Research symposium on beneficial ownership transparency

Open Ownership, the World Bank Group’s Beneficial Ownership Transparency Thematic Working Group, and the Centre for the Study of Corruption at the University of Sussex are hosting the 2026 Research symposium: Evidence and impact of beneficial ownership transparency.

Dates: 26–27 February 2026

Location: Hybrid - University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom

The deadline for submissions has now passed.

Contact: [email protected]

Purpose

This research symposium will take place over one and a half days in February 2026, and aims to support evidence-based policymaking, implementation, and advocacy of beneficial ownership transparency (BOT) reforms. The Symposium will be designed as a generative dialogue and connection space among researchers and academic experts in the field, as well as hosting a diversity of individuals from academia, multilateral agencies, civil society, and the public sector. A small number of bursaries have been made available by application to support travel and accommodation costs for selected presenters, to facilitate participation by historically underrepresented voices.

The main purpose of the event is to share and promote novel empirical research on topics related to policy design, effective implementation, use, and impact measurement of BOT for legal vehicles and assets. It also seeks to elevate the topic of BOT on academic research agendas internationally, and to deepen our collective understanding of the field. This includes considering how the disclosure and use of beneficial ownership information of legal vehicles and assets contributes to broader policy goals, such as fairer and more effective taxation, robust public procurement, and broader public policy and economic outcomes.

Key topics of interest

The key themes to be presented by researchers, advocates, and practitioners are:

1. BOT policy design and implementation;
2. impact measurement and data use;
3. and BOT of assets and other horizon issues.

This may include current or forthcoming research on topics such as:

• How do legal and institutional frameworks, design, and implementation affect the use of beneficial ownership information and reform outcomes?
• What tools and methods can we use to assess how effective BOT reforms are at promoting data use?
• What measurable impacts is BOT having in areas such as public procurement, taxation, anti-corruption, and illicit financial flows?
• What are the challenges and opportunities for tracking ownership and control of high-value assets across borders?
• What are alternatives to declaration-based collection of information about beneficial ownership?

Further information on the symposium, including full details on topics of interest, event logistics, and submission guidelines, is available in the call for submissions.

Please note, the deadline for submissions has now passed. If you have questions, please contact us on [email protected].

Attendance and agenda

The agenda will be published in advance of the event, and this will be announced publicly.

Further information will follow regarding in-person and remote attendance. Advance registration will be required for in-person attendance.