Staff profile

Dr Maresa Reill joined Durham University as an Assistant Professor in Accounting in 2023. Previously she completed her PhD in Accounting at the University of Bristol. Her research centres on environmental and social accountability, particularly within the context of biodiversity. A key aspect of her work is examining the interface between people and communities, natural environments, and relevant organisations. She is interested in how communities engage in biodiversity restoration efforts, including their roles as initiators and stakeholders, and how these efforts are governed. This involves understanding both the extent of community participation and the ways these initiatives ensure equality of opportunity for diverse groups. A major focus is on how organisations balance their environmental responsibilities with socio-economic and cultural challenges. By exploring these interactions, she aims to understand how individuals and processes shape policy and practice, ultimately contributing to more effective and equitable strategies for biodiversity restoration.

Maresa presented her research at various national and international conferences, such as those organised by the Centre for Social and Environmental Accounting Research (CSEAR), the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA), or Critical Perspectives on Accounting (CPA). 

She was awarded Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in October 2021. Maresa currently teaches financial accounting and research methods as part of the undergraduate Accounting programmes.

• Accountability
• Social and Environmental Accounting
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Community Engagement
• Rewilding
• Biodiversity Net Gain