Deborah Cotton

Deborah Cotton is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Business School, where she has been affiliated since 1992. Prior to academia, she worked in stockbroking, focusing on research and client advising. Her academic journey includes a Masters in Environmental and Business Management from Newcastle University and a PhD in Applied Finance and Actuarial Studies from Macquarie University, titled "Efficacy of Emissions Trading Schemes in Australia."

• Affiliations: Centre for Climate Risk and Resilience (CCRR) and Finance Discipline Group at UTS.
• Teaching: Ethics and Sustainability in the Master of Finance program and Principles of Finance for Indigenous Australian students in the Bachelor of Business Administration.

Her research focuses on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues in investment practices, impact investing, and climate policy. Notable areas include:

• Emissions trading schemes and climate change mitigation,
• Gender diversity in corporate governance,
• Philanthropy for Indigenous initiatives,
• Sustainable finance curriculum development.

Recent funded research projects include evaluations of renewable energy programs, comparative studies of sustainable finance frameworks, and analyses of donor motivations for Indigenous initiatives. Deborah actively participates in industry collaborations, contributing to policy discussions on climate risk and sustainable investment strategies.

Grants & Collaborations:

• Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund Program Evaluation (ARENA-funded, 2019),
• Australia-EU Sustainable Finance Roadmap (Climate-KIC, 2018),
• Philanthropy for Indigenous Initiatives study (UTS Advancement, 2023).

Her work bridges financial markets and environmental sustainability, emphasizing practical applications of research in policy and education.