Responsible Futures
Special Interest Group
Role of Future Generations in the 21st Century
June 30 – July 1, 2025
Call for papers
As our world navigates this turning point, it is essential to understand how younger generations think, act, and influence the social, environmental, and economic landscapes around them. With climate actions, sustainability policies, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives on the rise, there has never been a more critical time to explore the evolving role of youth in building a resilient, sustainable future. Against this dynamic backdrop, the "Responsible Youth" Special Interest Group invites scholars, practitioners, and policymakers worldwide to examine the critical question: how do young people today interpret and enact responsibility in an era of profound digital, environmental, and social change? And to what extent are they accountable for taking—or not taking—action?
As we confront unprecedented environmental, social and economic challenges, the dialogue increasingly centres on how the forthcoming generation of professionals will act as agents of change to navigate, respond to, and reshape the landscape of socio-economic challenges by addressing Global Challenges. In an era marked by multiple types of crises such as climate, technological disruptions and mental health, youth emerge as a powerful force that can drive transformative change by pioneering sustainable innovation and advocating the voices for a responsible and sustainable world. Therefore, the questions to be answered is how youth can shape the definition of responsibility and accountability. The rise in need of sustainability policies and climate actions underscores the urgency for scholars, businesses and policymakers to understand the evolving role of youth as key actors, advocates, and leaders in building a more sustainable future. Against this backdrop, the "Responsible Youth" Special Interest Group (SIG) emerges with an intent to explore the critical question: how do younger generations think, act, and perpetuate responsible change in an era marked by profound shifts in environmental, digital, and social paradigms? And to what extent do they feel accountable for doing (or not doing) so?
The first conference of this SIG about “responsible youth” invites international scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss, analyse and evaluate the definition of responsibility at the intersection of youth engagement and action. By addressing essential questions such as "who is responsible, and for what?" and "what role does youth play in driving sustainability within society and business?", this conference aims to foster an intellectual debate and research agenda that challenges preconceived notions of responsibility, policy impact, and the agency of younger generations.
This conference encourages submissions that interrogate different themes from diverse perspectives, including but not limited to marketing, management, policy, technology, information sciences, higher education, social innovation, startups and entrepreneurship. We welcome empirical and conceptual papers, case studies, and thought pieces that offer new insights into the role of youth in shaping responsible business practices, policies, and societal change. This conference seeks to scrutinize pivotal dimensions of youth responsibility that illustrate the dynamic tension between expectations and actual action.
Together, let’s explore how youth can redefine the future of responsible business and policy in a rapidly changing world by bringing together voices from academia, industry, and policy circles, this conference aims to create a platform for critical reflection, dialogue, and collaboration on the transformative potential of youth in fostering a more responsible and sustainable future. We invite papers that provide local, national, or international perspectives and engage with the theme from interdisciplinary angles. Early-stage ideas are very welcome and encouraged! Scholars are invited to submit their research exploring not limited to critical themes identified below for driving a conversation on Role of Future Generations. Submissions are thus encouraged to explore questions such as:
- Responsibility and Accountability
- Communities and Digitalisation
- Higher Education and Policy Makers
- Innovation with Technology and Intelligence
- Health, environment, sustainability and inequality
- Startups and Entrepreneurship for Economic growth
- Diversity, Inclusion and Social Realms
By bringing together voices from academia, industry, and policy circles, this conference aims to create a platform for critical reflection, dialogue, and collaboration on the transformative potential of youth in fostering a more responsible and sustainable future.
We invite papers that provide local, national, or international perspectives and engage with the theme from interdisciplinary angles. Early-stage ideas are very welcome and encouraged! Together, let’s explore how youth can redefine the future of responsible business and policy in a rapidly changing world.
Abstract Submission
Submit pdf version of your abstract of 500 words or extended abstract of 2000 words or manuscript of 5000 words in double spacing using Arial Font 11 point. Please ensure that your submission includes purpose, objectives and novelty of your research with a brief of methodology, contribution and inclusion.
MSP Research Grant
Marketing Strategy and Policy Research is pleased to invite research proposals that discuss Future of Sustainable Fashion under the lens of local, regional or global issues. Those proposals that demonstrate impact building and collaborative research will be considered for funding. Maximum funding available per proposal is £1000. The application process is now open for applications to share their research proposal to be presented for funding. The deadline for applications to be submitted for funding is 14th May 2025.
