Sustainable Finance
Course Number: 1009
Given the growing call for sustainability, finance needs to change its old habits of greed, profit and wealth maximization, but how and in which direction? Are the existing tools of investment evaluation sufficient or problematic? In this elective, diverse cultures and communities of finance will provide examples of how ethical finance practice is often hiding in plain sight. The contemporary science of finance lacks the tools and language to explore these wisdoms, primarily because it has ignored them and seen them as irrelevant or even a barrier to progress and profit.
In the class, sustainable ideals and practices of finance will be shared and shown to work in growing business AND contributing to community and society at the same time. Animals and Nature are not ‘othered’ or ‘exploited’ in this business practice but respected and nurtured as human beings are seen as humble trustees rather than destructive and careless overlords.
Professional Ethics
Atul Shah, PhD
In the class, sustainable ideals and practices of finance will be shared and shown to work in growing business AND contributing to community and society at the same time. Animals and Nature are not ‘othered’ or ‘exploited’ in this business practice but respected and nurtured as human beings are seen as humble trustees rather than destructive and careless overlords.
Learning Area
Professional Ethics Instructor
Atul Shah, PhD
Professor Atul K. Shah has a PhD from the London School of Economics and is author of ‘Inclusive and Sustainable Finance’ (Routledge 2022), ‘Jainism and Ethical Finance’ (with Aidan Rankin, Routledge 2017); The Politics of Financial Risk, Audit and Regulation (Routledge 2018) Reinventing Accounting and Finance Education (Routledge 2018), ‘Celebrating Diversity’ (2007) and ‘Boardroom Diversity – The Opportunity’ (2010).
He is passionate about Business Ethics, Education Reform and Diversity. Dr. Shah has published a number of papers in international academic journals such as Accounting, Organizations and Society; Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal; European Accounting Review; Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance; Business Ethics – A European Review.
Between 1995 and 1998, he published a series of papers predicting the global financial crisis, focusing in particular on derivatives and systemic risk, and regulatory arbitrage.
His work has been profiled in BBC and Forbes and Dr. Shah is presently working on a series of projects around financial risk management, diverse ethics and regulation. He has Broadcast experience, with credits including BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service, Channel 4, Five Live, BBC Radio 2, Guardian and BBC Asian Network. Professor Shah also writes and comments for the Financial Times.
In 2010 Professor Shah embarked on a historic 1500 mile Masala Tour of Britain, to showcase the depth and breadth of the diversity in Britain and help the country improve its cultural intelligence – this was featured in the Guardian. The tour was also widely covered on BBC radio nationally.
Presently he is writing a new book for Routledge on ‘Inclusive’ Accounting and Finance Leadership, a theme which is virtually absent from the business literature.
He is also a top Business Ethics writer for The Conversation and his research on global accounting won the Best Paper award in 2019.
He is passionate about Business Ethics, Education Reform and Diversity. Dr. Shah has published a number of papers in international academic journals such as Accounting, Organizations and Society; Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal; European Accounting Review; Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance; Business Ethics – A European Review.
Between 1995 and 1998, he published a series of papers predicting the global financial crisis, focusing in particular on derivatives and systemic risk, and regulatory arbitrage.
His work has been profiled in BBC and Forbes and Dr. Shah is presently working on a series of projects around financial risk management, diverse ethics and regulation. He has Broadcast experience, with credits including BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service, Channel 4, Five Live, BBC Radio 2, Guardian and BBC Asian Network. Professor Shah also writes and comments for the Financial Times.
In 2010 Professor Shah embarked on a historic 1500 mile Masala Tour of Britain, to showcase the depth and breadth of the diversity in Britain and help the country improve its cultural intelligence – this was featured in the Guardian. The tour was also widely covered on BBC radio nationally.
Presently he is writing a new book for Routledge on ‘Inclusive’ Accounting and Finance Leadership, a theme which is virtually absent from the business literature.
He is also a top Business Ethics writer for The Conversation and his research on global accounting won the Best Paper award in 2019.