I was grateful for the opportunity to attend the 2026 Annual Research Conference of the Chinese Accounting Professors’ Association of North America (CAPANA), hosted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. This was my second time attending CAPANA, and I would especially like to thank my advisor, Professor Luo Zuo , for giving me this opportunity.
The event consisted of a Doctoral Consortium followed by the two-day Annual Research Conference. At the consortium, Professors Tianyu Zhang, Christopher Stewart, John Xuefeng Jiang, and Daniel Cohen shared their insights on research methods, career development, building a research agenda, and the academic publication process.
I was particularly inspired by Professor Christopher Stewart’s presentation on developing an early-career research agenda. He emphasized that researchers should establish a clear academic identity—or their own intellectual “DNA”—by building a coherent stream of research and gradually becoming experts in a focused area. This encouraged me to think more carefully about how my individual projects can contribute to a consistent and meaningful research agenda.
Professor Stewart’s passion and dedication also left a strong impression on me. Drawing on his journey from the University of Melbourne to the University of Chicago, he encouraged students trained in Asia to build stronger connections with scholars in North America and to pursue opportunities there with confidence rather than allowing self-doubt to limit their choices.
Professor Daniel Cohen’s presentation offered valuable guidance from an editor’s perspective. He explained how authors should interpret referee reports, respond effectively and professionally to comments, communicate with editors, and navigate the overall review process. His advice gave me a clearer and more practical understanding of academic publishing.
During the Annual Research Conference, I also benefited from the paper presentations and in-depth discussions. Equally importantly, I had the opportunity to reconnect with professors, fellow doctoral students, and other scholars I had previously met. These conversations provided useful perspectives on both research and career development.
Overall, CAPANA was once again a rewarding experience. It allowed me to deepen my academic knowledge, learn from accomplished scholars, and receive valuable advice about research and academic life. I hope to apply these lessons as I continue developing my research agenda and preparing for the next stage of my academic career.
Conference Details
- 2026 CAPANA Annual Research Conference 2026 Shenzhen, China · 30 June 2026