What Faculty do you work in?
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences – School of Management – Accounting and Finance

What is your main area of research?
My primary research focuses on executive compensation, corporate governance, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues, with a particular emphasis on climate change and corporate disclosure. I examine how these factors interact and influence each other to better understand their impact on corporate practices and policies.

Why is your research important?
My research is important because it addresses critical issues at the intersection of corporate governance, executive compensation, and ESG factors, including climate change. Understanding how these elements interact helps companies develop better policies and practices that promote transparency, accountability, and sustainability. By focusing on these areas, my research contributes to more informed decision-making and supports the broader goal of aligning corporate behavior with societal and environmental goals.

What SDG is your research most closely aligned with?
My research aligns with SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13: Climate Action. It addresses SDG 5 through the examination of Board Gender Diversity and its effects on corporate governance and decision-making. For SDG 12, my work focuses on improving corporate practices and disclosure to promote sustainable and transparent business operations. Regarding SDG 13, I investigate how executive compensation and governance practices can influence corporate responses to climate change, supporting efforts to enhance environmental sustainability.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research?
With my research, I aim to advance understanding in several key areas: the impact of executive compensation and corporate governance on ESG outcomes, the integration of gender diversity in leadership, and the effectiveness of corporate disclosure practices. My goal is to contribute to more transparent, accountable, and sustainable business practices, ultimately influencing corporate strategies to better address environmental and social challenges. By providing insights into these issues, I hope to support the development of policies and practices that align with global sustainability goals and drive meaningful change in corporate behaviour.

Is there a cross-disciplinary element to your research?  If so, who else at the University is involved?
My research adopts a cross-disciplinary approach through collaborations with experts from several prestigious institutions. I work with colleagues from Cardiff University, enhancing my focus on corporate governance and disclosure. At NEOMA Business School in France, I benefit from expertise in quantitative finance, applied econometrics, energy economics, and climate and sustainable finance, which deepens the analysis of ESG and climate-related issues. Additionally, scholars from the University of Essex provide insights into international finance and FX market microstructure, offering a global perspective on financial dynamics. I also engage with experts in financial mathematics from Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha in Spain, adding a quantitative dimension to my work. Furthermore, collaborations with Manchester Metropolitan University contribute research on asset pricing, volatility modelling, and business ethics, further broadening the scope of my research. These diverse partnerships collectively enhance the depth and breadth of my research, advancing our understanding of how financial and governance practices can address and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Are there any external collaborators involved?
My research includes valuable external collaborations, particularly with a colleague from Manchester Metropolitan University. With support from the British Academy Leverhulme Small Research Grant, this partnership allows us to explore the intersection of corporate leadership and ESG transformation. By leveraging advanced techniques like big data and AI/ML, we aim to deepen our understanding of how corporate practices can effectively drive progress in environmental, social, and governance outcomes. This collaboration enriches my research by integrating diverse expertise and cutting-edge methodologies.

What is next for your research?
In the next phase of my research, I aim to further explore how to enhance corporate governance, and disclosure practices to support ESG goals and address climate change. This will include examining the impact of taxonomy frameworks and expanding the use of advanced analytical techniques. I also plan to foster broader interdisciplinary collaborations. Ultimately, my goal is to translate these insights into practical recommendations that can drive effective sustainability strategies.

 

 Dr Giulia Fantini