Dr Savindi Caldera | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Professional memberships

• Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (Associate Member)
• Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association, Educators Group (Member)
• Australasian Association of Engineering Education (Member)
• Circular Economy Research Network (CERN-APac) (Member)

Awards and fellowships

• Winner - Excellence in Disaster Management Research category, Inspector-General of Emergency Management International Women's Day Awards 2023
• Winner - Siganto Foundation Medal and scholarship, Siganto Foundation, Institute of Future Environment, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2019
• Highly Commended Award for Excellence in Teaching, Griffith University, 2020
• Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award for Best Sessional Teaching, School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, 2019
• Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award for Best Sessional Teaching, School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, 2018
• Vice Chancellor's Performance Award for Best Sessional Teaching, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2017
• High Achiever for Higher Degree Research students in Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2018
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK (2017)

Professional social media

• LinkedIn

Potential research projects for HDR and Honours students

Interested PhD and master’s degree applicants are welcome to enquire. Potential research topics include waste management (e.g., construction and demolition waste, disaster waste), sustainable business practice (e.g., lean and green thinking) and circular economy solutions.

Teaching areas

• ENS120 Introduction to Environmental Management
• ENS223 Environmental Impact Assessment

Refereed journal papers

1. Zaman, A., Caceres Ruiz A., Shooshtarian, S., Ryley, T., Caldera S., & Maqsood, T. (2023). Development of the Circular Economy Design Guidelines for the Australian Built Environment Sector. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032500
2. Elsa Francis, A., Webb, M., Desha, C., Rundle-Thiele, S., & Caldera, S. (2023). Environmental Sustainability in Stadium Design and Construction: A Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086896 
3. Hayes, S., Desha, C., Caldera, S., & Gibbs, M. (2023) A Transformed Approach for Benchmarking the Performance of ‘Sustainable’ Infrastructure. Resources. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources12030037 
4. Caldera, S., Desha, C., & Dawes, L. (2022). Applying Cynefin framework to explore the experiences of engineering educators undertaking ‘emergency remote teaching’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. Australasian Journal of Engineering Education. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/22054952.2021.2020958
5. Shooshtarian, S., Caldera, S., Maqsood, T., Ryley, T., & Khalfan, M. (2022). Analysis of factors influencing the creation and stimulation of the Australian market for recycled construction and demolition waste products. Sustainable Consumption and Production. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.09.005 
6. Shooshtarian, S., Caldera, S., Maqsood, T., & Ryley, T. (2022). Evaluating the COVID-19 impacts on the Construction and Demolition Waste Management and Resource Recovery industry: Experience from the Australian Built Environment Sector. Clean Technology and Environmental Policy. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10098-022-02412-z 
7. Caldera, S., Mohamed, S., & Feng Y. (2022). Evaluating the COVID-19 Impacts on Sustainable Procurement: Experiences from the Australian Built Environment Sector. Sustainability doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074163 
8. Lozano, R., Barreiro-Gen, M., D’Amato, D., Gago-Cortes, C., Favi,C., Martins,R., Monus, F., Simão, J., Benayas, J., Caldera, S., Sevket Bostanci, Djekic, I., Mariano Moneva, J., Sáenz, O., Awuzie, B., & Gladysz, B. (2022). To group or not to group: Analysing the interconnections between sustainability competences and pedagogical approaches. Sustainable Development doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2396 
9. Caldera, H.T.S., Hayes, S., Dawes, L., & Desha, C. (2022). Moving beyond business as usual towards regenerative business practice in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Frontiers in Sustainability.
   doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2022.799359
10. Shooshtarian, S., Caldera, S., Maqsood, T., Ryley, T., & Khalfan, M. (2021). Transformation towards a circular economy in the Australian Construction and Demolition Waste management System. Sustainable Consumption and Production. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.11.032
11. Shooshtarian, S., Caldera, S., Maqsood, T., Ryley, T., & Khalfan, M. (2021). An investigation into challenges and opportunities in the Australian construction and demolition waste management system. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-05-2021-043
12. Caldera, S., Mostafa, S., Desha, C., & Mohamed, S. (2021). Exploring the Role of Digital Infrastructure Asset Management Tools for Resilient Linear Infrastructure Outcomes in Cities and Towns: A Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111965 
13. Desha, C., Caldera, S., & Hutchinson, D. (2021). Exploring the development of context appreciation in coursework that targets problem-solving for sustainable development. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-01-2020-0024 
14. Caldera, S., Mostafa, S., Desha, C., & Mohamed, S. (2021). Integrating disaster management planning into road infrastructure asset management. Infrastructure Asset Management. doi: https://doi.org/10.1680/jinam.21.00012
15. Caldera, S., Ryley, T., & Zatyko, N. (2020). Enablers and barriers for creating a marketplace for construction and demolition waste: A systematic literature review. Sustainability. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239931 
16. Caldera, S., Mohamed, S., Mostafa, S., & Desha, C. (2020) Digital engineering for resilient road infrastructure outcomes: Evaluating critical asset information requirements. Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.d8.0357)
17. Caldera, S., Desha, C., Reid, S., Newman, P., & Mouritz, M. (2020). Applying a Place Making Sustainable Centres Framework to Transit Activated Corridors in Australian cities. Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems (http://dx.doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.d8.0360)
18. Shooshtarian, S., Caldera, S., Maqsood, M., & Ryley, T. (2020). Using recycled construction and demolition waste products: A review of stakeholder perceptions, decisions, and behaviour. Recycling (https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling5040031)
19. Caldera, S, Jayasinghe, R., Desha C., Dawes, L., & Ferguson, S. (2020). Evaluating barriers, enablers and opportunities for closing the loop through ‘waste upcycling’: A systematic literature review. Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems (http://dx.doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.d8.0367)
20. Caldera, H.T.S., Desha, C., & Dawes, L. (2019). Evaluating the enablers and barriers for successful implementation of sustainable business practice in ‘lean’ SMEs. Journal of Cleaner Production.
    doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.239
21. Caldera, H.T.S., Desha, C., & Dawes, L. (2019). Transforming manufacturing to be ‘good for planet and people’, through enabling lean and green thinking in small and medium-sized enterprises. Sustainable Earth. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42055-019-0011-z
22. Caldera, H.T.S., Desha, C., & Dawes, L. (2018). Exploring the characteristics of sustainable business practice in lean manufacturing SMEs: Experiences from the Australian manufacturing industry. Journal of Cleaner Production. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.265
23. Caldera, H.T.S., Desha, C., & Dawes, L. (2017). Exploring the role of lean thinking in sustainable business practice: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 1546-1565.
    doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.05.126
24. Caldera, A.K., & Caldera H.T.S. (2017). Achieving cost effectiveness through adopting sustainability measures: Case study from the Sri Lankan tyre industry. The Journal of the Plastic and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka. Volume 17, page 11-15 https://tinyurl.com/ve2t6422
25. Caldera H.T.S., & Amarasekera, H.S. (2014). Investigation of sawmill management and technology on waste reduction at selected sawmills in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment, 2015; 5(1)

