Florida Tech Among Select U.S. Schools Recognized in New Times Higher Education Rankings

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Tech was among just a handful of U.S. universities featured in the 2021 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, a list dominated by international schools that highlights institutions’ success in delivering research, stewardship, outreach and teaching in relation to the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Overall, the rankings include 1,115 universities from 94 countries and regions. Florida Tech was ranked in four Sustainable Development Goals.

Life Below Water: This measures universities’ research on life below water and their education on and support for aquatic ecosystems. Florida Tech was one of just 17 U.S. universities – including five from Florida – among 379 total entries. Research on life below water and supporting aquatic ecosystems through education and action were key metrics for this category.

Sustainable Cities and Communities: The focus of this ranking includes institutions’ research on sustainability and their internal approaches to sustainability. Florida Tech was one of just 32 U.S. schools – including five from Florida – among the 656 ranked in total. Sustainable practices and research into sustainability were the primary measurements.

Climate Action: This ranking explores universities’ research on climate change, their use of energy, and their preparations for dealing with the consequences of climate change. Among the 566 schools ranked were just 20 in the U.S., including Florida Tech and four other Florida schools. Metrics centered on research on climate action, low-carbon energy use, and environmental education measures.

Reduced inequalities: This measure highlights universities’ research on social inequalities, their policies on discrimination and their commitment to recruiting staff and students from under-represented groups. There were 669 universities ranked, among them just 33 U.S. institutions, including five in Florida. Research, first-generation students and those from developing countries, and measures against discrimination were among the key metrics for this category.

The University of Manchester in the United Kingdom was the top overall university in the THE Impact Rankings 2021, with three Australian schools rounding out the top four. U.S. universities ranked at the top of just two of the 17 U.N. goals: Climate Action (University at Buffalo) and Good Health and Well-Being (Oregon Health and Science University.)

The full rankings are available at www.timeshighereducation.com/impactrankings.