Dr Eleni Iacovidou
Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management

Summary

My research focuses on sustainable solutions for resource and waste management, with a strong emphasis on circular economy strategies and sustainability assessment. I use a systems thinking approach (CVORR) to understand environmental challenges holistically and to identify points where practical interventions can generate the greatest value and impact. By considering not only environmental and engineering aspects but also social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions, my work highlights the multidimensional value of resource recovery systems. This approach helps create solutions that are technically sound, socially inclusive, and supportive of a faster transition to sustainability.

My research is primarily desktop-based and centres on five key areas:

• Plastic and plastic packaging systems – assessing sustainable pathways to circularity

• Textiles management – advancing prevention and reuse in a sustainable society

• Food waste management – addressing challenges for sustainable consumption and recovery

• Construction components – promoting reuse and modular structures

• Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) – repair, reuse, and circular strategies

In addition, I examine the effects of technological and regulatory lock-ins, the role of stakeholders in sustainability transitions, and the impacts of informal recycling systems on society and the environment. I am also exploring how waste infrastructure can be tailored to area-specific contexts and how smart technologies can enable product and component tracking across the value chain.

The ultimate goal of my research is to provide systemic and integrated sustainability assessments that support evidence-based policymaking, guide industry innovation, and foster academic collaboration. By applying systems thinking, I aim to reduce material leakage, extend product lifespans, and enhance resource efficiency, shaping a more resilient and sustainable future.

Qualifications

• BSc in Chemistry, University of Crete
• MSc in Environmental Engineering, University of Crete
• PhD in Environmental Research (Management and Policy), Imperial College London

Responsibility

1. Teaching & Supervision

• Programme Director for the MSc in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Design.

• Lead Lecturer for Sustainability, Governance and Policy and Sustainable Resources and Waste Management.

• Supervise MSc, MRes, and PhD research projects in resource and waste management, circular economy, sustainable development, and systems-based sustainability assessment across diverse materials, components, and products.

2. Research Leadership

• Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on funded projects supported by EPSRC, NERC, Leverhulme Trust/British Academy, and the Academy of Medical Sciences.

• Lead the development of interdisciplinary research proposals and tenders with industry and international partners.

• Manage collaborative projects that bridge academia, industry, and policy to generate real-world impact.

3. Engagement & Impact

• Collaborate with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and NGOs to translate research into practice.

• Provide expert advice on sustainability and circular economy strategies to governmental and international organisations.

• Deliver invited talks, workshops, and training courses for academic, professional, and policy audiences.

4. Institutional & Professional Service

• Theme Editor for Urban Transitions (Elsevier) on Circular Economy and Resource Management.

• Editorial Board Member for MDPI and Frontiers journals.

• Reviewer for leading journals in environmental management, sustainability assessment, and decision-making.

• Active member of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP).