Alliance for Social Impact Conference Tracks

Explore tracks and find details of track chairs for the 2026 Alliance for Social Impact conference.

Call for papers

We welcome original research papers, case studies, theoretical and conceptual frameworks, best practice reports and industry discussion fora that address the multifaceted aspects of social impact creation and assessment.

Abstracts (max 500 words) should clearly outline the research problem, methodology, findings and relevant to the conference theme.
We encourage interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral perspectives.
Submit via the form link below.
Submission deadline: 31 July 2026.
We'll notify you of acceptance by 30 September 2026.

Submit now

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Track chair: Associate Professor Ranjit Voola, University of Sydney
Contact: ranjit.voola@sydney.edu.au

This track dives into how business, management, transformative marketing and cross-sector efforts can speed up progress on the 17 SDGs and their targets, turning good intentions into tangible, measurable impact.

Submissions will show how SDG-aligned strategies can be designed, implemented and measured to create lasting change, including:

embedding SDGs into corporate strategy and value chains
tracking progress on specific targets
tackling the tensions between growth, equity and sustainability
how SDGs influence business practices.

AI 4 Good - Bringing stakeholders together to harness AI’s potential to solve global challenges

Track chair: Professor Asish Sinha, UQ Business School
Contact: a.sinha@business.uq.edu.au

This track seeks papers examining the development and application of artificial intelligence technologies to address major social, humanitarian and environmental challenges. It is a global movement that aims to ensure AI contributes positively to human well-being, equity and sustainable development rather than exacerbating inequalities or risks.

Donor Behaviour and Fundraising Dynamics

Track chair: Associate Professor Cassandra Chapman, UQ Business School
Contact: c.chapman@business.uq.edu.au

This stream focuses on philanthropy, fundraising and the psychologies underpinning support of nonprofits (e.g. donating, volunteering).

We welcome papers that explore innovation in fundraising practice or consider strategies to promote generosity and engagement with nonprofits.

Indigenous Economic Self Determination

Track chair: Associate Professor Sharlene Leroy-Dyer, Indigenous Business Hub, UQ Business School
Contact: s.leroydyer@uq.edu.au

This stream explores the transformative potential of Indigenous-led economic initiatives to foster self-determination, cultural resilience, and sustainable development. It invites critical dialogue and research on how Indigenous communities are reclaiming economic agency through entrepreneurship, community-owned enterprises and culturally grounded business models.

We welcome contributions that highlight Indigenous-led innovations in business and social enterprise; examine the intersection of economic development and cultural sovereignty; explore frameworks for evaluating impact that are inclusive of Indigenous worldviews; and case studies of successful Indigenous economic initiatives across urban, rural and remote contexts.

Tourism Impact: Metrics and Meaning

Track chair: Associate Professor Jie Wang, UQ Business School
Contact: j.wang16@uq.edu.au

This track examines how tourism, hospitality and events are platforms for social inclusion, cultural exchange and community development. It emphasises inclusive tourism for all, social tourism models and community-led approaches that strengthen cultural integrity while creating measurable social benefits.

Contributions that address impact measurement and evaluation of event models that advance accessible and inclusive tourism for people with disabilities, seniors and others with accessibility needs within tourism, hospitality and events are particularly encouraged.

Social and Transformative Marketing

Track chairs: Assoc. Prof. Joesphine Previte & Dr Foluke Abigail Badejo, UQ Business School
Contacts: j.previte@business.uq.edu.au; f.badejo@business.uq.edu.au

This track explores the future of social marketing, where inclusion, innovation and transformation intersect to create meaningful and sustainable social change. The track invites contributions that examine the diverse and evolving frontiers of social impact, including social marketing for systems change; advancing theory and practice beyond individual behaviour to societal transformation; inclusive service design and delivery, focusing on access, participation and co-production across diverse communities; and transformative marketing and value creation, considering marketing’s role in wellbeing, equity and social good.

Contributions may also explore collaborative partnerships that connect government, NGOs, business, and citizens; or measurement and evaluation frameworks for assessing impact, inclusion and social value. Submissions are also invited at the intersection of social marketing and social entrepreneurship, particularly where enterprise-led models enhance inclusion, participation and the long-term sustainability of social impact.

Social/Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship and Impact Delivery

Track chairs: Dr Lance Newey & Dr Jonah Zankl, UQ Business School
Contacts: l.newey@business.uq.edu.au; j.zankl@business.uq.edu.au

This track examines how social and inclusive entrepreneurs translate mission into tangible outcomes, navigate inherent tensions between social and commercial objectives, and build resilient models that create lasting change.

We seek papers that explore:

scaling mechanisms and strategies for social and inclusive entrepreneurship
managing dual logics (tensions between value creation and value appropriation)
competitive dynamics in impact delivery (competition, collaboration and marketmaking in social innovation)
entrepreneurship in resource-constrained environments and institutional voids.

We particularly welcome submissions that examine the mechanisms, processes and conditions through which social ventures achieve (or fail to achieve) their intended impact, including case studies, theoretical frameworks and empirical investigations of impact delivery across diverse contexts.

Socially Conscious Business Practices

Track chairs: Dr Anne-Maree O’Rourke & Dr Cassandra France, UQ Business School
Contacts: a.orourke@business.uq.edu.au; c.france@business.uq.edu.au

This stream examines socially conscious business practices of corporations, specifically how profit and social impact can co-exist.

Topics may include research on:

social brand purpose
diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in corporate contexts
corporate social responsibility (CSR)
cause-related marketing; brand activism, social marketing and employee wellbeing
corporate responses to climate change and broader societal wellbeing.

Papers may draw on diverse theoretical and methodological approaches to examine how organisations navigate the tensions and synergies between purpose and profit in an increasingly values-driven marketplace.

Social Impact Measurement and Evaluation

Track chair: Associate Professor Jarrod Ormiston, University of Sydney
Contact: jarrod.ormiston@sydney.edu.au

This track examines the systematic process of identifying, assessing and communicating the social, environmental and economic outcomes created by organisations, particularly those pursuing social missions such as social enterprises, non-profits and impact investors.

In particular, contributions are sought on how and to what extent activities lead to meaningful change for individuals, communities and society at large. SIME combines both quantitative and qualitative methods to measure outcomes, capture stakeholder perspectives and assess value creation beyond financial metrics.