40th Anniversary Management Control Conference
18-19th June 2026
University of Birmingham, UK
The 40th Anniversary Management Control (MCA) Conference will take place at Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, UK, hosted by the Department of Accounting, on 18-19th June 2026, with an emerging scholars colloquium on 17th June (see MCA ESC 2026 Call for Papers ).
Papers are invited on any aspect of management control or performance management. We especially welcome papers from a critical and interdisciplinary perspective. Special themes:
- Actor-Reality Construction (ARC) and Pragmatic Constructivism (PC), in association with the Network for ARC
- AI/digital developments in Management Control Systems (MCS)
- History of Management Control
- MCS for Sustainability, Nature, Earth & Beyond
- MCS for the Future
- Risk, Resilience and Management Control
- Strong Structuration Theory
Keynote speakers will include:
- Chris Ford (Lancaster University, UK)
- Elaine Harris (University of Roehampton, UK)
- Robin Holt (University of Bristol, UK)
- Christian Huber (Copenhagen Business School, Denmark)
- Lisa Jack (University of Portsmouth, UK)
- Katy Mason (Salford Business School, UK)
Extended abstracts or full papers should be submitted to the MCA website by 15th March 2026 following the links to Conference 2026 and paper submission. Decisions will be sent out during March 2026. The file name should be in the format: abstracttheauthorssurname.docx (or pdf) or fullpapertheauthorssurname.docx (or pdf). 30th April 2026 is the deadline for full papers.
Scientific Committee: Giulia Achilli (University of Birmingham), Elena Giovannoni (University of Birmingham), Elaine Harris (University of Roehampton), Melina Manochin (University of Birmingham), Anna Raffoni (Loughborough University) & Elina Varoutsa (Cardiff University)
Please note that online participation may be an option; however, we encourage in-person participation.
The conference registration fee is £280.
Venue and Accommodation:
The conference will be held at Birmingham Business School, University House.
For those not familiar with University House, please see the campus map for reference. The address is 116 Edgbaston Park Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TY.
The university has an onsite hotel, Edgbaston Park hotel and Conference Centre, with over 180 bedrooms or serviced apartments. Booking details can be found via their website. Located across the road from the main hotel, is Peter Scott House, which offers 37 ensuite twin and double rooms and breakfast served at the main hotel. Bookings can be made via their website or through the usual hotel booking sites via an internet search.
Both Edgbaston Park hotel and Peter Scott are a short walk (less than 10 minutes) away from University House, where the conference will be held.
Alternatively, you may wish to stay in the local area, those that are in walking distance to campus include:
There is plenty of accommodation in Birmingham City Centre, which just over 2 miles away from campus and a short 10–15-minute taxi ride.
- Premier Inn at Birmingham By New Street Station
- Holiday Inn Smallbrook Queensway By New Street Station
- Ibis Birmingham
Travelling to campus
Our Edgbaston campus is served by its own railway station, University. Providing a high-frequency service to and from Birmingham New Street in just seven minutes. Whether you’re travelling by public transport, car, bike, or air, please refer to the University Maps and Directions page.
Our campus
Find out more about our historic campus, including the museums and local attractions.