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Dr Sharon Jackson
European Sustainability Academy (ESA), GreeceBeing a Sustainability Activator in the green transition
Abstract:
Through a social-sciences lens, this keynote supports the underlying objectives of the conference in terms of making transformational levels of change towards the socio-economic green transition which is vital for addressing climate chaos and society breakdowns across the globe. In her keynote speech, Sharon cautions against complacency that growing pressures for more sustainable practices, and the rise of new technology, will make the transition easy. She addresses well documented skills-gaps and emerging demands for different skills in the future of work.
With a horizon-scan of the 2050 workplace, Sharon presents research insights into the increasing demand for enhanced 'soft skills', such as, improved sensemaking and sense-giving skills, sharpened stakeholder communications and shared language as a substrate of successful project collaboration.
With a focus on how impactful sustainability activation happens, and the enablers for transference of research ideology and technology solutions for scalable, practical solutions with continuity potential, whilst managing human levels of interest and engagement which are essential for a successful green transition.
Sharon draws from her rich life-experiences in Crete, over 15 years, since designing and building a 400m2, solar powered, fully off-grid, natural materials, purpose designed, sustainability management and leadership teaching centre (ESA), with consistent net-zero operating objectives and locally sourced services, in a small, rural, hilltop village.
She shares her story of how, as a British woman, she gained community acceptance and the support of diverse stakeholders at a time when Greece was experiencing a decade of extreme economic crisis, and a time when the concept of sustainability was not understood, and often ridiculed and reviled.
Sharon shares key findings from her research and publications about how people make sense of the value of 'green buildings', about unconscious 'talk act gaps' and how influences below the iceberg 'waterline' can stall sustainability change ambitions, even when the research, design and technology are robust.
Biography:
Sharon is the founder and Managing Director of the European Sustainability Academy (ESA) Crete. She is also Associate Faculty at Cranfield School of Management, Associate Scholar at University of Cumbria and Visiting Research Fellow at Athens University of Economics and Business. She has held a Non-Executive Director role with Global Sustain, Athens, since 2015.
Sharon is a hybrid, sustainability leadership academic and an entrepreneur, with a robust grounding in global business. Sharon was awarded her first Executive Board appointment in her 20s and worked for 15 years in senior roles in the global electrical / electronic component sector. She has worked with energy, mining, oil and gas, aluminium and paper production sectors.
In 2000, she re-trained as an adult in HE teacher in business and leadership, followed by a research MSc in leading, learning and change and PhD on sensemaking about sustainability in organisations.
Before setting up ESA in Crete in 2011, she taught and consulted in sustainability leadership and business strategy in Australia, China for 10 years, including with BP, BHP Billiton and Hydro Tasmania. She contributed to Australian government policy in the early years of business adoption of sustainability principles and CSR/ TBL reporting.
Currently, her work includes L7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship Tutoring, and Masters in Sustainability supervision at Cranfield University and consulting to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), London about the future demand for green management skills in UK industry.
ESA has won several awards for excellence in sustainability business education, most recently, 2025, Prestige Global Awards, London for 'Sustainability Education Provider of the year'.
Sharon contributes to the EU Pact for Skills partnership to develop workplace, VET knowledge, skills and behaviours development for driving the green transition. ESA most recent led a EU Erasmus+ international consortium project (2024/25) for designing and piloting new competency teaching frameworks for 'Upskilling Generation Net Zero'.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonjacksonesacrete/https://eurosustainability.org/
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