Peer reviewed conference papers

1. Reid, S., Kratz, J., Caldera, S., & Woolcock G. (2022). Creating Liveable and Accessible Social and Affordable Higher Density Housing: the case of Green Square, Brisbane. In Proceedings of the World Building Congress, 27-30 June, Melbourne, Australia. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/415063 
2. Reid, S., Kraatz J., Rowlinson and Caldera, S. (2022). Housing as critical social and economic infrastructure: A decision-making framework. In Proceedings of the CIB World Building Congress, 27-30 June, Melbourne, Australia. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/415062 
3. Shooshtarian, S., Maqsood, M., Caldera, S., & Ryley, T (2022). The impact of regulations on construction and demolition waste market creation and stimulation: Australian stakeholder perceptions. In Proceedings of the CIB World Building Congress, 27-30 June, Melbourne, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/28rkc5zj 
4. Dissanayaka, M., Ryley, R., Spasojevic, B., & Caldera, S. (2022). An evaluation of approaches to reduce staff air travel emissions: A Griffith University case study. In Proceedings of the Air Transport Research (ATRS) Conference, 26-29 August, Antwerp, Belgium.
5. Shooshtarian, S., Maqsood, M., Caldera. S., & Ryley, T, Zaman, A., & Wong, P. (2022). The role of education in the circular built environment: Analysis of Australian educational programs impact on construction and demolition waste management. To be presented at the Architectural Science Association Conference, 1-2 December, Perth, Australia (Accepted)
6. Wang, Y., Desha, C., Beer, T., & Caldera, S. (2022). Exploring the Role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Urban Green Space Governance for Restoring Children’s Resilience During COVID-19. In Proceedings of the ISDE Conference (Sep 2022), Chennai, India.
7. Shooshtarian, S., Caldera, S., Maqsood, M., & Ryley, T. (2021). COVID-19 Impacts on the Australian Construction and Demolition Waste Management and Resource Recovery Industry. In Proceedings of the 16th Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) conference, 10-11 October, Croatia
8. Ryley, R., Caldera, S., Spasojevic, B., & Whittlesea, E. (2021). An evaluation of approaches to reduce staff air travel emissions: A Griffith University case study. In Proceedings of the Air Transport Research (ATRS) Conference, 26-29 August, Sydney, Australia. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/408443 
9. Belleh, S., Caldera, S., Desha, C., & Nordin, L. (2021). Food and Garden Organics Waste Collection and Planning in Australia: A Systematic Literature Review. In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Sustainable Waste Management & Circular Economy, 1-4 December 2021, West Bengal, India. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/410649 
10. Desha, C. & Caldera, S. (2021). Codesigning educational facilities for disaster preparedness and response: Sharing the journey and insights into partnerships and collaboration. Queensland Disaster Management Research Forum, June 2021 Brisbane, Australia
11. Caldera, S., Desha, C., & Dawes, L., (2020). Evaluating enablers and barriers for remote teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences of engineering educators. Proceedings of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE) 2020 conference, 6-9 December, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/3uxkvvmu
12. Caldera, S., Jayasinghe, R., Desha, C., Dawes, L., & Ferguson, S. (2020). Trash to treasure: Exploring opportunities and challenges for upcycling in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). In Proceedings of the 1^st Asia Pacific Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) conference, SDEWES 2019, 6-9 April Gold Coast, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/jd4888ce
13. Caldera, S., Desha, C., Reid, S., Newman, P., & Mouritz, M. (2020). Principles of Design for ensuring Sustainable Urban Centres. In Proceedings of the 1^st Asia Pacific Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) conference, SDEWES 2019, 6-9 April Gold Coast, Australia. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/79521  
14. Caldera, S., Mohamed, S., Mostafa, S., & Desha C. (2020). Evaluating critical asset information requirements towards resilient road infrastructure. In Proceedings of the 1^st Asia Pacific Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) conference, SDEWES 2019, 6-9 April Gold Coast, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/tums92ff
15. Caldera, S., Ryley, T., & Zatyko, N. (2020). Developing a marketplace for construction and demolition waste based on a systematic quantitative literature review. In Proceedings of the 1^st Asia Pacific Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) conference, SDEWES 2019, 6-9 April Gold Coast, Australia https://tinyurl.com/2skrkud7
