Analysis: The idea of the ‘company man’ was forged decades ago. Its problems still haunt leaders today

by Dr. Claire E. F. Wright | Aug 6, 2026 | media and events

Published in The Conversation. I AM WORK. This handwritten phrase was found among the papers of industrialist Essington Lewis after his death in 1961. It captured the mindset shared by many Australian executives of his era. Lewis was one of mining giant BHP’s...

Keynote: Let’s do research that actually means something

by Dr. Claire E. F. Wright | Mar 20, 2026 | media and events

Hello! I have just returned from hibernation following two really great conferences. The first was the annual Asia-Pacific Economic and Business History conference, held in Adelaide on the 4-6 February. I spoke about corporate masculinity, reconnected with fabulous...

Profile: What history can tell us about the future of women in business

by Dr. Claire E. F. Wright | Mar 6, 2026 | media and events

Published by UTS. On social media, the joke goes like this: The gender pay gap doesn’t exist. Men make more because they choose higher-paying jobs like doctor, lawyer and engineer, but women choose lower-paying jobs like female doctor, female lawyer and female...

Panel discussion: DEI or DIE! How to future-proof diversity, equity and inclusion in organisations

by Dr. Claire E. F. Wright | May 20, 2025 | media and events

Recorded for Impact Talks at UTS. How do you build successful businesses while creating meaningful impact? How can companies foster inclusive cultures during periods of growth? Chaired by Claire Wright (UTS), panellists share their journeys and offer insights on...

Seminar: The glass ceiling, shattered, cracked or stubbornly intact?

by Dr. Claire E. F. Wright | Mar 27, 2025 | media and events

Recorded for the History Council of Victoria. As women joined the paid workforce in increasing numbers in the twentieth century they battled long-established discrimination. Low pay, exclusion from jobs defined as ‘men’s work’, and forced ‘retirement’ on marriage were...

Analysis: Billionaire entrepreneurs can make for bold businesses but often with fewer checks and balances

by Dr. Claire E. F. Wright | Mar 4, 2025 | media and events

Published in The Conversation. Richard White, head of WiseTech Global, is the latest of a small number of charismatic business founders to have captured the public and corporate imagination. The businessman is synonymous with one of Australia’s most successful...