Innovative Research Award
Iva Jestratijevic
Associate Professor, Department of Merchandising and Digital Retailing, University of North Texas, United States
| Agustin Vidal Buitano |
| Affiliation |
University of North Texas |
| Country |
United States |
| Scopus ID |
57214321068 |
| Documents |
20 |
| Citations |
386 |
| h-index |
10 |
| Subject Area |
Sustainability Pedagogy |
| Event |
Top Teachers Awards |
| ORCID |
0000-0002-1776-335X |
| Google Scholar |
Ojxk3NAAAAAJ |
Iva Jestratijevic is an Associate Professor in the Department of Merchandising and Digital Retailing at the University of North Texas (UNT). Her research is situated at the intersection of fashion sustainability, consumer behavior, and pedagogical innovation, with a particular focus on textile waste management, transparency in sustainability reporting, and experiential learning. She co-directs the Center for Consumer Insights and Innovation and has secured over $220,000 in research funding. Her scholarly output includes 26 journal articles, 3 monographs, and numerous book chapters and conference proceedings. She is the recipient of the ITAA Rising Star Award (2023) and the ITAA Paper of Distinction Award (2021). [1]
Abstract
This article profiles Iva Jestratijevic, Associate Professor at the University of North Texas, in recognition of her nomination for the Innovative Research Award. The profile synthesizes her academic trajectory, research contributions, and pedagogical leadership, with an emphasis on sustainability in fashion and retail. Her work addresses critical gaps in corporate transparency, textile circularity, and student engagement through applied learning. The article examines her publication record, funding history, mentorship activities, and service contributions, and argues for her suitability for the award based on the originality, societal relevance, and educational impact of her research program. [1]
Keywords
Sustainability pedagogy, fashion retail, textile waste, transparency, circular economy, experiential learning, consumer behavior, sustainable development, higher education, research impact.
Introduction
The fashion industry is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to environmental degradation and social inequity, prompting a surge in scholarly attention to sustainability practices across the value chain [2]. Within this context, researchers who bridge theoretical rigor with practical, actionable solutions are essential for advancing both academic knowledge and industry transformation. Iva Jestratijevic has established herself as a leading figure in this domain, with a research portfolio that systematically addresses the multifaceted challenges of fashion sustainability. Her work is characterized by a commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry, drawing from consumer psychology, corporate strategy, and educational theory.
Iva Jestratijevic’s academic journey includes a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and a prior doctorate from the University of Arts in Belgrade, providing a unique lens that integrates consumer sciences with semiotics and cultural theory. At the University of North Texas, she has developed a robust research agenda that examines sustainability disclosures, circular business models, and the pedagogical strategies needed to prepare future industry leaders. This article provides a comprehensive overview of her scholarly contributions, teaching innovations, and service activities, offering a rationale for her nomination for the Innovative Research Award. [3]
Research Profile
Iva Jestratijevic’s research profile is distinguished by its focus on sustainability, transparency, and consumer engagement in the fashion sector. Her Scopus-indexed output includes 20 documents that have accumulated 386 citations, with an h-index of 10, reflecting the influence and recognition of her work within the academic community. Her subject area specialization in Sustainability Pedagogy underscores a commitment not only to conducting research but also to translating findings into educational frameworks that empower students and practitioners.
A central theme in her work is the analysis of corporate sustainability reporting. In a series of highly cited publications, she has examined the strategies that fashion brands employ to communicate their environmental and social performance, revealing gaps between rhetoric and practice [4]. This research has practical implications for policymakers, investors, and consumers seeking to differentiate between genuine commitment and “greenwashing.” Her collaborative work on consumption practices during the COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrates her ability to address timely, globally relevant issues, providing comparative insights across nine countries and highlighting pathways for more sustainable consumption patterns [3].
Research Contributions
Beyond her publication record, Iva Jestratijevic has made substantial contributions to the field through the development of open educational resources and experiential learning initiatives. She authored the open-source textbook The Business of Sustainability in Fashion – Following the Threads, published by UNT Press, which provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability challenges and strategies for fashion students and professionals. This resource is a testament to her dedication to accessible, high-quality education.
Her applied research is exemplified by the Zero Waste Textile Initiative, a campus-wide program that collects, sorts, and diverts textile waste. This project not only generates data on waste streams but also serves as a living laboratory for students, who gain hands-on experience in circular economy practices. Her leadership in this initiative has involved partnerships with the City of Denton, Goodwill DFW, and other community organizations, translating academic research into tangible environmental impact [5].
