Free one-day conference

Monday 8 April 2019

In the UK top ten for research

The Festival of Ideas is an annual and free one-day conference showcasing the breadth and quality of Business School research, encouraging academic progression and connecting researchers. Students, staff and external guests are invited to explore the latest thinking on a range of business related topics.

The next Festival of Ideas will be taking place on Monday 8 April 2019. 

For students

• Find out more about our areas of expertise
• Discover synergies with other disciplines
• Define your pathway into academia

For staff

• Grow your networks 
• Align your areas of expertise
• Forge cross-disciplinary partnerships

For external guests

Sessions see senior business leaders and academics address key challenges in business today. Last year's festival saw open and closing plenaries on:

• Defining the City of the Future
• Building a Sustainable Supply Chain

External speakers and panel chairs 2018

At the 2018 event we welcomed external speakers and panel members from a variety of organisations including:

• Mike Barry - Director of Sustainable Business (Plan A), Marks and Spencer
• Tom Bridges - Director, Cities Advisory at Arup
• Jon Bumstead - Director, Nisomar
• Louise Ellis - Director of Sustainability, University of Leeds
• Martin Farrington - Director of City Development, Leeds City Council
• Simon Garbett - Partner, Squire Patton Boggs 
• Carly Gulliver - Associate, Squire Patton Boggs
• Tomas Hult – Marketing and International Business, Michigan State University
• Timothy Jarvis - Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
• Prew Lumley - Chair of Leeds Business Improvement District (Leeds BID)