ISF expands academic capacity with new Research Fellows Program
March 31, 2025
The Institute for Sustainable Finance is very pleased to announce the launch of the ISF Research Fellows Program with the addition of four new fellows to its growing team: Dr. Paul Calluzzo, Dr. Alison Taylor and Dr. Pierre Chaigneau at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University, and Dr. Sean Geobey at the University of Waterloo School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED).
“It is so exciting to add such accomplished academics who will greatly enhance ISF’s expertise and body of research,” said ISF Interim Executive Director, Maya Saryyeva. “Building academic capacity is a major priority for ISF as we navigate an uncertain future for sustainability. Business and finance will be looking to ISF and the expertise in our network for the answers.”
Bridging the gap between the finance sector and academia
In the face of escalating climate risks and the growing need for a stable financial system, it has never been more important to integrate academic research with business and finance sector-led initiatives. The ISF Research Fellows Program bridges this divide, fostering collaboration between leading academics and industry experts to generate practical, real-world solutions to environmental challenges.
The ISF Research Fellows will produce high-impact research on pressing topics such as climate-related financial risk, green investment strategies, fiduciary responsibility in a changing regulatory landscape, and corporate governance. By fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas, this initiative will help translate cutting-edge academic knowledge into actionable strategies, ensuring that Canada remains at the forefront of the global sustainable finance movement.
With funding support, mentorship, and a strong research community, the ISF Research Fellows Program will cultivate a generation of thought leaders dedicated to shaping Canada’s resilient and sustainable financial future.
Stay tuned for the announcement of more Research Fellows, and check out ISF’s website to learn more about the program and how to apply to be a Research Fellow.
“As an ISF Research Fellow, I look forward to leveraging my expertise in corporate governance and investment to increase understanding of how issues related to sustainable finance impact these areas. I am excited to foster collaborations that bridge rigorous academic insights with innovative industry practices,” said Paul Calluzzo.
“I commend ISF for creating an opportunity for scholars to come together and provide decision-useful, practical research. I am looking forward to working with ISF’s team of researchers and practitioners,” said Alison Taylor.
“Sustainable finance can’t just be greenwashing – it has to be about reimagining the role of capital in society. ISF is a great partner in exploring community-driven ownership and financing models for Canada,” said Sean Geobey.
“I am thrilled to join ISF as a research fellow because it offers a unique platform to advance my work on aligning financial incentives with sustainable outcomes. The opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to design innovative tools — like integrating environmental and social metrics into executive compensation — excites me immensely,” said Pierre Chaigneau.
ISF's New Research Fellows
Paul Calluzzo is an Associate Professor & Toller Family Fellow of Finance at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University. He received his PhD in Finance from Rutgers Business School and a B.A. in Economics from Williams College. His research interests are focused on institutional investors, corporate governance, mutual fund performance, and empirical asset pricing.
Alison Taylor is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University. She received her PhD in Economics from University of Toronto, an M.Sc. in Economics from the University of Warwick and a B Comm. in Management Economics and Finance from the University of Guelph.
Her research focuses on climate risk and financial stability.
Pierre Chaigneau is an Associate Professor & Commerce '77 Fellow of Finance at Smith School of Business, Queen's University. He obtained a PhD in Finance from the London School of Economics, an MSc in Economics at École normale supérieure and an MSc in Management (grande École program) from HEC Paris, and was previously Associate Professor of Finance at HEC Montreal. His research focuses on the use of financial information for the optimal design of contracts and mechanisms in corporate finance. Applications include corporate governance, financing, and executive compensation.
Sean Geobey is Associate Professor and MEDI Academic Director at the University of Waterloo School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED). He brings applied expertise in social innovation theory, sustainable finance, planning, governance, and decision-theory to his research and teaching. As Director of the Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI) and Co-Director of the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience (WISIR) his teaching includes cutting-edge work in social entrepreneurship and social innovation, with a pedagogical approach that uses problem-based, community-engaged learning.
About the Institute for Sustainable Finance
The Institute for Sustainable Finance was launched in 2019 as the first-ever cross-cutting and collaborative hub in Canada that fuses academia, the private sector, and government with the singular focus of increasing Canada’s sustainable finance capacity. The institute's mission is to align mainstream financial markets with Canada’s transition to a prosperous sustainable economy.
Media Contact
David Watson
Associate Director, Communications, Institute for Sustainable Finance
david.watson@queensu.ca
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