Isenberg Hosts Third Annual New England Universities Mini-Conference : Isenberg School of Management : UMass Amherst

The Management Department at UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management hosted approximately 50 business school faculty members and doctoral students for its third annual New England Universities M

Organized by Giuseppe (Joe) Labianca, Berthiaume Chaired Professor of Leadership, the conference provided a collaborative forum for junior faculty and doctoral researchers to present ongoing work, receive feedback from fellow scholars, and build connections within the region’s academic research community. The day featured 11 formal research presentations alongside dedicated research brainstorming roundtables.

Labianca explained that the conference provided a space for faculty and doctoral students to collaborate, improve the quality of work, and advance academic rigor.

“This conference, which was originally launched by UMass Amherst, is unique in bringing together senior faculty, PhD students trained in academic research, and Doctor of Business Administration students—who are often experienced executive practitioners—in a collaborative space where they can learn from and provide guidance to each other,” he said. “That exchange allows everyone to pursue research with both important academic and practical implications.”

Participants represented five New England institutions: UMass Amherst, UMass Lowell, Babson College, Bentley University, and the University of Connecticut.

Research presented during the conference explored several emerging and foundational areas across management, strategy, and organizational behavior, including artificial intelligence and workplace dynamics, organizational structure and leadership, social networks and professional relationships, entrepreneurship and decision-making, and career dynamics and workplace equity.

The conference concluded with interactive roundtable sessions in which doctoral students shared early-stage research proposals with senior faculty, fostering cross-institutional mentorship and regional research partnerships.