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“COMPARATIVE INDUSTRY STUDIES & PUBLIC POLICY IN A CHANGING WORLD”

ISA 2026 International Conference

 3-5 September 2026 | Oxford, UK

Join the Industry Studies Association (ISA) for our inaugural international conference to be held at the University of Oxford, UK.

The conference provides a premier forum in Europe for sharing industry studies research with fellow scholars, industry leaders, and policy makers. We welcome research from all disciplines that incorporate an industry-based 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

Proudly hosted by Saïd Business School, our location in Oxford offers a unique setting that invites reflection and open conversation. The city brings together centuries of scholarship, a rich research culture, and strong links to public institutions in the United Kingdom and Europe. 

The main conference will be hosted within the business school, located next to Oxford railway station and easily accessible from major London airports. Other networking and social opportunities will include company tours, a welcome reception at Rhodes House, and a gala conference dinner at Balliol College. 

Conference Theme

The theme “Comparative Industry Studies and Public Policy in a Changing World” reflects the growing importance of understanding industries within broader global and institutional systems. Contemporary challenges such as technological change, environmental constraints, shifting labour relations, and renewed state involvement in markets are rarely confined to a single sector or national context. Comparative analysis across industries and policy regimes allows researchers to identify common mechanisms, contextual differences, and transferable insights that would remain hidden. At a time when governments and firms face heightened uncertainty, comparative industry research offers a rigorous basis for informed policy design and meaningful scholarly engagement.