Durham University Business School hosted the third International DBA Conference, led by Professor Karena Yan, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. The event welcomed global delegates for a day of insight and impact.
Chaired by Professor Karena Yan, Associate Dean (DBAs), the conference brought together over 100 delegates and speakers, both in person and online, for a day of insight, innovation, and impact. Held in the School’s Waterside Building, it welcomed participants from institutions around the world, including Edinburgh Napier University, the University of Central Lancashire, Teesside University, emlyon business school (France), ESAN University (Peru), EGADE Business School (Mexico), UAE University (UAE), and the University of Otago (New Zealand).
The event brought together academic and industry voices in a dynamic programme of keynote speeches, roundtable discussion, panel discussion and parallel sessions. All 15 parallel sessions were co-chaired by an industry expert and an academic, encouraging meaningful exchange between research and practice. In total, 36 research presentations showcased the breadth, diversity and global relevance of DBA research.
Opening remarks were delivered by Professor Mike Shipman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost; Professor Olga Epitropaki, Deputy Executive Dean (Research); and Professor Pip Matthews, Deputy Executive Dean (Teaching).
Highlights included a keynote address by Mr Stuart Tate, Head of Commercial Banking at HSBC, and a panel discussion on Leadership, Sustainability and Disruption, featuring Lucian Hudson, Professor in Practice and Durham’s Executive Director, Communications & External Relations, and Mr Nik Gowing, former TV presenter and founder of Thinking the Unthinkable.
The conference also recognised academic excellence through the presentation of the Best DBA Thesis Awards 2024 to Dr Palace Peng (Durham DBA), Dr Bin Yan (Fudan DBA) and Dr Ashish Kakar (Durham-emlyon Global DBA).
The event concluded with a conference dinner for keynote speakers and distinguished guests.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Yan said:
“Every year, the DBA Conference goes from strength to strength. This year, we welcomed more delegates and papers than ever before. The conference supports our mission to foster global leadership, innovation, and ethical business practices through a diverse, collaborative, and intellectually stimulating environment.”
Professor Kostas Nikolopoulos, session chair with Lucian Hudson, Professor in Practice and Durham’s Executive Director, Communications & External Relations, and Mr Nik Gowing, founder and Director of Thinking the Unthinkable Ltd
Global DBA candidate Uday Bose presenting his research investigation in one of the 15 parallel sessions
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