On Thursday 7th March, a group of exciting early career researchers gathered online for a workshop dedicated to exploring career and academic paths within the Social and environmental Accounting community. Alessandro Ghio, Eija Vinnari and Raeni Raeni offered insights into their personal backgrounds and vivid experiences in finding their voices within the academic community.

The event kicked off with an introduction by Alessandro Ghio, an Associate Professor at Université Laval, who set an inspiring tone with his unique ‘CV of failure’. Alessandro shared the setbacks and challenges faced throughout the career journey, underscoring the importance of resilience and learning from failure. This candid sharing helped demystify the often-daunting academic path and encouraged participants to embrace their own hurdles as opportunities for growth.

Following Alessandro, Eija Vinnari, a Professor at Tampere University, took the stage to share her transition from mainstream accounting to focusing on her passion projects in accounting for animal rights. Eija’s journey highlighted the importance of aligning one’s career with personal values and interests, a resonant theme for researchers seeking to carve out a niche in their fields.

Completing the panel, Raeni Raeni, a Research Associate at the Stockholm Environment Institute York, discussed her explorations around climate finance research and her impactful work on the social aspects of climate transitions. Raeni’s experiences brought to light the complex interplay between environmental issues and social accountability, providing a compelling example of how researchers can impact pressing global challenges.

Their stories offered invaluable insights into the diverse pathways leading to their current roles and areas of expertise. Through their insights, fascinating discussions followed, around (among other things) the hurdles encountered along the way, decisive moments, being comfortable with the uncomfortable, equilibrium between professional endeavors and personal well-being and navigating the publishing landscape. Sage advice for early career researchers aspiring to navigate their academic journeys with confidence and purpose were shared.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the breakout sessions that followed the panel discussions. These smaller groups allowed for more personalized interactions with the panelists, focusing on practical aspects such as finding passion projects, establishing work-life balance, learning to say no, and building collaborative networks. These sessions provided a platform for participants to share their experiences and challenges, contributing to a supportive community atmosphere.

The workshop concluded with a collective reflection session where participants expressed their gratitude towards the panelists for their openness and valuable insights. It was a moment of mutual appreciation, with panelists and participants alike acknowledging the enriched conversations and the safe, encouraging space that had been created.

Thanks to the contributions of Alessandro Ghio, Eija Vinnari, and Raeni Raeni, along with the enthusiastic participation of all attendees, the workshop was not just a learning experience but also a source of inspiration. It underscored the significance of community in academia and highlighted the diverse pathways one can take within the realm of Social and Environmental Accounting.

The journey of an academic can be solitary and challenging, but as the workshop vividly demonstrated, it is also a journey of community building, personal discovery, and impactful research. For any early career researcher looking to navigate the dynamic academic landscape of Social and Environmental Accounting, the insights from this workshop are a beacon guiding the way to a fulfilling and successful career.