Enterprise Academy

Laura Corrigan,  Enterprise Academy Fellow, Lecturer School of Accounting, Economics and Finance

Laura is a full time lecturer in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance since 2018, and also teaches across different schools, focusing on the delivery of financial and management accounting along with Audit and Assurance modules. She is a qualified financial adviser (The Institute of Bankers Ireland) and qualified accountant (ACCA). Laura is passionate about sustainability literacy and integrating sustainability, ESG factors, and circular economy principles into her lecturing. Prior to her academic career, she obtained extensive work experience in the Banking, Finance, Property, Asset Management, Debt Recovery and Restructuring sector working with AIB, NAMA, various private equity firms and Credit Unions. 

Enterprise Academy Fellowship Project 

Empowering financial businesses to integrate climate and nature into their financial decision-making.

The key deliverable of this fellowship is the design, academic development and validation of a programme of study in Climate, Nature and Social Inequality Related Risk Management, aimed at enterprise learners, in response to emergent European and global increased focus on sustainability regulation. The EU Commission emphasises the urgent need for bold action on climate, nature and social inequalities supported by economists who argue that early investments are more cost-effective than addressing future damages. A 2024 European Environmental Agency report reveals the EU's lack of preparedness for upcoming environmental hazards, stressing the importance of capacity building, knowledge sharing, and skills development, including climate, nature and social inequality risk management training across organizations. 

Businesses are heavily dependent on nature for resources and ecosystem services, making biodiversity and climate resilience critical to operations and supply chains. Managing climate and nature-related risks can help companies sustain operations, gain competitive advantages, and attract ESG-focused investors. Social and inequality risks for businesses refer to potential challenges and negative impacts arising from social issues and disparities in wealth, opportunity, and treatment among individuals or groups. These risks can affect a company's operations, reputation, workforce, and profitability and are often forgotten about. The complexity of climate, nature and social risk communication and the lack of middle-ground training for businesses create challenges in translating these risks into practical strategies. To address this gap, Laura's fellowship will explore educational solutions for enterprises, providing accessible tools and frameworks for climate, nature and social related risk assessments and transition planning.