Ashridge International Research Conference 2011

Conference Review

Publications

Special issues of the Journal of Organizational Change Management, the Journal of Public Affairs and the Journal of Management Development were commissioned based on the conference. All three special issues are expected to be published in 2012.

Conference Synopsis

An international panel of experts, chaired by Ashridge CEO Professor Kai Peters discussed issues around the conference theme with conference participants. We heard introductions from:

• Mr Graham Floater, Director , The Climate Centre; Formerly Deputy Director and Senior Advisor to the No. 10 Office of Climate Change
• André van Heemstra, Chairman, Steering Group Netherlands Network UN Global Compact and Vice Chair, Supervisory Board, EABIS, Academy of Business in Society; Formerly Member of the Board and Personnel Director, Unilever
• Sandra Macleod, Group Chief Executive, Echo

Keynote Addresses

The following invited speakers also addressed the conference bringing valuable perspective to stimulate discussion.

• Philip Sadler, Senior Fellow with the think tank Tomorrow’s Company; Vice President and former CEO, Ashridge and author of “Sustainable Growth in a Post-Scarcity World” looked at ‘The Leadership Dimension’.
• David Ballard, Director, Alexander Ballard Ltd, looked at ‘The Organisational Change Management Dimension’
• Dr Gill Coleman, Co-Director of the Ashridge MSc in Sustainability and Responsibility and the author of “Leadership for Sustainability: An Action Research Approach” looked at ‘The Management Development Dimension
• Professor John F. Mahon, John M. Murphy Chair of International Business and Policy and Strategy and Professor of Management, University of Maine looked at ‘The Strategy and Influencing Dimension’
• Professor Nicholas Robinson, University Professor on the Environment and Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law, Pace University and author of “Strategies toward Sustainable Development: Implementing Agenda 21” and co-author of “Climate Change Law: Mitigation and Adaptation” spoke about ‘The public policy dimension’.
• Dr Geoffrey Copland, Chair HEFCE HE Sustainability Steering Group

Conference Sessions

The main part of the conference consisted of the working sessions that all took place in the Ashridge Main House: in the Lady Marian Alford Room, the Old Library and the Hoskins Room. Twenty-nine exciting papers led to challenging debates amongst the 53 conference participants from 16 countries.

Conference Dinner: After dinner speech

The conference dinner was held on the Saturday night, with an after dinner speech by Professor Phil Harris from the University of Chester. A publishers’ reception was held prior to the dinner, sponsored by Wiley and Emerald publishers.

Ashridge faculty involved in the conference

• Conference Chairs: Carla Millar and Matthew Gitsham
• Papers: Alexandra Stubbings, Chris Seeley and Nicolas Ceasar,
• Session Chairs: Kai Peters, Gill Coleman, Hugh Pidgeon, Nic Ceasar, Martin Lockett, Chris Seeley, Alexandra Stubbings, Patricia Hind, Carla Millar and Matthew Gitsham
• Reviewers: Alexandra Stubbings, Carla Millar, Chris Nichols, Chris Seeley, Dave Bond, Erik de Haan, Eve Poole, Fiona Dent, Gill Coleman, Hugh Pidgeon, Kai Peters, Kathleen King, Martin Lockett, Matthew Gitsham, Narendra Laljani, Nic Ceasar, Patricia Hind, Vicki Culpin

Quotes from some of the participants

“Thank you so very much for including me in this fantastic conference. Carla's leadership and vision were absolutely brilliant. It was a great privilege to be there.”

“Gratitude abounds, you did a fabulous job! Thank you David, Matt, Carla, and the entire Ashridge staff.”

“Thanks for this refreshing-inspiring moment. Very much appreciated”