GABV Academic Network

The GABV Academic Network unites scholars and researchers worldwide around shard principles to advance research, teaching, advocacy, and curriculum integration in values-based banking. Its purpose is to raise visibility and awareness of values-based banking within the academic community and among other stakeholders, offering a more comprehensive view of banking and its potential.

Who can become a member? 

Membership is open to individual academic scholars and researchers worldwide – at doctoral level and higher, including PhD and doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty – who focus on research, teaching, knowledge transfer and advocacy in values-based banking and related fields. Members should be affiliated with an academic institution. 

Why join the GABV Academic Network? 

• Direct Access to GABV & Key Insight – A defined and coordinated channel for regularly connecting with GABV, including access to the aggregated GABV Scorecard data, where appropriate.
• Collaborative Research Opportunities – Access to other academics working on values-based banking-related themes. Potential to explore joint research, share information on e.g. PhDs, conferences and calls for papers.
• A Platform for Strategic Discussions – A platform for broader/strategic discussions about the role and possibilities for research in this area.
• Networking & Practitioner Outreach – Network contacts and collaborations may elicit and support outreach to practitioners more broadly.
• Potential Funding & Research Consortia – Potential to seek opportunities for forming research consortia to seek funding.

Governance & Leadership

The GABV has the main responsibility for the administration, oversight and facilitation of the GABV Academic Network. A steering committee, composed of representatives from academia along with GABV’s Head of Impact and Research, will support with expertise and strategic guidance.

For the initial phase of the network, 2025-2026, the academic members of the Steering Committee include Dr. Brigitte Bernard-Rau from the University of Hamburg, Dr. Frank Jan de Graaf from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, and Marcos Eguiguren Huerta from the Barcelona School of Management.

Meet the Steering Committee

Dr. Brigitte Bernard-Rau is a Senior Researcher and Specialist in Sustainable Finance at the University of Hamburg. With a Ph.D. from Radboud University and an LL.M. from Universidad Carlos III, she specialises in CSR, ESG performance and impact investing. A former ESG Analyst at ISS-ESG and Procurement Officer at the European Commission, she has led international business development. Fluent in four languages, she brings a global perspective to sustainable finance.

Dr. Frank Jan de Graaf is a Professor of Corporate Governance & Leadership at AUAS, specializing in finance. He researches governance, leadership, and corporate purpose, focusing on financial institutions. A co-founder of the Network for Sustainable Financial Markets, he has advised financial institutions on responsible investment and published in top academic journals.

Prof. Marcos Eguiguren Huerta is an entrepreneur, banker, academic, and consultant specializing in values-based leadership and sustainable finance. He is Managing Partner at NOW Partners, co-founder of SingularNet, Associate Provost and Secretary General at UPF Barcelona School of Management. Also Director of International Centre in Sustainable Finance.