The School of Finance and Accounting (SFA) at the University of Westminster hosted its sixth Finance and Accounting Annual Research Symposium. This year’s event explored the theme of Sustainability in the Digital Era, focusing on a range of topics from sustainable finance to the role of AI in sustainable decision-making.
Taking place between 17 and 18 June, the symposium was made of 11 sessions with 35 presenters. The keynote speakers were Professor Martin Dallimer from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College, and Tim Smolcic, the Director of Tech Sustainability at HSBC.
The symposium examined the intersection of sustainability and digital innovation across finance, data analytics and accounting. During the two days, three doctoral sessions were held where nine doctoral researchers from the University of Westminster gave presentations on their work. Research topics included sustainable finance, digital assets and their environmental impact, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting and analytics, fintech solutions for sustainability, green finance technologies, sustainable investment strategies, corporate governance in the digital age, climate risk management, and the role of artificial intelligence in sustainable decision-making.
The symposium was supported by the International Review of Financial Analysis and the Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, and saw attendees from 23 countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Iraq, Kuwait, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, UK, USA and Uzbekistan.
Dr Sheeja Sivaprasad, Principal Lecturer in Finance, said: “The symposium provided a timely and thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between digital innovation and sustainability. The discussions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies such as AI, robotics and digital platforms in supporting environmental, economic and social sustainability goals.
“The interdisciplinary perspectives shared by speakers encouraged critical reflection on how individuals, organisations and policymakers can work together to ensure that digital transformation contributes positively to a sustainable future. Overall, the symposium offered insightful contributions and stimulated meaningful dialogue on one of the most pressing issues of our time.”
The symposium directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
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