Social Report

The Role of Reykjavik University

The role of Reykjavik University (RU) is to create and disseminate knowledge to enhance competitiveness and quality of life for individuals and society, guided by ethics, sustainability, and responsibility.

The strategy of Reykjavik University is to be a strong teaching and research university with an emphasis on technology, business, and law.

The core activities of Reykjavik University are teaching and research in close collaboration with industry and society, with a focus on interdisciplinarity, international standards, innovation, and professional service. The university’s operations are shaped by personal connections and respect for society and the environment.

Academic Departments

Reykjavik University has seven academic departments:

• Department of Engineering
• Department of Computer Science
• Department of Business and Economics
• Department of Law
• Department of Psychology
• Department of Applied Engineering
• Department of Sports Science

These departments conduct internationally recognized research and offer education at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. RU also provides a one-year preparatory program called the RU University Preparatory Program for those planning to pursue university studies. Additionally, the Open University at RU offers a selection of short and long courses for professionals that can be attended alongside work.

Responsible Future Leaders

RU is a participant in the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), an initiative of the United Nations Global Compact involving approximately 650 universities worldwide. RU’s School of Business was the first to implement the six PRME principles in 2013, which focus on educating and training future leaders with a sense of social responsibility in decision-making:

1. Educating Future Leaders: Equip students to lead sustainability efforts in business and develop holistic, sustainable solutions to future challenges.
2. Integrating Sustainability: Embed the concepts of sustainable development and social responsibility into curricula, teaching materials, and instruction.
3. Enhancing Skills for Responsible Leadership: Offer materials, teaching methods, and environments that help students understand and practice responsible management.
4. Research for Understanding Impact: Conduct research to enhance understanding of the role and potential impact of businesses and institutions on society, the environment, and economic values.
5. Collaborating with Industry Leaders: Engage with business leaders to understand social and environmental challenges and develop effective solutions.
6. Fostering Critical Discussion: Support and encourage critical dialogue among educators, students, businesses, institutions, governments, and other stakeholders on issues related to sustainability and social responsibility.

RU has published three PRME progress reports (2014, 2016-18 and 2019 - 20), both of which received awards. In 2017, RU decided to implement the PRME principles across all departments, recognizing that responsible management is relevant to all fields and disciplines.

Read the latest PRME progress report: Latest PRME Report

Learn more about the Global Impact initiative: Global Impact

Socially Responsible Students

Student associations at Reykjavik University (RU) organize events and initiatives focusing on environmental issues, social responsibility, and sustainability. Within RU’s Student Association, there is a Charity Committee, and students also run Birta, a society dedicated to social responsibility and sustainability.

Birta hosts events and awareness campaigns, such as RU’s Environment Week and Transportation Week, promoting environmental and social responsibility. Students also run the Equality Society, which has a representative in RU’s Equality Committee. The Law Students’ Association (Lögrétta) offers free legal assistance to the public, including help with tax filings during Tax Day events.

In recent years, environmental issues, social responsibility, and sustainability have been emphasized in a three-week interdisciplinary course called "Innovation and Entrepreneurship," completed by nearly all first-year RU students. Special awards are given to student groups that prioritize sustainability in their projects.

Equality at Reykjavik University

New Equality Policy

RU’s new Equality Policy was approved and published during Equality Week 2018. Developed by the Equality Committee, the policy addresses topics such as pay and benefits, recruitment, career progression, work-life balance, and measures against gender-based violence and harassment.

The policy emphasizes clear actions and accountability, ensuring that equality is an integral part of university operations. Some highlights include:

• Conducting pay audits at least every three years.
• Publishing annual reports on leadership positions and workforce diversity, including gender, nationality, and age.
• Ensuring inclusive practices for admissions, recruitment, and teaching.

Read more about the Equality Policy.

Equal Pay Certification

In 2018, RU prepared for Equal Pay Certification under the Icelandic Equal Pay Standard (ÍST 85:2012). The process included two audits conducted by BSI Iceland, and RU officially received its certification in March 2019. RU is the first university in Iceland to achieve this recognition, granting the right to use the Equal Pay Certification mark from the Ministry of Welfare and the Equality Center.

Girls and Technology

The Girls and Technology Day is an annual event organized by RU in collaboration with the Federation of Icelandic Industries and SKÝ. In 2018, the event was also supported by a governmental task force on equal pay.

The day introduces ninth-grade girls to opportunities in technology education and careers, aiming to inspire them to explore the possibilities in these fields. Activities include hands-on workshops at RU, visits to leading tech companies, and meetings with female role models in the industry. The event, which was modelled after the global Girls in ICT Day, attracted significant participation, with over 900 girls attending in 2024.

Additionally, /sys/tur, RU’s computer science women’s association, actively promotes the field to women and girls through outreach and collaboration with female professionals in the industry.

Training on Harassment and Violence

In early 2018, RU’s Human Resources Office conducted training sessions for staff and management on sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, and violence in collaboration with Líf og sál, a psychology firm. Topics included workplace behaviour, bullying, harassment, and preventive measures. Over 80% of permanent staff attended the workshops.

A #metoo men's group was also established, inviting male staff to participate in workshops focused on gender-based harassment and related issues.

RU's Environmental Initiatives

Reducing Carbon Emissions

In 2015, RU signed an agreement with the City of Reykjavik to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since then, RU has established an Environmental Committee, which has led initiatives such as:

• Removing disposable plastic cups from water and coffee stations.
• Improving waste sorting with clearer labels and education campaigns.
• Replacing individual office trash cans with centralized sorting bins, including increased access to bins for organic waste.

Sustainable Transportation

Since 2016, RU has implemented a Transportation Policy, providing staff with transportation grants to encourage sustainable commuting. RU has also received Gold Certification from Hjólafærni and ÍSÍ for being a bike-friendly workplace and actively participates in the annual Bike to Work campaign.

RU was the first to introduce the Zipcar car-sharing service in Iceland in 2018.

• 12 electric vehicle charging stations with one hour of free charging for students and staff.
• Building bike shelters on campus.

The Environmental Committee is also working on revising and updating RU’s Environmental Policy.

Ethics and Code of Conduct at Reykjavik University

Although RU does not have a specific human rights policy, its HR Policy, Equality Policy, and Code of Ethics address aspects related to human rights, such as support for students with disabilities. RU’s Ethics Committee operates under the university’s code of ethics to ensure that behaviour within the community meets the highest ethical standards.

RU aims to create a workplace and academic environment characterized by respect, integrity, fairness, and equality, fostering a culture where ethical responsibility is central to all activities.