Accounting history;
The nexus between popular culture and accounting; and
Accounting education.
The majority of her research adopts a qualitative and historical focus. As an accounting historian, she is particularly interested in accounting in times of stress, such as during war-time or when there is a natural disaster. Her recent research has focused on accounting during the First World War and the Second World War, concentrating on the impact of accounting on front-line supply and on the management of war-time disablement.
In the area of popular culture, Frances is interested in accounting in the performing arts, and accounting as a performance. Her interest extends to past and present forms of popular culture. She is involved with the Centre for Early Modern and Medieval Studies, whose research interests in literature and the arts overlap with her interests in the financial aspects of these areas. Frances is currently working with Australian colleagues to develop an international arts project that seeks to give visibility to business issues through alternative performance media.
Her education research is centred around the use of storytelling in teaching, including the use of visual metaphor and alternative story forms.
Frances supervises higher degree research students in accounting history and accounting education.