Associate Professor, Dr. Jelena Janjusevic, is the Global Head of the Department of Accountancy, Economics and Finance at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, leading the department across the University's campuses in Edinburgh, Dubai and Malaysia. She is also Associate Professor of Finance and a Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA).

With more than 25 years of international experience spanning academia, government, international development and executive education, Dr. Janjusevic is recognised as an expert in sustainable finance, financial markets, climate risk, fintech and higher education innovation. She has led major strategic initiatives in academic leadership, curriculum transformation and professional education, including the development of internationally distinctive programmes such as the MSc Sustainable Finance with FinTech and the MA (Hons) Professional Accountancy in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS).

Prior to joining Heriot-Watt University in 2017, Dr. Janjusevic held senior academic, policy and research positions in Montenegro, including serving as Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development, a joint initiative of the Government of Montenegro and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with governments, central banks, municipalities and leading international organisations including the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Commission, European Training Foundation (ETF), USAID, UNDP and other international institutions. Her work has supported public sector reform, sustainable economic development, financial sector development, labour market transformation, climate policy and investment promotion.

Alongside her academic leadership, Dr. Janjusevic has designed and delivered executive education programmes for financial institutions, government organisations and multinational companies across the GCC, generating significant industry impact. She is actively engaged with the financial services sector through collaborations with professional bodies, regulators and industry partners and serves in several international advisory, academic and policy leadership roles.

Her research focuses on sustainable finance, quantitative finance, portfolio management, financial markets, climate risk, ESG investing and fintech-enabled financial innovation. She has published academic research, policy reports and book chapters, and is a frequent keynote speaker and media commentator on finance, sustainability and economic policy.

Dr. Janjusevic has received numerous international recognitions, including being named among the Top 100 Sustainability Voices in the Middle East, serving as Knowledge Exchange Lead for Heriot-Watt University's Centre for Financing a Sustainable Future, Co-Chair of the MENA FinTech Council for Policy and Regulation, and Chair of the Middle East and Africa FinTech Academia Network. She continues to work at the intersection of academia, industry and public policy to advance innovation in finance education and sustainable economic development.

Dr. Jelena Janjusevic's research sits at the intersection of sustainable finance, quantitative finance, financial markets, fintech, climate risk and public policy, with a strong emphasis on translating academic research into practical solutions for governments, industry and international organisations.

Her research spans sustainable finance, ESG investing, climate risk management, portfolio management, financial market dynamics, financial innovation, econometrics and applied economic policy. More recently, her work has expanded into finance education, artificial intelligence in higher education and technology-enabled learning, reflecting the evolving needs of financial services and higher education.

Throughout her career, Dr. Janjusevic has combined rigorous quantitative research with policy development and knowledge exchange. Before joining Heriot-Watt University, she spent almost seven years as a researcher and senior analyst at Montenegro's first independent economic think tank, where she contributed to numerous national and international projects covering macroeconomic policy, financial sector development, labour markets, sustainable development, tourism, public administration reform, energy policy, urban planning, education, healthcare, pensions, investment promotion and business environment reforms.

She subsequently established and led the Centre for Sustainable Development, a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Montenegro, transforming it into a national platform linking scientific research, public policy and sustainable development. Under her leadership, the Centre managed and developed major national and international programmes supporting climate action, energy efficiency, sustainable tourism, spatial planning and green economic development.

Dr. Janjusevic has worked extensively with governments, municipalities, central banks, international financial institutions and development agencies, including the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Commission, European Training Foundation (ETF), USAID, UNDP and other international organisations. Her research has informed policy development, regulatory reform and investment strategies across the Western Balkans and the Middle East.

A distinguishing feature of her work is its strong practical impact. Many of the research concepts and policy frameworks she helped develop have been implemented through internationally funded programmes, including initiatives on carbon-neutral tourism, sustainable investment, energy efficiency, labour market transformation and climate finance. This translational approach continues to shape her academic research, executive education and industry collaborations.

Methodologically, Dr. Janjusevic has extensive expertise in quantitative and mixed-methods research, including financial econometrics, statistical modelling, survey design, focus groups, stakeholder interviews, policy evaluation, legislative analysis, impact assessment and evidence-based decision-making. Her research has resulted in peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, international policy reports, conference proceedings and commissioned studies, contributing to both academic scholarship and public policy.

Sustainable Finance • Climate Risk • ESG Investing • Quantitative Finance • Portfolio Management • Financial Markets • Financial Econometrics • FinTech • Climate Finance • Sustainable Investment • Higher Education Innovation • Economic Policy