How AI is shaping the future of Academia

Ian Pay, Head of Data Analytics and Tech, ICAEW
Ian joined ICAEW as Head of Data Analytics and Tech in March 2022, looking at the role that analytics and technology solutions play in the profession, and supporting the ICAEW’s members in their exploration and development of knowledge around technology. Prior to this, Ian worked for over 10 years at PwC in Data Analytics, specialising in External Audit and Data Acquisition and developing robust data transformation processes. Ian is passionate about digital upskilling, and has previously trained as a secondary school teacher and a musician.

Samar Gad, Course Director of BSc Accounting and Finance, Kingston Business School
Dr. Samar Gad is an associate professor and education consultant specialising in accounting and finance education. With 15 years of experience, she leverages personalised data analytics to optimise student learning and enhance graduate employability through career coaching and industry engagement. Dr. Gad has co-designed training courses in collaboration with prestigious national and international institutions, including the London Stock Exchange Group, Curve Theatre in Leicester, and EFG Hermes Investment Bank in Egypt. Her work focuses on the future of accounting and finance, emphasising the skills required in today's job market. Regularly sharing her insights at industry conferences, Dr. Gad bridges the gap between banking and education. She has been invited to speak at notable events such as the QuantMinds International Conference, ICAEW Higher Education Conference and the Advance HE Learning and Teaching Conference.
Her research focuses on financial stability and resilience, behavioural finance, and Islamic finance. She published in international journals such as Pacific-Basin Finance Journal and Research in International Business and Finance.
In recognition of her significant contributions to accounting education, Dr. Gad was a finalist for the PQ Awards Public Sector Lecturer of the Year Award in 2024.

Joan Ballantine BA, MSc, PhD, FCCA, Professor of Accounting, Ulster University
Joan is an accounting graduate and Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). After working in industry and gaining her professional qualification, she moved into academia: working at Warwick Business School (where she undertook a part-time PhD) and Queen’s University Belfast. She is currently a Professor of Accounting, Ulster University (since 2008). She has experience of teaching a range of subjects at both undergraduate and Masters level. Joan is an active researcher and is passionate about accounting education and gender equality (including gender budgeting and gender in senior management). She has secured circa £600k in research funding and is currently leading on a work package for a recently secured £4.8m EPIC Futures NI Local Policy Innovation Partnership (funded by UKRI, ESRC, AHRC and Innovate UK) to support unemployed back into work. She has examined numerous doctorates, is widely published and is on the editorial board of several journals. Joan holds two board positions and is an Independent Assessor for the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Northern Ireland. Joan has organised the Irish Accounting and Finance Association Doctoral Colloquium for the last 15 years and has been the joint convenor of the annual British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) Doctoral Masterclasses since 2001. She recently won the BAFA Outstanding Contribution to Accounting & Finance Education Award (2023) and was appointed Vice-President of BAFA in April 2024.

Session chair: Kat Hearn, Senior Technical Manager, Practice, ICAEW
Kat Hearn is a Senior Technical Manager in ICAEW’s Practice team. Having originally trained in Audit at a London Big 4 practice, Kat seconded to working in their Technical Learning and Education department and from there went on to teach professional ICAEW examinations. She then spent nearly a decade working in Higher Education, gaining formal teaching qualifications and focused on providing students with employability skills and creating meaningful links between Universities and local businesses. Alongside her university career, Kat also worked part time as a Finance Director for a SME and is the Finance Trustee for 20 school Multi-Academy Trust in Dorset.