Making an internationally significant contribution in institutional and community governance
The Institute for Ethics, Governance and Law (IEGL) is a Griffith Strategic Research Centre established on the initiative of the United Nations University. It links Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, Australian National University, the Center for Asian Integrity in Manila, OP Jindal University in Delhi, and Strathmore University in Nairobi. From 2004 to 2014, it was headquartered at the ARC Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice, and Governance. It is currently headquartered in the Griffith Law Shool at Griffith University.
IEGL engages other academics, non-government organisations, government, business, and multilateral institutions and networks to improve governance and build institutional integrity in governments, corporations, non-government organisations and international institutions.
Scope of our research
We specialise in interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, multi-level research into contemporary governance challenges and opportunities. Our work ranges from professional and corporate governance to corruption, from decisions to go to war to responses to the global carbon crisis. Our research is funded by the Australian Research Council, multilateral organisations such as the World Bank, state, national and overseas governments, and NGOs such as Transparency International. We publish our findings in books, journal articles, research reports, and in popular media.
Our recent research projects have focused on raising ethical and professional standards in the building and construction industry, ethics and social licence in the blue economy, ethical risks in Offshore Wind projects, and the benefits of professional standards schemes.
Building capacity globally
We aim to be a globally networked resource for the development of values-based governance through research and capacity-building. In addition to our research projects, we provide training and advice on integrity, governance, climate change, ethics, and more. We develop and deliver capacity building projects and integrity training programs for policymakers and practitioners working in government, bilateral and multilateral organisations, and NGOs. Our staff have a strong track record of providing advice on governance, integrity, and ethics to government agencies and other organisations, both in Australia and abroad. We are committed to sharing knowledge and experience to improve governance practice and policy.
Our people at Griffith
Professor Charles Sampford
Director
Dr Hugh Breakey
Principal Research Fellow and Deputy Director
Dr Tim Cadman
Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
Dr Katja Cooper
Adjunct Research Fellow
Dr Larelle Bossi
Adjunct Research Fellow
Rebecca Marshallsay
Research Assistant
Current Higher Degree Research Students
Shay O'Hara Smith's thesis "Ocean Ethics: Making the Case, Aesthetics, intrinsic value, and naturalistic intuitions" examines the importance of natural ocean beauty, especially considering its role in opposition to marine industry projects like offshore wind farms. A synopsis of her research topic can be accessed here.
Emma Thompson’s thesis “Contracts as governance tools in multi-storey construction” focuses on the use and misuse of contracts, and the involvement of legal professionals, and associated others, in the construction and occupation of buildings in which a body corporate is responsible for the common areas.
Both PhD candidates are supervised by Prof. Charles Sampford and Dr. Hugh Breakey.
Contact the Institute for Ethics, Governance and Law
- IEGL@griffith.edu.au
- Location, Delivery and Postal Address
- Institute for Ethics, Governance and Law
- Law Building (N61), Room 0.02
- Brisbane South (Nathan) Campus
- 170 Kessels Road
- Nathan Qld 4111