A World Turned Upside Down: Geopolitics and Innovation in a Turbulent Era
A World Turned Upside Down:
Geopolitics and Innovation in a Turbulent Era
September 26-27, 2025
The George Washington University School of Business
Washington, D.C.
This interdisciplinary conference brings together scholars, policymakers and business leaders to explore how global shifts — political, economic, and technological — are shaping innovation systems and the geopolitical environment. The conference will feature current academic research by established scholars as well as field insights from prominent policymakers and practitioners. We hope to foster a conversation and research exchange on the topics of innovation and geopolitics in an international context.
The conference is organized by the GW Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) and co-sponsored by the University of South Carolina CIBER.
Schedule
Thursday, September 25
6:00 p.m. – Speaker-only dinner (for presenters, chairs, panelists, and discussants arriving early)
Friday, September 26
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | Registration & Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Paper presentations and academic panels (including break and lunch)
3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Policy and practice panel with executives, featuring a conversation with Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the IFC
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Reception
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Speaker-only dinner (for presenters, chairs, panelists and discussants only)
Saturday, September 27
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast Roundtables
9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Paper presentations and academic panels (including break and lunch)
Conference concludes early afternoon to allow for travel
Download the full conference program
Registration & Details
Please register here. A registration fee of $100 has been assessed by the GW School of Business to partially cover meals and entertainment expenses. The conference will be hosted at the GW School of Business, located at:
Duquès Hall
2201 G Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20052
