On 23 April, the 5th Nottingham University Business School Tri-Campus Conference 2025 was officially commenced. This three-day scholarly gathering focused on cutting-edge business topics, such as AI, healthcare management, responsible innovation, data-driven approaches, sustainable development, lean in supply chains and entrepreneurship, attracting over 200 academics and doctoral researchers from Nottingham University Business School across three campuses in China, the UK and Malaysia.
Professor Martin Liu, Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Nottingham University Business School China, presided over the opening ceremony. He extended a warm welcome to participants, expressing his aspiration for this academic platform to foster sustained collaboration among the three campuses.
In her opening address, Professor Laura Bishop, Vice Provost for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, remarked: "At the University of Nottingham, we regard research and knowledge exchange as more than just academic pursuits; they are critical endeavors that transform interdisciplinary insights into practical solutions. Our tri-campus collaboration has been a cornerstone in driving high-quality research and impact. This conference is a testament to our commitment to fostering such collaborations and enhancing the quality and impact of our collective academic contributions."
Professor Kok Wei Khong, Dean of Nottingham University Business School China, emphasised the conference's role in providing doctoral researchers with a valuable platform to test innovative ideas while gaining expert guidance from British and Malaysian counterparts, thereby establishing enduring academic partnerships.
The conference received strong endorsement from both Nottingham University Business School and Nottingham University Business School Malaysia. Professor David Park, Dean of Nottingham University Business School UK, noted that the tri-campus collaboration is what we're about as university innovation, pushing the boundaries and communicating effectively across borders.
Meanwhile, Dr Frederique Bouilheres, Interim Dean of Nottingham University Business School Malaysia, expressed genuine anticipation for the event, highlighting how the active participation of scholars from three campuses enriched the conference with multicultural perspectives, enhancing its contemporary significance as an international academic exchange.
Notably, the conference featured "Meet the Editors" session and Professional Development Workshops. According to Dr Haibo Zhou, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, over 60 faculty members and PhD candidates from all three campuses participated in these sessions.
The "Meet the Editors" session convened distinguished journal editors including Professor Hong Deng, Professor Ellis Osabutey, Dr Xihui Chen, and Dr Lorna Treanor, who shared insights into current academic trends, publication standards, and common submission pitfalls, offering invaluable guidance to early-career researchers.
Professional Development Workshops, another conference highlight, featuring the following key discussions:
• AI-Assisted Academic Literature Review - Chaired by Professor Hao Tan, Dr Fui Theng Leow, and Dr Kingsley Dogah
• Business Support for Entrepreneurs, Start-ups and SMEs: Access, Design, and Impacts - Chaired by Dr Robert Wapshott, Dr Haibo Zhou, and Dr Gary Chapman
• Board Diversity: Measurement, Determinants, and Impacts - Chaired by Dr Tarek Metwally
• About Data-driven Research in Logistics and Healthcare Operations Management - Chaired by Professor Zhao Cai, Dr Zhen Tan, and Dr Lei Liu
• NUBS Festival of Rejections - Chaired by Dr Claire Ingram and Dr Lara Bianchi
At the paper session convened on 25 April, nearly 50 academics and PhD students showcased their latest research findings while receiving professional guidance and feedback. The eight sessions addressed themes including: Future of Work, Employment and Organisation, Financial Markets: Governance and Practice, Emerging Markets, Consumer Behaviour and Global Strategy, Responsible Innovation and Management, Digitalisation and Data Analytics, Accounting, Auditing, Accountability, and Risk, Sustainability, Supply Chain Resilience, and Lean in Supply Chains.
This successful event underscores the University of Nottingham's global educational excellence as an international institution. Moving forward, the three campuses will intensify collaboration to transform conference outcomes into high-quality research outputs, delivering innovative solutions to address complex 21st-century business and societal challenges.