Fiona Armstrong is a PhD student at the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF). Her research explores how the cultivation of imagination can help shift mindsets and facilitate ambitious responses towards sustainability transformations. Her supervisors are: Professor Chris Riedy (ISF); Dr Susanne Pratt (TD School); and Professor Rob Raven (Monash). 

Fiona is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at Monash University. She is the former Executive Director of the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA), Australia's peak body on climate change and health, an organisation she founded and led from 2010-2023.

Alison Atherton is Program Lead for the Business, Economy, and Governance Program at the Institute for Sustainable Futures and has two decades of experience in sustainability research and consultancy. Her expertise spans corporate sustainability, responsible investment and sustainable finance. She has directed and managed numerous large-scale projects for government, non-profit, and private sector clients.

Alison's research focuses on sustainable finance and corporate sustainability. Her recent work includes assessing corporate sustainability performance for responsible investors, designing learning modules on sustainable finance, and advising on climate-related financial disclosures. Alison's leadership in sustainability is evident through her extensive project portfolio, publications, and active participation in industry conferences and advisory groups.

Alison has a background in social sciences, audit and accountancy. Previous roles included corporate sustainability advisory and assurance at KPMG, corporate sustainability consultancy at a leading UK leading sustainable development organisation, Forum for the Future, and administration of a private environmental fund.

Dr Taylor Brydges joined the Institute for Sustainable Futures in September 2019, first as a Visiting Scholar before transitioning to her role as Research Principal, and as of October 2025 Adjunct Professor. She now the Director of the RMIT Weft Research Centre. 

Her research focuses on sustainable production and consumption, the circular economy, and the fashion industry. At UTS working with Dr Monique Retamal, Taylor led the development of the ongoing project, "Sustainable Fashion in Australia and sectoral resilience during the pandemic." She is also involved in supporting the work of the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Taylor holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies (with Minors in Political Science and Sociology) and a Master of Arts in Human Geography from the University of Toronto. She completed her PhD in Human Geography at Uppsala University in Sweden. From 2018-2021, she was the sole PI on the project "Circular is the New Black: Investigating the Implementation of Circular Economy Principles in the Swedish Fashion Industry," funded by the Swedish Research Council. This research was carried out at Stockholm University, Sweden and the Institute for Sustainable Futures, Australia.

Alexandra Butler is a key member of the water futures research team at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

She creates restorative and sustainable water management solutions that address current and future challenges across Australia and internationally. Her work spans a diverse range of projects, including the development of water efficiency framework rating tools for NSW water utilities, evaluating efficiency standards in VIC, and implementing innovative risk stratification processes for water corporations in WA. Additionally, Alexandra has provided GIS expertise to support assessments of sea level rise impacts on coastal sanitation infrastructure in various Pacific cities.

Her technical knowledge consists of an interconnected understanding of systems including soil sciences, hydrology, statistical methods, environmental legislation and ethics, and geographic information systems. She has also been involved in research projects studying biodiversity in Peru and the palm oil industry in Indonesia.

Her role requires communicating research impact through advanced technical report writing founded on robust statistical data analysis. Alexandra is also skilled in data visualisation and research communication and regularly employs these services to enhance project outputs. This includes the development of intuitive graphs, logical infographics, and impactful presentations.

I am a PhD student at the Institute for Sustainable Futures undertaking transdisciplinary research with a focus on embodied practices for transformative learning and social change. I have 15 years of combined professional experience in research consultancy and project management roles in the areas of sustainability, international development, and mental health. I am also a qualified yoga teacher and dance movement therapist.

I have research interests in the following areas: embodiment/somatics and social change, sustainability transformations, transformative learning, and social movements.

As an Adjunct Fellow in the Institute of Sustainable Futures Jo leads inter-disciplinary research projects, in Australia and internationally, across the areas of urban water, climate change adaptation, international development, ecosystem services, and wetland, catchment and river basin management.

