Search Website
SDG 8 Reports
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Research
Long-Term Business and Economic Sustainability Research
Western’s Ivey Business School continued to advance research on sustainable business, long-term decision-making and responsible economic growth through the work of Professor Tima Bansal. In 2025, Bansal received the Panmure House Prize, which recognizes research that encourages long-term thinking in economics and business. Her work connects corporate strategy, sustainability and systems thinking, helping organizations understand how business decisions can create value while responding to environmental and social challenges.
Canada’s Digital Asset Opportunity
In 2025, Ivey’s Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management, in collaboration with the Scotiabank Digital Banking Lab, released a policy brief on Canada’s digital asset opportunity. The research examines how blockchain technologies, digital assets and tokenized financial systems are becoming core infrastructure for financial innovation, inclusion and economic competitiveness. The brief argues that Canada has strong foundations, including respected regulatory institutions, world-class talent and early blockchain research, but risks falling behind without a coordinated national strategy. By outlining a roadmap for digital asset leadership, the research contributes to policy discussions on high-quality jobs, financial innovation and long-term economic growth.
Explore more SDG 8 related research
Teaching
Entrepreneurship Education and Startup Training
Western’s Morrissette Entrepreneurship provides students with structured entrepreneurship education, coaching, funding opportunities and venture-development programming. Through initiatives such as the Western Accelerator, Entrepreneurial Summer Internship, Founders Program, Startup Challenge and entrepreneurship certificates, students can explore business ideas, build startups and access mentorship at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. This teaching pathway helps students develop innovation, business planning and leadership skills that support future employment and economic growth.
Work-Integrated Learning
Western’s Work-Integrated Learning opportunities allow students to apply classroom knowledge through internships, co-ops and practicums across more than 45 undergraduate and graduate programs. These placements help students build professional experience, explore career pathways, develop workplace skills and connect with more than 8,000 employers that recruit at Western. By linking academic learning with paid and practical employment experience, the program strengthens students’ transition from university to the workforce.
Project-Based Learning
Project-Based Learning programs allow students to work on real-world challenges identified by community organizations, non-profits and industry partners. Students apply classroom skills to practical projects, develop core competencies and reflect on their values, career goals and professional growth. By connecting students with small- and medium-sized enterprises, community partners and local organizations, the program strengthens career readiness while supporting knowledge exchange between the university and the broader economy.
Explore more SDG 8 related courses
Outreach
hirewesternu Career Fair 2025
Western’s hirewesternu Career Fair connected students and recent graduates directly with employers offering full-time, part-time, internship, co-op and summer opportunities. Held in February and October 2025, the fairs brought organizations from sectors including engineering, health care, finance, technology, consulting, public service and community development to campus. The events gave participants opportunities to explore career pathways, learn about workplace expectations and build professional connections with local, national and international employers.
Engage Western 2025
Engage Western 2025 brought university leaders together with businesses, civic organizations and community partners to discuss collaboration across London and Southwestern Ontario. The event highlighted Western’s role in entrepreneurship, health care, sustainability and workforce development, as well as experiential learning partnerships involving nearly 5,000 students and more than 200 local non-profit and business partners in 2024–25. The event supported shared approaches to innovation, employment and local economic resilience.
Level Up! 2025 Career Conference
The Faculty of Information and Media Studies hosted the Level Up! 2025 MACS Career Conference, bringing 14 alumni back to Western to support more than 100 upper-year students preparing to enter the workforce. Through career conversations, professional guidance and networking, students gained insights into employment pathways across communications, media, technology and related industries. The conference strengthened connections between students and working professionals while helping participants develop confidence and practical knowledge for their transition into employment.
AI-Powered Entrepreneurship: Turning Technology into Thriving Ventures
Ivey’s 2025 Impact Live event brought nationally recognized entrepreneurs together for a complimentary public livestream on building successful companies with artificial intelligence. Panellists shared practical lessons on creating value-driven ventures, securing growth and translating emerging technologies into viable businesses. By making entrepreneurial expertise accessible to aspiring founders, students and members of the wider business community, the event supported innovation, enterprise development and knowledge exchange around the future of work and economic growth.
Operations
Employee Health Fair 2025
Nearly 600 Western employees attended the 2025 Employee Health Fair, which brought together more than 40 campus and community experts in health, safety and well-being. Employees could access information on workplace health, pensions, benefits, grief support and other resources that contribute to a safer and more supportive working environment. The event reflects Western’s operational investment in employee wellness and long-term workforce well-being.
Employee Educational Assistance
Western supports employee career development through educational assistance for eligible staff pursuing credit courses at Western or other accredited Canadian institutions. The program also provides access to professional development and technology training, helping employees strengthen job-related skills, pursue career goals and adapt to evolving workplace needs. Updated funding levels for 2025–2026 reinforce Western’s investment in continuous learning and long-term workforce development.
