Dr. Dalilawati Zainal is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Accounting, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya (UM), with more than 20 years of academic experience. Her leadership in academic administration includes serving as Programme Coordinator for the Master of Accounting programme and Course Coordinator for Student Holistic Empowerment under the Cluster of Global Issues and Community Sustainability. She is also an Associate Member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.

She holds a PhD in Accounting from UM, a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Universiti Teknologi MARA and a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) from the International Islamic University Malaysia. Her research expertise encompasses environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, sustainability reporting, corporate governance, stakeholder engagement, information technology, financial reporting and sustainable entrepreneurship.

Dr. Dalilawati has published in reputable international journals, including Sustainable Futures, Cogent Business & Management and the Asian Journal of Business and Accounting. She is also co-author of Development of Social and Environmental Accounting and Practices.

Her research demonstrates strong societal and industry relevance in ESG reporting, digital innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship. She leads DIGI4B40, Dapur Digital S.M.A.R.T. and an industry-funded ESG reporting guidelines project. She also contributes to community-based initiatives that strengthen the digital and financial capabilities, market access and business resilience of B40 and rural micro-entrepreneurs, as well as a circular-economy project empowering women through biosurfactant production from agricultural waste.

Beyond research and teaching, Dr. Dalilawati contributes as a postgraduate examiner and active reviewer for leading international journals, including Sustainable Development, Business Strategy and the Environment and the Journal of Applied Accounting Research. She extends her academic impact to the wider public by writing for prominent Malaysian media, including Malay Mail and the New Straits Times, on sustainability, responsible business, women’s economic participation and environmental governance. Her sustained contributions to the university and society were recognised through UM’s Excellence Service Awards in 2020 and 2025.