About the UTS Social Impact Framework

At UTS, we are an innovative and dynamic university, with an unwavering commitment to social justice. Social justice is at the core of our DNA and the UTS Social Impact Framework articulates our roadmap and defines how we measure our social impact.

The Social Impact Framework (SIF) is a clear articulation of UTS's social justice agenda, mapping out the focus areas and defining where and how we measure our impact.

While the sector has moved towards pursuing global university rankings based on traditional measures grounded in research intensity, we chose to add a new dimension to how we assess our success by creating a framework that focusses on social justice outcomes.

Measuring and demonstrating our impact

Where the Social Impact Framework (SIF) guides and directs our efforts, the Social Impact Dashboards keep us accountable by tracking our progress. 

About the Social Impact Dashboards

Through the SIF, UTS will: 

  • Contribute to a healthy, sustainable, and socially just society 

  • Contribute to increased public good, social mobility and equity 

  • Support the creation of enabling environments for communities to thrive 

  • Positively influence and impact the public, individual, and systemic forces that shape justice   
     

The SIF specifies six domains where UTS must act to achieve our social justice goals. These domains are underpinned by three preconditions that are vital to success:

Domain 1: Increasing university access and success among equity target groups

Domain 2: Building student agency to enact personal and social responsibility

Domain 3: Supporting staff to maximise their social impact

Domain 4: Targeting research, teaching and program outcomes towards social impact and communities

Domain 5: Being an advocate and thought leader on social impact issues

Domain 6: Ensuring our business operations and strategies reflect our long-term, independent commitment to social impact   
 

Precondition 1: UTS Leadership and culture is inclusive and supports our public purpose role

Precondition 2: Alumni and partners will act through and with UTS

Precondition 3: UTS has social capital and is trusted to bring about social change

 View a visual representation of the SIF

UTS Social Impact Framework graphic.

 

Accessible content and downloads

1. UTS Social Impact Framework poster (PDF, 390.82 KB)      
2. UTS Social Impact Framework explained (PDF, 553.34 KB)      
3. UTS Social Impact Framework – text accessible version (PDF, 424.3 KB)      
4. UTS Social Impact Framework (audio accessible version – opens YouTube)

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.