Speaker Profile

Dr. Heinz Schandl holds a PhD in Sociology and an MA in Social and Economic Sciences. As a senior science leader at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Canberra, he serves as the director of CSIRO’s Circular Economy for Missions Initiative. In this capacity, he not only leads a research group focused on urban and industrial transformations but also coordinates circular economy research endeavours. Beyond his primary role at CSIRO, Dr. Schandl is an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Nagoya University in Japan. His affiliations extend to global platforms: he is a member of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) International Resource Panel and held the position of past president of the International Society of Industrial Ecology. Furthermore, he plays a pivotal role as the waste impact management initiative lead for the Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub of the National Environmental Science Program (NESP). Dr. Schandl also chairs the metrics working group of the Australian Circular Economy Hub. At the core of his research are themes like social theory, industrial metabolism, and environmental and sustainability policy. This expertise forms the backbone of his commitment to promoting evidence-based policies focused on resource efficiency, waste minimization, greenhouse gas abatement, and the principles of the circular economy.