Danika Wright   PhD, CFA, SFHEA

Associate Professor of Finance, The University of Sydney

About me and my work

I am an Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Sydney Business School, where my research focuses on how financial decisions and market structures shape real economic and social outcomes. I investigate the complex interactions between incentives, regulation, and investment, with the aim of informing both policy and practice in addressing major challenges such as innovation financing, housing affordability, and responsible corporate governance.

My work spans empirical corporate finance, housing markets, and executive incentives, often exploring how capital flows and governance frameworks influence investment decisions — and in turn, how these decisions affect firms, communities, and economies. I have a particular interest in uncovering the unintended consequences of policy interventions, from biotech disclosure reforms to pandemic-era executive pay practices, and in understanding how financial markets can better serve broader societal goals.

Recent projects examine the role of transparency in promoting innovation in R&D-intensive industries, the contribution of property investors to regional housing imbalances, the behavioural patterns of speculative retail investors, and how corporate leadership incentives impact firm outcomes. Across these varied domains, my research is united by a commitment to applying robust empirical methods to questions of real-world significance.

Alongside my research, I have held senior academic leadership roles shaping strategy and education within the Business School. As Associate Dean (Indigenous Strategy and Services) from 2021–2024, I led the development of the School’s Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocol for Curriculum, and co-developed the Indigenous Supplier Development Program in partnership with the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce — a pioneering initiative supporting First Nations business owners to scale their enterprises and build networks. Since 2025, as Associate Dean (Programs), I lead the School’s curriculum strategy, with a focus on enhancing student experience and designing transformative learning programs that develop distinctive, socially impactful graduates.