Day 1 | Welcome Dinner for Presenters, 5-8 p.m.
Day 2 | Nexus Conference, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
The QU Nexus 2027 is designed as a research-to-practice-and-policy pipeline, ensuring that academic research directly informs how organizations, institutions and governments respond to the evolving future of work.
Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are rapidly transforming how work is structured, how organizations operate and how economic opportunity is distributed. These shifts carry significant implications for workforce participation, leadership pathways and the sustainability of small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. This conference brings together academic researchers and practitioners to advance rigorous, evidence-based and actionable insights on the future of work, with a focused emphasis on two domains:
Proposal Guidelines and Submission Information
We invite submissions that not only advance scholarship but also equip leaders, practitioners and policymakers with the tools, frameworks and strategies needed to act.
For questions, please email nexus@qu.edu.
The School of Business at Quinnipiac University
275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518
This conference is designed for a practitioner and policy-facing audience. All submissions, whether papers, posters, or PDWs, must move beyond insight to demonstrate clear application.
Submissions are expected to:
Use plain, accessible language appropriate for non-academic audiences
Translate findings into actionable recommendations
Provide tools, frameworks, or structured approaches that can be applied in practice
Clearly articulate how insights can be implemented, including steps, scenarios, or decision models
Submissions that do not demonstrate clear application will not be considered.
The conference includes two types of contributions, each within two tracks:
AI, Technology, and the Future of Work for Women
This track examines how technological advancements are shaping women’s participation, advancement, and experiences in the workforce across sectors.
AI, Innovation, and Small Business & Entrepreneurship
This track focuses on how emerging technologies are shaping entrepreneurial ecosystems, small businesses, and innovation across sectors.
Research Papers and Posters, which present empirical findings and evidence-based insights
Professional Development Workshops (PDWs), which focus on the application of research through interactive, practice-oriented sessions
Both formats are equally central to the conference design and are intended to work together to ensure that research translates into practical and policy-relevant action.
We welcome submissions from across sectors, including but not limited to business, healthcare, engineering, computer science, education, government, public policy, and nonprofit organizations, provided they clearly connect to one of the two domains above.
Submissions that engage with policy implications—including regulation, program design, and institutional decision-making—are encouraged.
Graduate and undergraduate students with faculty advisors are encouraged to apply.
We invite empirical and applied research papers only. Purely theoretical or conceptual papers without empirical grounding and without direct application will not be considered.
Track 1: AI, Technology, and the Future of Work for Women
Papers should present empirical research related to women in the workforce and demonstrate clear implications for practice and/or policy.
Suggested topics include:
Gender disparities in AI-driven labor markets
Algorithmic bias in hiring, promotion, and evaluation
Leadership pathways and career mobility
Workforce participation across industries
Remote and hybrid work and well-being
Reskilling and upskilling strategies
Organizational or policy interventions
Track 2: AI, Innovation, and Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Papers should present empirical research related to entrepreneurship and innovation and demonstrate practical or policy relevance.
Suggested topics include:
AI adoption in small businesses
Barriers to technology adoption Innovation ecosystems and support structures
Digital transformation strategies
Entrepreneurial resilience
Policy and funding mechanisms Institutional support systems
Resilience, Crisis Management, Adaptation, and Technology-Created Crises
AI, Human Interaction, Customer Relationships, and Trust
Responsible AI, Data, Cybersecurity, and Governance in Entrepreneurial Firms
Submission Requirements
Required Components
Abstract (150–250 words)
Research
Overview
Methods
Key Findings
Implications for Practice and/or Policy
Contribution to Knowledge and Practice/Policy
Practitioner Toolkit Appendix (Required)
All papers must include a 1–2 page toolkit with:
Problem Context
Key Insights
What You Should Do
Implementation Guide
Measures of Success
Optional Use Case
Review Criteria
Methodological Rigor
Relevance to Track
Strength of Evidence
Translation to Practice/Policy (primary)
Feasibility and Implementation Quality
Practitioner Toolkit quality
Submission Instructions
Submissions must be peer-review-ready papers (no identifiers) in PDF format.
Length and Formatting:
All text in the manuscript should be double-spaced, with a 1-inch margin on all four sides.
