Research Topics

Research and academic activities aligned with every Sustainable Development Goal

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The University shall devote its work to research into the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare that are the concern of the United Nations and its agencies.
Charter of the United Nations University

People — topics on improving lives of people everywhere

Planet — topics on preserving and improving our environment and natural resources

Peace and partnerships — topics on fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies

Showing 1-10 of 9853 results

UNU Council Member UNU Council Member; Raffles Professor of Social Sciences, National University of Singapore

Prof. Brenda Yeoh

Professor Brenda S.A. Yeoh is a Singaporean scholar and expert in the fields of migration, social geography, and the politics of space in colonial and post-colonial cities.

Expert Junior Research Fellow

Bavo Stevens

Bavo Stevens was a Junior Research Fellow at the UNU Institute on Globalization, Culture and Mobility (UNU-GCM).

Blog Post 26 Aug 2026

What Have Future Generations Ever Done for Us? Lessons from Oslo’s Future Library

A century-long project in Oslo is advancing long-term thinking and cultural engagement – motivating collective action for a better future.

Media Coverage 25 Aug 2026

The UN is reinventing its finances — and it’s a better bet than you think

In Devex, David Passarelli and Michael Franczak examine how the UN is adapting its financing models amid growing funding gaps.

Expert Executive advisor to The United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU Resource Nexus)

H.R.H. Princess Dr. Abzeita Djigma

Chair of the H.R.H. Princess Abze Djigma foundation, Initiator and leader of the Initiative MAMA-LIGHT® for Sustainable Energy, Initiator and leader of “The Mutirão and Burkindi Coalition Capacity Building Initiative” and Co-Chair of the UNFCCC Paris Committee on Capacity-Building (PCCB)

Press Release 25 Aug 2026

UNU, SOAS and ICEED Launch UNU Hub at the University of London

The new UNU Hub will explore how artificial intelligence can address global challenges across climate, governance and culture.

Media Coverage 21 Aug 2026

Preserving Satoyama Landscapes and Biodiversity in Tokyo

Mongabay featured comments by UNU-IAS expert Suneetha Subramanian on environmental governance based on mutual trust and community collaboration.

Event -

Land Restoration through Traditional & Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge

Exploring the role of Traditional and Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge in land restoration, biodiversity protection and planetary health.

Blog Post 25 Aug 2026

AI is changing the policy cycle. Are policymakers ready?

AI in policymaking: understanding its role across the policy cycle and how it can support better, more informed public policy.

Report 25 Aug 2026

Conflict Economies and Peace Operations

A case study on peace and security and development responses to conflict minerals in eastern DRC.