expertise translates into meaningful impact for communities, businesses, and public policy.

Visit Higher Education Innovation Funding website to find out more. 

The Sustainable Development Solutions Network UK (SDSN UK), hosted by University College London, is the national hub of the UN-mandated SDSN Global. Established in 2022, SDSN UK mobilises universities and knowledge institutions across the UK to advance the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With over 20 member organisations, SDSN UK drives collaborative research, education, and policy engagement to develop practical solutions to complex sustainability challenges. Its activities include convening national conferences, producing independent assessments of UK SDG progress, and partnering with government, business, and civil society to strengthen the UK’s SDG ecosystem.

UN Global Compact UK is part of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, connecting UK-based organisations to a global movement committed to advancing responsible business practices. Through practical action and strategic partnerships, the network helps businesses align with universal sustainability principles and contribute meaningfully to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With nearly 1,000 member organisations, it provides access to cutting-edge resources, peer learning, and expert guidance across areas such as climate action, human rights, governance, and sustainable finance.