Meet Dr Ahmad Hatamabadi Farahani, Lecturer in Accounting and Finance here at Salford Business School. With over two decades of experience across Europe, Ahmad combines professional and academic expertise to deliver a dynamic approach to finance education.
At Saford, he focuses on helping students apply finance theory to real-world challenges while maintaining pursuing research on sustainable accounting within the transportation sector.
How did you get into academia?
My academic journey began from a strong interest in how financial and accounting decisions shape economic and organisational outcomes. After several years in accounting, auditing, and financial management roles with international logistics firms such as Kuehne+Nagel, I pursued a PhD in Methods and Models for Economic Decisions at the University of Insubria, Italy. During this time, I became deeply engaged in teaching and research, which naturally led me toward a full-time academic career.
Why did you choose to work at the University of Salford?
The University’s strong commitment to industry engagement and applied learning aligns with my own philosophy of connecting theory with real-world practice. I was drawn to Salford Business School’s focus on employability and its diverse, supportive academic community that values innovation in both teaching and research.
What’s the best thing about being an academic at Salford?
The most rewarding part of being an academic at Salford is the opportunity to empower students with practical financial and entrepreneurial skills that they can immediately apply in their careers. I also value the collaborative and inclusive culture within the Business School, where ideas and innovations are encouraged and supported.
Can you tell us about any of your career highlights to date?
Some career highlights include completing my PhD with a full scholarship from the Italian Ministry of Education, achieving Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and presenting research at international conferences in France and Italy. Prior to academia, I also held senior financial management roles with global firms, which provided invaluable industry insights that now inform my teaching.
What is your current research focused on?
My current research focuses on sustainable finance and the intersection between accounting practices and environmental regulation, particularly within the transportation sector. I am also interested in how financial decision-making models can support sustainability transitions in corporate environments.
Do you have any published papers we can read?
I have some ongoing collaborative papers currently under review, including Central Banks Regulations and Sustainability in Transportation Companies (Case Study of European Countries). Additionally, I am co-authoring a book chapter titled Robo-Advisory and Auditing: Internal and External Controls which will be available soon.
And finally, the all-important question — where in Manchester or Salford is it best to grab a coffee?
I enjoy Italian-style coffee, especially a good espresso or a well-made cappuccino. Around our campus, two of my favourite spots are The Old Fire Station Café and the Salford Museum and Art Gallery Café – both have a welcoming atmosphere and are great places to relax or have a thoughtful chat over a cup of coffee.