Join us for the 5th Annual L.I.F.E. Research Conference on Faith & Entrepreneurship

The Center for L.I.F.E. is excited to announce that registration is now OPEN for the fifth annual L.I.F.E. Research Conference! A virtual event dedicated to showcasing innovative research at the intersection of faith and entrepreneurship. Hosted by the Center for L.I.F.E. at Miami University, we invite researchers from across the world to learn from cutting-edge ideas that are transforming the field.

AGENDA

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (EST)
Location: Virtual (Zoom)

The event is FREE and open to anyone interested in learning about the research at the intersection of faith & entrepreneurship. Attendees are welcome to join for all or part of the conference.

Participating Scholars: A Global Gathering of Leaders Researching Faith & Entrepreneurship

We are thrilled to announce the participation of renowned scholars from across the globe! At the L.I.F.E. Research Conference, you’ll have the unique opportunity to engage with scholars and thought leaders such as:

Jeff McMullen (Indiana University), Roy Suddaby (University of Victoria), Melissa Cardon (University of Tennessee), David Townsend (Virginia Tech University), Mitch Neubert (Baylor University), Tom Lumpkin (University of Tennessee), Scott Newbert (Baruch College), Ute Stephan (King’s College London), Ali Aslan Gümüsay (Ludwig-Maximilians Universitat Muchen), David Audretsch (Indiana University), Saulo Barbosa (Emlyon Business School), Allan Discua-Cruz (Lancaster University), Sean Dwyer (University of Oklahoma), Caroline Essers (Radboud Universiteit), Stephanie Fernhaber (Butler University), Kylie Heales (Miami University), Trevor Israelsen (Penn State University), Jessica Jones (University of Tennessee), Phil Kim (Babson College), Glen Kreiner (University of Utah), Rob Pidduck (Old Dominion University), Ashley Roccapiore (Auburn University), Hee-Chan Song (Chulalongkorn University), Andrea Sottini (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), Reginald Tucker (University of Oklahoma), Elco van Burg (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), and more!

Join us to explore innovative research shaping the future of faith and entrepreneurship worldwide.

Panel Lineup:

Well-being & Flourishing – Entrepreneurship is tough! How can scholarship at the intersection of faith and entrepreneurship promote resilience and sustainability to help create well-being and flourishing for entrepreneurs and practitioners.

Melissa Cardon Tom Lumpkin Jeffery McMullen Ute Stephan

Emerging Scholars – Early career researchers shine a light on cutting edge research highlighting new approaches to faith and entrepreneurship.

Sean Dwyer Kylie Heales Trevor Israelsen Ashley Roccapiore Andrea Sottini

Family Business & Faith – Small family firms are frequently animated by faith commitments through generations. Scholars analyze how the integration of faith and entrepreneurship in family firms frames entrepreneurial outcomes.

Allan Discua-Cruz Sarah Jack Phil Kim Rob Pidduck David Townsend

Religion & Social Entrepreneurship – Social entrepreneurship is frequently driven by faith commitments, and often has both spiritual and economic goals. Scholars show how a faith and entrepreneurship approach provides deep insights in social entrepreneurship.

Saulo Barbosa Stephanie Fernhaber Jessica Jones Scott Newbert Reg Tucker

Faith & Entrepreneurship Across Regions & Faiths – Integrating faith and entrepreneurship is happening across the world, and across many different religious traditions. This panel highlights how faith and entrepreneurship research contributes to scholarship globally.

David Audretsch Ali Gümüsay Mitch Neubert Hee-Chan Song

Identity, Legitimacy & Stigma – Who is really an entrepreneur and what difference does integrating faith and entrepreneurship make for them? And, how do we make the case that studying faith and entrepreneurship is legitimate for study? Scholars on this panel will lean into issues of stigma around both practicing and studying faith and entrepreneurship.