Context Matters:
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Industrial Policy
in the New Era of Geopolitics

Last week's historic market volatility following the implementation of new cross-border technology restrictions underscores a fundamental reality: industrial organization, innovation dynamics, and policy frameworks are now inextricably linked in ways unprecedented in modern economic history.

The 2025 ISA Conference arrives at precisely the moment when interdisciplinary analysis of these forces is not merely academic—it's essential for navigating today's complex industrial landscape. With sessions specifically addressing supply chain restructuring, comparative industrial policy approaches, and technological transformation, this gathering offers timely insights that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. 

See below for the Updated Conference Schedule.  Guidance on hotels in relation to distance from MIT's Samberg Center can also found further down on this conference information page.  

As one previous attendee noted: "ISA consistently delivers forward-looking analysis that anticipates market shifts months before they become mainstream business news. This year's focus couldn't be more relevant."

*** FINAL DEADLINE FOR PRESENTERS: APRIL 23, 2025 ***

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED: Due to venue capacity constraints at MIT, all presenters must complete both registration and membership activation by Wednesday, April 23rd.  Thank you to all who have already done this. 

Registration Information:

• Presenters not registered by April 23rd will be removed from the program
• Registration fees increase by $100 after the deadline
• Early registration ensures access to all sessions
• Pre-conference site visits require advance registration

Registration

Membership

Conference Information 

Updated Conference Schedule: Program Highlights

Wednesday, June 4

• 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Factory Tours (Pre-registration required)
• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch & Registration
• 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Parallel Paper Session 1 (4 streams)
• 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Opening Plenary: "Digitalization, Platforms and Ecosystems"
• SPOTLIGHT: Geoff Parker (Dartmouth) bringing fresh insights from his latest research on how generative AI is restructuring platform business models
• 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Professional Development Workshop for Doctoral Students & Junior Faculty
• 3:15 PM - 3:40 PM: Coffee/Networking Break
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Parallel Paper Session 2 (5 streams)
• 5:00 PM - 5:55 PM: Special Sessions (Choose one): 
  • SPOTLIGHT: Chris Love (MIT) with industry leaders from Takeda (invited)
  • SPOTLIGHT: John Paul Helveston (GWU) and Vanessa Chan (UPenn) discussing sustainable energy transitions
• The Future of Biotechnology
• Energy Panel
• 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM: Evening Plenary: "The New Lunar Society" Book Talk & Fireside Chat
• SPECIAL EVENT: David Mindell discussing his groundbreaking new book with Richard Lester
• 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM: Welcome Reception with MIT President Sally Kornbluth
• SPOTLIGHT: Special recognition ceremony honoring Richard Lester

Thursday, June 5

• 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast
• 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Parallel Paper Session 3
• 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM: Special Sessions (Choose one): 
  • SPOTLIGHT: Sir Mike Gregory (Cambridge), Bill Janeway(Cambridge/Warburg Pincus), and Liz Reynolds (MIT)
  • SPOTLIGHT: Suzanne Berger (MIT), Ben Armstrong (MIT), and industry leaders
• Comparative Industrial Policy
• New Organizational Structures for Manufacturing
• 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM: Coffee/Snacks Break
• 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM: Parallel Paper Session 4
• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch & Business Meeting
• 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM: Parallel Paper Session 5
• 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Parallel Paper Session 6
• 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Coffee/Networking Break
• 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Industry Evolution Plenary
• SPOTLIGHT: Eleanor Westney (MIT/York), Gary Gereffi (Duke), and John Paul MacDuffie (Wharton)
• 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Drinks & Networking Reception

Friday, June 6

• 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast
• 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Parallel Paper Session 7
• 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM: Special Sessions (Choose one): 
  • SPOTLIGHT: Layla O'Kane (Opportunity@Work), Christophe Combemale(Carnegie Mellon), and Ben Armstrong (MIT)
  • SPOTLIGHT: Monica Gorman (Crowell Global Advisors), Tim Sturgeon(MIT), Dame Fiona Murray (MIT) and Susan Helper (Case Western)
• Workforce Development
• Supply Chains & Geography
• 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM: Coffee/Snacks Break
• 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM: Parallel Paper Session 8
• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Awards Lunch & Closing Session
• SPECIAL CLOSING EVENT: Join past ISA presidents and emerging scholars as we celebrate this year's award recipients and discuss the future research agenda for industry studies
• FEATURED: Presentation of outstanding papers, lifetime achievement award, and dissertation award

Guidance on Accomodations

ISA does not have an official hotel for this conference.  The Samberg Center is located at the MITSloan School of Management in the Chang Building (E52). The address is 50 Memorial Drive; you may also enter from Wadsworth Street.  This location is close to Kendall Square and the MIT/Kendall stop on the Red Line of the MBTA subway system.  Here is information about hotels, courtesy of MIT, organized by walking distance.  Only one, the Holiday Inn Express Boston-Cambridge, offers a special rate for ISA conference attendees, up to May 3, 2025.  

Walking Distance

The Kendall Hotel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CLzWdPbhYV5oczzFA

Boston Marriott Cambridge: https://maps.app.goo.gl/koeEm462zJ6hyq1LA

Residence Inn Boston Cambridge: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UMZut6ZovBh6zarx8

Short Uber or approx. 20-25 Minute Walk 

 Holiday Inn Express Boston-Cambridge: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C6bhc879sMpsmxKZ6

• We have a limited number of rooms blocked at Holiday Inn Express Boston-Cambridge. 
• The rate is $279.99-$299.00 The last day to book this rate is May 4^th, Code ISA. 
• Please book at this link.

Sonder 907 Main: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MdW2KoiTrCEXAzqc7

The Royal Sonesta Boston: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oRs4G7XZfD7ayXRD6

Kimpton Marlowe Hotel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/a7x5V8pLKfQ5ZzsV9

Beacon Hill Hotel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UrBwZBS9paQ71Xk66

Close to Trains 

The Godfrey Hotel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qTTqcYngqM4btwaG8 (4 Stops)

Hotel AKA Boston Common: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MERc2y428LXVBRHi6 (3 Stops)

The Whitney Hotel Boston: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zxWoiH8bvQyGRk1W8 (1 Stop)

Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill: https://maps.app.goo.gl/T1EJyigwDG887u9k7 (1 Stop)

AC Hotel Boston Cambridge: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kUr3T77dAgkHQpxe8 (5 Stops)

Cambria Hotel Boston Downtown – Seaport: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qZNuUcvQgKcBD9m48  (6 Stops)

Transit Friendly – 1 Transfer  

Copley Square Hotel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3ULuAEbixs3Af9GZ8  

Hotel AKA Back Bay: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5ZrEdndh84JQkn2fA

The Westin Copley Place, Boston: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZtYEXKgtCJ6A4gRt7

The Lenox Hotel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7sT16N7fogDzxmjS9

Hilton Boston Park Plaza: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5KWy93j3FkwC3y758

Don't Miss Pre-Conference Activities

• Industry site visits to leading Cambridge/Boston companies (registration opens soon)
• Professional Development Workshop (PDW) for doctoral students and junior faculty

Even if you're not presenting, attending the conference will enhance your understanding of how industry dynamics interact with global policies, providing valuable insights applicable to both academic research and industry practice.

We look forward to seeing you in Cambridge for this landmark event!

Hiram Samel, 2025 Conference Chair (MIT)
John Paul Helveston, 2026 Conference Chair (George Washington University)
Anant Mishra, 2027 Conference Chair (University of Minnesota)