23rd International Conference on Human Resource Development Research and Practice Across Europe

“Workplace change – disruption, continuity and reinvention. The role of HRD in a changing Global Context”

Society, organisations, and individuals increasingly operate in an external environment characterised by major disruption and uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic and upheaval in world politics due to conflict in Europe are just recent examples of sudden disruptions that have shaken the underpinnings of our globalised world and called into question whether globalisation is a good thing for the world. Recently the term ‘VUCA’ has entered the lexicon of world leaders, policy makers and academics to describe dynamic external environments characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Organisations, employees, and managers have therefore to adapt to sudden disruptions and changes and demonstrate agility and flexibility to survive. These changes include leveraging technology, changing work practices, work relationships, skills, and competencies. The themes of disruption, continuity and reinvention are therefore central to our conference. These themes have major implications for the positioning and role of HRD in helping society, organisations, and individuals to prosper and develop.

The 23rd International Conference on Human Resource Development Research and Practice across Europe, will therefore explore the role of HRD in improving individual, organizational, and societal capabilities within the context of a VUCA world. We therefore invite submissions that address these themes related to what role HRD can play in a world of disruption and uncertainty, the specific contributions at individual, team, organisation, and societal levels of analysis and what these changes mean for our conceptualisations of HRD theory and practice. We are also interested in contributions that challenge notions of disruption and uncertainty, and offer alternative conceptualisations of these issues. Questions around which we welcome submissions include: What implications do processes of globalisation and deglobalisation mean for HRD theory, policy, and practice? What implications does disruption have for diversity, gender, and inclusion? How can HRD contribute to enhanced societal, organisational, and individual wellbeing and resilience in the context of disruption? What does disruption mean for careers and competency development for individuals? What new models of HRD are relevant in a world of disruption? What new conceptualisations of HRD may emerge in the context of disruption? How can these new notions of HRD be researched?

For this year’s conference, we invite submissions however broadly, within the following conference themes:

• Leadership, management and talent development
• Coaching and mentoring
• Global, comparative and cross-cultural dimensions of HRD
• Employee engagement
• Workplace learning, training and development
• Strategic capabilities and the changing nature of work
• Learning in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
• Practitioner Research & Learning and Education
• Critical, Social and Diversity Perspectives in HRD

Abstracts in one or more of these categories should be submitted through the single submission point – https://ufhrd2023.exordo.com/

The full opening call for papers you can download here.