Publications
Iva Jestratijevic’s peer-reviewed publications appear in journals of high repute, including Journal of Cleaner Production (Impact Factor: 11.1), Sustainable Development (Impact Factor: 12.5), and Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. Her work is characterized by rigorous methodology and a clear focus on actionable insights. Key publications include:
- Jestratijevic, I., & Uanhoro, J. O. (2020). Transparency of sustainability disclosures among luxury and mass-market fashion brands. Journal of Global Fashion Marketing, 11(2), 99–116.[4]
- Jestratijevic, I., Uanhoro, J. O., & Creighton, R. (2021). To disclose or not to disclose? Fashion brands’ strategies for transparency in sustainability reporting. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 25(4), 637–655.[2]
- Vladimirova, K., Henninger, C. E., Joyner-Martinez, C., Iran, S., Diddi, S., … & Jestratijevic, I. (2022). Fashion consumption during COVID-19: Comparative analysis of changing acquisition practices across nine countries and implications for sustainability. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 5, 100056.[3]
Research Impact
The impact of Iva Jestratijevic’s research is evident across multiple dimensions: academic influence, industry engagement, and educational transformation. Her citation metrics, including a cumulative citation count of 386 and an h-index of 10, position her as a significant contributor to the field of fashion sustainability. Her work has been presented at 64 international conferences, including 4 keynotes, and she has delivered invited research presentations to industry leaders such as PVH Corporation and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Her research has directly informed industry practices, as demonstrated by her consultations with organizations including Circular Thought LLC and the National Retail Federation. The methodological rigor and practical relevance of her studies have earned her recognition through awards such as the ITAA Paper of Distinction and the CMHT Research Award. Furthermore, her mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students has resulted in numerous student presentations and publications, contributing to the development of the next generation of sustainability scholars [5].
Award Suitability
Iva Jestratijevic is a highly suitable candidate for the Innovative Research Award. Her research program exemplifies innovation in its integration of sustainability science, consumer behavior, and pedagogical design. She has addressed under-researched areas such as the transparency of sustainability claims, the effectiveness of circular economy models, and the role of experiential learning in fostering sustainable practices. Her work is not only academically rigorous but also practically oriented, with clear applications for industry and policy.
Her leadership in the Zero Waste Textile Initiative and her development of open educational resources demonstrate a commitment to translating research into societal impact. The breadth of her contributions—spanning peer-reviewed publications, funding acquisition, mentorship, and service—aligns with the criteria for the Innovative Research Award, which seeks to recognize scholars who push the boundaries of knowledge while making meaningful contributions to their field and community. Her nomination is supported by a strong record of scholarship, a clear trajectory of growth, and a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving [1].
Conclusion
Iva Jestratijevic has established a dynamic and impactful research program that addresses the urgent sustainability challenges facing the fashion industry. Her scholarly work, characterized by its focus on transparency, circularity, and consumer engagement, has influenced both academic discourse and industry practice. Her commitment to experiential learning and open education has empowered students and practitioners, while her leadership in service and mentorship has strengthened the academic community. This profile demonstrates that Iva Jestratijevic embodies the qualities of an innovative researcher, making her an exemplary nominee for the Innovative Research Award. Her future work promises to continue advancing the field of fashion sustainability, bridging theory and practice in meaningful ways [4].
External Links
References
- Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Iva Jestratijevic, Author ID 57214321068. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/pages/authors/57214321068
- I Jestratijevic, J Ohisei Uanhoro, R Creighton,. (2021). To disclose or not to disclose? Fashion brands’ strategies for transparency in sustainability reporting. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 1, 189–200. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFMM-09-2020-0182
- Vladimirova, K., Henninger, C. E., Joyner-Martinez, C., Iran, S., Diddi, S., … & Jestratijevic, I. (2022). Fashion consumption during COVID-19: Comparative analysis of changing acquisition practices across nine countries and implications for sustainability. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 5, 100056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2022.100056
- Jestratijevic, I., & Uanhoro, J. O. (2020). Transparency of sustainability disclosures among luxury and mass-market fashion brands. Journal of Global Fashion Marketing, 11(2), 99–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/20932685.2019.1708774
- Jestratijevic, I. (2023). The Business of Sustainability in Fashion – Following the Threads. University of North Texas Press. https://untpress.unt.edu/catalog/jestratijevic-business-of-sustainability-in-fashion/