Leadership Pioneers Network Centre Conference 2026

This track welcomes rigorous theoretical, empirical and methodological contributions that advance contemporary leadership scholarship. Areas are not restricted but may include leadership identities, distributed and collective leadership, power and followership, and the development of new frameworks shaping future research agendas.

This track examines the implications of artificial intelligence, automation and digital transformation for managerial work and organisational governance. Relevant themes include algorithmic management, human–AI collaboration, digital capability development, ethical AI and the reshaping of work in digitally enabled environments.

This track focuses on the evolving role of marketing and strategic communication in organisational and societal contexts. Areas of interest include consumer behaviour, branding, digital marketing, persuasive communication and stakeholder engagement during periods of complexity and change.

This track explores how organisations respond to societal, environmental and institutional challenges. Topics may include sustainability, corporate social responsibility, ethics, inclusion, public value leadership, crisis management and organisational development.

Word count: 5,000 to 7,000 words (excluding tables and references).

Requirements:

• A complete draft paper is required; abstracts alone will not be considered.
• The submission must be anonymised for review.
• Papers must demonstrate conceptual clarity, methodological rigour and contribution to the relevant field.

Presentation format: Accepted Full Papers will be allocated a 30-minute session (20 minutes presentation plus 10 minutes discussion).

Final version: A revised full paper must be submitted following reviewer feedback. The accepted version will be included in the conference proceedings, provided at least one author is registered to attend.

Word count: 1,000 to 2,000 words (excluding tables and references). Submissions below 1,000 words cannot be considered.

Purpose: To enable authors - especially doctoral and early career researchers - to discuss ideas, receive feedback and refine their work for future publication.

Requirements:

• A draft paper (not an abstract) must be submitted.
• The submission must be anonymised for review.
• Authors should briefly indicate how they plan to develop the work further.

Presentation format: Accepted Developmental Papers will be given 15 to 20 minutes for discussion within an interactive session.

Final version: Authors are invited to submit a revised developmental paper for inclusion in the conference proceedings, provided the presenter attends and participates in the conference.