Stafford conducts research that seeks to address how natural resources can be used sustainably for the benefit of all. Stafford applies industrial ecology to quantify material and energy flows within society and their interactions with nature to develop sustainable production and consumption systems.

Stafford's research focus is the green economy and bioeconomy, which spans research fields of biochemistry, microbial ecology, bioremediation, bioenergy, renewable energy, permaculture, systems biology, holistic resource management, lifecycle assessment and sustainability science.

Stafford’s current research capability includes (i) techno-economic assessment to determine technology readiness and financial feasibility; (ii) lifecycle assessment to determine the carbon footprint and environmental impacts of a product or service; (iii) biomass resource availability, bioenergy and biorefinery potential; (iv) innovations in process and product design to improve industrial performance and system efficiency; and (v) developing tools and solutions to address complexity and improve decision-making for sustainable development.

Expertise: Industrial ecology