#PlanetPartners: Innovative technology solutions helping build smarter infrastructure

Developing technology to allow airport security checks to be carried out without the need for queueing is one way the University of Reading is using innovation to boost global industry and infrastructure.

The University’s institutional and research efforts are underpinned by the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are aimed at tackling societal and environmental challenges across the planet and are closely aligned with the University’s own strategy.

This May, the University of Reading is running a new #PlanetPartners campaign, inviting its entire community to share examples of work towards all the SDGs.

SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure includes work to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.

Examples of work by the University to address SDG9 include:

• Developing facial recognition technology to speed up border security checks at airports and road and rail borders, through the EU-funded PROTECT project. This includes working with security forces across Europe to trial this solution.
• Continuing to secure millions of pounds in research income to help drive innovation and development in STEM, arts, social sciences and medicine.

The UN’s SDGs incorporate themes across the ‘five Ps’: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Partnership. These align with the University of Reading’s own strategic themes: Community, Excellence, Sustainability and Engagement.

This campaign follows the publication of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021, in which Reading participated for the first time and ranked in the top 200 globally, which scored participating universities on their support of the individual SDGs.

#PlanetPartners

The University’s latest campaign is a continuation of the #PlanetPartners campaign launched by the University in October 2019, which is highlighting ways the University is working with global partners on projects that benefit the environment.

Follow the campaign and share your examples of work  on Twitter: @UniofReading | Facebook: /theuniversityofreading | Instagram: @uniofreading | LinkedIn: University of Reading | TikTok: @uniofreading using the hashtags #PlanetPartners and #sdgoals