2026 Washington, D.C. Conference
ISA Annual Conference
The George Washington University
"Industry, Innovation, & Policy in Uncertain Times"
ISA 2026 Annual Conference
June 3-5, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
Join us at the Industry Studies Association (ISA) Annual Conference, to be held at George Washington University this year.
ISA’s annual conference provides a premier forum for sharing industry studies research with fellow scholars, industry leaders, and policy makers; stimulating dialogue on emerging industry challenges and opportunities; and fostering new collaborations. We welcome research from all disciplines that incorporate an industry focus, and we view the conference’s multidisciplinary character as one of its greatest strengths.
ISA is particularly interested in submissions that offer deep observation and insight into a specific industry, compare dynamics across multiple industries, or demonstrate how knowledge gained from one industry can illuminate patterns or practices in others. We welcome field-based, qualitative, quantitative, model-based, and mixed-methods research.
Conference Location
The 2026 conference will take place at George Washington University, located at the heart of the United States’ decision-making apparatus—steps from the White House, Congress, federal agencies, and many policy institutions shaping national and global affairs.
GW is also embedded in the broader Washington, D.C. innovation ecosystem, home to rapidly expanding clusters in cybersecurity, defense and aerospace innovation, data and AI ventures, global development, and healthcare policy. This unique confluence of policy, industry, and innovation provides an exceptional environment for industry-focused scholarship.
2026 Conference Theme
Industry, Innovation, and Policy in Uncertain Times
The theme Industry, Innovation, and Policy in Uncertain Times reflects the profound transformation reshaping industries across the globe. Firms today operate in an environment defined by technological disruption, geopolitical realignment, supply chain fragility, climate imperatives, and accelerating shifts in labor markets and organizational forms. Innovation remains essential, but it increasingly unfolds within a policy landscape that is more active, contested, and consequential than at any point in recent decades.
For scholars in industry studies, these uncertainties are not simply challenges—they represent fertile ground for new theorizing, new empirical insights, and new collaborations. The 2026 conference theme highlights the importance of understanding how industry dynamics evolve under uncertainty and how innovation and policy interact to shape competitive outcomes, social welfare, and long-term industrial resilience.
| Price | |
|---|---|
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Conference Registration - Professional Membership
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$595.00
Price will increase to $695.00 on
6/2/26
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Conference Registration - Student Membership
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$345.00
Price will increase to $395.00 on
6/2/26
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Conference Registration | Non-Member Professional
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$790.00
Price will increase to $890.00 on
6/2/26
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Conference Registration | Non-Member Student
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$440.00
Price will increase to $490.00 on
6/2/26
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Guest Pass
Include guest's full name. |
$75.00 |
| Price | |
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PDW Participant
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FREE |
Official Letter Requests
For conference presenters.
| Price | |
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Official Letter Requests
Participation Verification Letter - A formal letter confirming your conference attendance and presentation. Issued within seven days after the conference. Check this box if verification is required for institutional or funding reimbursement purposes. |
FREE |
Excursions
Optional
| Price | |
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Industry Visits
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$35.00
Price will increase to $40.00 on
5/17/26
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Meals
These meals are included in the registration fee.
| Price | |
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Meals
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FREE |
Receptions
These receptions are included in the registration fee.
| Price | |
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Evening Receptions
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FREE |
| Price | |
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Scheduling Conflict Policy
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FREE |
Product Add-ons
| Add-ons | Price |
|---|---|
| Conference Coffee Break View Product | $2,000.00 |
| Conference Program - Full Page Ad View Product | $2,500.00 |
| Conference Program - Half Page Ad View Product | $1,500.00 |
Membership
ISA membership provides access to Annual and International Conferences - the primary venue for networking with fellow industry studies scholars and practitioners. Your membership directly supports this community.
New Member Renewing Member Non-Member
Registration Fees
Registration is tiered by period. Early registration is strongly encouraged.
| Registration Period | Professional Member | Professional Non‑Member | Student Member | Student Non‑Member |
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Early Bird March 1 - April 10, 2026 |
$495 | $690 | $295 | $390 |
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Regular April 11 - June 1, 2026 |
$595 | $790 | $345 | $440 |
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On-Site June 2 - June 5, 2026 |
$695 | $890 | $395 | $490 |
Presenter Deadline - April 1, 2026: All presenting authors must register by April 1 to be included in the schedule and the printed conference program. Inclusion is not guaranteed for registrations received after this date.
Additional Options
Guest Pass - $75: Registered attendees may purchase one guest pass for a non-member companion. The guest pass provides access to one conference reception and one presentation session.
