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

The onset of tariffs affecting global trade flows with a magnitude and level of volatility rarely experienced before, along with implementation of new cross-border restrictions on the movement of technology and human capital, 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."

Thank you to all those presenting at the conference who have registered and either joined or renewed your ISA membership. We will contact anyone who submitted a paper or panel and has not yet registered with one final opportunity to complete registration and membership tasks before being dropped from the program.  We will finalize the program soon after this final validation is completed.  

Don't Miss Pre-Conference Activities

  • Site visits to leading Cambridge/Boston companies (registration link will be sent to those who have registered)
  • 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.

 Registration Information:

  • Registration remains open (early-bird rates have ended)
  • This conference is in-person only; we will not have any virtual or hybrid presentations
  • The program includes ISA's Annual Business Meeting and ISA Awards Luncheon

Registration

Membership

Conference Information 

Conference Venue
MIT Samberg Conference Center
50 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02142

Updated Conference Schedule (version: April 29, 2025)

Tuesday, June 3

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
ISA Board Meeting
Location TBA

Wednesday, June 4

Morning

7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Factory Tours (Separate registration required @ $45 per person; link will be sent to those registered for the conference)

  • VulcanForms: Advanced Digital Manufacturing Facility
  • MassRobotics: Innovation Ecosystem Hub

Afternoon

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch & Registration
MIT Samberg Conference Center, 6th Floor

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Parallel Paper Session 1
4 streams, Various rooms

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Opening Plenary: "Digitalization, Platforms and Ecosystems"
Samberg Conference Center, 7th Floor Dining Room

  • Geoff Parker (Dartmouth College)
  • Jagjit Singh Srai (University of Cambridge)
  • Natan Linder (Tulip Interfaces)
  • Asa Tamson (Ericsson)
  • Liz Reynolds (MIT) - Moderator

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Professional Development Workshop (PDW)
Samberg Conference Center, Room 6-104

3:15 PM - 3:40 PM
Coffee/Networking Break
Samberg Conference Center, 6th Floor Lobby

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
Parallel Paper Session 2
5 streams, Various rooms

5:00 PM - 5:55 PM
Special Sessions (Choose one)

Track A: The Future of Biotechnology (Room 7-102)

  • Chris Love (MIT)
  • Industry Leaders from Takeda
  • Additional speakers TBA

Track B: Energy Panel (Room 7-104)

  • John Paul Helveston (George Washington University)
  • Vanessa Chan (University of Pennsylvania)
  • Katie Rae (Engine Ventures)
  • Liz Reynolds (MIT) - Moderator

6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
Evening Plenary: "The New Lunar Society" Book Talk & Fireside Chat
Samberg Conference Center, 7th Floor Dining Room

  • David Mindell (MIT)
  • Richard Lester (MIT)

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Samberg Conference Center, 7th Floor Atrium

  • Special welcome by Sally Kornbluth, MIT President
  • Recognition ceremony honoring Richard Lester

Thursday, June 5

Morning

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast
Samberg Conference Center, 6th Floor

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Parallel Paper Session 3
Various rooms

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Special Sessions (Choose one)

Track A: Comparative Industrial Policy (Room 7-102)

  • Sir Mike Gregory (University of Cambridge)
  • Bill Janeway (Cambridge/Warburg Pincus)
  • Liz Reynolds (MIT)
  • Chris Griswold (American Compass)
  • Jason Jackson (MIT)
  • Andrew Reamer (George Washington University) - Moderator

Track B: New Organizational Structures for Manufacturing (Room 7-104)

  • Suzanne Berger (MIT)
  • Ben Armstrong (MIT)
  • Miles Arnone (Rebuild)
  • Steve Cook (LFM Capital)

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Coffee/Snacks Break
Samberg Conference Center, 6th Floor Lobby

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Parallel Paper Session 4
Various rooms

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch & Business Meeting
Samberg Conference Center, 7th Floor Dining Room

Afternoon

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Parallel Paper Session 5
Various rooms

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Parallel Paper Session 6
Various rooms

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Coffee/Networking Break
Samberg Conference Center, 6th Floor Lobby

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Industry Evolution Plenary
Samberg Conference Center, 7th Floor Dining Room

  • Eleanor Westney (MIT/York University)
  • Gary Gereffi (Duke University)
  • Takafumi Kurosawa (Kyoto University)
  • John Paul MacDuffie (Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania)

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Drinks & Networking Reception
Location TBA

Friday, June 6

Morning

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast
Samberg Conference Center, 6th Floor

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Parallel Paper Session 7
Various rooms

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Special Sessions (Choose one)

Track A: Workforce Development (Room 7-102)

  • Layla O'Kane (Opportunity@Work)
  • Christophe Combemale (Carnegie Mellon University)
  • Nichola Lowe (University of Minnesota)
  • Ben Armstrong (MIT)

Track B: Supply Chains & Geography (Room 7-104)

  • Monica Gorman (Crowell Global Advisors)
  • Tim Sturgeon (MIT)
  • Susan Helper (Case Western Reserve University)
  • Dame Fiona Murray (MIT)
  • Hiram Samel (MIT) - Moderator

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Coffee/Snacks Break
Samberg Conference Center, 6th Floor Lobby

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Parallel Paper Session 8
Various rooms

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Awards Lunch & Closing Session
Samberg Conference Center, 7th Floor Dining Room

  • Presentation of outstanding papers and awards
  • Closing remarks

Conference concludes at 1:00 PM

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 4th, 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

* * * * * * * * 
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)