Publishing opportunities
Book Chapters
- Sustainability, tourism, hospitality and events: Emerging trends and new opportunities, Routledge
- Sustainable waste management: Emerging trends and new opportunities, Emerald
- Corporate marketing strategy: A contemporary curation of branding, identity, image and reputation studies, Emerald
- Consumer Trends in Sustainable Food Innovation, Routledge
- Unveiling Consumer Preferences in Novel Food Technologies in Tourism and Hospitality, Routledge
- De Gruyter Handbook of Corporate Reputation Management Revitalising the Field for Research and Practice, De Gruyter
Special Issues
- International Journal of Advertising: Branding with Purpose: Corporate Reputation, CSR, and Sustainable Development Goals in Advertising
- Corporate Reputation Review: Convergence of Digital and Physical Worlds: Corporate Identity in the Age of the Metaverse
- International Journal of Consumer Studies
Supporting Journals (Papers with best fit and quality will be invited to submit to the Journal)
- Qualitative Market Research: An international journal
- Journal of Business Ethics
- Consumption Markets and Culture
- Journal of Marketing Management
Awards
- Best Conceptual Paper Award
- Best Impact Paper Award
- Best Methodology Paper Award
- Best PhD Thesis Award
- Best Paper Award
Hall of Fame
2022 TARA lifetime achievement award
Prof TC Melewar
Prof of Marketing
Middlesex University
2023 TARA lifetime achievement award
Prof V Kumar
Prof of Marketing
Brock University
2024 TARA lifetime achievement award
Prof Philip Kotler
Prof of Marketing
Northwestern University
Keynote Speaker
Prof Shyama V. Ramani
Professorial Fellow
UNU MERIT
Meet The Editors
Ass. Prof Verena Gruber
Associate Editor
Journal of Business Ethics
Prof. Alan Bradshaw
Editor-in-chief
Consumption Markets and Culture
Prof. Mark Tadajewski
Editor-in-chief
Journal of Marketing Management
Conference Directors
Dr Klara Scheurenbrand
Essca Management School
Chair SIG Responsible Youth
Key Dates:
Abstract submission deadline: May 1, 2025
Early bird registration: May 15, 2025
Research funding proposal submission deadline: May 14, 2025
Conference Programme
(To be confirmed)
(To be confirmed)
(To be confirmed)
Location
Bienvenue and welcome to Lyon, France!
Join us in the culinary capital of France, just a 3-hour train ride from London and easily accessible via low-cost airlines, where gastronomy meets culture. From its traditional ‘bouchons’ to Michelin-starred restaurants, Lyon offers food excellence like no other. You’ll find heritage on and beyond the dining table as Lyon boasts a rich cultural setting. Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Old Town and along the picturesque Rhône and Saône rivers, towards the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière with its panoramic views of the city. Lyon’s thriving arts scene, with its opera house, museums, and renowned festivals ensures that your conference experience will be enriching and inspiring.
Come for the conference, stay for the experience—immerse yourself in Lyon’s irresistible blend of tradition, innovation, and joie de vivre!
Conference Venue
ESSCA School of Management
4 Pont Pasteur
69007 Lyon
France
Public Transport: T1 (Tram Debourg) Stop: Halle Tony Garnier
Uber, Taxis
Airports
Lyon (Easyjet, Ryanair, Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways and many more)
Geneva (Easyjet, Ryanair, Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways and many more)
Trains from UK and Switzerland
Eurostar London-Paris https://www.eurostar.com/rw-en
SNCF Paris-Lyon https://www.sncf-connect.com/
SNCF Geneva-Lyon https://www.sncf-connect.com/
Recommended Accommodation
4* Novotel / Ibis Lyon Gerland Musée des Confluences
Address: 70 Avenue Leclerc – 69007 Lyon – France
- Opposite of the conference venue
- Swimmingpool
- 14% Discount with code “ESSCA”
3* Mob Hotel Lyon Confluence
Address: 55 Quai Rambaud, 69002 Lyon, France
- 9 minutes walk to the conference venue or one stop with tram T1
- Hip mingling on the green terrace
Supporting Universities
