Biography

Dr. Russell works in the area of circular economy and sustainability, the flows of materials within economic consumption-production systems, and strategies for slowing and closing material loops. As co-author of the UNEP International Resource Panel publication “Re-defining Value – The Manufacturing Revolution,” her background includes an emphasis on strategy for market transformation. Dr. Russell received her PhD degree from the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Prior to joining the department, the position she held was a lecturer in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain, and Circular Value Chain, in the MBA in Sustainability program at Bard College. Prior to pursuing academia, Dr. Russell worked as an industry sustainability consultant for 10 years, for multi-national CPG clients based across North America and Europe.

Dr. Russell’s research program is centered around the integration of, and opportunities for circular systems and practice for sustainable biomaterials. This work spans sustainable materials, applications in packaging and the built-environment, and circular practice including remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, reuse, and recycling. 

Education

• M.B.A. - University of Toronto, 2010
• Ph.D. - Rochester Institute of Technology, 2018

Areas of Expertise and Research Interest

• Dynamic production-consumption systems for sustainable products and technologies
• Life-cycle impacts of value-retention processes, including remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair and reuse
• Market transformation strategies in support of circular economy and sustainability
• Value-chain, supply chain, and business model innovations for sustainability outcomes
• Social psychology, perceptions and attitudes towards sustainable products and technologies
• Socio-economic and techno-economic systems assessment
• Applied systems-perspectives to better inform market barriers assessments

Classes

• SBIO 1114 - Sustainable Circular Economy
• SBIO 2504 - Circular Economy Analytics

Research Program Description

Dr. Russell’s research program is centered around the integration of, and opportunities for circular systems and practice for sustainable biomaterials. This work spans sustainable materials, applications in packaging and the built-environment, and circular practice including remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, reuse, and recycling.