Excellence in Leadership at Western
Western’s Excellence in Leadership Program supports the professional development of academic, research and administrative leaders through workshops, forums, networking opportunities and online resources. The program develops leadership capacity across four areas: leading self, leading people and teams, leading programs and services, and leading innovation and change. By helping supervisors strengthen hiring, performance management and organizational leadership skills, the program contributes to a more capable, supportive and effective workplace.
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Research
Menstrual Leave
Western University sociology PhD student Meaghan Furlano conducted research into menstrual leave and flexibility policies across five countries, analyzing how workplace practices affect menstruating employees. Her findings highlight the need for inclusive, non-medicalized approaches that support worker well-being without reinforcing stigma or gender inequality. By advocating for menstrual flexibility—such as remote work options, rest spaces, and equitable health benefits—this research challenges structural barriers and promotes healthier, more inclusive workplaces. It contributes to broader efforts to improve labour conditions, reduce discrimination, and foster decent work environments that support diverse employee needs.
AI-Powered Job Portal
Western University computer science professor Anwar Haque developed an AI-powered job portal for the London Economic Development Corporation, streamlining job posting aggregation across hundreds of employers. The system uses machine learning to automate formatting and updates, reducing manual labour and improving access to employment opportunities. This research enhances regional productivity, supports economic growth, and strengthens workforce development. Hosted at Western’s BioNext incubator, Haque’s Bamboo Innovations bridges academic research with real-world applications, while also training students and advancing responsible AI solutions that improve operational efficiency and expand access to decent work.
Teaching
Virtual Reality Business Education
Western University’s Ivey Business School is pioneering the use of virtual reality to enhance leadership education. Led by Shannon Rawski and Zoe Kinias, the initiative helps students develop perspective-taking skills critical for inclusive and effective workplace leadership. By simulating real-world team dynamics, the program fosters empathy, communication, and decision-making—key competencies for decent work and productive employment. This innovative teaching method prepares students to navigate complex organizational challenges and lead diverse teams in evolving economic environments.
Own Your Future
Western’s Own Your Future program prepares graduate students for diverse career paths through leadership training, career design, communication, and teaching development. Built on frameworks from Ivey and Stanford, it promotes lifelong learning, workplace adaptability, and professional resilience. The program equips graduates to thrive in evolving labour markets and contribute meaningfully to inclusive, sustainable economic growth.
Ivey Executive Education
Ivey Executive Education equips learners with strategic thinking, innovation, and change management skills through immersive case-based learning, coaching, and peer collaboration. Programs blend in-person and virtual formats and participants tackle real-world challenges, empower teams, and lead with impact. Designed for executives across industries, Ivey fosters leadership growth that drives organizational success in dynamic business environments.
Graduate Employability
Western University ranks among Canada’s top institutions for graduate employability, with 93.5% of students employed within six months of graduation. Its strong performance in global rankings reflects employer recognition, alumni success, and robust industry partnerships. Through experiential learning, career development programs, and research-driven education, Western equips students with the skills and adaptability needed for productive employment and contributes to sustainable economic growth and workforce resilience across sectors.
Outreach
Workplace Solutions
Western’s Workplace Solutions program offers research-informed training, policy support, and leadership guidance to help organizations prevent and address workplace harassment and violence. Engaged by teams globally, the program promotes trauma- and violence-informed practices, fosters safer work environments, and strengthens occupational health. Through outreach, education, and collaboration, it empowers employers to build inclusive, respectful, and productive workplaces aligned with sustainable development goals.
The Founder’s Journey
The Founder’s Journey is a free, online course developed by Western University’s Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship that expands access to entrepreneurial education across Canada. Created in partnership with RBC and The Globe and Mail, the program reaches aspiring founders beyond traditional academic settings. Through expert-led modules and flexible delivery, it empowers individuals from diverse backgrounds to explore business creation, build economic resilience, and engage in innovation, and facilitates inclusive outreach and broader participation in entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Dialogue with the Dean
Ivey Business School’s Impact Podcast series, Dialogue with the Dean, features Dean Julian Birkinshaw in conversation with leading faculty on topics shaping the future of work, leadership, and business. Covering ethics, AI, sustainability, and inclusion, the podcast shares research-driven insights with global audiences. By translating academic expertise into accessible dialogue, the series fosters public engagement, leadership development, and informed decision-making across sectors.
Operations
Educational Assistance Plan
Living Well @ Western
Living Well @ Western enhances workplace well-being through free fitness classes, mindfulness sessions, and wellness challenges for faculty and staff. By promoting physical and mental health across seven wellness domains, the program fosters a resilient, engaged workforce. It supports operational excellence by reducing burnout, improving morale, and encouraging sustainable work habits across campus.
One of Southwestern Ontario’s Best Employers
Excellence in Leadership at Western
Western’s Excellence in Leadership program strengthens institutional capacity by developing academic and administrative leaders through targeted competencies: self-leadership, team management, service delivery, and innovation. These supports foster high-performing, inclusive workplaces and resilient leadership amid complex change. The program enhances operational effectiveness and aligns leadership development with strategic goals for sustainable growth and decent work.