An overview of Australia's sustainability opportunities and challenges

Title : An overview of Australia's sustainability opportunities and challenges

Abstract:

In the 21st century, 5.45 billion people are using information and communications technology (ICT), which has become a significant instrument for searching, conducting research, communication, entertainment, commerce, and information. Today, the world population exceeds 8.2 billion, and by 2050, it will be more than 9.7 billion.  This increase will influence the availability of housing, food, transportation, waste, economic and social issues, employment, the environment, and unsustainable development activities. Therefore, we need to tackle this problem by adopting and implementing sustainability principles by individuals and businesses. There are positive and negative aspects to the adoption and implementation of sustainability by individuals and businesses. However, if the implementation of sustainability is properly planned and executed, users will obtain desired benefits such as brand and reputation enhancement, shareholder satisfaction, human resource efficiency, natural resources conservation, and environmental protection. However, the adoption and implementation of sustainability can have negative consequences in terms of failure, risk and cost. Therefore, to reduce the possibility of these occurring, awareness and training should be made available to individuals and businesses. An online survey was conducted in Australia to examine students' perspectives and awareness toward sustainability. Based on the online survey feedback from 208 Australian respondents, three positive and two negative aspects associated with students' knowledge and understanding of sustainability were identified. Finally, further research will be conducted in the future to examine more diverse groups of stakeholders in order to strengthen the research findings.

Biography:

As an Associate Professor at Curtin University's Management School, she specialises in Information Systems, Sustainable Design, and e-Learning. With over two decades of experience in higher education, she has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between technology and sustainable practices in business and education.

Her research focuses on the intersection of technology, sustainability, and multicultural education. She has co-edited and authored several influential books, including Management Information Systems: Harnessing Technologies for Business & Society and Perspectives on Social Media: A Yearbook, which explore the evolving landscape of digital technologies in organisational and educational contexts.

As a passionate educator, she has developed curricula in Green IT and Knowledge Management, earning multiple teaching excellence awards. Her approach emphasises practical application and critical thinking, preparing students for the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital world.

She is also committed to advancing sustainable practices in IT and fostering international collaborations. Her work has been recognised through research grants and invitations to chair international conferences. Currently, she is exploring the impact of emerging technologies on sustainable business practices and multicultural education.

She has been involved in local and global projects and has received several teaching, learning, and research awards at both national and international levels.

She is always eager to connect with fellow researchers, industry professionals, and students to explore collaborative opportunities that drive positive change in the field.