Member Login
Search

Context Matters:

Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Industrial Policy

in the New Era of Geopolitics

Save the Date: ISA 2025 Conference | June 4-6, 2025 | Cambridge, MA

Join the Industry Studies Association (ISA) for our 2025 annual conference, held at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from June 4-6, 2025. This year’s conference marks ISA’s 15th anniversary and celebrates the profound impact that industry studies research continues to have on both academic scholarship and public policy. ISA in an offshoot of the Sloan Foundation studies, including the influential international motor vehicle study that took place at MIT. 

About the Industry Studies Association (ISA)

ISA promotes interdisciplinary research that delves deeply into the context of industries, addressing phenomena and issues that are critical to both managerial practice and public policy. Our members come from a diverse range of academic disciplines, think tanks, government agencies, and industry sectors, creating a vibrant community focused on bridging research and real-world applications. Through our annual conference, ISA fosters collaboration among scholars, policymakers, and industry practitioners, driving impactful insights into the challenges and opportunities facing modern industries.

Why Cambridge and MIT?

Cambridge, a world-renowned hub of innovation and research, offers a unique backdrop for this milestone conference. MIT, at the heart of this vibrant ecosystem, is synonymous with cutting-edge breakthroughs in technology, entrepreneurship, and industrial strategy.

Located just across the river from Boston, a city steeped in history and brimming with cultural, academic, and industrial excellence, Cambridge is home to a thriving biotechnology and innovation scene.

From the innovation-driven startup culture to top-tier research institutions and pioneering public policy, this region embodies the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration that ISA is proud to champion.

Conference Highlights

  • High-level plenaries featuring leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. 

In 2024, our plenary topics were

  • “Innovation in the Semiconductor Industry: Past and Future”
  • “The Electrification Transition: Where Do Things Stand?”
  • “Pharmaceutical Supply Chains: Challenges and Policy Solutions”. 

For 2025, we plan to focuson AI regulation, industrial policy, and sustainable innovation.

  • Research paper sessions presenting cutting-edge findings across several key streams:
    • Sustainable Innovation, Energy, and Mobility: Explore sustainability challenges in energy, the future of mobility (including electric vehicles), and industrial decarbonization
    • Health Systems, Biotechnology, and Pharmaceuticals: Present research on healthcare systems, biotechnology, and the evolving pharmaceutical landscape
    • Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and AI-Driven Transformation: Examine how AI and digital technologies are reshaping innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurship
    • Public Policy and Global Competitiveness: Investigate the role of public policy in shaping industrial competitiveness, market structures, and firm strategies
    • Labor Markets, Organizations, and the Future of Work: Discuss labor relations, organizational structures, and the evolving nature of work
    • Operations, Supply Chain, and AI-Enhanced Industry 4.0: Delve into the technological innovations driving efficiency and transformation in supply chains and operations
    • General Industry Studies: A flexible stream for high-quality research that doesn’t fit into the above categories but contributes to the understanding of industries and their evolution

  • Networking and professional development opportunities for PhD students, junior faculty, and senior scholars, including workshops and excursions to Boston-area manufacturers and advanced research centers.

Mark Your Calendars

We look forward to hosting a memorable and impactful conference where academics, industry leaders, and policymakers come together to shape the future of industry studies and public policy.

Registration opens soon—stay tuned for updates on submission deadlines, session topics, and plenary speakers via our website www.industrystudies.org !

Cambridge awaits—with its historic charm, cutting-edge research, and proximity to the innovation capital of Boston, this promises to be a landmark event for the ISA community. Don’t miss it!

Hiram Samel, 2025 Conference Chair (MIT)

John Gray, 2025 ISA President (Ohio State University)

Tonya Boone, 2025 ISA Past-President (William & Mary)

Jeff Furman, 2025 Early Career Development Committee Chair (Boston University)

John Paul MacDuffie, 2025 ISA Chief Fiscal Officer (Wharton, UPenn)