Key takeaways
On April 10th, a group of James Cook University (JCU) students swapped the classroom for the coastline, heading over to Magnetic Island for a hands-on look at ESG and sustainability in action. The day trip, led by TNQ Drought Hub’s Senior Research Officer Dr Ana Leite de Almeida and Professor Li Xian Liu, was backed by the Magnetic Island Community Development Association (MICDA) and gave students a front-row seat to how local communities are tackling big environmental challenges.
Dr Leite de Almeida said, “The trip was organised due to the student’s interest after I did a guest lecture for a sustainability subject. They wanted to gain a deeper understanding climate variability, environmental regeneration, and how to measure real impact. It also gave them the opportunity to meet with community leaders and residents working on local sustainability challenges.”
Throughout the day, students were immersed in the island’s environmental and social context, chatting with community members who are at the forefront of local sustainability efforts.
These conversations highlighted the power of community-driven projects and the importance of collaboration, local knowledge, and codesign in driving lasting change.
The excursion offered students more than just a learning experience, it gave them firsthand insight into how sustainability theory translates into practical action. It reinforced the importance of respectful engagement and the value of integrating academic research with community innovation.
