The Centre for Research into Sustainability (CRIS) is a multidisciplinary, internationally-leading group of researchers and educators at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. Our members share an interest in understanding how just sustainability transitions happen through organisations, people, and society, bringing together perspectives that extend beyond environmental science or business sustainability.
Our research is organised around three interconnected clusters, which bring together our collective expertise:
- Social sustainability: justice, equity and people-centred sustainability
- Core focus: climate justice, DEI, sustainability/ CSR professionals, wellbeing, human rights & labour
- Environment and climate sustainability
- Core focus: climate change, biodiversity, circular economy, environmental systems, sustainable consumption
- Responsible organisations, governance policy
- Core focus: corporate governance, regulation, responsible AI, sustainable finance, business ethics, ESG metrics, social innovation and impact, partnerships
We approach sustainability in a broad and integrated manner, encompassing economic, social, ethical and environmental dimensions. Through our research, teaching, and collaborations with external partners, we strive to advance scholarship from a social and climate justice perspective by focusing on urgent global challenges such as poverty alleviation, social inequity, and the climate crisis.
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with other organisations on sustainability challenges; locally, nationally and internationally. Whether you are another research institution, a small/ medium sized enterprise, a social enterprise, an activist or social movement, an NGO, a multinational corporation or a public sector organisation, please contact us to discuss potential collaboration.
We hold regular seminar series and external speaker events; the majority of which are open to external attendees. Please check under the tab below to find details of our upcoming events and follow our LinkedIn page.
Key contacts
Hyemi Shin is Associate Professor in Responsible Management at Royal Holloway Business School, University of London, UK. Her research examines the emergence and evolution of the CSR and sustainability field across multiple levels, including regulatory and governance systems, corporate CSR communication and strategy, and the roles and experiences (tensions and meaningful work) of CSR and sustainability professionals in different contexts, such as Korea, Vietnam, the US, the UK, and France.
Dr. Simon Oldham - Co-Director
Simon is a lecturer in Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies at Royal Holloway Business School, University of London. His research interests focus on sustainable and ethical organisations, particularly in relation to values, moral identity and how social actors navigate practical moral issues within in a range of organisational forms, including small businesses, academia and the public sector.
Our research
Check out our member’s publications and projects here.
The Centre for Research into Sustainability (CRIS) is a multidisciplinary, internationally-leading group of researchers and educators at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. We are world-leading in three research areas, which form the basis of our expertise.
PHDs with CRIS
We are actively seeking high quality PhD students to work with CRIS members on sustainability-related topics. Please see individual staff research pages for an indication of their key interests and contact us directly to discuss further. General information on applying to study a research degree at Royal Holloway can be found here.
Partnerships and Collaborations
We work alongside a number of businesses, NGOs, research centres and universities. For more idea of our research collaboration, please see the NGOS, Business and Policymakers tab.
Our people
Our members come primarily from the School of Business and Management and the Department of Geography. CRIS works alongside the Sustainability, Responsibility & Ethics group in the School of Business and Management and the Politics, Development & Sustainability group in the Department of Geography, as well as collaborating with other colleagues from around the College.
Core members
Our core members can be found here.
Academic visitors within the 'Distinguished Scholar' programme
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Prof. Andy Crane (2014) |
Prof. Jan Bebbington (2015) |
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Prof. Ralph Hamman (2016) |
Prof. Mette Morsing (2016) |
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Prof. Joseph Sarkis (2017) |
Prof. Michelle Greenwood (2019) |
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Dr Oana Branzei (2020) |
Prof. Sankar Sen (2021) |
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Prof. Judy Brown (2023) |
Prof. Melissa Bublitz (2025) |
Collaborating with Business, NGOs and Policymakers
The Centre for Research into Sustainability is a multinational and interdisciplinary research-based group with a wealth of knowledge and experience on organisational responses to sustainability challenges. With expertise in sustainability relating to accounting, supply chains and logistics, corporate social responsibility and business ethics as well as environmental issues, it is a privilege for us to work in partnership with other organisations. We have experience working with small and medium sized enterprises, social enterprises, multinational corporations and the public sector. Our work is always rooted in our internationally renowned scholarship.
Education and training
All of our undergraduate management courses include a foundation for Sustainable Business and we are working towards sustainability being embedded across the curriculum. We also offer a flagship course, MSc Sustainability & Management, which is taught jointly by the School of Business and Management and the Department of Geography.
The School of Business and Management, Royal Holloway, University of London, has been a signatory of the United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education since 2008.
PhD Candidates
We are actively seeking high quality PhD students to work with CRIS members on sustainability-related topics. Please see individual staff research pages for an indication of their key interests or contact us directly to discuss further.
Our events
Upcoming events
To be confirmed for 2026/27
