Roger Willett

Biography

Roger was awarded his PhD by the University of Aberdeen in Scotland in the UK, having studied economics as an undergraduate.  He has worked at the universities of Aberdeen, Wales (Aberystwyth, UK) and the ANU (Canberra, Australia) and has previously held Chairs at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand and Queensland University of Technology  in Brisbane, Australia. Roger worked for a number of years with international accounting firms.

Research Interest

Roger's work focuses on the theory, application and practice of accounting measurement in the modelling of economic and social systems.  Research in the social sciences suffers from a lack of precision in formulating and testing theories, so a basic interest is in establishing a valid and reliable measurement framework  that can be used for this purpose.  This motivation underlies, for example, Roger's research in fundamental value and earnings quality and in applied projects, modelling the physical and financial aspects of processes, to maximise return and minimise risk in such operations as navy vessel maintenance and mine ore-body comminution.  His published research ranges from abstract theory in mathematical journals to the relationship between culture and accounting in social science journals.  His sponsored research includes collaboration with engineers, statisticians , management academics and professional and includes studies of the legal aid system in Queensland and the management of medical funding.