ESG Special Interest Group

Aims and Activities

The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Special Interest Group (SIG) is an engaged community of scholars and professionals dedicated to integrating ESG considerations into research and practice, fostering collaboration, and shaping the future of our research and industry.

Membership in the ESG SIG offers a range of valuable opportunities and benefits:

• Networking and Collaboration: Connect with like-minded scholars and professionals to foster partnerships that catalyze innovative research projects, educational practices, and professional advancement in ESG.
• Thought Leadership and Professional Development: Stay abreast of the latest ESG trends, research, and regulations through workshops and webinars led by experts in the field.
• Research Excellence: Participate in cutting-edge research, contributing to the development of sustainable practices and ESG frameworks, impacting industry practices and ethical business conduct.
• Advocacy and Influence: Engage in advocacy for ESG principles within the industry, contributing to policy discussions and helping to shape the direction of research and practice toward sustainability.

Join us in this exciting journey to make a real impact in the world of ESG.

ESG Research Forum

The ESG Research Forum is an ongoing series designed to foster a dynamic exchange between academia, policymakers, and industry practitioners in the field of ESG. As a regular event, the forum brings together a diverse group of members to engage in a rich tapestry of seminars, dialogues, and interactive sessions. The forum provides an opportunity for members to stay updated with cutting-edge developments in ESG research, discover new perspectives, and explore how these can be practically applied in various industry settings.

Key Features:

Seminars: Regular seminars are held featuring presentations by leading experts in ESG research. These seminars cover a wide range of topics, from emerging trends in sustainable finance to innovations in corporate social responsibility.

Interactive Dialogues: We facilitate dialogues between academics, policymakers, and practitioners, encouraging a two-way exchange of ideas and insights. These sessions are designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing a deeper understanding of ESG challenges and opportunities.

Panel Discussions: Our panel discussions involve experts from both academia and industry, offering diverse viewpoints on pressing ESG issues. These panels foster a deeper understanding of complex ESG topics and stimulate innovative thinking.

ESG SIG Annual meeting

Each year, the ESG SIG holds an annual meeting prior to the AFAANZ Conference, with the Annual General Meeting held at the conclusion of the annual meeting.

2026 AFAANZ ESG Special Interest Group Annual Meeting

Sunday, 5 July 2026 | 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM (AEST)
State Ballroom 3, Pullman Albert Park Hotel, Melbourne, Australia

Meeting Format: In-person

Join us at the 2026 AFAANZ ESG Special Interest Group (ESG SIG) Annual Meeting! Connect with leading scholars, standard-setters and practitioners as we explore the future of ESG accounting and disclosure. The event will feature a keynote presentation, updates from accounting standard-setters, and an integrated panel and interactive roundtable discussion with invited panellists and contributions from attendees.

Keynote Speaker: Associate Professor Rencheng Wang, Singapore Management University

Rencheng Wang is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Singapore Management University. Rencheng joined SMU in 2019. He previously taught at The University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne in Australia. He received his PhD from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Rencheng has a broad range of research interests at the intersection of accounting and finance. His work has been published in the Journal of Accounting Research, Journal of Accounting and Economics, and The Accounting Review. Learn more about Rencheng at https://acrcwang.github.io/

Event details:

• Keynote: Rencheng Wang (SMU), We Are on the Same Planet: A Multi-Stakeholder View
• Standard-setter Update: Ao Li (AASB), Recent developments in sustainability reporting
• Panel Discussion: ESG Research, Reporting and Practice: Challenges and Opportunities

             Panel Chair: Ellie Chapple (QUT)

             Panellists: Peter Clarkson (UQ), Rencheng Wang (SMU), Patrick Viljoen (CPA Australia), Dr Keith Kendall (Chair, Australian Accounting Standards Board)

• Interactive Roundtable Discussion: From Challenges to Collaboration: Future Directions for ESG Research and Practice

You can register either through conference registration, or for the ESG SIG meeting only

To apply for membership to the AFAANZ ESG SIG: https://www.afaanz.org/interest-group/esg-special-interest-group . To stay connected, please follow AFAANZ ESG SIG LinkedIn

For queries, please contact Professor Tracy Wang (kun.wang@anu.edu.au), Founding Chair of the AFAANZ ESG SIG, or Dr Stanley Choi (stanley.choi@qut.edu.au), Program Chair of the 2026 AFAANZ ESG SIG Annual Meeting.

MEMBERSHIP

To become a member of the ESG SIG you will first need to become a member of AFAANZ, The fee for AFAANZ membership is AU$148.50 including GST for applicants residing in Australia and AU$135 for applicants residing outside Australia. Note that membership is based on a calendar year.

The fee for the ESG SIG is AU$22 including GST for applicants residing in Australia and AU$20 for applicants residing outside Australia. Click on the purchase button to gain access to this SIG. You may also "Join this Group" further below to be keep up to date with the latest news and events.