Overview

The Sustainability and Environment Research Program examines the social, political and institutional aspects of sustainable development, particularly in urban and regional Australia.

A series of challenges arise from the interaction between natural resources, ecology and human behaviour. For example, how can we adapt to climate change, how can we best use and manage water resources, how can we develop more sustainable energy sources, how can we protect environmental assets, and how can we optimise the use of recycled materials? How can these challenges be met in ways that are affordable and equitable?

Our research is focused on two aspects:

• the attitudes, perceptions and behaviour of citizens, households, community and business stakeholders;
• the plans, policies, programs, and regulatory arrangements governing the management of these issues.

Recent research includes environmental governance at the regional level of Australia, water planning in Southeast Queensland, collaborative and integrated approaches for natural resource management, demand management for the conservation of water, analysis of energy consumption practices at the household level, and the attitudes of younger and older people to sustainability issues.  

Current projects

For more information on some of our current projects, follow the links below:

• Systematic Social Analysis
• Collaboration as a solution to wicked public policy problems: the example of regional environmental and natural reosurces policy in Australia
• Institutional Change for Water Management
• Environmental Sustainability in Residential Housing: understanding attitudes and behaviour towards waste, water and energy in consumption and conservation among Australian households.
• Climate Change Policy and Stakeholder Attitudes

People

• Professor Brian Head (Program Leader)
• Professor Mark Western
• Dr Kelly Fielding
• Ms Jenny Bellamy
• Mr Nathan Cammerman
• Mr Bradley Lewis
• Mr Willem Van Rensburg
• Mr Timothy Holmes
• Mr Candra Samekto
• Dr Aileen Toohey
• Dr Greg Picker
• Mr Greg Oliver
• Dr Vikki Uhlmann

Publications

For a select list of publications related to this program area, please click here.