Rachel Watson and Alexandra Butler working in Central Park water recycling area

Explore research

We conduct project-based applied research across a broad range of sectors to effect positive change

  • Business and economies

    Reimagining business, finance and economy to advance sustainability, prosperity and wellbeing for all.

    Corporate office with green walls

  • Climate adaptation

    Helping partners adapt to the challenges of a changing climate.

    Regrowth from branch after bushfire

  • Energy

    Visioning a sustainable energy future in which energy is clean, affordable and accessible to all.

    Solar panels in the Australian desert

  • Food systems

    Transforming food systems to ensure healthy, thriving and food-secure communities and businesses.

    Food truck taking harvest away from crops

  • International development

    Working in partnerships to end poverty and ensure sustainable development for everyone.

    Smiling woman

  • Landscapes and ecosystems

    Enhancing ecosystem integrity and livelihoods by incorporating perceptions and values into decision-making.

    Australian bush flowers

  • Resource stewardship

    Advancing a systemic approach to production and consumption through stewardship and circular resource flows.

    Electronic parts being repaired and reused

  • Urban systems

    Improving the liveability of urban environments with social, infrastructure and resource solutions.

    HIgh Line Park on an historic freight rail line in New York City, Manhattan

  • Water

    Collaborating to develop restorative, sustainable and resilient water management approaches.

    Sydney Park water recycling systems

Cross-sector research

Woman in urban environment surrounded by greenery

Healthy environments

Transforming urban systems and food systems to adapt to climate change and other pressing challenges to promote human and planetary health. We work with our partners in these areas to improve planning, design and strategy to optimise the health of the built and natural environment.

Hand touching soil

Organic resources

We use innovative approaches and a focus on management and partnerships to transform food waste, wastewater and other organic resources into closed-loop value chains, to enable optimal utilisation of organic resources in the circular economy.

Green circular economy representation

Circular economy

We find solutions to the problems of resource depletion and waste through our work in Circular economy for sustainable resources and Circular economy for water, energy and waste. Our holistic approach considers strategies, policies and business models in making transformative change.

Research approaches

Butterfly on a leaf

Sustainability transformations

After decades of incremental progress, it is now clear that achieving a sustainable relationship between people and planet will require a transformative response. Transformations towards sustainability involve profound, systemic changes that reach across social, cultural, political, economic and technological domains.

Learn about our approach to sustainability transformations

Aerial view of winding river amongst greenery

Transdisciplinary research

The greatest challenges facing the sustainability sector today cannot be solved by a single point of view. At ISF, we believe that transdisciplinary research is the key to tackling complex, messy and wicked sustainability problems such as water and food security, poverty, and climate change.

Read about our expertise in transdisciplinary research

SDGs banner across bridge

Sustainable Development Goals

Achieving a sustainable relationship between people and planet requires a transformative response involving profound, systemic changes that reach across social, cultural, political, economic and technical domains. ISF’s applied expertise in systems thinking, participatory governance and capacity building allows us to support clients in navigating and facilitating change within a complex and uncertain context.

Discover our approach to sustainability transformations

Contact us

t: +61 2 9514 4950
e: isf@uts.edu.au

Level 10, UTS Building 10
235 Jones Street
Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
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Contact us for media requests and other enquiries

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Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.