About Kinga Lovell, MSc, ACCA, FHEA
With over 15 years of experience in accounting and finance, my career has taken me across both public and private sector organisations, working as a finance coordinator, accountant, and finance business partner. These roles have shaped a practical and real-world perspective that now sits at the heart of my teaching.
As a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), I also hold two MSc degrees: Financial Management from the University of Science and Technology (AGH) in Krakow, and Marketing Management from Teesside University.
Since joining the Accounting and Finance Team at University of Sunderland in 2023, I have particularly enjoyed bringing professional experience into the classroom, helping students see how concepts work beyond the textbook. I am especially interested in making accounting and finance feel more approachable and engaging.
Alongside teaching, I am currently undertaking a PhD focused on gamification in higher education, exploring how game-based approaches can support student motivation, engagement, and their sense of progress in accounting and finance.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, travelling, and immersing myself in gaming, an interest that naturally connects with my research and teaching style.
Qualifications:
- MSc Financial Management
- MSc Marketing Management
- ACCA (Member), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
- AAT Accounting Qualification
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Advance HE
- City & Guilds Professional Recognition Award
Teaching and supervision
My teaching experience includes leading and delivering a range of accounting and finance modules at undergraduate level, alongside my role as Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Accounting and Financial Management Top-Up. I have created, managed, and taught modules in areas such as strategic management accounting, quantitative methods for business money, banking & finance, corporate & business law and business management. I have also supervised postgraduate dissertations and contributed to teaching across multiple campuses (Sunderland, London, and Hong Kong) and within transnational education (TNE).
I teach a range of accounting and finance modules at undergraduate level and am module leader for:
- UGB393 – Strategic Management Accounting
- UGB394 – International Financial Reporting
- MGT1007 – Corporate & Business and Law
- MGT3005 – International Financial Reporting (Professional)
Student-Nominated Teaching Awards (Nominee):
- Most Inspirational Member of University Staff
- Staff Member Who Enables Student Success
- Staff Member Who Encourages Access, Inclusion and Participation for all Students
- Staff Member Who Provides Outstanding Student Support
Interests
- Management accounting
- International financial reporting
- Gamification and Game-based-learning in education
- Student engagement and motivation in higher education
- Digital transformation in accounting, including AI
- Sustainable accounting and reporting
Research
My research interests focus on gamification in higher education, exploring how game-based approaches can enhance student motivation, engagement, and perceived performance in accounting and finance. This forms the basis of my current PhD research.
In addition, I am interested in the ongoing digital transformation of the accounting landscape, particularly the growing role of AI, as well as developments in sustainable accounting and reporting.
Current Projects:
- UKRI Participatory Research Fund (2026) – Co-creating the inclusive professional: a participatory framework for diverse workforce readiness
(with Dr Julia J. Nobari and Dr Mariza Spanaki) - PhD Research (in progress) – Playing to Learn: Gamification in Accounting and Finance Education
Exploring the use of gamification in higher education, with a focus on enhancing student motivation, engagement, and perceived performance in accounting and finance.
Areas of expertise
- Management accounting and reporting
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
- Finance business partnering
- Gamification and innovative teaching approaches in accounting and finance