16. Caldera, S., Desha, C., Fukui, H., & Yasumoto, S. (2019). “Biggs + ACAD =?” Evaluating an international authentic learning pilot in education for sustainable development. In Proceedings of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE) 2019 conference, 8-11 December Brisbane, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/1g7yhjg3
17. Newman, P., Mouritz, M., Verschuer, M., Davies-Slate, S., Caldera, H.T.S., Desha, C., & Reid, S. (2019). Trackless Trams and Australian Urban Fabric. In Proceedings of the State of Australian Cities Conference 2019, 3-5 December, Perth, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/42wr3wqc
18. Caldera, S., & Desha, C. (2019). Foundations AND Horizons: the critical role of international coursework to engage students in engineering for the 21^st In Proceedings of the World Engineers Convention 20-22^nd November, Melbourne, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/wjs2xbdt
19. Desha, C., Perez-Mora, L., Hutchinson., D., & Caldera, H.T.S. (2019). The power of Digital Earth: Developing affordable remote immersive collaboration spaces for data access and engagement in emergency management. In Proceedings of the World Engineers Convention 20-22^nd November, Melbourne, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/h6zzwhje
20. Desha, C., Caldera, H.T.S., & Fukui, H. (2019). An International Collaboration towards Transformed Engineering Practice in Digital Earth. In Proceedings of International Society of Digital Earth Conference 24-27^th September Florence, Italy. https://tinyurl.com/8rpbbnns
21. Desha, C., Perez-Mora, L., Caldera, T.S., Fukui, H., & Naidoo, C. (2019). Innovation journey of the Digital Earth Node (DEN): Experiences, ideas and future opportunities. In Proceedings of International Society of Digital Earth Conference 24-27^th September Florence, Italy. https://tinyurl.com/4pvrye4t
22. Caldera, T.S., & Desha, C. (2019). Investigating the role of food waste recycling in closing the loop: Case study from the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Australia. In Proceedings of the 19^th European Roundtable of Sustainable Consumption and Production, 15-18^th October 2019, Spain. https://tinyurl.com/52nmbv63
23. Desha, C., Caldera, T.S., & Hutchinson, D. (2019). Using the Cynefin Model to develop built environment student capabilities in complex problem-solving for the 21^st Century. In Proceedings of the 19^th European Roundtable of Sustainable Consumption and Production, 15-18^th October 2019, Spain
24. Desha, C., Perez-Mora, L., Caldera, T.S., Fukui, H., & Naidoo, C. (2019). Developing Affordable Remote Immersive Collaboration Spaces for All. In Proceedings of LOCATE Conference 8-10^th April, Melbourne, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/4z44zpw4
25. Caldera, H.T.S., Desha, C., & Dawes, L., (2018). Doing well by doing good:
    Sustainable manufacturing strategies and opportunities through ‘lean and green’ thinking, In Proceedings of the Manufacturing and Design Conference, 21-22 May 2018, Auckland, New Zealand. https://tinyurl.com/11lfldiu
26. Caldera, H.T.S., Desha, C., & Dawes, L., (2017). Embedding lean and green practices into small and medium-sized enterprises to achieve sustainable business practice, In Proceedings of the 18^th European Roundtable of Sustainable Consumption and Production, 1-5 October 2017, Skiathos Island, Greece. https://tinyurl.com/5enu8g2u
27. Caldera, H.T.S., Desha, C.& Dawes, L., (2017), Evaluating SMEs’ relationships with ‘lean’ and ‘green’ thinking when aiming for sustainable business practice, In Proceedings of the 18^th European Roundtable of Sustainable Consumption and Production, 1-5 October 2017, Skiathos Island, Greece. https://tinyurl.com/5enu8g2u
28. Caldera, H.T.S., Desha, C. & Dawes, L., (2015). Exploring the role of lean thinking in sustainable business practice, In Proceedings of the Global Cleaner Production Conference, 1-4 November 2015, Barcelona, Spain. https://tinyurl.com/9h9olnzh
29. Caldera, H.T.S., Amarasekera, H. S., Rajapaksha, T. R., & Daundasekera, W. B.(2014). Investigation of sawmill management and technology on yield optimisation at selected sawmills in Moratuwa. In Proceedings of 18^th International Forestry and Environment Symposium (Vol. 18, pg 104). https://tinyurl.com/1h02fg22
30. Caldera, H.T.S., & Amarasekera, H. S. (2014). Investigation of sawmill management and technology on waste reduction at selected sawmills in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. In Proceedings of 18^th International Forestry and Environment Symposium (Vol. 18, pg 104). https://tinyurl.com/57cblwxn

