2026 Conference

BAM2026 Doctoral Symposium

Tuesday 8th September 2026    I    Royal Holloway, University of London    I    In-Person Only
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Overview

The Symposium will feature plenary sessions, methodology clinics, and opportunities to receive expert feedback on your research. You can choose to participate in either Research Conversations or Student Paper Presentation sessions, both led by senior academics from the BAM community. We look forward to welcoming you to the BAM2026 Doctoral Symposium at Royal Holloway, University of London.

We encourage all business and management doctoral researchers, across all sub-disciplines, to join us in person for this valuable event, which includes workshops, plenaries, one-on-one Research Conversations, and Paper Presentations.
 


Convenor

Professor Stephanie Decker

Professor Stephanie Decker

Professor of Strategy, Birmingham Business School

Stephanie Decker, FAcSS, is Professor of Strategy at Birmingham Business School. She has contributed substantially to interdisciplinary research that draws on historical knowledge to expand and problematise management knowledge.

This research stream was recognised in the REF 2022 panel report for its contribution to the theoretical sophistication of business history. Her work spans methodological and theoretical issues, as well as empirical research on the role of international business in global contexts that are often underrepresented in business research, such as Africa. She has been joint editor-in-chief of Business History since 2020.

As former Co-Vice Chair for Research & Publications at the British Academy of Management, she has developed BAM’s Open Access strategy to support the continued excellence of our journals, British Journal of Management and International Journal of Management Reviews, as well as supporting the further development of the BAM research grants scheme.

She co-authored the BAM Guide to Decolonising the Business School Curriculum with the BAM Vice Chair for Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity & Respect and continues to champion interdisciplinary research in business, management and beyond.


Paper & Posters submission details

Key Dates

Submission Opens: 23rd March
Submission Deadline: 4th of May
Submission Outcome Notification: We are aiming to notifty author(s) by 1st June 2026.

Date for at least one Submission Author to register for the Conference: 3rd July 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: The BAM2026 Doctoral Symposium will be taking place IN PERSON ONLY on Tuesday 8th September 2026 at Royal Holloway, University of London.


Paper Presentations

What are Student Paper Presentations? 

Aimed at mid to later stage students with more developed research, the Student Paper Presentations give delegates the opportunity to present their research and gain feedback in a friendly & supportive environment. 

If students have had a paper accepted at the conference, it is not expected that they submit the same version to the Doctoral Symposium. 

What is required to submit? 

In order to have a place in a presentation session, you should submit a paper of 2,000-2,500 words. Developmental papers are normally expected to have both theory and empirical material but are not expected to have fully developed analysis and conclusion. 

What is the format of the session? 

1 hr 30 min roundtable sessions of 3 or 4 Ph.D. students will be chaired by an experienced academic. Each student will be asked to present for about 8-10 minutes and then engage in a question and answer session with the audience. 

Audio/visual equipment will not be provided. Authors may bring copies of their paper and/or PowerPoint slides that they wish to distribute. 

Format Requirements 

Word count 

The word count for the paper presentations is 2,000 - 2,500. This excludes the abstract, references, figures and tables. 

Title page: 

  • Paper Title, Author, Affiliation, Contact Address, Email and Telephone Number 

  • The management 'discipline' of the paper (e.g. strategy, marketing, etc.) 

  • Three or four keywords that help identify its main themes 

  • A brief statement (up to six words) explaining research methodology 

First page: 

  • Title (no author names) 

  • Abstract (no more than 100 words) 

  • The four (max.) keywords from the Title page 

Content: 
 
Papers should include statements on: 

  • the purpose of the research 

  • key concepts from the literature 

  • the research method 

  • the research questions/hypotheses 

  • initial analysis and findings  

  • any preliminary conclusions you have arrived at 

Please use the British Journal of Management format for references, formulas, figures and tables. 

BJM Author Guidelines 

*If students have had a paper accepted at the conference, they are unable to submit the same version to the Doctoral Symposium, and vice versa.

Research Conversations

What are Research Conversations? 

Aimed at students in the early stages of their research, the Research Conversations are round-table discussions designed to help students plan the direction of their research. 

What is required to submit? 

In order to have a place in a conversation, you should submit an outline paper of up to, and not exceeding, 1,500 words which should include the purpose of the research, key concepts from the literature, the research method and the research questions/hypotheses. 

You will be asked to indicate areas that you need help with. These can include: 

(a) Literature on the topic 
(b) Theory 
(c) Methodology 
(d) Other (please specify). 

What is the format of the session? 

1 hr 30 min roundtable sessions of 3 or 4 Ph.D. students will be chaired by an experienced academic. Each student will verbally present a short outline paper for about 5 minutes, after which a group conversation will aim to address the areas highlighted by the student. 

Audio/visual equipment will not be provided. Authors may bring copies of their paper and/or PowerPoint slides that they wish to distribute. 

Format Requirements 

Word count 

The word count for the paper presentations is 1,500 words. This excludes the abstract, references, figures and tables. 

Title page: 

Paper Title, Author, Affiliation, Contact Address, Email and Telephone Number 
The management 'discipline' of the paper (e.g. strategy, marketing, etc.) 
Three or four keywords that help identify its main themes 
A brief statement (up to six words) explaining research methodology 
Indicate in which area you would value help: 

  • (a) Literature on the topic 

  • (b) Theory 

  • (c) Methodology 

  • (d) Other (please specify). 

First page: 

  • Title (no author names); 

  • Abstract (no more than 100 words); 

  • The four (max.) keywords from the Title page. 

