The ABEN Annual Conference 2026 brings together scholars, practitioners, policymakers and emerging researchers to explore contemporary challenges in business ethics. Hosted in collaboration with the University of Western Australia, the conference provides a forum for critical discussion, research exchange and practical insight.
Hosted by University of Western Australia.
More location details coming soon.
25 Nov: HDR Workshop
25 Nov: Online Conference Sessions
26-27 Nov: In-person Conference Sessions
Submission date 20 Sept, 2026
Conference submissions
Jan Schapper Scholarship
Trinity/Gourlay Prize
Why this conference matters
Being able to act and critically think in ethical ways is an essential skill for all academics and professionals. It is a skill that can learned.
Emerging social, environmental, technological, political and legal issues all have ethical implications and consequences.
Conferences are opportunities to make connections between academics, business professionals and policy decision-makers.
Keynote Speaker
Carl Rhodes
Carl Rhodes is a Professor of Business and Society at UTS Business School. Carl researches the relationship between liberal democracy and contemporary capitalism. His work questions and endeavours to reformulate the role of business in society so prosperity can be shared by all.
The good business school supports the democratic ideals of equality, freedom and solidarity, where the purpose of business activity is not private gain but shared prosperity.
-Rhodes, C., & Pullen, A. (2023). The good business school. Organization, 30(6), 1273–1280.
Virtual Keynote Speaker
Professor Max Bazerman (Jesse Isidor Straus Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School) is our keynote speaker for the Virtual Component of the conference on Wednesday 25 November.
Max is renowned for his work on decision-making, negotiation and behavioural ethics. Some of his most influential work explores the blind spots and biases that can cause otherwise ethical people and organisations to make poor or unethical decisions.
We are unaware of the gap between how ethical we think we are and how ethical we truly are.
Max H. Bazerman and Ann E. Tenbrunsel, Blind Spots (2011, p. 1)
Max Bazerman
Conference Topics
As we ponder the issues within ABEN’s 2026 conference theme, it raises questions like
As technology accelerates and systems become more complex, are we building a society on an assumption that things should be easier to manage, but in reality it is feeling harder for people to live well within?
How often do academics and business professionals pause and reflect on the underlaying practices that are needed for us to teach and to maintain wisdom, virtue, and justice in systems that increasingly reward speed, scale, and automation?
What thoughts does it inspire in you?
ABEN invites submissions from academics, HDR students, and practitioners addressing a range of topics and issues in business ethics and responsible business practice including, but not limited to the following areas;
Ethical decision-making in complex systems
ESG, accountability and reporting
First Nations and cross-cultural ethics
Technology, AI and futurist responsibility
Sustainable & Transparent supply chains
Vulnerable communities and Justice
Governance, leadership and integrity
Teaching and learning Business Ethics
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Modern slavery challenges and solutions
Fraud, Corruption and Whistle-blowing
Common Good and alternative business models
Submitting to the Conference
ABEN invites submissions for the annual conference in the form of an Extended Abstract and a conference presentation.
It is optional if authors wish to submit a full paper for review by the ABEN Committee. This possibility is available if institutional funding requires a full paper to be submitted for consideration. The deadline for a full paper is the same as the Extend Abstract.
The conference submission should include a title, author(s) name and their institutional affiliation, contact information (email), main ideas of the paper, and selected bibliography (optional).
ABEN also offers funding support for research and the development of teaching sources. For more details on the Jan Schapper Scholarship or Trinty/Gourlay Prize, please click here.
The submission process for the Annual Conference|HDR workshop and the funding opportunities is outlined below.
-
Extended Abstract/ Full Paper/ HDR
Prepare your written submission: Extended Abstract/ HDR (500-750 words) or Full Paper (2000 words) . Due date for submission is 20 Sept, 2026.
-
Jan Schapper Scholarship or Trinity/Gourlay Prize Submission
Please consider applying for one of the funding opportunities. See the link for more details. Submission are due 20 Sept. 2026.
-
Submit via the link
Please submit via link. Be sure to clearly label your submission: Annual Conference |HDR workshop| For scholarship or prize.
-
Peer-Reviewed
Your extended abstract will be peer-reviewed and you will be notified via email of the outcome. Return date TBC.
-
Present at Conference
Present your ideas in a 15min presentation. You can present either in the dedicated Online session (25 Nov) HDR workshop (25 Nov) or In-person (26-27 Nov) at the University of Western Australia in Perth.
Supporting Higher Degree Research Students is fundamental to ABEN’s mission. The HDR workshop that proceeds the annual conference is designed to enable students to meet with their peers, academics and professionals.
Along with networking opportunities, at the free workshop students will be able to undertake critical skill development activities.
Our ABEN Doctoral Research Workshop for 2026 is designed to welcome emerging scholars into the business ethics community and create a space to connect, share and learn from one another. Often doctoral research can feel like an individual journey, yet becoming an academic is also about finding your scholarly community – people with whom you can exchange ideas, navigate challenges and build relationships that extend well beyond your candidature.
Through facilitated small-group conversations with experienced academics, participants will have the opportunity to introduce their research, discuss challenges they are encountering and draw on the collective experiences and insights of others in a supportive and collegial environment.
The session will then transition into a dedicated paper development workshop for a special issue on ‘Corporate Governance’ for The International Journal of Business in Society. Together, the two sessions are designed to help emerging researchers not only strengthen their research and writing but begin building the scholarly networks and sense of community that will support them as they enter the field.
Paper Development Workshop
Special Issue Paper Development Workshop (PDW) – Wednesday 25 November 2026
Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society is delighted to announce a paper development workshop (PDW) for scholars interested in publishing their work in the special issue on “Technology, Corporate Governance, and Innovative Management Practices for Sustainable Transformation and Responsible Society”. You will find the special issue call for papers here: Technology, Corporate Governance, and Innovative Management Practices for Sustainable Transformation and Responsible Society | Emerald Publishing.
The workshop will run in a hybrid format on Wednesday 25 November 2026. The Special Issue Guest Editors are Dr Pieter-Jan Bezemer, Professor Dr Poon Wai Ching, and Dr Sitong Michelle Chen. Dr Pieter-Jan Bezemer and Dr Sitong Michelle Chen will be at the workshop to provide feedback and answer your questions.
Click here for more details Paper Development flyer.
Registration and Costs
It is essential for all participants including delegates, speakers, and guests to register online with payment of the applicable registration fee.
Below is an overview of the registration costs for academics and students.
Please note the HDR workshop is free.
The online registration is open.
| Early-bird Rates** | Full Rates | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Day Conference in-person* | $ 250 | $ 300 |
| Virtual Conference | $ 70 | $ 70 |
| HDR Full Day Conference in person* | $ 90 | $ 110 |
| HDR Virtual Conference | $ 40 | $ 40 |
| HDR Workshop | Free | Free |
*In-person registration fees include catering (lunches and teas) but excludes the conference dinner.
**Early Bird Registration ends 31 October 2026
Where to Stay and What to Do in Western Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
No, if you wish to submit a full paper of 2000 words, please do so by the nominated due date. Do not submit an extended abstract, then wait for it to be accepted, before submitting a full paper.
No, it is not currently the plan to publish the papers in a conference proceeding. We may publish a conference proceeding with the abstracts. The conference is aimed at discussion of ideas and seeking feedback before submitting them to a journal.
If you wish to submit a paper for the Jan Schapper Scholarship, please indicate your intention in your email to the committee when you submit. Your paper should be between 8,000-10,000 words. For more information on the Jan Schapper Scholarship please click here
For all general enquires about the conference, please use this email: submissions.aben@gmail.com
For specific questions about ABEN, please email the Chair of the Committee: Dr Alice Gibson– alicemccancegibson@gmail.com
The Trinity/Gourlay Prize is an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to create and share evidence-based teaching resources. The prize will fund the creation of the resource (up to AUD $10,000), and will be awarded annually at the ABEN conference. Click here for more information