We’re proud to congratulate SASTA member Professor Odeh Al-Jayyousi on his latest publication, “Re-Thinking Sustainable Development within Islamic Worldviews: A Systematic Literature Review” published in the journal Sustainability in June 2022. 

Professor Al-Jayyousi’s paper offers a new perspective on sustainable development by spotlighting the shortcomings of models like circular economy, doughnut economy, and sharing economy, which are not informed by traditional value-based worldviews, and alternatively exploring the viability of adopting Islamic development models.

Professor Al-Jayyousi is currently the Head and Professor of Innovation Policy at Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain and served as a member of the UN Global Scientific Advisory Panel, for UN Environment’s Global Environment Outlook 6. He has an extensive background in energy, water, and environment and has held various positions such as Vice President for Science and Research at the Royal Scientific Society in Jordan and Regional Director for the Middle East regional office at IUCN. 

Professor Al Jayyousi has been one of the most vocal advocates for sustainability in the Arab World for decades. In a recent episode of the New Stewards Podcast, he stated that, to him, “Sustainability is not only a process. It’s a mindset. It’s a part of our culture and of our consciousness of who we are and what we stand for in life.”

Professor Al-Jayyousi has published numerous articles in the fields of innovation policy, eco-innovation, sustainability, and National Innovation Systems. His contributions have made a significant impact on the academic community. With over 1700 citations and an h-index of 16 according to Google Scholar, his work has been widely cited and recognized in the academic world.

One of his most cited papers, “Greywater Reuse: Towards Sustainable Water Management,” has over 600 citations, and he has also published a widely lauded book titled “Islam and Sustainable Development: New Worldviews.” 

His latest paper, “Re-Thinking Sustainable Development within Islamic Worldviews: A Systematic Literature Review,” adds value to the available literature by providing a systematic review of the different models, practices, and drivers for Islamic sustainable development.

The study found that Islamic sustainable development models emphasize the importance of balance, harmony, and justice. It identifies the need to move beyond the traditional economic growth paradigm and embrace a holistic approach to development that integrates social, economic, and environmental factors. 

Professor Al-Jayyousi’s work is particularly significant in the current global context of increasing awareness of sustainability challenges. The implications of this paper go beyond research as it provides policy recommendations and strategic directions for promoting inclusive, pro-poor, and human-centered development. By informing a new discourse for sustainability, Professor Al-Jayyousi’s work has the potential to influence policy-making and decision-making in the field of sustainable development.

Overall, Professor Al-Jayyousi’s research career is a testament to his commitment to promoting sustainable development and his contributions to the academic community. We celebrate with him his excellent publication and look forward to seeing his future work in this field.

You can follow and connect with Professor Odeh Al-Jayyousi on LinkedIn from here.