Jo has extensive experience working with utilities and governments to strategically plan and manage urban water systems, including drought planning, pricing, water recycling and water efficiency initiatives. Jo has also conducted cross-jurisdictional programme evaluations and designed monitoring and evaluation plans in Australia and internationally, including for wetlands management, climate change adaptation, and WASH sectors. Jo has applied participatory socio-economic research methods and stakeholder engagement in a range of contexts including designing and facilitating deliberative processes to value urban water externalities.

Prior to joining ISF, Jo worked for the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage and as a senior research economist at the Productivity Commission. Jo has also spent time as a volunteer and consultant for the Asia Regional Environmental Economics Programme of IUCN - The World Conservation Union. At IUCN, Jo undertook community-based participatory social research, economic analysis, and project management for several wetlands management projects in south-east and south Asia.

Associate Professor Dana Cordell is a Research Director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures where she leads the Food Systems research group. Dana works with stakeholders across Australia, EU, UK, Sweden, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, China, Malawi and the U.S. to identify how food systems can transform and circularise in response to a range of sustainability challenges, from climate change to urban sprawl, to the global phosphorus challenge. 

In 2023/4 she led the Australian Government-funded Phosphorus and Climate Smart Agriculture Network (PACSAN) which modelled how Australia and China’s food value chains can decarbonise and ensure phosphorus security, together with a network of stakeholders across both countries. The collaborative P-FUTURES project which Dana co-led, aimed to identify how urban food systems can cope or transform in response to the global phosphorus challenge, together with 90 local stakeholder partners across Australia, Vietnam, Malawi and the U.S. In 2008 Dana co-founded the Global Phosphorus Research Initiative - the first global platform to undertake research, policy and public engagement on phosphorus security, seeking to ensure phosphorus fertiliser supply chains are secure, sustainable and circular so that all farmers have access to fertilisers, agricultural soils are fertile, people are food secure and waters are clean and free from nutrient pollution.

As a circular economy expert on food, nutrients and organic waste, Dana led the development of Australia’s first Agriculture Circular Economy Framework (AACE) and the systemic identification of roadblocks and opportunities to scale up circularity in agriculture, commissioned by AgriFutures. She was co-Chair of the inaugural Circular Economy for Climate & Environment conference in 2023, and as a Chief Investigator of the ARC Research Hub ‘Nutrients in a Circular Economy’, Dana is investigating the governance and market barriers to scaling up circular nutrient value chains in the Australian food system.

As a global food security expert, Dana provides expert advice and commentary to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Australia's Chief Scientist and the UK Parliament. She most recently joined UNEP's Global Environment Outlook team as a global food security contributor. Dana's research contributions have led to numerous prestigious recognitions including one of Australia's top science prizes, the Eureka Prize for Environmental Research (2012) and a position in the 100 Women of Influence (AFR/Westpac, 2013) and Top 100 Most Influential People (Sydney Magazine, 2012). She is frequently interviewed for media, including Radio National, ABC Lateline and London's The Times.

Zoe is an interdisciplinary researcher interested in the transition towards food systems which are resilient, ecologically sound and socially just. 

She is a current PhD candidate at the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Her research explores the ways in which culturally diverse communities procure food in Greater Western Sydney. Zoe aims to interrogate how local food environments promote food justice outcomes for community. This research will be guided under the supervision of Dr Federico Davila Cisneros, Laure-Elise Ruoso and Dr Anja Bless. 

Her previous research work with various university bodies and civil society organisations has given her a keen interest and specialisation in agri-food systems sustainability, food security, food justice, food sovereignty, regenerative agriculture, and environmental governance. 

Zoe holds a double degree in a Bachelor of Arts and Politics and International Relations from the University of Sydney. She also holds a Masters of Agricultural Science, specialising in Food Sustainability, from the University of Melbourne. 