Content: 
(Start of text) Papers should include short statements on: 

  • the purpose of the research 

  • key concepts from the literature 

  • the research method (or anticipated method, if not decided yet) 

  • the research questions/hypotheses 

Finally: 

Specify any particular questions you would like to discuss. 

Please use the British Journal of Management format for references, formulas, figures and tables.  

BJM Author Guidelines 

Poster Presentations

What are Poster Presentations? 

The posters are intended for delegates at the start of their PhD., but poster presentations are open to all delegates who consider that this may be useful for their research. 

Posters will be displayed in the main foyer during all refreshment breaks and presenters will be assigned one break in which they are expected to stand with their poster and discuss their work with other delegates and speakers. 

Best two posters will be awarded at the end of the day, once they have been assessed throughout the day by a judging committee. 

Format Requirements 

For more information on the requirements of the poster guidelines as well as tips and an example poster please see: 

BAM2024_DS_Poster_Presentation_Guidelines.pdf

Judging Criteria for Poster Presentations: 

• Originality of contribution to knowledge with an emphasis on the paper’s innovativeness in one or more of;  

  1. theoretical development,  

  1. empirical results or,  

  1. policy development  

• Quality of argument incorporating;  

  1. critical analysis of concepts, theories and findings, and  

  1. consistency and coherency of debate  

• Clear methodology that is convincing;

• Quality of writing style in term of accuracy, clarity, readability, and organisation of the paper;

*If students have had a paper accepted at the conference, they are unable to submit the same version to the Doctoral Symposium, and vice versa. 


All submissions should be submitted by Monday 4th May 2026, 23:59 UK time via the submission link. 

*Please note that for the paper submission, you will need to either log-in or create an account on xCD, the Submission Platform.


DS2026-FAQ

 Paper submissions

Q. Can I submit my paper / research conversation via the Conference submission site?

A.This is a separate submission process, different from that of the main conference. If you submitted a paper to the Conference, please use the same login details then click on the 'BAM2026 Doctoral Symposium' submission link. 

Q. Will my paper be published in the Conference proceedings?

A. Papers presented at the Doctoral Symposium will not be subject to review and will not be published in the proceedings.

Q. Can I submit the same paper I submitted to the Conference?

A. Please note that any paper which has been accepted at the Conference will not be allowed for the Doctoral Symposium. In these instances, students may wish to submit an alternative paper to the Doctoral Symposium.

Q. Do I have to attend the Doctoral Symposium day if I submit a paper?

A. All authors who submit will need to agree to attending the Doctoral Symposium in-person on 8th September in order to have a chance to present their paper or research conversation, and receive feedback from a senior academic from the BAM community. If you cannot attend the Doctoral Symposium, you will not be allowed to submit.

General Information

Q. Is there an opportunity to join the sessions online? 

A. This year, ALL Doctoral Symposium sessions will take place in-person at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Q. Where can I access the full Delegate Programme for the day? 

A. The Programme will be sent to delegates closer to the day.

Q. I have already booked my ticket, but I want to register for the Doctoral Symposium Dinner. How can I do that? 

A. Go to my account - My Events - Conference booking - Add the Ticket. 

Q. Can I still attend the Doctoral Symposium even if I’m not presenting? 

A. Yes, registered non-presenters will be able to attend the full day and will have the choice to attend one of the Research Conversation and Paper Presentation sessions. 

Q. What is the dress code?

A. Business casual.

Papers FAQ

Q. When and where will I be presenting on the day? 

A. The Programme will be sent to delegates closer to the day.

Q. How long will I have to present my Paper? 

A. The Paper Presentations session is a 1hour 30minutes roundtable session with 1-3 students presenting to 1 Mentor, an experienced senior academic. Each student will be asked to present for about 10 minutes, will receive feedback from their Mentor and will then engage in a Q&A session with the Mentor and audience.

Q. How long will I have to present my Research Conversation?

A. The Research Conversations session is a 1hour 30minutes roundtable session with 1-3 students presenting to 1 Mentor, an experienced senior academic. Each student will be asked to present for 5-10 minutes, will receive feedback from their Mentor and will then engage in a Q&A session with the Mentor and audience.

Q. Can I present slides within my Paper Presentation or Research Conversation presentation?

A. Slides are not required, it is up to you whether you present using PPT slides. There are AV facilities available in all rooms hosting Paper Presentation and Research Conversation sessions. Please bring any slides with you on a memory stick.

Slides should enhance your presentation but you should be equally confident presenting without them. Please be mindful of the time required by other Presenters in your session and limit your presentation slides to a maximum of 10 slides. 

Posters FAQ

Q. What size should my poster be printed for display? 

A. You will need to print your poster as A1 size in portrait format and bring it with you on the day. Please note, BAM will NOT be printing any posters.

Q. Where should I display my poster? 

A. This will be confirmed in due course. When you arrive at registration with your printed poster, please let the staff on the desk know that you are a Poster Presenter, and they will let you know where your poster display location is and how to display it. 

Q. How will I display my poster?

We will have large poster boards and velcro for you to use to display your poster.

Q. How long do I have to present my poster? 

A. Your poster will be displayed all day, but you should be present at its location during the Lunch Break from 13:00 - 14:00 as the judging panel will be reviewing posters then and may ask you questions on your poster.


If you have any other questions about the Doctoral Symposium this year, you can also email Ambra Risca, Programmes and Events Coordinator at [email protected] 


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