Champions of change: Helping industry expose modern slavery

Meet the award-winning researchers whose data-driven approach is exposing and dismantling a highly damaging business problem.

“Our ultimate goal is to create a society where modern slavery is no longer a hidden scourge but a problem we're actively combating,”  says Monash Business School researcher, Dr Bei Cui.

She is one of three remarkable women from Monash Business School’s Centre for Financial Studies whose work doesn't just shatter academic glass ceilings, it helps break the chains of modern slavery.

Dr Cui, Dr Nga Pham and Dr Ummul Ruthbah are the powerhouse behind the pioneering Modern Slavery Disclosure (MSD) framework, which evaluates the quality of modern slavery disclosure among ASX-listed firms.

The framework is a practical tool to help companies, investors, government and the public in the fight against modern slavery.

Now in its third year, the annual report has become an independent industry benchmark, informing the government’s recent review of the Modern Slavery Act (2018).

“The principal contributions of our research are threefold,” says Senior Research Fellow Dr Nga Pham.

“It enhances the reporting practices and accountability of companies, aids in refining the investment decision-making process of investors and provides insights that contribute to the discourse and formulation of public policy.”

The exceptional collaboration has earned the trio a Monash Business School Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research Engagement and Impact.

The recognition is a testament to the team’s collaborative spirit and mutual support, according to Senior Research fellow Dr Ummul Ruthbah.

“It not only validates the hard work and dedication that goes into our research but also highlights the importance of creating meaningful connections between academia and the broader community,” she says.

“It’s a reminder of the potential we have as researchers to make a difference and drive change through our work.”

#InspireInclusion

Dr Pham says this year’s International Women’s Day theme - #InspireInclusion - holds special significance for their research.

“We know that women, children and communities that are socially disadvantaged because of languages, immigration status, and political conflicts are more vulnerable,” she says.

“So in our work, we want to promote inclusion by advocating for companies to prioritise a survivor-centric perspective when designing modern slavery action programs and reporting on their progress.”

That passion to promote inclusion extends to academia, where women continue to face numerous challenges, from underrepresentation in senior positions to gender biases in research funding and publication processes.

“As we approach International Women's Day, I want to emphasise the invaluable contributions that women make to academia and research,” Dr Ruthbah said.

“We must celebrate these achievements – not just on International Women's Day but every day – to pave the way for future generations of female researchers to thrive and innovate.”

Their advice for aspiring female researchers was to believe in their abilities and unique perspectives.

“Gender stereotypes and societal expectations can be daunting, but remember, your contributions are invaluable and necessary for the progress of science and academia,” she said.

“We should always remind ourselves that our voice and work are critical to creating a more diverse, equitable, and innovative research community. Never underestimate the impact you can make by pursuing your passion for research.”

Dr Pham’s message is simple: “Keep doing awesome research and proactively connect and engage with industry to enhance your research impact - it will be a rewarding journey.”

More on the trio’s achievements and impact:

APA Group: “Modern slavery is an issue we take extremely seriously”

Global honour for Modern Slavery academic champion Nga Pham

MCFS Modern Slavery Disclosure Quality reporting

Some big corporate names lead the way in modern slavery reporting; but others hesitate