Dana Cordell

Associate Professor Dana Cordell serves as Research Director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney, where she leads the Food Systems research group. Her work focuses on sustainable food and phosphorus futures through international and Australian research projects involving collaborations across Australia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, Malawi, Sweden, UK, EU and the U.S. Cordell co-founded the Global Phosphorus Research Initiative in 2008 and has directed significant projects including the P-FUTURES initiative and Sydney Food Futures.

Her research interests center on sustainable food systems, phosphorus security, circular economy approaches, and climate change adaptation. She employs participatory stakeholder engagement methodologies to improve policy relevance and foster mutual learning among diverse actors. Her work addresses critical global challenges including phosphorus scarcity, food security, urban agriculture, and sustainable resource management through innovative approaches that bridge scientific research and practical implementation.

Analyzing her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on phosphorus management within food systems, with increasing attention to circular economy approaches, policy frameworks, and vulnerability assessments. Her research demonstrates a progression from identifying phosphorus scarcity as a critical challenge to developing concrete solutions through governance innovations, technological applications, and stakeholder engagement strategies across multiple geographical contexts.

• Eureka Prize for Environmental Research (2012)
• 100 Women of Influence (AFR/Westpac, 2013)
• Top 100 Most Influential People (Sydney Magazine, 2012)

Cordell provides expert advice to high-level organizations including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Australia's Chief Scientist, and the UK Parliament. Her funded research portfolio demonstrates strong connections with government agencies, international organizations, and industry partners, with projects spanning sustainable phosphorus management, circular economy applications, climate change adaptation, and food system transformations. She has secured significant funding from sources including ARC, DFAT, AgriFutures Australia, and the Swedish Research Council.

As Research Director of the Institute for Sustainable Futures, Cordell leads the Food Systems research group and oversees major initiatives including the Global Phosphorus Research Initiative, Sydney's Food Futures, and P-FUTURES. Her collaborative approach brings together diverse stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and community organizations to address complex sustainability challenges through integrated research and practical solutions.