Local Hub Canada


Contact information

Emily Block, Department of Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Managment, Alberta School of Business
Sara Mahabadi, Department of Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Managment, Alberta School of Business
Mia Raynard, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Division, UBC Sauder

Location in the Toronto area (TBA)
 

The Canadian EGOS Local Hub strengthens connections among Canadian scholars in organization and management studies. The 2026 Colloquium offers a unique opportunity to test a federated, multi-hub model that expands access and reduces environmental impact. By organizing structured mentoring circles, networking receptions, and informal discussion sessions, the hub will replicate the collegial atmosphere of traditional EGOS meetings while remaining accessible to those who might otherwise be excluded by distance, caregiving, or funding constraints. Hosting a local hub also aligns with our commitment to responsible, pluralistic scholarship. We see this as a chance to model sustainable academic practices, build lasting collaborations across institutions, and demonstrate how decentralized conferencing can strengthen communities while reducing barriers to participation.

What to expect

  • A collegial, inclusive, and energizing environment that brings together scholars from across Canada to experience the EGOS Colloquium collectively. Hosted in a comfortable coworking-style space in Toronto equipped for viewing plenary and sub-theme sessions, paired with opportunities for informal discussion, networking, and reflection.

  • Shared morning sessions connected to the online Colloquium, followed by local discussion groups, coffee breaks, and evening receptions.

  • The hub will also foster mentorship and peer connection, especially for doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career faculty. Facilitated small-group discussions will encourage participants to share feedback on research ideas, exchange advice on publishing and career development, and build relationships across institutions and career stages.

Schedule (outline)

  • The Canadian Local Hub will run from July 8–11, 2026, in parallel with the main EGOS Colloquium. Activities will take place in a centrally located coworking and event space in Toronto.

  • Wednesday, July 8 – Pre-Colloquium Workshop:
    Half-day interactive workshop on Equity, Belonging, and Pluralism in Organizations, designed to spark dialogue and connection among participants.

  • Thursday to Saturday, July 9-11 – EGOS Colloquium Days:
    Participants will gather each morning to join streamed plenaries and sub-theme sessions, followed by shared discussions and informal breakouts to reflect on key insights. Lunchtime and coffee breaks will provide space for informal mentoring and peer networking.
  • Social Activities:
    Two evening receptions (July 8 and 10) will anchor the hub’s social program, encouraging relaxed conversation and community building.

About the host

The Canadian Local Hub for EGOS 2026 brings together scholars from the University of Alberta, University of Waterloo, and the University of British Columbia, with events planned in Toronto. The University of Alberta’s School of Business will serve as the coordinating institution under the leadership of Emily Block and Sara Mahabadi, whose research explores institutional pluralism, strategy, and organizational identity. The University of Waterloo’s Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, represented by Nada Basir, contributes expertise in entrepreneurship, innovation, and gender diversity in organizations. The University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, represented by Mia Raynard, adds comparative and sustainability perspectives in organization studies. Together, these scholars form a cross-Canada collaboration committed to building inclusive and sustainable academic networks.