PhD Student Jack Hui won the 2025 FIR-PRI "Finance & Sustainability" Best PhD Thesis Award
Jack's work was based on the impact of corporate ESG commitments.
The FIR-PRI Award was established in 2005 by the French Sustainable Investment Forum (FIR) to promote excellence in academic research relating to finance and sustainability across Europe. Designed to facilitate the collaboration between academics and practitioners, the prize recognizes outstanding European researchers in five distinct categories: Best Master’s Thesis, Best PhD Thesis, Best Pedagogical Initiative, Best Published Article, and Research Grant for a PhD Thesis in progress. The jury is composed of both academics and investment professionals to ensure practical and scholarly relevance. With this initiative, FIR, in partnership with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), aims to advance public policy, support research, and promote responsible and sustainable investment practices across the financial sector.
About the Thesis
This thesis investigated the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments made by companies and their actions. By surveying some of the most recently developed practices that companies have adopted to legitimise their ESG orientation, Jack critically evaluate the efficacy of these practices in shaping organisational behaviours in the realm of ESG throughout the three chapters of his thesis.
“Winning this award is an incredible honour and recognition of my research into the often-overlooked unintended consequences of corporate ESG commitments. I hope my work will inspire deeper reflection among companies, investors, and policymakers about how well-intentioned sustainability initiatives can fall short or even backfire. Ultimately, I aim to help design more effective ESG practices that deliver truly meaningful and measurable improvements for stakeholders, our societies, and the environment.”Jack Hui
You might also like
Head of ICMA addresses International Conference in Sustainable Finance and Green Fintech
Professor Andrew Urquhart presented on bitcoin scams and anti-money laundering laws.
A deepening dent in UK finances
Dr Nikolaos Antypas looks at the latest measures announced by the Chancellor and the Bank of England.
Is raising interest rates the best way to tackle inflation?
As interest rates hit their highest level in 15 years, Dr Nikolaos Antypas examines whether the Bank of England's strategy to tackle inflation is actually working.