Grand challenges, generative education, citizen science and accounting education

EAA Education Committee workshop · Speaker: Professor Ian Thomson (University of Dundee)
Monday 12 October 2026 · 11:00–12:30 Brussels time

In our turbulent world characterised by interlocking polycrises, many of the traditional accounting techniques and educational methods are increasingly becoming irrelevant. This provides an opportunity to reimagine accounting and repurpose accounting education not to be missed. Imagine if we could harness the power and resources of our accounting students into an international collaborative generative education project, based on robust citizen science methodologies, harnessing best practice accounting and accountability to solve global wicked problems that threaten our very future.

In this workshop, Professor Ian Thomson will:

• Provide a brief introduction to grand challenges, generative education and citizen science.
• Illustrate how these three concepts could be integrated into accounting education through the collaborative design of innovative accounting and accountability techniques.
• Discuss grand challenges suitable for this form of education.
• Reflect on advantages, opportunities and risks of this innovative strategy.

Ian Thomson is Emeritus Professor of Accounting and Sustainability at the University of Dundee and independent researcher at Sustainability Research Services. Registration is via the EAA event page.