Research Interests

Rafael specialises in EU and UK company law and corporate governance, with a particular focus on how these areas intersect with sustainable development and sustainability. His research examines how the law regulates corporate governance to promote business practices that contribute to, or at least not harm, long-term environmental, social, and economic goals.

Rafael’s work addresses a range of topics within company law and corporate governance, including:

• Shareholder Stewardship and Regulation: Investigating how shareholder engagement and regulatory frameworks about it can drive corporate sustainability.
• Theories of Corporate Governance and their Impact on Company Law-making: Exploring how diverse governance theories and models influence legal frameworks and the evolving role of corporations in society.
• Regulation Theory: Studying the evolution of regulatory mechanisms that govern corporate conduct, with a particular interest in sustainability-focused regulation.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Researching how CSR practices can lead to positive social and environmental outcomes while creating long-term value for businesses.
• Socially Responsible Investing (SRI): Examining how SRI can serve as a catalyst for change, influencing corporate strategies to align with broader societal and environmental goals.

Rafael has contributed to academic journals and international conferences on corporate law and sustainability. His recent works include publications on the role of shareholder stewardship in promoting corporate sustainability and the impact of regulatory frameworks on corporate governance practices.

In addition to his research, Rafael is passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of legal professionals on issues related to sustainable development and sustainability. He teaches modules on company law, corporate governance, and regulation, with a focus on helping students understand the real-world impact of these topics. His approach emphasizes critical thinking and the practical application of legal principles in shaping sustainable business practices by inviting students to experience such phenomena through game-based learning and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences.