Call for abstracts

This year, the conference will have three main themes and a variety of sub-themes, each of them coordinated by a specialized convenor. The four main topics will be supervised respectively by the four Conference co-chairs. Sustainable Development will be the main transversal theme and core concept. Please check out the suggested subthemes here.

• Theme 1: Innovation economy and the organization of innovation ecosystems (Prof. André Aquino and Clarisse Gomes)

Innovation ecosystems are living environments of collaboration in which diverse actors, such as firms, startups, universities, governments, and intermediary organizations, interact continuously to create and generate value. Rather than being driven solely by formal structures, these ecosystems are organized through everyday practices of coordination, governance, and orchestration, often in the absence of centralized hierarchical authority. This theme brings together research that seeks to understand how innovation ecosystems work in practice: how value is created and measured, how expectations are aligned, how policies and institutional instruments shape actors’ actions, and how tensions between economic, social, and environmental goals are negotiated over time. By integrating economic and organizational perspectives with a practice-based view, the theme invites contributions that shed light on how innovation ecosystems are structured, evolve, and sustain impact across different regional and institutional contexts.

• Theme 2: Social innovation (Prof. Milena Serafim)

Social innovation and participation have become central to understanding how knowledge districts and innovation ecosystems shape contemporary urban and regional development. Beyond economic performance, these territories increasingly depend on inclusive social development, social infrastructure and community well-being. The debate highlights participatory and collaborative governance models that integrate universities, governments, firms, civil society and local communities. Experimental public administration, public innovation labs and social experimentation emerge as key tools to address complex territorial challenges. The intersections between social policy, innovation policy and regional development are essential to reducing inequalities and strengthening local empowerment. New evaluation frameworks and metrics seek to capture social innovation, public value and socio-environmental impacts. Together, these perspectives reframe innovation territories as spaces for inclusion, democratic governance and long-term transformation.

• Theme 3: Urban innovation (Prof. Gabriela Celani) 

Innovation is not merely a process but an ecosystem that thrives on the synergy between specialized physical infrastructure and human connectivity. Beyond traditional laboratories and offices, contemporary innovation hubs require a deliberate integration of work infrastructure, living facilities, collaborative event spaces, and 'third places' that foster community. To successfully attract and retain global talent—whether in urban or peri-urban environments—these spaces need a distinct identity, meticulous master planning, and a commitment to long-term sustainability.

Papers from academia, industry, public sector, 3rd sector, collectives etc. are welcome and can be submitted in a two-step process:

1. Abstracts (300-350 words) are submitted through the online form linked below. Sub-topics convenors will confirm their adequacy to the session and send comments and suggestions, when applicable.

• Abstract submission deadline: March 30th, 2026

• New deadline: April 15th, 2026

• Notification of abstract acceptance: April 30th, 2026

2. Extended abstracts (with or without final results, 800-1000 words, PDF format, max. 1MB) must be submitted through the online form that will be available on this page after April 30th, using the conference template. Sub-topics convenors will confirm their acceptance and send comments and suggestions, when applicable.

• Extended abstract submission deadline: May 30th, 2026

• Notification of extended abstract acceptance: June 15th, 2026

• Final version of extended abstract, if requested: July 1st, 2026

The extended abstract presentation (in-person or by video) and publication will be subject to review acceptance, compliance with submission deadlines and formatting guidelines, and to payment of the conference registration fee. There is no need to register before the extended abstract's acceptance. Extended abstracts will be published in open-access online Book of Extended Abstracts, with DOI and ISBN.  

Other forms of contributions

Other forms of contributions, such as pre-conference workshops and mini-courses, round table discussions, posters and so forth are welcome. To submit a proposal, just write directly to the conference's email address.