Sabine Weber
Professor, Seneca Polytechnic
Dr. Sabine Weber holds a PhD in Social and Ecological Sustainability from the University of Waterloo, with a research focus on social innovation. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in the European fashion industry as an international buyer, product developer, Head of Design, and Product Manager, she combines industry expertise with applied research to develop practical solutions for a more sustainable and circular fashion industry.
Since joining Seneca Polytechnic in 2017, Dr. Weber has led collaborative research on textile waste, circular economy solutions, consumer behaviour, greenwashing, and sustainable consumption. Working closely with industry, government, non-profit organizations, and academic partners, she develops practical solutions that help accelerate the transition to a circular fashion economy. As Principal Investigator, she currently leads an NSERC College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) project focused on reducing industrial textile waste.
Together with Kelly Drennan, Founder and Executive Director of Fashion Takes Action, Dr. Weber co-founded the Ontario Textile Diversion Collaborative, which later evolved into the Canadian Circular Textiles Consortium. Her work has been supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
Dr. Weber's research has been published in leading academic journals and translated into industry reports, exhibitions, documentaries, and collaborative projects that bridge research and practice. Driven by curiosity and a passion for solving real-world sustainability challenges, she continues to bring together diverse stakeholders to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions that support the transition to a more sustainable and circular fashion industry.