Academic theme leads for finance appointed

Kate Symons - 10/02/25

We are delighted to announce our two Scotland Beyond Net Zero Finance Theme Co-Leads.

Dr. Karishma Ansaram is Lecturer in Climate Finance and Investment at the University of Edinburgh Business School with a research focus on enhancing access to climate finance for the local community. She brings her experience on IFI reforms and climate finance policy through her former role with International Climate Politics Hub and UN High Level Champions. She has been a research fellow on NDC Financing in Africa with ARIN (Kenya) and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management (Germany). She actively participates as an Observer to UNFCCC Climate Finance Negotiations at COPs, previous through YOUNGO and now through RINGO (Research Constituency).

Dr. Maria Chiara Iannino is Lecturer in Finance at the University of St Andrews Business School, Department of Finance. Maria’s interests lie in the areas of behavioural finance, banking stability, and sustainable finance. Her work in behavioural finance examines how psychological and economic factors shape investor behaviour and corporate decision-making, and drive financial market dynamics. Her research in banking focuses on financial stability, examining the unintended consequences of regulation on systemic risk and the positive impact of social and environmental responsibility on banks’ resilience. Maria is expanding her research into the environmental responsibility of banks, looking at how financial institutions can contribute towards net zero goals. Her focus is to explore how financial institutions can integrate sustainability metrics (such as biodiversity) into their decision-making processes, balancing profitability with long-term environmental and social objectives.

As the Academic Co-Leads for Finance in Scotland Beyond Net Zero, Maria and Karishma will lead on connecting academics, financial institutions, and policymakers to advance sustainable finance initiatives, ensuring the financial sector plays a proactive role in achieving net-zero and biodiversity goals. They will also develop networks across Scottish universities to highlight Scotland’s leading research on international climate finance. Please follow our website to find out more about their activities over the coming months.