Our work on SDG Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Learn about our recent progress and updates on how we're contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted in 2015 by all United Nations member states. It provides a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
Find out more about our work across all the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
About Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Research
Revealing the real cost of employment in local retail
In 2024, the University of Stirling, in partnership with the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, published research exposing the true cost of employment in Scotland’s convenience retail sector (PDF link). While the UK National Living Wage rose to £11.44 per hour, the study found that actual costs to employers - including statutory and operational expenses - reach £15.39 per hour, marking the steepest increase in eight years.
This research, led by Professor Leigh Sparks, highlights the economic pressures facing small retailers, many of whom are vital community employers. With over 90% of surveyed retailers less likely to hire due to rising costs, and many working over 65 hours weekly to stay afloat, the findings underscore the fragility of local employment ecosystems.
This research contributes to SDG 8 by informing policy, supporting fair work practices, and advocating for sustainable employment models.
Employee ownership boosts productivity and fair work
Published in late 2023, University of Stirling contributed to research commissioned by the Employee Ownership Association - findings revealed that employee-owned businesses in the UK are 8–12% more productive than conventional firms, based on Gross Value Added per employee.
The study, the largest of its kind, also found that EOBs offer: Higher wages and fair pay accreditations; greater investment in training and skills; stronger job security and employee wellbeing; and more contributions to community and environmental goals.
Learning and teaching
Elevating mentorship programme: Advancing employment opportunities for students
In 2024, Stirling’s Elevate Mentorship Programme connected high-achieving sport students with professionals across sport, healthcare, business, and the third sector. Developed by Sport Management Lecturer Robert Kielty, the 12-week initiative enhanced employability by offering real-world insights, coaching, and networking opportunities.
Now embedded into sport courses, Elevate exemplifies how Stirling integrates learning and teaching with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - empowering students with practical experience, career confidence, and exposure to diverse employment pathways. The programme fosters civic engagement by involving alumni and external mentors, creating a collaborative ecosystem that supports sustainable career development.
Stirling Business School for sustainable and responsible management
In 2024, the University of Stirling Business School achieved accreditation from Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), placing it among the top 6% of business schools worldwide. This prestigious reflects Stirling’s commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative business education that prepares students to lead responsibly and effectively in a changing global economy.
From a learning and teaching perspective, AACSB accreditation ensures that Stirling’s business programmes meet rigorous international standards in curriculum design, student learning, and continuous improvement. In addition to this, the Business school continues to be a signatory of the United Nations’ initiative on the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) which aims to support transformative change in management and business higher education institutions internationally.
PRME is a network of business and management schools sharing best practice in promoting responsible management education. Its main goal is to support institutions in preparing future managers, professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs to engage in economic activities in a responsible and sustainable manner.
University operations
Stirling Student Skills and Employability team paving the way for sustainable recruitment
As the first University in Scotland to publish an Ethical Careers Policy, we are proud to be demonstrating our commitment to the promotion and showcasing of employers who are focusing on nature positive careers and offering a broad variety of sustainable careers and opportunities to our students. We have committed to not actively engaging, working, or partnering with organisations in the fossil fuel industry, unethical mining industry, arms industry and tobacco industry. Instead, will seek ways to showcase and champion organisations and vacancies that promote sustainability or have established green initiatives, with the aim of encouraging other organisations and businesses to follow suit.
Our Vacancy Handling Policy guarantees that any job vacancies added to TARGETconnect by employers to be promoted to our students and graduates meet strict criteria to avoid exploitation. This includes all vacancies meeting minimum wage and ideally Scottish Living Wage, no unpaid vacancies or internships will be advertised, and volunteering roles will only be accepted for registered charities only. This policy ensures students are fairly paid for work in legitimate jobs.
Student Skills and Employability were recognised for their efforts and won the ‘Sustainability in Talent and Education’ category at the 2025 Target Jobs Awards.
Promoting fair work: Stirling’s HR award-winning transformation
The University received a prestigious Universities Human Resources Award for its transformative approach to academic promotions. Winning in the category of Organisational Transformation, Effectiveness and Performance, Stirling was recognised for its data-driven, person-centred strategy that has significantly improved equity, inclusion, and leadership development across the institution.
Key outcomes of the initiative include:
- A rise in successful promotion applications from 88% in 2020 to 95% in 2024.
- A 5.2% increase in female academic leaders between 2018 and 2024.
- A reduction in the gender pay gap from 18.7% to 13.9%.
- A 20% increase in female staff applying for and achieving promotions since 2019.
This initiative directly supports SDG 8 by promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all in addition to addressing SDG 5. By embedding fairness and transparency into career progression, Stirling is fostering a workplace culture that values talent development, gender equity, and long-term institutional success.
Civic engagement
Careers in aquaculture
The Institute of Aquaculture, in association with organisations throughout the aquaculture sector, runs an annual careers day which includes a conference programme with talks, debates and discussions on career pathways from people in aquaculture and association organisations. Each year the event attracts a diverse audience with participants across different career stages and roles. The 2025 Careers Day was supported by 22 industry partners and attended by more than 100 people. Careers Day acts as a networking event, recruitment fair and careers guidance and contributes to SDG 8, by promoting employment opportunities and showcasing the diversity of career development pathways. The event has led to several people gaining employment within the aquaculture industry or associated organisations.
In 2025 there was also a special session that focused on Women in Scottish Aquaculture, also contributing to SDG 5. Also, due to popular demand, a Post-Doctoral Showcase event was launched focusing on early career researchers and their careers to date as well as future ambitions.
Exploring the right to disconnect: Stirling’s civic dialogue on work-life boundaries
As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, the University of Stirling hosted a free public event titled ‘Can Digital Workers Switch Off?’, inviting local communities to explore the evolving boundaries between work and personal life in the digital age.
Led by Dr Tom Montgomery, a labour market policy expert at Stirling Business School, the event brings together voices from academia, government, and industry - including Steph Wright of the Scottish AI Alliance and Dr Ewan Kerr from the University of Glasgow - to discuss how technology is reshaping the working day and what it means for fair work practices.
This initiative reflects Stirling’s commitment to SDG 8 by fostering public dialogue on sustainable employment, digital wellbeing, and the future of work. It also exemplifies the University’s broader civic engagement mission - connecting research with real-world challenges and empowering communities to shape policy and practice.
Entrepreneurship for everyone: Stirling’s civic path to sustainable work
The Stirling Enterprise Programme is a dynamic initiative by the University of Stirling that empowers students, staff, alumni, and local community members to explore entrepreneurship, develop business skills, and launch sustainable ventures. In alignment with SDG 8, the programme fosters inclusive economic growth by offering 133 free public events since 2015 and 14 in 2025 alone.
This includes Business 101 workshops, Dunk 'n’ Discuss panels, freelancing and self-employment sessions, and start-up festivals. These events not only build entrepreneurial capacity but also create civic spaces for dialogue on pressing societal, environmental, and economic issues. By connecting academic insight with community-driven innovation, the programme strengthens regional resilience and supports a just transition to a thriving, future-ready economy.