Event details

The End of the Rules-Based Order? Institutions in Crisis

The CEGBI Summer Conference 2026 welcomes submissions from scholars across disciplines whose work engages with the theme “The End of the Rules-Based Order? Institutions in Crisis.” We invite contributions that explore how institutions are being reshaped, challenged, or reconfigured in response to political, economic, social, technological, and environmental pressures.

The conference aims to bring together scholars from across the School for Business and Society and beyond to reflect on one of the defining challenges of our time: the apparent erosion of the rules-based international order and the growing strain placed on political, economic, legal, and social institutions.

Across business, government, and civil society, long-standing institutional arrangements are being challenged by geopolitical fragmentation, economic nationalism, climate change, technological disruption, and growing societal polarisation. This conference provides an interdisciplinary forum to examine how institutions adapt, fail, or are reshaped under these pressures, and what this means for business, policy, governance, and society more broadly.

The conference also provides space to reflect on teaching, research, and engagement in times of institutional uncertainty, including questions of pedagogy, inclusion, academic practice, and the role of universities in shaping future leaders.

Key topics include, but are not limited to: The future of the rules-based international order; Institutional breakdown, resilience, and reform; Global governance, geopolitics, and business strategy; Climate change, sustainability, and institutional responses; Regulation, law, and corporate accountability; Inequality, social justice, and political economy; Business ethics and legitimacy in times of crisis; The role of higher education in uncertain times; Innovation in teaching, assessment, and academic practice; Interdisciplinary approaches to global challenges.

Submissions may address theoretical, empirical, historical, or policy-oriented questions. Contributions adopting interdisciplinary perspectives or engaging directly with contemporary global challenges are particularly encouraged. While papers and panels aligned with the conference theme are especially welcome, submissions on other ongoing research projects within the School are also invited.

The conference is open to all members of the School for Business and Society (SBS), including academic staff, PhD students, and associate members, as well as colleagues from other departments at the University of York whose work relates to the conference’s interdisciplinary focus.

The conference will take place in Heslington Hall and is free to attend. Refreshments, lunch and a drinks reception at the end of the conference will be provided. For further information and updates on the Summer Conference please check the CEGBI website.

Submission Instructions

Participants may submit proposals in one of the following formats:

1. Individual Paper Proposals

Individual paper submissions should include:

• Title of the paper
• Names and affiliations of all the authors
• Abstract of up to 200 words

The abstract should clearly outline the research question and the theoretical or empirical contribution.

2. Paper-based Session Proposals

Paper-based session proposals should include:

• Title of the session
• Session rationale (approximately 150 words)
  This should explain the intellectual coherence of the session.
• Titles of all papers
• Names and affiliations of all contributors
• Abstracts of up to 200 words for each paper

Each abstract should clearly outline the research question and the theoretical or empirical contribution.

3. Panel Discussions (Non-paper Panels)

Proposals for roundtables or discussion panels are also welcome. These should include:

• Panel title
• Names and affiliations of participants
• A 200-word abstract outlining the aims, themes, and intended contribution of the panel

Such panels may focus on conceptual debates, methodological issues, policy engagement, or reflections on research and teaching in times of institutional uncertainty.

Submission Deadline

All submissions must be received by Friday, 29^th May 2026 (17:00 hours).

SUBMISSION POINT: Deposit your abstract or session proposal here

If you have any queries please contact: Professor Teresa da Silva Lopes teresa.lopes@york.ac.uk; Dr. Maria Franco Gavonel maria.francogavonel@york.ac.uk; Dr. Malek El Diri malek.eldiri@york.ac.uk