Claire Sauvage graduated from Queensland Academies Creative Industries (QACI) in 2013 after achieving her International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and developing a signature creative identity in Film. Here is her story:
I graduated from QACI in 2013 after studying a multifaceted mix of electives; Biology, Business, and Film Studies. At the time I was very much engulfed in all things ‘film’. However, as time went on, I discovered more about my values, strengths and abilities. I also learnt more about the environmental challenges faced by the world today. In particular, I became drawn to the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation and sustainable development.
In 2014 I began my tertiary studies at the University of Queensland (UQ), studying a Bachelor of Environmental Management, majoring in Sustainable Development.
In 2015 I travelled to Indonesia as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program with UQ to research and explore international development complexities. Through this I had the opportunity to engage with people living in informal communities in Yogyakarta, Indonesia to assist them in addressing issues related to housing insecurity and access to fresh water.
In mid-2016 I landed a position with UQ’s Sustainability Office as Green Programs Assistant. In this role I help organise and coordinate the Green Office and Green Labs Programs at UQ. The Programs are a UQ sustainability initiative encouraging UQ Schools, Centres and Institutes to consider the impact they have on the environment as they work in their offices and laboratories on a day-to-day basis.
In late 2016 I was accepted for the CSIRO Vacation Scholarship Program, working with the Environmental Sustainability Team in Canberra for 3 months over summer to undertake a research project investigating energy efficiency of scientific equipment at CSIRO, primarily through behaviour change in the laboratory. The research identified key areas for improvement, next steps, stakeholder analysis, and strategic approach for the future of the Sustainable Labs Program, in line with the CSIRO Carbon Strategy 2020. I also had the opportunity to present this research to key CSIRO stakeholders.
Going into the future, I have been offered a part-time position with CSIRO as a Sustainability Officer – Sustainable Labs Program located in the Ecosciences Precinct at Dutton Park in Brisbane. In mid-2017 I plan to begin an Honours Thesis on the topic of food security and sustainability.