Accounting and Financial Management Research Seminar – Dr Robert Charnock and Arielle Lee
The Accounting and Financial Management research group welcomes Dr Robert Charnock and Arielle Lee.
They will present their work, entitled "Accounting Research Beyond the University: Illustrated via a project interrogating ‘just transition’ in Borneo."
About the speakers
Dr Robert Charnock is Founding Director of the Metis Institute for Climate Strategy and holds a PhD in Accounting from LSE. He has worked with organisations including the UN, WWF, and the Financial Reporting Council.
Arielle Lee is a Senior Associate at Metis and leads research on just transition in Malaysian Borneo. She previously worked at PwC and in impact investing, and contributes to ESG training and financial climate risk assessment.
Research abstract
Metis was founded in 2022 to bring academic insight to applied research on climate strategy. This seminar explores their current project on the 'just transition' in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, focusing on how remote communities can meaningfully shape economic change.
Led by Arielle Lee, the research critiques rigid engagement models and develops a flexible, principles-based blueprint informed by interviews, literature and observational studies.
The project works with artisans, indigenous families, remote villages, and social enterprises to understand diverse experiences and challenges. The seminar reflects on conducting accounting research outside traditional academic settings and how it can directly support inclusive climate and development goals.