Bryan Horrigan will be in conversation with James Edelman on Bryan's new book Corporate Social Responsibility in an Age of Existential Threats.

In an age of existential threats for Australia and the world, what does society need from companies and how should companies respond? Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has a leading role to play in answering these fundamental questions. Yet current Australian and international debate remains stuck in polarised positions on CSR and related topics, including environmental, social and governance considerations (ESG), and diversity, equity and inclusion factors (DEI) for businesses.

In this groundbreaking book, Professor Bryan Horrigan provides a roadmap for navigating the complexity of CSR and the current controversies surrounding it. How is the corporate landscape changing for Australia and the world on corporate diversity, climate disclosures, and social and environmental harms? Do Australian businesses, the professions advising them, and even universities all have social licences to operate? Should they all speak and act publicly on controversial social and environmental issues, or stay out of the arena of partisan politics altogether?

How far should corporate governance standards for ASX-listed companies go in addressing social, environmental and climate issues? Do Australian company directors face legal liability for mismanaging climate risk and disclosure, and what safeguards can protect them? And how does the Trump administration’s war on so-called ‘wokeness’ create ripple effects for corporate Australia, Australian politics and Australian universities?

In Corporate Social Responsibility in an Age of Existential Threats, Professor Horrigan brings a unique blend of academic, practical and policy expertise to his insightful and provocative discussion of these topics. This book is essential reading for those in the public, private, not-for-profit and university sectors whose work concerns business and corporations in society.

Professor Bryan Horrigan holds a doctorate in law from Oxford University under a Rhodes Scholarship. He is an academic, published author, legal and governmental adviser, and public speaker. He has academic expertise, practical experience and an international reputation in public and corporate law and governance. From 2013 to 2024, Professor Horrigan served as Dean of the Faculty of Law at Monash University—the longest-serving dean in the sixty-year history of the faculty. He currently serves as one of only two Special Advisers to the Vice-Chancellor of Monash University. He is one of only a few Australian law deans to have more than twenty years’ experience simultaneously in commercial legal practice, university management and the legal academy.

The Hon Justice James Edelman AC was appointed to the High Court in January 2017. From 2015 until the time of his appointment he was a judge of the Federal Court of Australia. From 2011 until 2015 he was a judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1998 and completed a doctorate at Magdalen College Oxford in 2001. He was a Fellow of Keble College, Oxford from 2005 and Professor of the Law of Obligations at the University of Oxford, and member of One Essex Court Chambers from 2008 until 2011. He has written or edited books on damages, unjust enrichment, interest awards, equity, and torts.

The vote of thanks will be given by Rhodes Scholar and Associate Professor Ryan Goss, Head of School, ANU Law School.

Books will be available for signing from 5.30pm and again after the event.

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

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