Justin Chircop

Country of origin: Malta

Lecturer, Lancaster University

 In 2010, I began to consider studying a PhD in Accounting & Finance at Lancaster University Management School. I didn’t know much about Lancaster University initially; however I was attracted to the Accounting and Finance department by the collegial atmosphere. During my PhD, I had the opportunity to benefit from the suggestions and feedback of my supervisors, who are world class researchers with an unparalleled international reputation. My supervisors provided me with excellent mentorship and always encouraged me, giving good advice. Furthermore, through the visiting speakers programme, I was given the opportunity to meet some of the most respected international academics in the field of accounting and finance.

More importantly, the Management School and the Department of Accounting and Finance did their utmost to provide PhD students with the latest research tools, to be able to carry out internationally recognised research. Specifically, the access to financial databases, through the department, is comparable to that found at major U.S. business schools. Similarly, the Management School provided PhD students with the latest analytical software used in international academic research. These research tools enabled me to undertake research which was accepted for presentation at various international conferences, such as the American Accounting Association Annual Meeting and the European Accounting Association Annual Congress.

Lancaster University is a campus university, with all facilities accessible within walking distance. Moreover, the University has great transport links with a frequent bus service to the city centre and train station. Further, Lancaster is only an hour’s journey away from Manchester Airport, which made it convenient for me to visit family and friends abroad when I had the time.

After graduating with a PhD in Accounting and Finance in 2013, I wished to stay in academia. I was offered various interesting opportunities to join other universities; however I felt that the Department of Accounting and Finance at Lancaster University, with its exceptional reputation in accounting, provided me with the quality research environment needed to nurture my academic career.