The 2nd Annual “Innovations to Tackle Global Sustainability Challenges” Conference

Written by Stephanie Wang

As one of the Program Co-Chairs for the 2nd Annual “Innovations to Tackle Global Sustainability Challenges” Conference, I am brimming with pride as I reflect on our extraordinary journey from September 14 to 16, 2023.

Let me take you on a tour of our program—a carefully designed program aimed at nurturing knowledge sharing, exploration, and innovation. To kickstart our gathering, we were honored to have Rebecca J. Slotegraaf, Associate Dean for Research, deliver the opening remarks. Rebecca extended a warm welcome to all participants and emphasized the significance of the Kelley School of Business’s Institute for Environmental and Social Sustainability.

Our dynamic panel presentations were truly remarkable. We had the debates on the “Current State of Research on Sustainability” led by the brilliant minds of Heather Berry and Andrew King. We explored the intricacies of “Extending/Challenging Existing Theories” courtesy of the thought-provoking insights of Jonathan Doh and Valentina Marano. These discussions challenged conventions, igniting profound conversations that underscored the intellectual vitality of our research field.

But, if I may share my personal favorite, it was the “Interdisciplinary Insights Exchanges” panel led by Owen Wu, Amrou Awaysheh, Jeff McMullen, and Cynthia Williams. Their collaborative spirit exemplified the essence of our conference, blending diverse perspectives for a more holistic approach to sustainability.

During lunch, we had the privilege of hearing from Erik Gonzalez-Mulé, Chair of the M&E Department, who also delivered a warm welcome speech. He underlined the meaningfulness of our conference and how it contributes to the larger discourse on sustainability.

Our conference wasn’t solely an academic affair; we were honored to have two distinguished practitioners join us: Ted Janulis, the Founder and CEO of Investable Oceans, and Fanglu Wang, the Senior Managing Director for CITIC Capital. Their invaluable insights bridged the gap between theory and practice, showcasing how our research directly impacts real-world challenges and solutions.

In the realm of paper presentations, a carefully curated selection of 12 papers delved into the critical themes of “E” (Environmental), “S” (Social), and “G” (Governance) subjects. The quality and diversity of these papers ignited a lot of discussions and questions in the room. Our Paper Development Workshop provided a platform for participants to refine their work and elevate its scholarly impact.

While our intellectual endeavors were exciting, the social events added an extra layer of connection and joy to our conference. Guided campus tours, an enchanting Cocktail Hour with live music by a Jacob Music School Graduate Student, and a captivating tour at the IU Art Museum infused our gathering with a sense of camaraderie. These shared moments of laughter and camaraderie filled my heart with pride.

Lastly, we celebrated excellence through our prestigious awards. Diana Jue-Rajasingh received the “Young Scholar Best Paper Award,” a recognition of her outstanding contributions. Our esteemed colleagues, Aurora Genin and Juan Bu, clinched the “Best Phenomena-Based Paper Award,” highlighting their remarkable insights. Finally, the “Best Conference Paper Award” was presented to Heather Berry, Jasmina Chauvin, Yuxi (Lance) Cheng, and Narae Lee, underscoring the profound impact of their work.

In conclusion, as a Program Co-Chair, I am immensely proud of what we achieved at the 2nd Annual “Innovations to Tackle Global Sustainability Challenges” Conference. Our commitment to rigorous and relevant research, the richness of our discussions, and the spirit of collaboration were truly remarkable.