An accounting lecturer from the University of Chichester has been named among the world’s most influential voices in higher education – and much of his audience doesn’t sit in a lecture theatre.
James Wright, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in Accountancy and Finance, has been included in the Vevox Top 50 Voices in Higher Education for 2026, a list recognising figures “shaping the future of teaching, learning, and student engagement”.
From balance sheets to bite-sized videos
Wright is cited for his practice-based approach to accounting education, linking theory with real-world business insight. The aim, according to the citation, is simple: make accounting accessible – and, more unusually, inspiring.
He has also built a substantial following online, with more than 40,000 subscribers on YouTube and a growing audience on TikTok and Instagram, where he posts short educational explainers on accounting concepts.
In a sector still negotiating its relationship with social media, that reach stands out.
Recognition beyond campus
Wright described the recognition as an honour and credited colleagues at Chichester for their support, adding that he hopes to build on the momentum to further enhance students’ experience and extend the university’s global profile.
The Top 50 list draws together academics and education leaders from around the world whose ideas are influencing how universities teach and engage students.
For an accountancy lecturer, it is not the most obvious route to international attention.
But then, few balance sheets come with a TikTok following.
