Research team

Expertise

Business ethics, sustainable business, sustainable finance

An SDG barometer for Belgium 09/12/2021 - 31/12/2022

Abstract

The SDG Barometer 2022, follow up of the 2020 barometer, measures the SDG activities of public and private organisations in Belgium. The report looks more specifically at the influence of the Covid19 crisis, at the motivation for and barriers against SDG integration, at the final impact of SDG integration as well as education around SDG's inside organisations. In addition we place the results of this edition of the SDG Barometer into a broader and international context and add policy recommendations. As such, the report not only contributes to an advanced understanding of the so-called 'SDG process' within organizations, but also sheds light on the dynamics that govern the realization of Agenda 2030 and the courses of action that are and should be taken by business, their stakeholders, and the government.

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Project website

Project type(s)

  • Research Project

Scientific Chair Sustainable Insurance. 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2023

Abstract

The Ageas chair on sustainable insurance aims to develop a deeper understanding of what sustainable insurance is about. This goes from product level (how to judge the sustainable impact of insurance products) to the asset side of the company: what is sustainable investment and how to better integrate ESG info into asset allocation. The chair will run for 4 years.

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  • Research Project

Chair SDG transition 01/01/2020 - 31/12/2022

Abstract

The objectives of the SDG transition chair are: - development of a set of SDG indicators for provinces and local governments. - study and exploration of research competences for prioritising the SDG's in relation to the provincial policy - stakeholder assessment following the Hexagon issue prioritisation tool.

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  • Research Project

SRI research advice. 01/07/2018 - 30/12/2018

Abstract

In cooperation with Eurosif (European Sustainable Investment and Finance association), the overarching organisation of sustainable investment and finance associations, we collect and process data on sustainable investment for Europe. This results in the EUROSIF2018 report on sustainable investment. In a second part of the project we analyse the Eurosif data gathering process and suggests ways to improve the survey for the next edition.

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Project type(s)

  • Research Project

BNP Paribas Fortis Chair Ethics & Finance. 01/09/2017 - 31/08/2022

Abstract

Today we witness a rapid transition towards a more sustainable economy. Long term strategies by government institutions as well as private business all point in this direction. Finance is a keystone in this transition movement. It assists governments and companies in their changeover effort and guides institutional as well as retail investors in their search for sustainable investment. We witness rapid growth in the field of sustainable investment yet when it comes to research that situates itself at the nexus between sustainability and finance there is little to show for in the Belgian context. This chair aims to fill this void and accompany financial institutions on their drive towards sustainability. In order to attain this leading goal the chair will : • Conduct fundamental and more applied research on sustainable investment, in cooperation with other academic partners as well as the chair partner • Share research insights with investors, students and the general public alike through presentations and online material • Increase societal awareness about sustainable finance through external presence

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  • Research Project

The role of competences for sustainable development in higher education: implications for curriculum, research competences and policy development. 01/09/2015 - 31/08/2016

Abstract

Universities and other higher education institutions are paying considerable attention to the integration of sustainable development within their core functions: education, research, outreach and campus operations. Within education, the focus is set on competences for sustainable development, necessary to enable students to cope with the complexity and uncertainty of sustainability issues in society. These competences are defined in numerous projects and publications, and usually comprise elements of systems thinking, future thinking (or anticipatory competence), interpersonal competence, normative competence and strategic competence. The integration of these competences requires specific conditions in the curriculum, one of which is the role of research competences and their possible contribution towards acquiring competences for sustainable development. Other specific conditions are oriented towards policy development and assessment of higher education study programs. This doctoral project has a threefold ambition: (1) analyse the definition and integration of competences for sustainable development in higher education curricula; (2) explore the interrelations between competences for sustainable development and research competences; (3) analyse the implications of the integration of these competences for policy development in higher education, with specific focus towards sustainability assessment and change management approach

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  • Research Project

Innovationplatform for Business and Human Rights. 01/01/2015 - 31/12/2019

Abstract

This is a fundamental research project financed by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO). The project was subsidized after selection by the FWO-expert panel. The objective of the FWO's Research projects is to advance fundamental scientific research.

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  • Research Project

Trusting our institutions: compliance in taxation and the ethics of good governance. 01/01/2014 - 31/12/2017

Abstract

This project will investigate, first of all, how trust forms a necessary personal and collective attitude to stabilize human cooperation in the sphere of tax governance. Secondly, it will flesh out the conditions that threaten the relation between TP and TA and makes distrust to proliferate. And thirdly, it examines the hypothesis that the quality of the trust relation within the sphere of taxation derives necessarily from and mirrors the deeper trust in the quality of political governance within a given political society.

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Project type(s)

  • Research Project