As one of the organisers (that also includes Prof. Lailani Alcantara, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan), I would like to share a message from the Chair of the organising committee:
Dear Academy of Management Community and the International Management Division,
As we gear up for AOM in Copenhagen, I am excited to invite colleagues to join us at Sasin School of Management in Bangkok, Thailand, for an international conference: The Inclusion Global Forum – Toward an Inclusion Agenda That Reflects the World. Expected to be held during the first half of 2026, this Forum will bring together scholars and practitioners committed to redefining inclusion through culturally grounded, globally resonant models. Attendees can expect a dynamic program featuring insightful presentations, valuable networking opportunities, multidisciplinary perspectives, and the chance to participate in a global discussion of inclusion that both encompasses and extends beyond Western frameworks.
Why now? Global DEI discourse is at a turning point. In the West, resistance to established frameworks is growing, while in Asia and among historically marginalized communities worldwide, powerful new narratives are emerging. As many work to safeguard past gains, the path forward clearly demands approaches beyond historically American-centric models-models that have often produced contradictory outcomes both in the U.S. and globally.
This evolving landscape underscores the urgency for regionally rooted, globally resonant dialogue. In this spirit, we at Sasin School of Management-recognized among ASEAN's top institutions for inclusion-are honored to host the upcoming Inclusion Global Forum. The Forum will convene scholars and practitioners across disciplines and contexts to explore the meaning of inclusion today, with sensitivity to the contradictions and complexities it entails.
In addition to fostering dialogue across contexts, disciplines, and lived experiences, the Forum will surface failures, paradoxes, and best practices often overlooked in conventional DEI discussions. It will also feed into a forthcoming publication with a respected academic press-an agenda-setting volume that gathers regionally grounded insights into inclusive leadership, education, policy, and praxis. We welcome submissions that interrogate, reframe, and challenge prevailing models of inclusion, contributing to a global lexicon of ideas, strategies, and cultural constructs that reflect the complexity of inclusion today.
Major Key Themes Include:
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Decolonizing the Discourse: Challenging Western-centric biases and foregrounding indigenous wisdom.
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The Power of Paradox: Navigating the inherent contradictions in inclusive practices.
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Cultural Tapestries: Exploring alternative and existing local realities and indigenous DEI models from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Join us to:
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Gain exposure to new, non-Western-centric frameworks for inclusion.
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Acquire practical, research-based, and culturally-attuned strategies.
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Expand your global network of scholars and practitioners.
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Enhance your cultural intelligence for effective DEI implementation.
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Contribute to a groundbreaking publication showcasing some of the best evidence-based and theoretical ideas that can help reintroduce the concept of inclusive business, education, and strategy to the world
Please consider registering to keep in touch as we finalize plans on this unique opportunity to engage with leading global thought leaders and contribute to the future of inclusion. We would love to hear your voice. You can find more details and register through the form: https://forms.gle/TQCbshDwqD57qMge8
Connecting at AOM:
If you are interested in learning more about Sasin's or our partners' inclusion work in Asia and beyond, discussing potential collaborations, or exploring chapter contributions for the upcoming publication, please seek me out at the AOM conference! I would be delighted to connect. Or you may contact me directly at drew.mallory@sasin.edu or inclusion+globalconference@sasin.edu
We look forward to welcoming you to be a part of this crucial conversation.
Best regards,
Drew B. Mallory
Director of Research, Neurodiversity at Work Research Centre (NWRC)
Sasin Inclusion Ambassador | sasin.edu/inclusion
drew.mallory@sasin.edu
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Best wishes,
David S. A. Guttormsen
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Professor in Organisation and Management
USN School of Business
Department of Business, Strategy and Political Sciences
University of South-Eastern Norway
Deputy Director, University Strategic Research Area: 'Democracy, Societal Organisation and Governance'
Elected Member, Faculty Board (USN School of Business)
Associate Editor (Journal of Global Mobility)
Country Representative 2024–2027 for Norway (Country Representative Council, European Academy of Management)
Editorial Board Member (European Journal of International Management, Human Resource Development International, International Studies of Management & Organization, International Journal of Qualitative Methods)
Tel: +47 464 101 18
david.guttormsen@usn.no
www.usn.no
