Australian researcher wins international sustainability prize worth $1.5 million

An Australian sustainability researcher has been awarded one of the world's largest science prizes for her work on global supply chains and their impact on developing nations.

Associate Professor Arunima Malik of the University of Sydney was named one of three international champions of the 2025 Frontiers Planet Prize at a ceremony in Switzerland on Monday.

The prize, worth US$1 million (A$1.5 million), recognises research with the most promising potential to keep humanity within planetary boundaries.

Professor Zahra Kalantari from Sweden and Dr Zia Mehrabi from the USA also received the 2025 Frontiers Planet Prize.

Associate Professor Malik's winning paper, “Polarising and equalising trends in international trade and Sustainable Development Goals”, was published in Nature Sustainability and examines the global implications of trade on sustainability.

Her interdisciplinary research uses big-data modelling to assess the social, economic and environmental impacts embedded in global supply chains.

The work reveals that while international trade can drive economic growth, it also often shifts environmental and social burdens to lower-income nations, worsening global inequalities.

“The year 2030 is fast approaching, but many targets for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals remain out of reach. Our work on cross-border effects sheds light on multiple interconnected factors that influence the Goals,” Associate Professor Malik said.

The Australian Academy of Science nominated Associate Professor Malik's research for the Frontiers Prize. In April, she was named as Australia's National Champion for the prize, alongside the national champions of 18 other countries.

President of the Australian Academy of Science Professor Chennupati Jagadish said the recognition underscored the global significance of Australian research in addressing sustainability challenges.

“Professor Malik's work exemplifies the impact of science in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future,” Professor Jagadish said.

The Frontiers Planet Prize is awarded by the not-for-profit Frontiers Research Foundation and is described as the world's largest science prize in scientific solutions for planetary health.

The award ceremony took place at the Villars Symposium in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland.

Picture: Oliver O'Hanlon via media release