Our work on SDG Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Learn about our recent progress and updates on how we're contributing to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
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 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
Research
Stirling scientists are pioneers of a lifesaving emergency mapping system
The University of Stirling has made a significant contribution to SDG 9 through its pioneering work on the Satellite Emergency Mapping Service (SEMS). Developed in collaboration with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Forth-ERA, this innovative system leverages advanced satellite imaging and artificial intelligence to deliver near real-time, high-resolution data during environmental emergencies such as floods, wildfires, and oil spills.
By enabling rapid, data-driven decision-making and enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure, SEMS exemplifies how cutting-edge research and technology can be harnessed to build sustainable, inclusive, and robust emergency response systems. The project also strengthens Scotland’s space and environmental sectors, positioning the country as a leader in disaster risk reduction and technological innovation.
Stirling’s AI experts contribute to responsible innovation in digital infrastructure
In 2024, the University joined the Participatory Harm Auditing Workbenches and Methodologies (PHAWM) project. Funded by Responsible AI UK and supported by £12 million in funding, Stirling’s AI experts - Dr Sandy Brownlee and Dr Leonardo Teonacio Bezerra - are applying their specialist knowledge in optimisation techniques and explainable AI systems to help develop tools that ensure AI technologies are used responsibly and fairly. Their work supports the creation of inclusive, resilient digital infrastructure by enabling non-experts, including regulators and end-users, to audit AI systems for bias and reliability. This aligns with SDG 9’s focus on fostering innovation and building sustainable, inclusive infrastructure, particularly in the context of rapidly evolving digital technologies.
European aquaculture infrastructure
The Institute of Aquaculture is a partner in the €10 million EU AquaExcel 3.0 project and the €14 million EU AQUASERV project. Both of these projects contribute to SDG 9 by providing researchers access to high-quality scientific research infrastructure, facilitating exchanges and placements to support knowledge transfer and providing training courses aligned to aquaculture industry needs. In doing so, these projects also contribute to upskilling of researchers and industry stakeholders throughout the European aquaculture sector.
Learning and teaching
New innovation hub for tertiary education
The University of Stirling is supporting SDG 9 through its partnership with Jisc to host Scotland’s first Innovation Hub for tertiary education. Located in Stirling’s Campus Central, the Hub provides a collaborative space equipped with cutting-edge technologies - such as AI-enabled robotics, holographic projection, and hybrid classrooms - to advance digital teaching and learning. By fostering innovation in educational infrastructure and building digital capability across Scotland’s post-16 education sector, the Hub exemplifies how learning and teaching environments can drive sustainable, inclusive technological transformation.
Stirling Business School for innovation
Business analytics courses are important for SDG 9 because they equip learners with the skills to harness data for smarter decision-making, innovation, and infrastructure development. Businesses nowadays have access to vast amounts of pertinent data, from which companies must make careful strategic decisions. Our MSc Business Analytics at has four key themes: sustainability, disruption, ethics, and risk management. A key learning outcome for the programme asks students to demonstrate creativity in evaluating evidence-based analytical outcomes and forming sustainable and ethical business solutions. We work with real-world situations from our local business environment too with our local authority as it responded to city flooding and preparing for the effects of climate change, or with our local NHS board as it pursues its innovation plans.
Stirling Business School offers a range of modules that will equip students with the knowledge and competencies to engage with the complex problems of sustainability and provide the workforce of the future to advance the goals within SDG 9 from Innovation Management to Entrepreneurship.
University operations
Entrepreneur in Residence
Through its appointment of angel investor Gillian Fleming in 2024, Stirling continues its Entrepreneur in Residence initiative. Fleming brings over 20 years of experience supporting science and technology start-ups, and her role focuses on mentoring students, staff, and alumni in business development and investment strategy. Her involvement strengthens the School’s business operations by promoting inclusive access to capital, encouraging gender diversity in entrepreneurship, and supporting the growth of sustainable, innovation-driven enterprises.
Stirling’s Enterprise Programme
The University of Stirling’s Enterprise Programme supports SDG 9 by enabling students, staff, alumni, and community founders to develop entrepreneurial skills, launch ventures, and commercialise research. Through training, funding, and networking opportunities, the programme fosters innovation and sustainable business creation.
Through initiatives like Enterprise Day in late 2023 and its business incubator ‘The Hive’, the University provides practical support - including funding, legal and marketing advice, and training - to students, graduates, and community founders. This hands-on approach to entrepreneurship not only drives innovation and commercialisation of ideas but also informs national policy, as seen in Stirling’s contribution to the Scottish Government’s Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint.
Civic engagement
University of Stirling academic behind landmark UN declaration on AI
In 2024, Honorary Professor Markus Krebsz of the University of Stirling played a pivotal role in shaping a landmark UN declaration on artificial intelligence, directly contributing to SDG 9. As lead author of the principles adopted by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Krebsz developed a global framework for regulating AI-embedded products - ranging from smart speakers and medical diagnostic tools to drones and security cameras. This framework promotes international regulatory coherence, consumer safety, and responsible innovation, aligning with SDG 9’s goals of fostering sustainable industrial development and resilient infrastructure.
The declaration encourages governments to adopt harmonised standards, reducing fragmentation in AI regulation and facilitating safer global trade and ensures AI technologies serve public interest and do not undermine civil liberties.
Report into growth of the circular economy in Scotland
A report released in August 2024 by the University of Stirling and Zero Waste Scotland has found that systemic challenges are preventing businesses from adopting the practices necessary to achieve a circular economy at a greater scale. Circular economies are closely linked to SDG 9 because they promote sustainable industrial development through resource efficiency, innovation, and infrastructure transformation.
The report, based on in-depth interviews with representatives from trade, business and financial support organisations, knowledge centres and academia, explores the ways in which conditions need to improve if Scotland’s economy is to become more circular and businesses are to achieve the resultant benefits, such as increased competitive advantage, resource resilience, reduction in CO2 emissions and waste.