Jennifer Inaba

Member of the month
Written By Vinit Jain

Our eighteenth member of the month is Jennifer Inaba

UCRF is running a ‘Member of the Month’ feature on this blog, where a member, selected at random from the membership database, is sent five questions to give us all an overview of our members. Our eighteenth participant Jennifer Inaba is a PhD candidate who studies the intersection of ecological identity, consumer behavior, and sustainability, exploring how a deeper connection to nature can inspire more mindful and responsible fashion consumption.

—1 How would you sum up your research/practice?

My research is rooted in the belief that fostering a greater awareness of our place in an interconnected ecosystem can drive more responsible and ethical decision-making in fashion. As a Ph.D. candidate in Sustainability Education, I study how a deeper connection to nature influences consumption choices and fosters more sustainable behaviors. My dissertation examines the links between ecological and consumer identities, investigating how sharing stories of cherished garments and nature-based experiences can demonstrate potential pathways or reflection points toward more mindful human-nature and human-clothing connections. My broader work aims to reshape narratives around consumption, influence policy, and empower both individuals and businesses to make more responsible choices.

— 2 How do you address fashion and sustainability in your work?

I approach fashion and sustainability through research, advocacy, and communications, examining consumer behavior, industry transparency, and education. My work includes engaging in community-driven advocacy to push for ethical production, sustainable material innovation, and greater industry transparency. I study how people’s connection to nature influences their clothing choices and whether increased awareness of fashion’s environmental and social impacts can drive more responsible consumption. A key part of my research involves analyzing consumer education strategies to help brands, policymakers, and educators foster more sustainable habits. Through speaking engagements, mentorship, and writing, I work to educate both industry professionals and consumers on the urgent need to shift toward more sustainable and responsible fashion practices. My TEDx talk in 2022 explored how mindfulness can disrupt overconsumption, offering a pathway for consumers to make more intentional purchasing decisions.

— 3 What are the conflicts you have encountered around fashion and sustainability in your work?

One of the biggest conflicts I explore in my research is the disconnect between humans and the natural world, which influences consumption patterns and weakens our sense of responsibility for the environmental impact of fashion. Many individuals express concern for sustainability but still engage in fast fashion consumption due to affordability, convenience, or lack of education. This gap between consumer values and behavior is further complicated by industry greenwashing, where brands claim sustainability without real accountability or transparency. Additionally, my work highlights the tension between economic growth and sustainability—the fashion industry operates on a mass production and consumption model, which directly conflicts with the need to reduce material use and environmental harm. Addressing these challenges requires not only greater transparency and consumer education but also a reconnection with nature, fostering an awareness that our choices are deeply intertwined with the ecosystems we rely on.

— 4 What do you consider the key sources and cases when it comes to fashion and sustainability?

  • Stephen Kellert’s work on biophilia explores how our relationship with nature shapes decision-making, including fashion choices. His research provides insight into why reconnecting with nature can foster more sustainable consumption habits. Suggested reading: Birthright: People and Nature in the Modern World

  • Kate Fletcher challenges the industry's reliance on overproduction and promotes longer-lasting, lower-impact clothing systems through slow fashion and post-growth models. She also explores clothing as a lived experience, emphasizing the emotional and personal connections people have with garments, which can lead to more mindful consumption. Suggested reading: Slow Fashion: An Invitation for Systems Change and Wild Dress: Clothing the Natural World

  • Reports on textile sustainability, circularity, and supply chain transparency provide critical data on environmental and social impacts, helping to distinguish genuine sustainability efforts from greenwashing. Examples: Fashion Revolution’s Transparency Index ranks brands based on disclosure of social and environmental policies and Textile Exchange’s Reimagining Growth Landscape Analysis presents the case for pivoting business success in the industry from the traditional interpretation of growth to a model aligned with “regenerative economy” and “post-growth” principles.

  • The UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion provides global insights on sustainable development in the fashion sector. Source:  UN Environment Programme

— 5 Could you recommend some less-known sources or cases you think should be more widely shared?

 

Thank you Jennifer for sharing your work!

Vinit Jain
Next

Janet Teowarang