On Sustainability Research Network

Emerging Scholar Awards


Each year a small number of Emerging Scholar Awards are given to outstanding early-career scholars or graduate students. The Award offers complimentary registration and Network Membership. It provides a robust professional development opportunity for early career academics to meet experts in the field, interact with colleagues from other parts of the world, and create networks and lasting connections. In our model, we have two kinds of Emerging Scholars -- In-Person and Online Only. Across all formats, Emerging Scholars play a critical role in the conference by leading discussions and chairing parallel sessions and are offered a publication pathway for their research. This way, we can provide maximum exposure for this selected group of researchers.

To apply, follow the link below. You may also view further instructions by selecting our "Step-By-Step Guide."

Final Deadline: 6 January 2026
Apply Now Step-By-Step Guide

2026 In-Person Recipients

For each conference, a small number of Emerging Scholar Awards are given to outstanding graduate students and emerging scholars who have an active research interest in the conference themes. Emerging Scholars perform a critical role in the conference by chairing the parallel sessions, providing technical assistance in the sessions, and presenting their own research papers. The 2026 Emerging Scholar Award Recipients are as follows:

Katryn Furmston

Katryn Furmston

Nottingham Trent University, UK

With a background in furniture and product design education, Katryn’s PhD centres on understanding and defining the concept of fast furniture. Focusing particularly on its end of life, the research investigates furniture longevity, responsibility opinions, and value perceptions through a material culture lens, in order to understand the specific motivations and values consumers associate with fast furniture, as well as the factors that influence their purchasing and disposal decisions. Alongside her studies, Katryn works as a Freelance Research and Education Specialist at Design Conformity and serves as a visiting lecturer at Derby University.

Caroline Glowka

Caroline Glowka

University of Lincoln, UK

Dr Caroline Glowka is a Lecturer in Digital Marketing and Research Fellow at Lincoln International Business School, University of Lincoln, UK. She holds a PhD from the University of Gdańsk and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Dr Glowka is a UKRI Innovate UK grant holder (2023/24) and recipient of the University of Lincoln’s IRF and RRAF awards (2023–2025). She supervises PhD researchers and teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules in marketing and management. She serves as a peer reviewer for the Cambridge Review of International Affairs and the “Trends and Best Practices in Management” conference proceedings. She brings over 13 years of industry experience to her academic role. Her research explores sustainable marketing, brand experience management, and AI applications in business.

Krishna Nair J

Krishna Nair J

VIT-AP University, India

Dr. Krishna Nair J is an Assistant Professor of Economics at VIT-AP University, India. She earned her PhD in Economics from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Her research explores how public policies and expenditure influence health, education, and gender outcomes, particularly in rural India. Connecting development economics with sustainability, her work examines how inclusive access to basic amenities and digital infrastructure can promote long-term social and economic well-being. She has published widely, including in the Journal of Cleaner Production and the International Journal of Health Economics and Management, and has presented at conferences in the USA, Canada, Portugal, and Japan.

Tatenda Musasa

Tatenda Musasa

Midlands State University, Zimbabwe

Tatenda Musasa is a young geomorphologist who is currently pursuing a PhD with the University of Western Cape focusing on soil erosion. He is also holder of a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Geography and Environmental Studies at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe where he has gained expert research experience. Tatenda also participated in community engagement projects such as the Matambo wetland Restoration projection spearheaded by the Environmental Management Agency of Zimbabwe. Tatenda Musasa’s research interest include sustainable natural resources utilization with more focus on wetlands, forest management, safety, health and the environment, food security and rural livelihoods in general.

2026 Recipients (Online Only)

Jessica Telfer

Jessica Telfer

Jessica Telfer holds a Master of Arts in Luxury and Fashion Management from Savannah College of Art and Design and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Costume Design from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She has costumed in various capacities on both the East and West Coasts of the United States, including at these prestigious stages: Pasadena Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, The Antaeus Company, and East West Players. Her research focuses on innovation in costume design and sustainable manufacturing. She is up for publication in the Athens Journal of Humanities and Arts.

In Their Words

As an Emerging Scholar, I truly valued the interdisciplinary nature of the conference, where scholars from diverse fields came together to explore sustainability from multiple perspectives. This enriched the debate, fostering insightful discussions and highlighting the complexity and interconnectedness of sustainable practices across disciplines."

Walter Spezzano, 2025 Awardee

The Emerging Scholar program is an incredible way to connect with others entering the sustainability field from all over the world, while inspiring you to take your research goals to new heights! This program has broadened my professional network and academic horizons by fostering friendships with global scholars from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, many of whom I now consider my close friends.”

Gloria Schmitz, 2025 Awardee

The conference has given me an excellent opportunity to present my work. Looking forward to attending more conferences through this platform."

Asma Awan, 2024 Awardee

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