Conference presentations

1. Ryley, T., & Caldera, S. (2022). Creation and Stimulation of End Markets
   for Construction and Demolition Waste. Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre Industry Research Symposium, 29 March, Brisbane, Australia
2. Caldera, H.T.S, Zatyko, N., Ferguson, S., Desha, C., & Rayner, M. (2019). Closing the loop on Food and Garden Organics: Evaluating the experience of at-scale food and garden-waste composting in South East Queensland. The National Symposium on Recycled Organics, Brisbane, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/2d5sjs6v
3. Caldera, H. S, Rayner, M., & Desha, C. (2018). Food organics recycling: A call for action. The Future Waste Resources Convention, 11-13 October 2018, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/1iv8mq7q
4. Caldera, S. (2021). Transforming manufacturing practices through lean and green thinking. 25^th International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 22-23 January 2021 Colombo, Sri Lanka

Book chapters

1. Desha, C., Caldera, S., & Hales, R. (2021). 'Sustainability Competences and Pedagogical Approaches at Griffith University', in Lozano, R., Barreiro-Gen, M. (Eds.), Developing Sustainability Competences through Pedagogical Approaches, Strategies for Sustainability, http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64965-4_11, Chapter 11, pp 159-176. ISBN 978-3-030-64965-4
2. Aghdamy, S., Caldera, S., Desha, C., Mohammadi, M., & Vakili, A. (2022). Evaluating the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Students' Learning Experiences. In Advancing Engineering Education Beyond COVID (pp. 171-188). CRC Press.

Technical Reports (Selected)

1. Reid, S., Kraatz, J., & Caldera, S. (2021). Final Industry Report for Project 1.71 Liveable Social and Affordable Higher Density Housing https://sbenrc.com.au/research-programs/1-71/
2. Maqsood, T., Shooshtarian, S., Wong, P., Yang.R, Khalfan, M., Ryley, T., & Caldera, S. (2021). Final Industry Report for Project 1.75 Creation and Stimulation of End Markets for Construction and Demolition Waste https://sbenrc.com.au/research-programs/1-75/
3. Yingbin Feng, Y., Papastamoulis, V., Mohamed, S., Le, T., Caldera, S., Shooshtarian S., Zhang, P., & Shou, W. (2021). Final Industry Report for Project 2.76 Sustainable Procurement https://sbenrc.com.au/research-programs/2-76/
4. Newman, P., Mouritz, M., Desha, C., Caldera, S., & Sheurer, J. (2021). Final Industry Report for Project 1.74 Delivering Transit Activated Corridors  https://sbenrc.com.au/research-programs/1-74/
5. Maqsood, T., Shooshtarian, S., Wong, P., Yang.R, Khalfan, M., Ryley, T., & Caldera, S. (2020). Final Industry Report for Project 1.65 Construction and Demolition Waste Management in Australia. Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/wjwtr7wa
6. Reid, S., Wilson, T., Pocock, M., Hsiao, A., Caldera, S., Roca, E., & Liu, B. (2020). Information Disclosure & Residential ‘Off the Plan’ Sales Contracts, Consumer Policy Research Centre, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/iz183f17
7. Caldera, S., Desha, C., Reid, S., Yen, B., Shearer, H., Newman, P. , & Mouritz, M. (2020). Townsville metro: unlocking potential through improving Townsville’s transit corridor, Report for Project 1.62 Sustainable Centres of Tomorrow: People and Place, Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/4s5xlcle
8. Newman, P., Mouritz, M., Desha, C., Reid, S., Caldera, S., & Sheurer, J. (2020). Final Industry Report for Project 1.62 Sustainable Centres of Tomorrow: People and Place, Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre, Australia. https://tinyurl.com/9t195iif
9. Hales, R., Edwards, I., Liyanaarachchi, T., Caldera, S., & Taveras Dalmau, V. (2020). Financial and resource performance of small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) in the ecoBiz program 2017-2020. Griffith Centre for Sustainable Enterprise. https://tinyurl.com/yxl99jes
10. Feng, Y., Mohamed, S. A., Le, T., Zhang, P., Shou, W., Bevan, W., & Caldera, S. (2020). Sustainable Procurement: Literature Review: Report #1. Retrieved from https://sbenrc.com.au/research-programs/2-76/

Dr Savindi Caldera's specialist areas of knowledge include construction and demolition waste management, circular economy, cleaner production and resource efficiency.

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