SEI hosts UN Special Rapporteur Elisa Morgera for a roundtable on climate change, international governance, and hope

Associate Professor Nader Naderpajouh and Matin Lahsen Jaafari shared their work at Natural Hazards Research Australia's annual forum in Adelaide

After 12 years of leadership, Professor David Schlosberg is stepping down as Director of the Sydney Environment Institute. Throughout his time at SEI, David has fostered a community where ideas, collaboration, and care flourish - leaving an enduring legacy well beyond his departure.

While health technologies offer promising results for reducing travel-related emissions, their broader environmental impact requires further investigation.

What does climate adaptation look like for a nation with no higher ground? A University of Sydney team travelled to Funafuti, Tuvalu, as part of Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project and came back with data, stories, and a deeper understanding of what is at stake.

Article by Mikey Glover, Young Australians in International Affairs Climate and Environment Fellow

SEI is pleased to welcome Shani Patel, Eliza Crossley and Avery How, who have been awarded SEI Honours Research Fellowships, and Thomas McManus, this year's recipient of the Iain McCalman Honours Research Award.

A team of researchers at the Sydney Environment Institute and Sydney Policy Lab have learnt from communities, local government, and University of Sydney representatives to develop a set of practices for how universities can become genuine partners in strengthening local resilience. Learn more about the project in this piece by Alex McAlpin.

Article by Mikey Glover, Young Australians in International Affairs Climate and Environment Fellow

Two recent publications from a government-funded project on community-led actions during catastrophic climate disasters outlines why recognising local knowledges and networks is critical, and what this truly means for future disaster management.

Focusing on democratic innovation and multispecies justice, Alfredo Ramos Perez develops new approaches to include nature and future generations in decision making.

Dr Henry Bartelet explores how influence and benefit pathways are mapped in this SEI funded project in Tacloban, the Philippines

SEI is excited to welcome A/Prof Michele Barnes as new Theme Lead for the Climate Disaster and Adaptation research theme, joining Professor David Schlosberg and Dr Federico Tartarini.

Article by Mikey Glover, Young Australians in International Affairs Climate and Environment Fellow

The most recent publication of an ARC-funded project on the environmental and climate justice movement illustrates the strategies and tactics that activists and academics claim are necessary for successful and transformational movements.

Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation and the University of Sydney began a landmark workshop to co-design Indigenous ranger-led environmental research that integrates culture, science, and technology.

Catherine Gunawan writes on informal green spaces, drawing on her experience as a recent USYD Honours student in ecology to explore how these overlooked areas can support urban biodiversity with careful management.

We talk to Dr Rebecca McNaught, Research Fellow – Rural and Remote Health at the University Centre for Rural Health in Lismore, about her work with the Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance. You can hear more from Rebecca in the upcoming Iain McCalman lecture.

Dr Scott Webster reflects on his time in Ōtautahi Christchurch in October

Join Astrida Neimanis and Jennifer Hamilton as they explore feminist practices for climate change in our latest podcast, recorded live at SEI’s event “How to Weather Together.” Listen now for insights on solidarity and resilience.

Critical minerals are vital for the energy transition, but supply chains remain vulnerable. Experts at SEI’s roundtable explored geopolitics, sustainability and Australia’s role. Listen to the podcast for more insights.

Four in five Australian company directors see nature-related risks as important, yet only one in five say their boards act on them, according to research by the University of Sydney Business School and AICD.

A/Prof Michele Barnes comments on her contribution to Resilience Science Must-Knows report and its timely release ahead of COP30

The new report, Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Transition, explores how growing demand for critical minerals can support a just, sustainable energy future while balancing environmental, social and economic priorities.

Applications are open for the 2026 Iain McCalman Honours Research Award. Eligible students can apply to receive a bursary of $2,000.

Following SEI's participation at Adaptation Futures 2025, our members reflect on the learnings from the conference and the recently released national reports on climate risk and adaptation.

From exploring how health inequities contribute to hospitalisation rates in extreme weather, to assessing the use of coral stress imagery as ecological indicators, to understanding how improving thermal conditions for housing can mitigate energy service disruptions, this round of projects explores some of the key challenges at the climate and health intersection, in climate adaptation, and for biodiversity, conservation and culture.

The University of Sydney and DemocracyNext are collaborating on a new project exploring how to include the more-than-human in decision making. Through global research, experiments, and building a community of practice, we aim to reimagine democratic participation.

The honours fellowship is open to eligible University of Sydney students, who are interested in multidisciplinary research around critical environmental issues. 

We celebrate the recognition of Prof van Dooren's work in the environmental humanities, addressing the biodiversity crisis and the social, political, and cultural impacts of extinctions.

SEI member and risk management expert Dr Sandra Alday writes about the challenges of bringing risk and sustanability together

SEI member Caillin Dunsford, PhD candidate at the Sydney School of Public Health, reflects on her recent trip to India where her team is deepening ties with collaborators tackling climate change and public health challenges

FoodLab Sydney was recognised as a finalist at the AFR Higher Education Awards for its innovative incubator model supporting underrepresented food entrepreneurs. Its work continues to shape inclusive economic and cultural futures.

Sophie Chao, Sydney Environment Institute member and past Iain McCalman Lecturer, has published a new book, titled Land of Famished Beings: West Papuan Theories of Hunger. The book is launching on 10 October.