email : Webview : SEI"s end-of-year wrap up

Sydney Environment Institute

Newsletter

December 2024

Dear SEI community,

As the year draws to a close, we take this time to reflect on the achievements and milestones we’ve reached together at the Sydney Environment Institute. 2024 has been an extraordinary year for SEI, filled with impactful research, collaborations, and a renewed commitment to addressing the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

This year has also been marked by incredible achievements from our members, including many over the last month. Special congratulations to all the SEI members who were awarded ARC Discovery Project funding (an impressive 8 awards totalling over $5.9 million), and to Prof Carolyn Hogg, who was awarded the University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Excellence.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to announce Dr Mitch Gibbs as the 2025 Iain McCalman Lecture keynote speaker. Mitch’s work on bridging Indigenous and institutional knowledge systems exemplifies the type of multidisciplinary, community-centred research we strive to champion at SEI. His upcoming lecture will examine the importance of centring First Nations knowledge in environmental and cultural transformations, and we look forward to sharing this event with you in March.

Wishing you all a restful and joyful end to the year, and we look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

David Schlosberg

The 2025 Iain McCalman Lecture

First Nations' knowledge and understanding of the environment are increasingly being recognised by governments and researchers as essential for transforming society’s relationship with the natural world and envisioning a just and sustainable future.

Many First Nation communities have been historically left out of the decision-making process for both land and sea country - but with changing attitudes and growing concern about the environment, what role can First Nations communities play?

In this lecture, Dr Mitch Gibbs reflects on his journey as an Indigenous researcher within the Australian academic system, highlighting the changes he's witnessed as First Nations communities share their knowledge and receive the respect and recognition they deserve.

Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2025

Time: 6.00-7.30pm

Location: The Great Hall, University of Sydney

Greater Sydney Heat Smart Plan launch

Members of SEI attended the launch of the Greater Sydney Heat Smart Plan, an initiative to address urban heat challenges in our region. Prof David Schlosberg, Prof Ollie Jay, and A/Prof Nader Naderpajouh contributed to panel discussions.

Learn more

Bridging continents for ecological transformation

SEI welcomed researchers from the University of Edinburgh for a week of workshops exploring innovative responses to ecological crises. The visit was part of a University of Sydney – University of Edinburgh Initiative on Ecological Transformations.

Learn more

Australia's role in the global security-sustainability nexus

The second Critical Minerals Symposium, led by Prof Susan Park, examined Australia’s role in mining the minerals vital for renewable energy.

Learn more

Connect with SEI on Bluesky

Stay connected with the latest updates, events, and insights from SEI. Follow us on Bluesky for more conversations about creating a just and sustainable future.

SEI's summer reading guide

Explore our top picks for books, essays, podcasts, and multimedia resources by SEI researchers and collaborators that cover urgent environmental issues and inspire action.

Learn more

ARC Discovery Project grants

SEI is proud to congratulate 17 members for receiving ARC Discovery Project funding for 2025, covering a range of impactful environmental research projects.

Learn more

In case you missed it

Dr Fabian Sack was interviewed by the ABC about decarbonising the healthcare system.
The Climate-Induced Displacement: Understanding Risks and Supporting Local Action in Asia and the Pacific report was launched at COP29, featuring research from Dr Aaron Opdyke, A/Prof Susan Banki, Sheryn See, and A/Prof Nader Naderpajouh.
The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience has released the recording for the Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future webinar.
The Australian National University (ANU) Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions has released the Who Pays for Disasters and How? Setting the Scene for Research and Action report.

Keep in touch

Copyright © 2024 Sydney Environment Institute, NSW 2006 Australia
Phone +61 2 9351 2222 ABN 15 211 513 464 CRICOS Number: 00026A

Please add sei.info@sydney.edu.au to your address book or senders safe list to make sure you continue to see our emails in the future.

Manage your preferences | Opt out from these emails

Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

Disclaimer | Privacy statement | University of Sydney