The joint PhD conference between Lancaster University Management School (LUMS), Toulouse School of Management (TSM) and WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management was held at WHU in Vallendar, Germany on 11 - 12 May 2023. The conference took place over two days and included interdisciplinary workshops, presentations and stimulating discussions amongst PhD students from different fields such as entrepreneurship, strategy, marketing, accounting, and finance.

The conference provided a platform for doctoral researchers to exchange ideas and receive constructive feedback from peers. It was an excellent opportunity for students to present their research and receive feedback from high-profile keynote speakers from both academia and practice. One of the highlights of the workshop was the stimulating discussion with the member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) who provided new insights on corporate sustainability policies and and the role of ISSB in mitigating climate risks.

The feedback from participating doctoral researchers was very positive. Brian Gregory, a doctoral researcher in the Department of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, said: “I found the PhD conference at WHU incredibly useful as a doctoral researcher. I was able to socialise my research ideas with my peers from other universities in a safe and supportive environment that helped me clarify my research further. The discussant session for my paper was particularly useful, and this was all done in a fun, friendly and supportive environment.”

Adina Yelekenova, doctoral researcher in finance: “I received very helpful and valuable feedback on my research from WHU and TSM colleagues. The workshop offered a great networking opportunity, and I had a lot of fun exploring Vallendar and Koblenz with fellow PhD students and faculty.”

Leonor Soares, doctoral researcher in accounting, liked “a very friendly environment and interactions with established academics as well as PhD students from various fields.” She concluded: “It was an amazing experience and I highly recommend any PhD student to attend future editions.”