The Cluster of Sustainable Development and Consumption (SDC) is an interdisciplinary research platform focused on advancing rigorous, policy-relevant scholarship on sustainability and development challenges in a globalised and digitally transforming economy. The cluster brings together researchers examining how patterns of resources utilisation, production and consumption, financial and market mechanisms, digital innovation, and public policy interact to shape sustainable and inclusive development outcomes, with a particular emphasis on emerging and transition economies.
The cluster adopts a systems-based perspective, recognising that sustainability challenges cannot be addressed through isolated disciplinary approaches. Instead, it investigates the interconnected roles of individual and organisational behaviour, business models, markets, technologies, and institutions. By integrating insights across these domains, the cluster seeks to generate evidence that informs both academic debate and real-world decision-making.
Advancing rigorous, interdisciplinary, and policy-relevant research that supports sustainable and inclusive development while informing real-world decision-making
Collaborating with researchers, industry, and policymakers to address complex, interconnected sustainability challenges
Generating high-quality evidence that contributes to academic debate and shapes pathways in sustainability, climate action, and development
The cluster’s research activities are organised around four thematic pillars that provide intellectual structure while allowing flexibility and diversity in research approaches:
Professor Robert McClelland is a distinguished academic leader with over 50 years in higher education and currently serves as Dean of The Business School at RMIT. He holds a PhD in Blended and Virtual Learning and is a Fellow of both the Royal Statistical Society and the Higher Education Academy. His expertise spans business education, research methods, sustainability, and digital health with 150 publications and has supervised over 40 doctoral candidates. Robert has led major international research projects, pioneered open learning degrees, and contributed to global initiatives in sustainability, health, and business innovation, while mentoring academic and research leaders worldwide.
Associate Professor Huy Pham is an Associate Professor of Finance at RMIT University Vietnam. He leads sustainability initiatives across APAC and is a pioneer in integrating fintech, blockchain, and crypto into curricula. With over 40 publications in leading journals, his research spans sustainable finance, digital assets, and empirical finance, contributing to UN SDGs. As a recognised expert, he advises industry and speaks at ADB and APEC, with commentary featured in major global media. He previously served as CFO of GreenAnt and currently is CFO of MoneyFi.Fund, advancing AI-driven DeFi solutions for seamless stablecoin monetisation across digital asset ecosystems.
Grant/Funder: Sustainable development of urban regions, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Project lead: Dr Trinh Tran
Grant/Funder: Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) - Coordination and Support Actions, European Commission
Project lead: Professor Robert McClelland, Dr Trinh Tran
Grant/Funder: The Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network Program, ADPC
Project lead: Dr Trinh Tran
Funder: World Bank Vietnam
Project lead: Professor Bob Baulch
Funder: NEXVN
Project lead: Dr Duy Dang
Grant/Funder: CLARE - ASEAN Program, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UK)
Project lead: Dr Seng Kiong Kok
