In February 2026, SDSN UK members from across the country gathered online for an energising ‘Meet the Chair’ session — the first opportunity to welcome Professor Gail Taylor in her new role as Chair of SDSN UK, and to explore the network’s growing partnership with UN Global Compact UK through the ‘SDG Reactor’. The one‑hour virtual meeting set an ambitious tone: collaboration, impact, and a refreshed strategic direction for the year ahead.
A new chapter for SDSN UK
Professor Taylor opened the session with a clear message: 2026 is the year SDSN UK becomes more visible, more connected, and more purposeful. She outlined a commitment to revitalising governance structures — including re‑establishing the Leadership Council — and strengthening the network’s ability to drive real‑world SDG impact through research, partnerships, and policy engagement.
SDG Reactor: Academic–Business Collaboration in Action
A highlight of the session was the introduction to the SDG Reactor, presented jointly with Brenda Staines, Director of Impact at UN Global Compact UK.
The SDG Reactor aims to bridge academic expertise with the sustainability needs of business, creating a shared platform for innovation, training, events, and thought leadership. Members heard how the partnership will:
- build joint programmes such as ‘Trailblazers & Transformers’;
- expand collaborative events, workshops, and podcasts; and
- strengthen opportunities for evidence‑based influence on policy and practice.
Bringing academic insights directly to responsible business audiences was identified as a major opportunity for accelerating SDG progress across the UK.
Building a Stronger, Member‑Led Network
Members discussed priority themes emerging from the recent Research & KE survey — including sustainability leadership, policy impact, and student‑engaged SDG initiatives. There was strong appetite for new subgroups, to be convened and led by members across the UK HE sector. Areas such as industrial strategy, food systems, and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) were suggested as early candidates. This renewed network structure is designed to create more space for shared leadership, while amplifying best practice, regional strengths, and thematic expertise.
The SDG Roadshow: Localising Impact
Plans are underway for a UK‑wide SDG Roadshow, jointly delivered with UN Global Compact UK. Institutions are invited to propose regional themes and serve as hosts — an exciting step toward localising SDG action and strengthening academic–business collaboration in place‑based contexts.
Clearer Storytelling, Stronger Engagement
The meeting also emphasised the need for more accessible and engaging SDG communication — from summaries and case studies to toolkits and impact narratives. Members agreed this will be essential for raising the profile of SDG‑related research and for making the network’s collective expertise more visible to government, industry, and civil society.
Upcoming opportunities include:
- the sustainable investment workshop on 16 February;
- SDSN UK involvement in a new podcast series;
- contributions to policy‑facing events; and
- a refreshed communications package titled ‘What is the SDG Reactor?’.
Looking Ahead: A Confident 2026
The session closed with a shared commitment to collaboration and action. Immediate next steps include launching the Leadership Council, finalising a new two‑year SDSN UK plan, and shaping member‑led workstreams that reflect the breadth of expertise across the network.
Above all, the meeting underscored a renewed sense of momentum: SDSN UK is entering 2026 with a stronger voice, a clearer strategy, and a powerful new partnership to drive SDG impact across the UK.
Focusing on the economic and social factors that will drive or impede the Net Zero transition in the UK, the conference brought together both established and early career researchers from SDSN UK member institutions, policy makers and industry professionals. The aim of the conference was to mobilise collective knowledge and experience to identify the most pressing, cross-sector research questions surrounding a Net Zero future.
Sustainable Development Solutions Network UK 