Accounting for the (extra)-ordinary: Managing crises, conflicts and the unexpected

The Culture, Accounting and Society Research Network (CAS) at the University of Edinburgh Business School is delighted to invite you to participate in a one-day workshop on ‘Accounting for the (extra)-ordinary: Managing crises, conflicts and the unexpected’.

Submissions will address the roles, nature and consequences of accounting, accountability, audit, and control practices in (extra)-ordinary circumstances and consider how they cope/interact with uncertainties and unknowns. The operation of these practices can be seriously disrupted by crisis events with consequences for organizations, the economy and society. Important insights into the functionality of accounting practices are gained during periods of crises, conflicts and dramatic change.

We particularly encourage paper submissions that explore the following topics from interdisciplinary and critical perspectives, whether contemporary or historical:

• Financial and corporate crises
• War, violence and humanitarian disasters
• Environmental, natural and climate crises
• Race, gender and social justice dimensions to crises and conflicts
• Social and cultural consequences of crises
• Technology and digital dimensions to conflicts and crises

Keynote speakers

• Professor Guido Palazzo, Professor of Business Ethics, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
• Professor Hendrik Vollmer, Professor of Accounting, Warwick Business School, United Kingdom

The workshop will offer opportunities to showcase debates on these topics and will serve as a community-building exercise, bringing together those interested in the role of accounting during these (extra)-ordinary times. Attending the workshop is free of charge, but places are limited.

Please submit your full paper or extended abstract (approx. 1000 words) for consideration by the 6 February 2026. Participants will be notified about the acceptance of their submissions by 27 February 2026.

Submit your paper

If you are facing difficulties in submitting the form, please contact us at: cas@business-school.ed.ac.uk

Logistics and support to participants

The Culture, Accounting and Society Research Network at the University of Edinburgh Business School is pleased to host and organise this workshop, which will be held in person. The workshop will consist of around 40 doctoral students, early career faculty and senior colleagues. The atmosphere will be collegial and informal.

Details on how to register will be sent to those with accepted papers in the week commencing 2 February 2026. There is no workshop fee, and no charge for lunch or coffee breaks. Participants must make their own travel arrangements and pay for accommodation - we can provide advice on potential places to stay. Participants are expected to attend for the whole day: registration is 8.45am; the formal programme concludes at 5pm. If participants wish to extend their trip to enjoy Edinburgh and the surrounding area, we can help with advice and arrangements.

Key dates (all times refer to UK GMT)

Submission of abstract: 11.59pm, 6 February 2026

Notification of acceptance: w/c 27 February 2026

Workshop: 22 May 2026