researchconference@aihe.sa.edu.au +61 8 8470 0156 350 Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC

AIHE International Research Conference

Polycrisis and the Future of Education 2026

Join academics, researchers, doctoral candidates, business practitioners and industry professionals in Melbourne for AIHE’s inaugural one-day international research conference.

21 October 2026 Melbourne, Australia Onsite & Online Presentations ISBN-Registered Proceedings

Submit Your Abstract View Conference Themes

Conference Overview

Adapting, Leading and Enduring in a Polycrisis World

The Adelaide Institute of Higher Education invites academics, researchers, doctoral candidates, business practitioners and industry professionals to submit original papers for presentation at the AIHE International Research Conference 2026.

The world is experiencing a polycrisis, where multiple and compounding disruptions in geopolitics, economics, technology and society interact and amplify one another. This conference asks a fundamental question: how do our institutions, businesses and education systems adapt, lead and endure?

Collegial, single-room presentation format Selected presenters will share their work in a setting designed for genuine dialogue across disciplines and sectors. Accepted papers will be subject to double-blind peer review and published in the AIHE 2026 Conference Proceedings.

1 Day Focused international research conference in Melbourne

3 Themes Business resilience, technology and governance

20 Minutes 10-minute presentation plus 10-minute Q&A per paper

Peer Review Double-blind review by international subject matter experts

Conference Themes

Research Areas and Suggested Topics

Submissions are welcome from education, business, economics, public policy and the social sciences. Cross-theme and interdisciplinary work is strongly encouraged.

1

Business Resilience and Economic Adaptation in a Polycrisis World

How organisations survive and thrive when multiple crises converge

Business strategy and leadership under geopolitical and economic uncertainty
Supply chain fragility, reshoring and operational resilience
SME survival strategies in volatile and emerging markets
ESG, sustainable finance and responsible investment in uncertain times
Workforce transformation, the future of work and organisational culture
Entrepreneurship and innovation as responses to systemic disruption

2

Technology, AI and the Transformation of Institutions

From tools to structural change across business and education

Artificial intelligence in business operations, decision-making and strategy
AI in pedagogy, assessment and academic integrity
Digital disruption of industries: finance, healthcare, logistics and education
Data ethics, privacy and the governance of emerging technologies
Cybersecurity and organisational risk in a hyperconnected world
Preparing students and workforces for an AI-augmented economy

3

Institutions, Governance and the Social Contract Under Pressure

Rebuilding trust and legitimacy when systems are strained

Higher education governance, regulation and quality assurance in crisis conditions
Internationalisation of education and business in a de-globalising world
Public policy responses to economic inequality and social fragmentation
Cross-sector partnerships between universities, industry and government
Organisational ethics and institutional accountability in turbulent times
Community resilience, social cohesion and the role of knowledge institutions

Submission Guidelines

Paper Submission and Review Requirements

AIHE welcomes original research papers aligned with the conference themes. Submissions may be theoretical, empirical, applied or interdisciplinary.

Format

Abstract: 250–300 words for early review.
Full papers: 8,000 words, ±10%, including references.

Review Process

All papers will be assessed through double-blind peer review by international subject matter experts.

Originality

Papers must be original and must not be under review or published elsewhere at the time of submission.

Presentation Format

Presentations may be delivered onsite in Melbourne or online. Each paper will receive a 10-minute presentation and 10-minute Q&A.

Important Dates

Key Dates and Submission Deadlines

Milestone	Deadline
Abstract Submission Deadline	3 July 2026
Full Paper Submission Deadline	9 August 2026
Notification of Acceptance	12 September 2026
Camera-Ready Paper Due	3 October 2026
Conference Day	21 October 2026 — Melbourne, Australia

Registration Fees

Conference Registration Options

Delegates may register for onsite attendance, online attendance or onsite attendance with networking drinks.

Onsite Registration

AUD $150

Per person for onsite conference attendance in Melbourne.

Online Registration

AUD $100

Per person for online conference participation.

Onsite + Networking Drinks

AUD $200

Per person for onsite attendance including networking drinks.

Partner Discount: Adelaide Education Group’s institutional partners are eligible for a 50% discount on all registration categories. Please contact researchconference@aihe.sa.edu.au to confirm eligibility and receive your discount code.

Publication & Recognition

Conference Proceedings and Awards

Publication

Accepted papers will be published in the AIHE 2026 Conference Proceedings, an ISBN-registered digital volume.

Best Paper Awards

Best Paper Awards will be presented in two categories: Theoretical Contribution and Early Career Researcher.

Submit Your Abstract for AIHE International Research Conference 2026

Registration and submission portals will be opening soon. Detailed templates covering document formatting, structural layout and length limits will be provided at portal launch.

For initial enquiries, partnership opportunities or further information, please contact the organising committee.

Conference Enquiries researchconference@aihe.sa.edu.au

Conference Registration https://ari.edu.au/

General Enquiries info@aihe.sa.edu.au

Phone +61 8 8470 0156

Website www.aihe.sa.edu.au

Social @aiheofficial

Submit Your Abstract Visit AIHE Website

AIHE International Research Conference 2026 www.aihe.sa.edu.au | +61 8 8470 0156 | @aiheofficial Adelaide Institute of Higher Education — Your Business School in Australia TEQSA Provider Number: PRV14326 | CRICOS Provider Code: 03763K | ABN: 54 618 241 802

Our Campuses

Adelaide Campus

Level 5, 127 Rundle Mall,

Adelaide, South Australia 5000

+61 8 8470 0156

researchconference@aihe.sa.edu.au

Melbourne Campus

Level 6, 350 Queen Street,

Melbourne, Victoria 3000

+61 3 8849 0171

researchconference@aihe.sa.edu.au

Adelaide Research Institute is a member of

Quick Links

Home

Conference Call for Papers

Register

Location

Business Hours

Our support Hotline is available

Mon – Fri: 9am to 5pm

Sat – Sun: Closed

Adelaide Research Institute acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.