Sustainable Development Goal 16 seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.
It recognises that sustainable development depends on societies in which people are safe, rights are protected, communities can participate in decisions that affect them, and institutions are capable of responding fairly and effectively to complex social challenges. For universities, this means contributing through research and education, but also by working with communities, public bodies and policymakers to strengthen justice, participation and public trust.
At ARU, these priorities are closely reflected in our Safe and Inclusive Communities research theme, which supports work tackling discrimination and inequalities, protecting minority rights, and understanding and combating extremism, radicalisation and violence. This brings together expertise across policing, law, criminology, human rights, social justice and community participation, including dedicated centres and institutes working directly with communities and public institutions.
Our International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI) works with partners to translate research into policing practice and policy. Its research addresses three major areas: sexual offending, policing for the 21st century, and extremism and counter-terrorism. Researchers work with police services, criminal justice organisations and other agencies on challenges including violence against women and girls, domestic abuse, child sexual abuse and exploitation, knife crime and radicalisation. This partnership-based approach provides evidence that can help public institutions respond to changing threats and strengthen public protection.
The Centre for Access to Justice and Inclusion (CAJI) brings together researchers working on human rights, law, criminal justice and inclusion. Its work spans environmental justice, dispute resolution, digital justice, crime and criminal justice, marginalisation and human rights, with a particular commitment to improving fairness and accessibility. The Centre works with communities and external partners to co-produce knowledge and aims to influence policy and decision-making through evidence-based research.
Together, these activities demonstrate an approach to SDG 16 that connects research, education, civic participation and institutional partnership. From improving policing and public protection to widening access to justice, challenging discrimination, strengthening democratic participation and working directly with communities, ARU is using its expertise and civic role to help build safer, fairer and more inclusive societies.
At ARU, researchers work alongside police forces, government, criminal justice agencies, charities and communities to tackle challenges ranging from violence and exploitation to extremism, digital harms and barriers to justice.
Students learn about justice, rights and democratic participation through subjects including law, criminology, policing and investigative studies - and through interdisciplinary modules.
At ARU, the principles of openness, accountability and fairness shape how we govern the University, protect the rights and safety of our community, respond to concerns and make information publicly accessible.
We work with police forces, local authorities, legal professionals, charities, government bodies and community organisations to improve public protection, widen access to justice and strengthen civic participation.
Last updated: October 2026
To request additions, corrections or changes to the information in these pages, please contact: Dr Zareen Bharucha: [email protected]. Please use the subject line ‘ARU SDG’.