Optional Excursions: We are exploring optional excursions for conference attendees, including a guided, walking tour of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Washington is home to multiple nonprofit organizations that conduct sponsored research in policy-relevant industry studies. A second optional excursion will provide ISA members an opportunity to learn about the work of several sponsored research organizations (SROs) and to talk with their representatives. Presenting SROs include the Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes (CSPO), the Economic Security & Technology Department of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), MITRE, the Niskanen Center, and the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP). Additional SROs may be added. The event's site is to be determined, making it easily accessible from GW's campus. During registration you will have the opportunity to select one option. This will help us gauge demand and confirm arrangements.
Completing Your Registration
When registering, presenting authors will need their CMT submission ID. It can be found on your CMT account and your submission acceptance letter. This ID is required to confirm presenter registration and ensure inclusion in the conference program.
Register Now →
New Member Renewing Member Non-Member
Industry Studies Association
2026 Annual Conference
Schedule Overview | June 3–5, 2026
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Optional Excursions |
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8:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
Choice of Morning Excursion (optional add-on): 1) Introduction to DC area nonprofit, research organizations and think tanks 2) Guided, walking tour of the Washington National Mall |
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Milkin Institute |
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12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Lunch |
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1:00 PM - 1:55 PM |
Opening Plenary |
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Science & Engineering Hall |
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2:00 PM - 3:10 PM |
Paper Sessions 1 (Seven Concurrent Tracks) |
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3:10 PM - 3:30 PM |
Break |
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3:30 PM - 5:55 PM |
Professional Development Workshop (PDW) |
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3:30 PM - 4:40 PM |
Paper Sessions 2 (Concurrent) |
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4:45 PM - 5:55 PM |
Paper Sessions 3 (Concurrent) |
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6:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Reception (drinks and light snacks) |
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Breakfast |
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9:00 AM - 10:10 AM |
Paper Sessions 4 (Concurrent) |
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10:15 AM - 11:10 AM |
Special Sessions 1 (Two Concurrent Panels) |
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11:10 AM - 11:30 AM |
Break |
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11:30 AM - 12:40 PM |
Lunch & Business Meeting |
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12:45 PM - 1:55 PM |
Paper Sessions 5 (Concurrent) |
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2:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Special Sessions 2 (Concurrent) |
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3:00 PM - 3:20 PM |
Break |
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3:20 PM - 4:30 PM |
Paper Sessions 6 (Concurrent) |
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4:30 PM - 4:50 PM |
Break |
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4:50 PM - 6:00 PM |
Plenary |
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6:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Reception (drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres) |
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Breakfast |
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9:00 AM - 10:10 AM |
Paper Sessions 7 (Concurrent) |
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10:15 AM - 11:15 AM |
Special Sessions 3 (Concurrent) |
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11:30 AM - 12:55 PM |
Lunch & Awards Ceremony |
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1:00 PM - 2:10 PM |
Paper Sessions 8 (Concurrent) |
Download PDF
Research Streams
Submitters should select from the following streams. Submissions may also be made to General Industry Studies, and the program committee may reassign papers or panels where appropriate.
- Sustainable Innovation, Energy, and Mobility
- Public Policy and Global Competitiveness
- Healthcare Systems, Biotechnology, and Pharmaceuticals
- Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and AI-Driven Transformation
- Labor Markets, Organizations, and the Future of Work
- Operations, Supply Chain, and AI-Enhanced Industry 4.0
- General Industry Studies
Awards
Current or recent Ph.D. candidates that defended their Ph.D. between 8/1/2024 and 12/31/2025 can apply for the Dissertation Award.
Junior (nontenured) faculty and postdoctoral researchers may also submit full papers to:
- Giarratani Rising Star Award
- Best Paper in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award
- Babbage International Policy Forum Industrial Innovation Policy Award
- (sponsored by the Babbage International Policy Forum (UK))
All papers that significantly advance understanding of innovation or entrepreneurship are eligible for the Best Paper in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, even if not submitted to the Innovation and Entrepreneurship stream.
More information about awards is available here.
ISA Conference Committee (ISACC)
- John Paul Helveston, 2026 Annual Conference Chair (George Washington University)
- John Gray, ISA President (The Ohio State University)
- Edward Anderson, ISA Vice President (The University of Texas, Austin)
- David M. Hart, DC ISACC (George Mason University)
- Andrew Reamer, ISA Industrial Policy (George Washington University)
- Benn Lawson, 2026 International Conference Chair; ISA Non-U.S. Strategy and Programming (University of Oxford)
- Allison Forbes, DC ISACC (Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness)
- Monica Gorman, ISA Industrial Policy (Crowell Global Advisors)
- Jeff Furman, ISA Early Career Development Committee Chair (Boston University)
- Zach Wright, 2027 Annual Conference Chair (Brigham Young University)