Dr Scott Dwyer is an Associate Professor and Research Director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) at the University of Technology Sydney. 
He is an industry-focussed leader in sustainability research and engagement with 20 years of experience across multiple jurisdictions.
His research interests revolve around the opportunities and challenges posed by disruption in the energy and transport sectors, especially those linked to markets, customers, technologies, policy, and business models. He undertakes applied research with its primary aim being to inform policy and practice.
Dr Dwyer has a long track record of leading, managing, and contributing to transdisciplinary teams involved in complex, innovative research projects for the public and private sectors. During this time he has worked closely to collaborate with a diverse range of organisations, from energy utilities, manufacturers and start-ups to industry bodies, communities, businesses, and government.
He provides expert advice on a wide array of sustainable energy technologies and enablers, encompassing solar, batteries, VPPs, microgrids, embedded networks, UrbanREZ, water and space heating/cooling, demand flexibility, HEMS/BEMS, fuel cell, hydrogen, electric vehicles and its infrastructure.
Dr Dwyer is a regular contributor to media on these subjects, featuring on the ABC News, SBS World News, Nikkei-Asia, The Conversation, The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Monthly, and a variety of other specialist media outlets. He is also frequently engaged by policymakers for commentary and expert advice.
As a senior member of the Energy Futures group at the Institute and leader of its work on customer energy innovation, he is a key part of a team that works to deliver outstanding, award-winning research in close collaboration with its partners.

Jay Falletta is a Research Principal at the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), University of Technology Sydney, specialising in quantitative modelling and applied analytics for the water industry. He works closely with water utilities and government clients, focusing on the development of robust methodology to understand water demand and modernise industry standard approaches, including the incorporation of uncertainty. Recently this has included the analysis of benchmarking initiatives across non-residential sectors to support water efficiency.

Beyond his core program, Jay provides cross-team advisory support on statistical methods and analytical design, helping to improve the consistency and rigour of modelling approaches institute-wide. He also mentors junior staff, contributing to capability development within the organisation. In addition to this research leadership, Jay contributes to the strategic direction of ISF as a member of both the Institute Board and the operational excellence working group.

With over 2 decades experience in research management in the higher education sector and state government, I have a strong track record of delivering successful outcomes for diverse and multidisciplinary teams, engaging with industry, government, and community stakeholders, and facilitating mutual and transformational learning for sustainable development.

I am an Adjunct Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Futures, where I have taught and mentored students and researchers across broad fields of sustainable development. I have a PhD in Sustainable Futures from UTS, a Masters of Educational Leadership from Monash University, and multiple publications and honors in the field of sustainability and environmental management. I am skilled in research, workshop facilitation, business engagement, and report writing, and I have a passion and vision for transdisciplinary research and education for sustainability. My mission is to foster a culture of innovation, excellence, and social responsibility at UTS and beyond, and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice for a more sustainable and equitable world.

Dr Simon Fane has been an urban water researcher, policymaker and advocate for over 20 years. He is recognised as an expert in urban water planning, water conservation and options assessment. Simon provides technical and policy advice to State and Commonwealth Governments and has worked with utilities and non-government organisations across Australia. Simon is an author on over 50 journal and conference papers as well as industry guides and numerous consulting reports.

Simon gained his PhD at the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) in 2005 with a thesis on ‘Planning for Sustainable Urban Water’. Staying at the Institute, Simon led ISF’s Water Research Area and managed a portfolio of multi-disciplinary research and consulting projects while supervising staff and PhD students. Simon led the Institute’s analyses that underpinned the 2004 and 2007 Metropolitan Water Plans for Greater Sydney. He also led the National Water Commission’s 2010 research program on urban water integrated resource planning.

From 2012 to 2017, Simon worked directly for the NSW Government in the Metropolitan Water Directorate. He was the principle analyst for the 2017 Metropolitan Water Plan working closely with the hydrological modellers on portfolio development and optimisation. He also worked on the Lower Hunter Water Plan and advised on a range of urban water policies. Simon developed a decision-making framework for the NSW Government to navigate the complex interactions between the Metropolitan Water Plan, the introduction of environmental flows at Warragamba Dam and the decisions on flood mitigation by the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley Flood taskforce (led by iNSW). Simon also represented the Department on Flood the taskforce.

