Zoe Mellick

Zoe Mellick is an academic researcher at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), specializing in sustainable fashion, value chain analysis, and ethical practices in the textile and apparel industry. Her work primarily focuses on Australian cotton and wool value chains, examining sustainability metrics, labor practices, and circular economy models within these global supply networks. She is affiliated with QUT's Faculty of Creative Industries, Education & Social Justice, specifically within the School of Design, where she contributes to research on fashion industry sustainability and ethical production practices.

Mellick completed her PhD at Queensland University of Technology in 2022 with a thesis titled "Walking The chain: The social construction of Australian cotton's sustainable value," establishing her expertise in cotton value chain sustainability. Her doctoral research provided foundational insights into how sustainability value is perceived and communicated throughout the cotton production and distribution process.

Dr. Mellick's research spans multiple critical areas in sustainable fashion. She investigates how sustainability value is communicated and constructed throughout global value chains, particularly focusing on Australian cotton and wool industries. Her work examines labor and human rights issues downstream in textile supply chains, the impact of hyperconsumerism during festive seasons, and circular economy models for textile production. She also explores the application of emerging technologies like AI in design studios and sustainable fashion education. Her research often bridges academic theory with practical industry applications, working closely with stakeholders across the fashion value chain from producers to retailers.

Analysis of her publication history reveals a clear trajectory toward addressing systemic issues in fashion sustainability, with increasing focus on labor rights, circular economy models, and the practical implementation of sustainable practices in the Australian fashion industry. Mellick's work demonstrates growing sophistication in methodology and scope, moving from foundational value chain mapping to addressing complex social and environmental challenges within the industry. Her recent publications show particular attention to the intersection of technology, sustainability, and ethical production.

Dr. Mellick frequently collaborates with colleagues across disciplines, particularly with researchers like Alice Payne, Tiziana Ferrero-Regis, and Rowena Maguire. Her research has been supported by projects with the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), indicating substantial grant funding for her work on cotton value chains. She appears to be actively mentoring students and early-career researchers through collaborative projects focused on sustainable fashion practices. Her work with the QUT Centre for Justice suggests involvement in interdisciplinary research teams addressing ethical labor practices and social justice issues within the fashion industry.

Her research contributes significantly to QUT's position as a leader in Australian fashion sustainability research, with practical implications for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and consumers seeking to understand and improve sustainability practices in the textile and apparel sector. Dr. Mellick's work helps bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications in sustainable fashion production and consumption.