Call for papers: III Symposium on Current Trends in Consumer Research

The focus of the symposium this year is to explore ideas on how we can use Marketing to shape a better future for people and places.

Scope and format

 We aim to discuss and connect a variety of consumer research topics using the following three themes: 

• Understanding consumers’ health and well-being through transformative technologies.
• Shaping the marketplace through an exploration of consumer and practitioner perspectives (e.g., how retailers can foster well-being).
• Building identities and communities through transforming (retail) spaces (e.g., transformative consumer research). 

We are interested in how your research aligns with and contributes to these themes and we are inviting you to submit your ideas to take part in this exciting and thought-provoking event.

During this two-day symposium, we will be working in teams (relating to the themes outlined above) to discuss current research/knowledge, research problems, real-world issues, and potential solutions. Our discussions will be captured in a plan for deliverables (e.g. journal articles, funding applications etc).  

To ensure we make the most of our time together, we would like you to submit a one-page abstract on your consumer and/or retail research that relates to these topic areas. This will allow us to organise groups of people with similar interests to develop their networks, enhance their research ideas, and facilitate their dissemination.

While this symposium is free to attend, places are limited and are only available to people who have an accepted abstract.  

Guidelines for submission

Abstracts can be based on empirical work, working papers, conceptual contributions or the proposal of an idea.

Abstracts should be: 

• a minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 750 words (excluding references);
• linked with one of the themes outlined above;

Abstracts can be sole or co-authored (maximum of two attendees per abstract).

To submit an abstract, complete our III Symposium form.

Symposium highlights

• Panel discussions to facilitate research impact.
• Presentations (including our Marketing and Retailing Honorary Professor Cele Otnes).
• Topic-specific workshops with an emphasis on deliverables.

Key dates and times 

Submission deadline: 2 April 2024.

Feedback, organisation of groups and sharing abstracts with the topic group: 15 April 2024.

Registration by Monday 6 May 2024.

The symposium will begin on Wednesday 22 May, with registration and coffee from 09:30 to 10:30. It is anticipated that the symposium will close around 15:00 on Thursday 23 May, although space for topic groups will be available until 17:00.

Symposium Committee

• Dr Ines Branco-Illodo (Chair)
• Prof Steve Burt
• Dr Keri Davies
• Prof Paul Freathy
• Dr Dimitrios Kolyperas
• Dr Mona Moufahim
• Dr Ismini Pavlopoulou
• Dr Anupam Singh
• Prof Julie Tinson
• Dr Carolyn Wilson-Nash