Dr. Jennifer Russell

Dr. Jennifer Russell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. Her work includes research into circular economy and sustainability, the flows of materials within economic consumption-production systems, and strategies for slowing and closing material loops. As co-author of the UNEP International Resource Panel publication “Re-defining Value – The Manufacturing Revolution” (2018), her background includes an emphasis on strategy for market transformation. Dr. Russell received her Ph.D. degree from the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at the Rochester Institute of Technology. 

Prior to joining Virginia Tech, she instructed graduate courses in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain, and Circular Value Chain at Bard College's MBA in Sustainability program. Dr. Russell also worked as an industry sustainability consultant for governments and multi-national CPG clients based across North America and Europe for eight years, prior to transitioning into academia.  

Dr. Russell’s teaching and research programs are centered around the integration of, and opportunities for circular systems, products, and product-systems. This work spans sustainable materials, applications in packaging, electronics, industrial equipment, and the built environment, as well as circular practices including remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, reuse, and recycling.