Alliance for Social Impact Conference

The Alliance for Social Impact (ASI) at The University of Queensland Business School proposes this conference to bring together academics, practitioners, social entrepreneurs, policymakers and other stakeholders committed to advancing social impact through innovative research, practical insights and collaborative dialogue.

Keynote Speaker:  Alex Nicholls, Professor of Social Entrepreneurship Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

The conference will explore how purpose-driven initiatives across sectors can be effectively designed, implemented and measured to create meaningful, sustainable social change. Our focus is on the delivery of social impact across diverse domains — from grassroots level social enterprises to large-scale interventions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These will include but not be limited to:

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Track chair: Associate Professor Ranjit Voola, University of Sydney, voola@sydney.edu.au
• AI 4 Good – Bringing stakeholders together to harness AI’s potential to solve global challenges – Track chair: Professor Asish Sinha,  sinha@business.uq.edu.au, and Associate Professor Ravi Pappu r.pappu@business.uq.edu.au , UQ Business school.
• Donor Behaviour and Fundraising Dynamics – Track chair: Associate Professor Cassandra Chapman, UQ Business School, chapman@business.uq.edu.au
• Indigenous Economic Self Determination – Track chair: Associate Professor Sharlene Leroy-Dyer, Indigenous Business Hub, UQ Business School, leroydyer@uq.edu.au
• Tourism Impact: Metrics and Meaning – Track chair: Associate Professor Jie Wang, UQ Business School, wang16@uq.edu.au
• Social and Transformative Marketing – Track chairs: Assoc. Prof. Joesphine Previte & Dr Foluke Abigail Badejo, UQ Business School, previte@business.uq.edu.au; f.badejo@business.uq.edu.au
• Social/Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship and Impact Delivery – Track chairs: Dr Lance Newey & Dr Jonah Zankl, UQ Business School,  newey@business.uq.edu.au; j.zankl@business.uq.edu.au
• Socially Conscious Business Practices – Track chairs: Dr Anne-Maree O’Rourke & Dr Cassandra France, UQ Business School
  orourke@business.uq.edu.au; c.france@business.uq.edu.au
• Social Impact Measurement and Evaluation – Track chair: Associate Professor Jarrod Ormiston, University of Sydney, ormiston@sydney.edu.au

Through diverse perspectives and shared learning, the conference will critically examine how purposeful action across sectors can generate meaningful impact by influencing behaviours, shaping public narratives, redesigning services and systems, and mobilising communities towards collective wellbeing and inclusive growth.

We welcome original research, case studies, theoretical and conceptual frameworks, best practice reports and industry discussions that address the multifaceted aspects of social impact creation and assessment.

Important Dates

• Abstract (max 500 words) submission deadline: 31 July 2026
• Notification of acceptance: 30 September 2026
  (early acceptance for early submission)
• Early bird registration now open till: 10 October, 2026
  (Practitioners/Academicians AUD 200; PhD Student AUD 50)
• Conference Dates: 2-4 November, 2026

Abstract Submission and Registration

• Abstract Submission Link: Submit abstract here
• Conference Registration: Register here

Conference Co-Chairs
Associate Professor Jay Weerawardena, Co-Lead, Alliance for Social Impact
UQ Business School, j.weerawardena@business.edu.au

Professor Peter Popkowski-Leszczyc, Co-Lead, Alliance for Social Impact
UQ Business School, p.popkowski@business.uq.edu.au