2019 Business Sustainability Initiative’s inaugural colloquium

Published July 2019 by Dr Belinda Wade

Sustainability researchers from across Australia met in beautiful sunny Brisbane for the UQ Business Sustainability Initiative’s inaugural colloquium from the 18-20th July 2019. Following a summer characterised by extreme weather events, from floods in northern Queensland to soaring temperatures in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, the scene was set for research discussions on sustainability. The event started with Professor Andrew Griffiths, Executive Dean of the UQ Faculty of Business, Economics and Law discussing his recent observations of the threats caused by the natural environment in an Indian context and the necessity of research that translates into industry action.  Following Andrew’s address keynote Associate Professor Ben Neville (University of Melbourne) spoke about the growing pressure from regulatory authorities for company action.

UQ Business Sustainability Initiative’s inaugural colloquium

Researchers representing all business disciplines attended with presentations ranging across finance, strategy, tourism,  paradox theory and the conceptualisation of sustainability in various settings. Academics presenting at the event came from institutions including the University of Queensland (faculties of Business Economics and Law and Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology), Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University, Bond University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, Australian National University and Macquarie University. 

The first day concluded with a second keynote by Professor Jonatan Pinkse (University of Manchester) presenting his research journey from climate change adaptation to business model innovation to paradox theory.  In keeping with the sustainability ideal of the colloquium, Jonatan’s keynote was conducted ‘virtually’ from his base at Manchester in the United Kingdom. 

This colloquium offered the opportunity for the academics present to hear from experienced journal editors Professor Veronique Ambrosini (Monash University), Associate Professor Ben Neville (University of Melbourne) and Associate Professor Paul Spee (University of Queensland) about publishing sustainability research in top journals.

On the final morning of the colloquium attendees were offered the opportunity to visit the base of Rock Trade Industries at Helidon, Qld, to review the company’s unique circular approach to managing their sandstone quarry; achieving 100% of their extracted resource by turning waste material into valuable products through innovation.

The Business Sustainability Initiative team would like to thank all attendees and we look forward to hosting the next colloquium in 2020.

Learn more about Business Sustainability Initative.