Isabel B. Franco, PhD, MBAc
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BIOGRAPHY
Languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese (CELPE-BRAS - Portuguese Language Certificate for Foreigners) Full Name: Isabel (Buitrago) Franco Preferred Name: Isabel B. Franco Nationalities: Australian; Colombian; e-Resident of Estonia I am an international leader in sustainability science, policy and practice interested in exploring the role of corporations in fostering overall inclusive and sustainable development. I do this through the development, refinement and application of sustainability assessment tools methods, models and techniques. I have applied such tools to various industries namely, extractives (mining), gemstones, higher education, finance and banking, public sector, international development, fashion and the third sector (NGOs), in geographical contexts as diverse as Australia, Japan, China, Thailand, Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Zambia and Angola. I am the Founder of the global connector ‘Exceptional Women in Sustainability – eWisely.org - the fastest-growing connector of women in sustainability. eWisely has 20 networks in Latin America, 11 networks in Asia-Pacific and 8 Networks in Africa. The network connects women in sustainability science, policy and practice across globe to succeed together whilst building sustainable careers. We also engage in collaborative projects aimed to explore the nexus amongst women, sustainability and leadership. I have engaged in consulting, policy and research work on sustainability with various organisations, such as: Private Sector: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; AngloAmerican, Chile; Mineria Texas Colombia; Mineros S.A, Colombia; Continental Gold; Seafield Resources, Canada; CATOCA Diamond Mine; Plataforma Norte; Natixis; KPMG; Macquire Infrastructure and Real Assets and Real Assets; Credit Suisse Group. International Organisations: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and The Pacific (UNESCAP); ESCAP Business Advisory Council (EBAC); United Nations University - Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability; British Council; International Mining for Development Centre (IM4DC) (now MEfDA). Universities and Think Tanks: The University of Queensland; Griffith University; University of New South Wales; University of Hiroshima; Waseda University; Delaware University; University of Tokyo; University of Western Sydney; University of Zambia; St Xavier University, India; New Mexico State University; Central St. Martins; Bunka Fashion Collage; Universidad Catolica del Norte, Chile; Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Hiroshima University. Government organisations: Brisbane City Council; Ministry of Education of Colombia; Ministry of Geology and Mines Angola; Ministry of Development Planning of Angola. Civil Society Organisations: UN Global Compact Network, Social Innovation Japan, WIM Chile W:drisabelfranco.com E: connect@drisabelfranco.com T: @DrIsabelFranco |
INTERESTS & EXPERTISE
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting and Performance
- Sustainable Resource Development and Extractives (Mining, Oil, Gas and Gemstones)
- Governance for Sustainable Development, SDGs and Agenda 2030
- Gender Aspects of Sustainable Development
- Impact Sustainability Science, Community Capacity-building and Education for Sustainable Development
- Sustainable Livelihoods and Climate Change
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship
- Sustainability and Leadership
EDUCATION
(UQ International Scholarship)
The University of Queensland, Australia
CQ University, Australia
- 2011- 2014
(UQ International Scholarship)
The University of Queensland, Australia
- 2020
CQ University, Australia
- 2008-2010
MA Educational Management, University of Barcelona, Spain - 2017
- 2010
Postgraduate Governance and Public Policy, The University of Queensland, Australia - 2004 – 2008
BA (Hons) Education and Languages, National University of Colombia, Colombia - 2000- 2006
BA (Hons) Public Administration, School of Public Administration and Political Sciences (ESAP), Colombia
CAREER
Australian Institute for Business and Economics
The University of Queensland
'Project Lead: Global Stakeholder Networks for Impact Sustainability Education and Research - Funded by Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship JSPS-UNU-IAS. United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Japan
School of Human Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
School of Administrative and Political Science
Escuela Superior de Administración Publica Colombia
- 10/2014 – present
International Consultant & Lead Researcher
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) - 09/2019 - present
Australian Institute for Business and Economics
The University of Queensland
- 09/2017 – 2019
'Project Lead: Global Stakeholder Networks for Impact Sustainability Education and Research - Funded by Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship JSPS-UNU-IAS. United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Japan
- 10/2014 – 2019
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Keio University, Japan
- 05/2017 – 05/2018
Adjunct Research Fellow
Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia - 10/2015 – 04/2016
International Consultant
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - 12/2016 – 05/2017
Researcher
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland
Business School, The University of Queensland - 2013-2016
Fellow Member
Global Change Institute, Australia - 10/2012 – 03/2014
Researcher
Minerals and Energy for Development Alliance - 11/2010 – 05/2014
Research Scholar
Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland - 08/2008- 06/2010
Government Advisor
British Council – Ministry of Education of Colombia - 06/2006 - 06/2008
School of Human Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- 11/2000 -05/2006
School of Administrative and Political Science
Escuela Superior de Administración Publica Colombia
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
United Nations International Resource Panel
School of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- 2018-present
United Nations International Resource Panel
- 05/ 2017 – 05/2018
Adjunct Research Fellow
Sustainable Minerals Institute, Centre for Water in the Mining Industry, The University of Queensland, Australia - 2018
