Sustainability aligns with JCU’s Strategic Intent by engaging peoples and societies of the tropics in industries and economies that sustain communities and ecosystems. The research that we do is directly aligned with SDG 12, SDG 9 and SDG8 and supports SDG 1 and SDG 2. The team comprises:-
Advisor:
Distinguished Professor Stewart Lockie (JCUA)Distinguished Professor Stewart Lockie is Director of The Cairns Institute and Advisor to the Sustainability Research Cluster. Prof Lockie’s work is high impact, multidisciplinary, and focussed on critical issues associated with global social and environmental change. |
Principal Investigator:
Cluster Lead Professor Adrian KuahProfessor Kuah leads the Sustainability Research Cluster. He is appointed to TC for Circularity of Materials under the Environment and Resources Standards Committee and National Mirror Committee Member for ISO/TC 323 Circular Economy at Enterprise SG.
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Faculty:
Professor May Tan-MullinsProfessor May Tan-Mullins is JCU’s Dean International and Chief Sustainability Officer. Her research interests are environmental and energy justice, poverty alleviation and building resilience for the poorest and most vulnerable in the Tropics. | AP Roberto DillonAP Roberto Dillon is an Associate Professor and Head of the School of Science and Technology at James Cook University. In 2013 he founded, and has since directed, the very first Museum of Video and Computer Games in South East Asia. | AP Pengji WangAP Pengji Wang is an Associate Professor at James Cook University. She received her PhD at National University of Singapore. Her research has been published in high-impact journals such as Jo of Business Ethics and Jo of Business Research. |
Dr. Ai Ni TeohDr. Ai Ni Teoh is Head of the School of Social and Health Sciences. She received her Doctor of Philosophy degree at North Dakota State University, USA. Her research focuses on cardiovascular responses to stress, social support and consumer stress. | Dr. K. ThirumaranDr. Thirumaran has been with James Cook University since 2008 and is presently the Head of JCU Singapore Business School. His research focuses on service excellence, cultural and luxury tourism, and their impact on emerging destinations’ cultural values. | Dr. Caroline WongDr Caroline Wong is the Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching. She completed her PhD in international business at the Australian National University and the focus of her thesis was on managing the intangible resources and competencies. |
Dr. Sook Rei TanDr Sook Rei Tan obtained her PhD in Economics at Nanyang Technological University in 2019 and worked as a research fellow in NTU’s Economics department prior JCU in 2021. Her research interests include applied macroeconomics and international finance. | Dr. Eric ThamDr. Eric Tham is an experienced data science and finance professional with experience in the financial industry. His research interests are at the intersection of behavioural finance and AI/ML, where received his doctorate from Edhec Business School. | Dr. Zilmiyah KambleDr. Zilmiyah Kamble has a doctorate in tourism and hospitality and brings in a wealth of experience from both a tourism industry and academic perspective. Dr. Kamble has worked for more than 13 years across five different countries. |
Doctoral Students:
Mr Jayden KimSupervised by AP Kuah and Dr ThiruChang H. Kim is a final-year doctoral candidate investigating circular economy business models in South Korea and Singapore. He has published his work in journals such as Sustainable Production and Consumption and the Thunderbird Intl Bus Rev. | Mrs Ratna DeviSupervised by AP Wang and AP KuahRatna is a final-year doctoral candidate examining the extent of corporate volunteering’s impact on employee engagement and the business case for skills-based volunteering. She has presented her works at ANZAM and AIB conference. | Mr Xia YiSupervised by AP Kuah and AP WangYi is a doctoral candidate investigating the role and relevance of social media influencers in the digital economy. He has researched how CSR engagements drive consumer–company identification in Singapore, published in Sustainability. |
Mr Joel YapSupervised by Dr Kamble and AP KuahJoel is a doctoral candidate investigating how digitalisation and digitisation have impacted the role, relevancy, and memory-making in museums. His research interests are in the area of the tourism industry and museums. | Mr Rupesh SelvarajSupervised by Dr Thiru and AP DillonRupesh is a doctoral candidate exploring how hospitality industry services could be improved through digital technologies. He has published his work in a Springer: Tropical Constrained Environment and Sustainable Adaptations | Mr Rayan DaniyalSupervised by AP Kuah and Dr ThiruRayan is a doctoral candidate investigating brand identity co-creation and engagement by stakeholders. He has more than 25 years of brand image consulting experience focusing on personal and corporate branding. |
Other Faculty:
AP Sizhong Sun
AP Sizhong Sun is an Associate Professor at the College of Business, Law and Governance, Division of Tropical Environments and Societies, JCU, Australia. He holds a PhD in Economics from the Australian National University, Australia.
| Dr. Stéphane Le Queux
Dr Le Queux is Senior Lecturer in Employment Relations, Townsville, Research Fellow Cairns Institute, at JCU Australia. He is Professor at the Department of Industrial Relations, Laval University, Québec, and at Tahiti Business School.
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AP Kok Hoong Wong, University of Nottingham NingboDr Kok-Hoong Wong is an Assistant Professor at UNNC. He holds a PhD in Materials Engineering from the University of Nottingham and has published in high impact journals such as the Science of the Total Environment and Thunderbird Int Bus Review. | AP Gavin Lai, University of Nottingham NingboDr Gavin Lai is a Chartered Engineer registered with Engineering Council, UK and Assistant Professor at UNNC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, a MBA in Technology & Innovation Management and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. |
Dr. Breda McCarthy (JCUA)Dr. McCarthy is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at James Cook University (JCU), Australia. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Studies (specialising in marketing), a master's degree in Entrepreneurship and a PhD in Strategic Management. |