DrAnna Young-Ferris

Anna's research is centred on the fields of responsible investment and corporate sustainability. In particular, the user's (i.e. institutional investors) perspective of climate change and sustainability accounting information. Her award-winning PhD study examined the integration of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) accounting information in mainstream investment decisions, known by the investment industry as a process of 'ESG integration' into investment decision practices and she continues to focus her research in this field.

More specifically her research interests include:

• Institutional investment, responsible investment, sustainable investment
• ESG integration, active ownership and shareholder engagement
• Integrated reporting, sustainability and carbon risk accounting
• Sustainable capitalism, conscious capitalism, sustainable development goals

One of her current projects is focused on financial disclosure of carbon-related risk and how analysts incorporate this information into their valuation decisions. The study employs a controlled experimental design, supplemented with interviews and aims to understand the factors and types of disclosure that affect analyst judgements and decision making when undertaking company valuation. This study is particularly pertinent as understanding the corporate disclosure of climate risk and its use by investors in their decision making is a small but critical part of addressing one of the most ubiquitous economic, social and environmental challenges of our time.