Business and Human Rights Centre

BHRIGHT addresses the human rights impact of business through research, education, innovation and collaboration, and is an interdisciplinary centre located in RMIT’s College of Business and Law.

At BHRIGHT we proactively participate in law reform and public policy debates and conduct empirical studies to build evidence of human rights and business impact - amplifying the voices of affected communities and workers. We use a range of conceptual frameworks and methods in analysing contemporary problems in business and human rights and develop solutions for a future that is fairer, more equitable and sustainable.

We also run master classes, consultancies and design labs to generate and share innovation as well as train current and future leaders to develop and integrate human rights standards in their respective industry contexts.

BHRIGHT is the first centre for business and human rights in Australia.

Themes

BHRIGHT’s research is conducted under eight main themes, and each theme is overseen by a leader who brings together groups of researchers and students interested in the key concerns of the theme.

Climate change and environment

Illuminates the role that business plays in critical environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity and pollution, and the impacts this has on human rights.

Conflict and peace

Examines the various roles and impacts businesses have in situations of armed conflict and peace-building efforts around the world.

Digital technologies

Tackles some of the biggest human rights issues emerging from the increasing pervasiveness of tech in our daily lives.

Ethical enterprise

Engages with critical multi-disciplinary issues around being and becoming an ethical enterprise.

Gender

Assesses and advances the potential of the new business and human rights agenda to address gender equality, and intersectional oppression.

Health

The human right to health provides a unique lens through which to tackle major questions of law and social policy pertaining to business conduct.

Labour and supply chains

Addresses the presence of child labour, modern slavery, inequality, the feminisation of work and lack of freedom of association stemming from corporate accountability problems in supply chains.

Work in transition

Investigates how workers’ lives – and their right to a safe, secure and decent job - are being impacted by new business practices, globalisation, advancing technologies and climate change.

Are you interested in any of these themes?

We welcome you to take part in our research efforts.

BHRIGHT has an active academic membership, and we are always interested in hearing from researchers, including HDRs, whose research aligns with the BHRIGHT mission.

Interested in becoming a member or simply want to know more about the RMIT Business and Human Rights Centre? Please email: bhright@rmit.edu.au.

What we do

  • Influence law reform and public policy. We proactively participate in law reform and public policy debates.
  • Training and capacity building. We run master classes, consultancies and design labs to generate and share innovation as well as train current and future leaders to develop and integrate human rights standards in their respective industry contexts.
  • Evidence of business impact. We conduct empirical studies to build evidence of human rights and business impact - amplifying the voices of affected communities and workers.
  • Analysis of contemporary business and human rights problems. We use a range of conceptual frameworks and methods in analysing contemporary problems in business and human rights and develop solutions for a future that is fairer, more equitable and sustainable.
  • Human rights in business education. We promote human rights in business education through the Global Network of Business Schools for Human Rights.
  • Engage critically with existing corporate social responsibility, accountability and broader business literature. We advance methodological and theoretical development, providing editorial leadership on relevant journals

Get in touch

If you would like to know more about the Business and Human Rights Centre please contact us.

Co-director: Kate Grosser
Co-director: Jonathan Kolieb

Emailbhright@rmit.edu.au

Capability statement

Read the Centre for Business and Human Rights Capability Statement (PDF 4.6 MB)

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.