About This Conference

Thinking Big: Doctoral Insights for a Changing Business Landscape

Conference Organizers: Jessica Strübel and Emilija Djurdjevic, University of Rhode Island

Program and Professional Development Workshops Chair: Jessica Strübel, URI

Research Paper Development Workshops Chair: Emilija Djurdjevic, URI

We welcome submissions for inclusion in the inaugural Annual DBA Scholars Conference (DBASC 2026), focused on business research with practical implications, hosted on the Kingston campus at the University of Rhode Island, October 2 – 4, 2026.

University of Rhode Island College of Business

Submission Timeline

  • March 2, 2026 – Submission portal opens
  • April 27, 2026 10 PM EST – Submission deadline
  • June 1, 2026 – Paper acceptance notifications
  • June 1, 2026 – Research Paper Development Workshop acceptance notifications
  • June 1, 2026 – Professional Development Workshop acceptance notifications
  • June 15, 2026 – Early Bird Registration Deadline ($300)
  • July 1, 2026 – Registration Deadline ($350)
  • Early August 2026 – Online Program available

Conference Details

All program sessions will be held at the University of Rhode Island, with some special events at other venues in the state of Rhode Island. The conference schedule will start with a Welcome Event on Friday, October 2, 2026. Paper Presentations, Research Paper Development Workshops, Professional Development Workshops, and special events will take place Saturday, October 3, 2026. The conference will conclude Sunday, October 4, 2026 with a Plenary Session including recognition of award winners.

The top 10% of submissions will be published in the DBASC 2026 Proceedings, and this scholarly publication will be included in the official, published record of DBASC 2026.

Call for Reviewers

  • We are recruiting reviewers for DBASC 2026. If you are submitting your work for review, we encourage you to sign up as a reviewer by clicking here and indicating your area(s) of expertise and interest.
  • Reviewing gives you an opportunity to have a voice in the program planning process.
  • Reviewing is a way to give back to your professional community.
  • Reviewing is a way to learn about what constitutes excellent and interesting work.
  • Reviewing provides insight into what peers are working on.
  • Add Reviewer to your CV or resume.
  • To sign up as a reviewer, please click here. You may be asked to review up to 3 submissions. You will be asked to select keywords/subject areas. Keywords will be used to assign papers and PDW proposals that most closely match your interests and expertise.
  • As a reviewer, you will be required to complete your review assignments between April 29, 2026 and May 29, 2026, so please plan your time accordingly.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may NOT be used as a resource in reviewing submissions.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Submissions

QUESTION: What is the maximum number of submissions one individual is permitted?
ANSWER: Each individual may have a maximum of 3 submissions.

QUESTION: Is it necessary for a Paper Presentation or Research Paper Development Workshop submission to be empirical?
ANSWER: No, papers without data may be submitted.

QUESTION: How will paper submissions be evaluated?
ANSWER: Submissions will be evaluated based on practical/applied implications, interest to the audience, methodological soundness, and clarity of writing.

Registration

QUESTION: How much is the registration fee?
ANSWER:The early bird registration (by June 15, 2026) fee is $300. The regular registration (by July 1, 2026) fee is $350.

QUESTION: What is included with registration?
ANSWER:Registration provides access to all conference events, breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, refreshments throughout the conference, and limited shuttle service.

QUESTION: How do I register?
ANSWER:You will register via the Digital Commons Registration tab.

Proceedings

QUESTION: When will Proceedings be published?
ANSWER:Proceedings will be published October, 2026.