Guest Lecturer in Education for Sustainable Mining
University of Zambia - 2018
Guest Lecturer in Women in Global Mining and Sustainability
Universidad Catolica de Chile - 2015
School of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- 2013-2016
Fellow Member
Global Change Institute, Australia - 2013-2016
Guest Lecturer in Sustainable Resource Governance
The University of Queensland, Australia - 2015
Guest Lecturer Sustainable Resource Governance
Universidad Autonoma de Mexico - 2014-2011
Global Leader
The University of Queensland, Australia - 2011
International Ambassador
Brisbane City Council, Australia
RESEARCH GRANTS
Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding Body: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Postdoctoral Fellowship for Foreign Researchers
Funding: JPY 10,850,000
Partners: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS); United Nations University - Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability; Keio University, School of Governance and Media
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: Mineros S.A
Funding: US 3,000
Partners: Mineros S.A, Exceptional Women in Sustainability (eWisely)
Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: The University of Queensland, Sustainable Minerals Institute, Writing Fellowship
Funding: AUD 5,000
Partners: Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: International Mining for Development Centre (IM4DC), Student Action Research Grant
Funding: AUD 20,000
Partners: International Mining for Development Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: The University of Queensland, Field Research Travel grant – School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Funding: AUD 3,000
Partners: The University of Queensland, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES)
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: The University of Queensland, International Conference Grant, Sustainable Minerals Institute
Funding: AUD 3,000
Partners: Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
Funding body: United Nations ESCAP and The University of Queensland, Travel grant – SEES
Funding: AUD 2,000
Partners: United Nations ESCAP, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: The University of Queensland, UQ International Scholarship (UQI)
Funding: AUD 92,000
Partners: The University of Queensland
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: The University of Queensland, Sustainable Minerals Institute - Summer Research Scholarship
Funding: AUD 3,000
Partners: Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
- 2017-2019 - Project: Global Stakeholder Networks for Impactful Sustainability Research and Education
Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding Body: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Postdoctoral Fellowship for Foreign Researchers
Funding: JPY 10,850,000
Partners: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS); United Nations University - Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability; Keio University, School of Governance and Media
- 2017 - Project: Photo Documentary Research Grant: It is not just a Women's Issue
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: Mineros S.A
Funding: US 3,000
Partners: Mineros S.A, Exceptional Women in Sustainability (eWisely)
- 2015 - Project: Decentralisation, Corporate Community Development and Resource Governance: A Comparative Analysis of Two Mining Regions in Colombia
Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: The University of Queensland, Sustainable Minerals Institute, Writing Fellowship
Funding: AUD 5,000
Partners: Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
- 2012 – 2013 - Project: Artisanal Mining and Livelihoods
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: International Mining for Development Centre (IM4DC), Student Action Research Grant
Funding: AUD 20,000
Partners: International Mining for Development Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
- 2013 - Project: The Global-local interface: Governance Dynamics for Sustainable Human Capital Capacity-building in Colombian Mining Regions
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: The University of Queensland, Field Research Travel grant – School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Funding: AUD 3,000
Partners: The University of Queensland, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES)
- 2011 - Project: Community Capacity-building and a Social License to Operate in the Mining Industry
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: The University of Queensland, International Conference Grant, Sustainable Minerals Institute
Funding: AUD 3,000
Partners: Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
- 2011 - Project: Socially Responsible Business: A Model for a Sustainable Future
Status: Concluded
Funding body: United Nations ESCAP and The University of Queensland, Travel grant – SEES
Funding: AUD 2,000
Partners: United Nations ESCAP, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland
- 2011-2014 - Project: Enhancing Human Capital in Resource Regions - The Colombian Case
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: The University of Queensland, UQ International Scholarship (UQI)
Funding: AUD 92,000
Partners: The University of Queensland
- 2010-2011 - Project: Education for CSR in Mining Regions
Role: Dr. Isabel B. Franco, Principal Investigator
Funding body: The University of Queensland, Sustainable Minerals Institute - Summer Research Scholarship
Funding: AUD 3,000
Partners: Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
AWARDS
- 2017, 2020
Multicultural Scholarship, International Business, Brisbane City Council - 2018
Exceptional Woman of the Year (Awarded to Women Leaders in their fields)
Women Economic Forum, India - 2015
TEDxUQ Talk Speaker: “Beautiful women: The Ugly Reality”, Australia - 2014
Best Sessional Lecturer
Humanities and Social Science School (HASS), The University of Queensland, Australia - 2014
Global Leader Award
The University of Queensland, Australia - 2011-2012
International Student Ambassador for Colombia
Brisbane City Council (Appointed by Brisbane’s Lord Mayor), Australia - 2001 - 2005
Honour Tuition 3rd, 5th & 10th Term (Highest GPA) 2001 and 2005
School of Public Administration and Political Sciences (ESAP), Colombia