Overview
The Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub Synthesis Report consolidates the full body of research produced by the Hub into a single, accessible knowledge product. The project will consolidate and translate diverse research outputs, stakeholder insights and outcomes into clear, usable evidence to inform policy, practice and community-led action.
The synthesis will support decision-making across the Hub’s three thematic areas: Regional and Remote Approaches, Sustainable Communities and Waste and Circular Economy, ensuring our research delivers lasting impact beyond individual projects.
This project will synthesise Hub research outputs that are currently dispersed across multiple reports, datasets and platforms. By integrating these materials, the project will highlight cross-cutting insights, emerging trends and priority actions relevant to governments, industry, communities and educators.
Why?
While Hub research outputs are publicly available, they are spread across many individual documents, making them difficult to navigate and apply, particularly for non-technical audiences.
This project addresses that challenge by synthesising research into a coherent, strategic and user-focused resource. The synthesis will reduce information overload, improve accessibility and strengthen the connection between research and real-world decision-making.
By translating technical findings into practical insights, the project will help ensure SCaW research informs policy development, supports community resilience and contributes to more sustainable waste and circular economy outcomes across Australia.
Who?
Project lead:
Associate Professor Farshid Pahlevani, UNSW Sydney
What?
The project will run in 2026 and includes:
- Collation and review of SCaW Hub research outputs, datasets and reports
- Engagement with researchers and stakeholders to shape synthesis
- Thematic analysis across research themes
- Development of a comprehensive synthesis report supported by plain-language summaries and visual knowledge products
- Preparation of web-based and policy-ready outputs to support broad uptake
What’s next?
The Hub Synthesis Report will act as a launch point for future impact, helping to:
- Inform national, regional and local policy and framework development
- Support community-led sustainability and circular economy initiatives
- Identify knowledge gaps and priority directions for future research
- Strengthen collaboration across government, industry, communities and research partners.
By delivering an accessible, integrated knowledge product, the project will ensure the legacy of SCaW Hub research continues to shape sustainable communities and waste management practice beyond the life of the Hub.
