Law

July 23rd, 2021

The Uncertain Promise of Human Rights in Sports: Understanding the Caster Semenya Case

For the 32nd Olympic Games, one of South Africa’s modern icons, 800-meter champion Caster Semenya, will not be making the trip northwards. She has been barred from the Tokyo Olympics where she had hoped to defend a crown she won in 2012 and 2016. We discuss with Professor Matteo Winkler the legal, sociological and ethical implications of the Caster Mokgadi Semenya v. IAAF (now World Athletics) case. World Athletics’ regulations target female athletes like Semenya who are born with naturally high levels of testosterone, a characteristic that was labelled first as “hyperandrogenism” and then as “difference of sexual development”. Winkler and fellow academic, Doctor Giovanna Gilleri from the European University Institute published a 40-page study deconstructing the narratives surrounding the case and reflecting on the relationship between the law of sports, politics, gender and bodies – and the West’s sometimes uncomfortable position on femininity in the Global South.

By Matteo M. Winkler

Law

June 04th, 2021

Alemanno: Belarus Air Intervention is “Ultimate Test” of EU Foreign Policy

The forced landing of a Ryanair airplane and the subsequent arrest of two Belarusians on May 23 has sparked a major diplomatic crisis between EU and US authorities and the Minsk government. This has led to calls for across-the-board sanctions by both Europe and the United States. But just how effective are these measures? HEC Paris Professor Alberto Alemanno shares his analysis of the stand-off and its reflections on EU foreign policy.

Jean Monnet Professor

Tax and Law

Our Latest Research on D&I

Why Diversity Matters

This special number of “In-Depth” presents the latest research from HEC professors and Ph.D. students on the impact of Human Resources policies and leadership on diversity and inclusion (D&I). These often throw up stereotypes in factors of discrimination and in shaping workplaces and society. Researchers explain their key findings in D&I and offer concrete insights and recommendations to better face management and career challenges. Hence, they attempt to answer certain crucial societal issues.

June 03rd, 2021

diversity and inclusion - aleutie-AdobeStock

Law

June 03rd, 2021

Why Diversity Matters

Matteo Winkler is a law professor at HEC Paris, focusing an important part of his research on international human rights and on teaching Diversity and Inclusion. Professor Winkler also chairs the HEC Paris Diversity Committee. Eloïc Peyrache is a professor of economics. He began his research career with a study of gender diversity in admissions to French Grandes Ecoles. He was nominated Dean of HEC Paris in January 2021. Both professors share their insights on the stakes in Diversity and Inclusion, ways to address discrimination and proposals to include diversity through research. These, they say, are just some of a panoply of initiatives being explored at HEC Paris.

Associate Professor

Tax and Law

Law

June 02nd, 2021

Why Anti-Discrimination Laws Are Not Enough to Ensure Inclusiveness

The EU has a comprehensive legal framework to combat discrimination. But where exactly does the letter of the law lie and how can corporations make their businesses truly inclusive? HEC Paris professor Matteo Winkler suggests going above and beyond the law to make workplaces genuinely diverse.

By Matteo M. Winkler

Law

October 27th, 2020

Are Carbon Markets the Solution Against Climate Change?

Global warming is one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century. In order to meet this unprecedented challenge, States and sub-state entities have decided to use an original regulatory instrument: a trading system wherein pollution rights can be exchanged (i.e. a ‘carbon market’). HEC Paris Professor Van Waeyenberge explains why the collaboration between countries has not yet led to satisfying results, and what can be done about it. Given the urgency of the situation, one cannot possibly reconceive or reimagine the current system from scratch, but one can improve it by encouraging complementary measures through the coordination of the various existing initiatives. This coordination could take place via the connections and interlinkages between the different carbon markets initiatives and through the use of new technologies such as the blockchain to implement it.

By Arnaud Van Waeyenberge

fires in California - thumbnail - Adobe Stock

Law

October 27th, 2020

Developing an Automated Compliance App to help Firms Comply with Privacy Regulations

According to recent research published by the Harvard Business Review, a strong privacy policy can help firms save millions. If privacy policies have indeed become more important for firms and consumers today, the real challenge lying ahead is to ensure compliance within and beyond the firm. A new tool developed at HEC Paris uses artificial intelligence to help managers, data protection officers, and project leaders take privacy-preserving decisions and implement privacy by design.

Associate Professor

Tax and Law

Law

August 19th, 2020

Space Industry Faces Deep Transformations Post-COVID-19

The image of a Falcon rocket topped by the Crew Dragon capsule designed and manufactured by private company SpaceX as part of a NASA mission, has struck world public opinion in May 2020. Like its landing in the Gulf of Mexico a few weeks later, in early August. It illustrates the profound changes that have affected the space industry in recent years. In this article, Professor of international business law Lucien Rapp describes the transformation of the space industry and the strategies developed to enter the space market, as well as the challenges of its privatization for the future of the industry.

Professor

Tax and Law

Law

May 11th, 2020

Will Contracts Survive the Pandemic?

The covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown have impacted business enormously and in unprecedented ways, forcing corporate leaders to reset their priorities and, in some cases, switch from profitability to survival. As all this happened, legal advisors were urged to provide pragmatic solutions regarding their clients’ existing contracts. HEC Paris Professor of Law Matteo M. Winkler shares some options on which they may want to reflect upon.

Associate Professor

Tax and Law

Law

March 20th, 2020

The Challenge of Different National Leaderships for Tackling Covid-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, we observe starkly divergent approaches being experimented across the European Union. In this interview, Alberto Alemanno, Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law at HEC Paris, explains this lack of coordination between the governments and its consequences, and shares his insights on what could be improved in this diverse decision-making setting.

Jean Monnet Professor

Tax and Law