The paper size should be set to ‘Letter’ (8.5 inches X 11 inches).
Manuscripts should be prepared in 12-point font.
Submissions are limited to a maximum of 40 double-spaced pages, which includes the paper body, and all references, tables, figures and appendices.
References may be single-spaced.
Your manuscript should be submitted as ONE file in .pdf format.
Please be sure there is NO author identifying information anywhere in your submission
We invite empirical and applied research posters only. Purely theoretical or conceptual posters without empirical grounding and without direct application will not be considered.
Track 1: AI, Technology, and the Future of Work for Women
Posters should present empirical research related to women in the workforce and demonstrate clear implications for practice and/or policy.
Suggested topics include:
Gender disparities in AI-driven labor markets
Algorithmic bias in hiring, promotion, and evaluation
Leadership pathways and career mobility
Workforce participation across industries
Remote and hybrid work and well-being
Reskilling and upskilling strategies
Organizational or policy interventions
Track 2: AI, Innovation, and Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Posters should present empirical research related to entrepreneurship and innovation and demonstrate practical or policy relevance.
Suggested topics include:
AI adoption in small businesses
Barriers to technology adoption Innovation ecosystems and support structures
Digital transformation strategies
Entrepreneurial resilience
Policy and funding mechanisms Institutional support systems
Resilience, Crisis Management, Adaptation, and Technology-Created Crises
AI, Human Interaction, Customer Relationships, and Trust
Responsible AI, Data, Cybersecurity, and Governance in Entrepreneurial Firms
Submission Requirements
Required Components
Poster title
Poster abstract
Track
Keywords
Summary
References
Review Criteria
Methodological Rigor
Relevance to Track
Strength of Evidence
Translation to Practice/Policy (primary)
Feasibility and Implementation Quality
Submission Instructions
Research posters summarize information or research concisely and attractively to help publicize it and generate discussion. The poster is usually a mixture of a brief text mixed with tables, graphs, pictures, and other presentation formats. At a conference, the researcher stands by the poster display while conference attendees come view the presentation and interact with the author. Graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply.
To submit a poster, authors need to submit ONE file in .pdf format with the following information:
Poster title
Poster abstract - The abstract should briefly describe your research ideas or findings (up to 150 words)
Track
Keyword (Three keywords)
Summary - The summary describes your research in detail, including methods and results (up to 1000 words). The references do not count toward the word limit.
References - Use APA citation style for references.
The conference can accommodate 18" x 24" for easel signs, 36" x 48" for small posters, 48" x 60" for typical posters.
Workshops must be interactive and provide clear takeaways participants can use.
Track 1: AI, Technology, and the Future of Work for Women
PDWs should focus on applying research to organizational or policy contexts.
Examples include:
Using AI and new technologies to elevate women in the workforce
Designing inclusive hiring or promotion processes
Translating research on bias into practice Leadership development approaches
Retention and advancement strategies
Track 2: AI, Innovation, and Small Business & Entrepreneurship
PDWs should focus on practical tools and strategies for small businesses and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Examples include:
AI adoption frameworks
Digital transformation playbooks
Growth strategies under constraints
Navigating funding or policy environments
Submission Requirements
PDW proposals must be grounded in research, data, or demonstrated practice and must clearly show how participants will engage with and apply the content.
Required Components
Title and Facilitators
Overview
Research or Evidence Base
Learning Objectives
Workshop Structure
Tools and Takeaways
Target Audience
Review Criteria
Relevance to Track
Strength of Evidence Base
Learning Design Quality
Participant Engagement Practical Value (primary)
Quality of Takeaways
Submission Instructions
The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business advances research and delivers programs that foster professional resilience, well-being and connection for lives and careers. Through partnerships and community, we equip women in business and their allies to lead and drive lasting impact in organizations and beyond.
The M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship empowers the Quinnipiac community to transform ideas into impact through hands-on learning, collaboration and real-world application. We bridge academia, business and society to advance knowledge that supports stakeholder resiliency, ambitions and entrepreneurial mindset and skills.
We’re always here to help provide additional information and answer any questions you may have.
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