About
Dr. Shonagh Douglas is a Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at Robert Gordon University's Aberdeen Business School, where she has been teaching since 2008. She currently serves as Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Business Management degree program and has held various academic roles including year tutor and module coordinator for courses such as Personal and Business Finance, Financial Accounting for Groups and Companies, and Managing Finance.
Her educational background includes:
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance from Robert Gordon University (2003)
- PhD in Accounting and Finance from Robert Gordon University (2017), with thesis titled "Does an accounting degree add up? An investigation into the professional exam performance and non-technical skill development of accounting degree graduates"
Dr. Douglas's research focuses on Accounting Education, with particular interest in how educational approaches develop essential professional skills. Her work examines the effectiveness of accounting curricula in preparing students for professional practice, with emphasis on non-technical skill development. She has a strong interest in educational technology and innovative teaching methods, particularly in online learning environments where she has pioneered the use of tools like breakout rooms to facilitate dialogic learning. Her research applies Institutional Theory to understand educational practices within accounting programs.
An analysis of her recent publications reveals a clear trajectory from traditional accounting education research toward innovative online teaching methodologies. While her earlier work focused on curriculum effectiveness and professional skills development, her more recent publications demonstrate a shift toward technology-enhanced learning, particularly in response to the challenges of online education during and after the pandemic. Her research consistently bridges theory and practice, addressing real-world challenges in accounting education.
Her professional recognition includes:
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2020)
- Trustee of the Association of Learning Technology (ALT) since 2021
Notably, she was shortlisted for THE Innovative Lecturer of the Year in 2020 for her work adapting accounting education to online environments.
In terms of academic supervision, Dr. Douglas currently serves as Director of Studies for Mrs. Leona Gill's Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) research project titled "An evaluation of the attendance tracker process implemented in ABS at RGU in 2023/24" (2024-2030). Her PhD supervision availability is confirmed, with particular interest in Accounting Education topics. While specific grant funding isn't detailed in the provided information, her research outputs suggest engagement with pedagogical innovation grants, particularly those supporting online learning adaptation during the pandemic period.
Dr. Douglas is actively involved with the Association of Learning Technology (ALT) as a Trustee, connecting her with a broader community of educational technologists. Within RGU, she contributes to the university's teaching and learning community, as evidenced by her presentations at the RGU annual learning and teaching conferences. Her work bridges the Accounting discipline with educational technology, positioning her at the intersection of subject-specific pedagogy and innovative teaching practices.