In June 2017, Simon re-joined ISF to continue his research as an Associate Professor. Since then he has provided strategic advice to the: NSW Government, iNSW, ACT Government, Sydney Desalination Plant Ltd, Central Coast Council, Hunter Water and Sydney Water. He has led multi-disciplinary teams on projects that have, among other things, explored: external factors for the Melbourne Sewerage Strategy, the environmental and economic impacts of the Commonwealth’s WELS scheme, the integration of land and water planning for growth areas in Western Sydney, real options for drought response in the Lower Hunter, communicating optionality to senior stakeholders within Sydney Water and stratifying corporate risks for Water Corporation WA. Simon has led a series of projects on water conservation that are developing the next generation of demand management anchored in digital technologies. Simon currently supervises four PhD students on Integrated Water Management, sanitation in Cambodia and organic waste management.

Maartje Feenstra is a Research Principal at the Institute for Sustainable Futures. As part of the Energy team, she focuses on developing net zero scenarios using the One Earth Climate Model for various countries, regions, and industrial sectors. In these projects, she leverages her quantitative expertise in net-zero scenarios and her technical knowledge in hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and hard-to-abate sectors.

Maartje brings a background in Chemical Engineering & Chemistry. She worked for 5 years at the national research institute of The Netherlands focusing on the development and scaling-up of novel process and reactor technologies, where she was the technical lead for the synthetic electrical based fuel (e-fuels) team. With a strong chemical engineering background, her expertise areas include synthetic e-fuels, green hydrogen, post-combustion CO2 capture and innovative sustainable process developments for hard-to-abate sectors such as the aviation, maritime, (chemical) industry, steel and cement sectors. She brings in-depth knowledge of technologies, techno- economic analysis, system views and modelling skills to the ISF team. 

Highlights of her practical experience include being the main writer for a multi-million Horizon Europe project focusing on sustainable aviation fuel, developer of innovative synthetic e-fuel reactor technologies (methanol, DME, ammonia, light olefins and longer hydrocarbons), working on process integration for hydrogen production by solid-oxide electrolysis, part of CO2 capture engineering designs up to pre-FEED level, being a co-inventor for patents in sustainable technology and a range of technology development projects in collaboration with industry.

Professor Tim Foster is an engineer whose work spans global infrastructure, water security, public health, and sustainable development.

Tim has worked in more than 20 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific and has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals. His work has been supported by organisations including DFAT, UNICEF, the World Bank, USAID, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the World Health Organization.

Previously, Tim was Head of Programmes for an Indigenous Health NGO, served as Technical Advisor for the South Sudan Guinea Worm Eradication Programme with The Carter Center, led a water and sanitation programme in Uganda with Engineers Without Borders, and worked as a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group.

Tim holds a doctorate from Oxford University, an MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management (with Distinction) from Oxford University, a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (with Honours) from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) from the University of Melbourne.

Anna is a resilience, climate change and disaster risk leader and specialist with over 17 years’ experience in the Asia-Pacific region. She is an experienced project manager, having led climate change and disaster resilience consultancies, evaluations, and research projects since 2008 across 10 Pacific Island Countries.

With experience working with DFAT, MFAT, the Pacific Community (SPC), UNDP, IIED, Plan International, SNV, Pacific governments and local NGOs in the Pacific, Anna has an applied understanding of the range of ways climate change and disasters influence development. Her contribution to international development research is underpinned by strong intercultural skills and a keen willingness to ensure research informs policy and practice.

Anna’s background in climate science underpins her experience working on transdisciplinary projects with climate change and disaster implications relevant to humanitarian response; urbanisation and informal settlements; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); gender; aid effectiveness; forced migration and human mobility. She has published numerous research and evaluation outputs including academic journal papers, research/project reports and working papers, evaluation reports, policy briefs and book chapters.