Global Voices, Shared Challenges: Marketing and Policy Beyond Borders
May 16-18, 2026 | Ottawa, Ontario
Around the world, marketing scholars, policymakers, and societal decision-makers are grappling with complex, interdependent challenges—from climate change and health inequities to data privacy and financial inclusion. These issues cross-national, disciplinary, and institutional borders, and addressing them requires a collective, boundary-spanning approach. Recognizing and challenging these boundaries is essential to fostering more inclusive, innovative, and impactful research. By deliberately looking beyond these boundaries—both literal and figurative—we can discover alternative approaches and draw on examples of research, collaborations, and policies that meaningfully improve the well-being of individuals, businesses, societies, and the planet.
The 2026 Marketing & Public Policy Conference convenes in Ottawa, Ontario, marking the first time this conference has been held outside the United States. As the national capital of a country known for its pluralism and progressive social policies, Ottawa offers a compelling context for engaging in global dialogue. We invite submissions that expand the scope of marketing & public policy scholarship and reflect a diverse range of voices, disciplines, contexts and methodologies to address shared challenges and drive impactful marketing and public policy solutions.
We especially welcome interdisciplinary collaborations and contributions that involve practitioners, policymakers, and communities. Submissions should provide insights with clear implications for public policy and demonstrate the potential to drive meaningful change for individuals, organizations, societies, and our environment, especially in ways that transcend traditional academic or geographic boundaries.
Together, we can amplify global voices, address shared challenges, and increase the impact of marketing and policy research.
Conference Tracks
Conference Themes:
Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes. Concrete examples are offered as inspiration.
We invite research that examines how marketing and policy can expand equitable access to essential resources—such as financial services, housing, education and healthcare—and strengthen systems that promote mental and physical well-being. We are also interested in work that seeks to reduce stigmatization and structural inequities based on disability, race, gender, addiction or religion.
Examples Might Include:
- Addressing vaccine hesitancy across cultural contexts
- Designing interventions to reduce discrimination in AI-powered hiring tools
- Promoting mental health literacy through digital platforms
- Examining inclusive design practices in marketing communications and service delivery
- The potential of AI to facilitate or mitigate political polarization and radicalization
We invite scholarship on economic and consumer well-being, especially when financial security, consumption adequacy, and safety in both the physical and the digital world feel increasingly vulnerable. We also encourage research on “bright side” topics, such as consumer wisdom and mindfulness, consumer empowerment, and prosocial behaviors, including charitable giving, CSR, social entrepreneurship and corporate activism.
Safety-related topics—such as gun control policy communication, online data privacy, and AI regulation—are central here, as is work that explores how individuals and institutions—both public and private—can thrive in an increasingly complex, risk-laden environment.
Examples Might Include:
- Exploring consumer protection frameworks in emerging markets
- Understanding the social impacts of algorithmic bias in financial services
- Evaluating public responses to corporate sociopolitical engagement
We invite submissions that explore how marketing and policy can advance environmental resilience, sustainable consumption, and equitable access to clean energy, water, and land. Sustainability is an urgent global imperative that requires innovative approaches across sectors and disciplines. We are particularly interested in work that involves cross-sector collaborations or policy frameworks that promote sustainable livelihoods and planetary and public health.
Examples Might Include:
- Circular economy models and sustainable product innovation
- Behavior change interventions to reduce environmental harm
- Environmental and social justice initiatives
- Marketing campaigns promoting clean water access or climate action
Submission Types
Submission Template – Competitive Papers
Manuscripts addressing substantive or theoretical topics are sought for competitive paper sessions.
It is mandatory that at least one author of all accepted papers register for, and present the paper at, the conference. Submission of the same (or substantially overlapping) manuscript(s) to multiple themes is not permitted. As a reminder, papers are reviewed following a double-anonymized process; reviewers will not know who authored the papers, nor will authors know the names of their reviewers.
Format and Style for Competitive Papers:
Prepare and submit electronic documents in PDF format. Please include 1) Title, 2) Extended Abstract (175 word limit), 3) Key Contributions to academe and practitioners, and relevance to the conference themes (300 words), 4) Manuscript (up to 3,600 words), 5) Table or Figure (optional) and 6) Selected references. Authors have the option of including one table summarizing results and/or one figure (these do not count against the word limit). References also do not count against the word limit.
[Please note that submissions with text longer than 4,100 words will not be reviewed].
To assure an anonymous review, authors must avoid revealing their identities in the body or reference section of the paper. Authors should do the following:
- Do not save the file with author-identifying information in the file name.
- Do not include a front page with author-identifying information.
- Remove the author identifying information from the document’s file properties.
Confirmation that your paper was submitted successfully will be sent via email to the submitter.
Authors of accepted competitive papers have the option of publishing either an extended abstract or a full paper in the conference proceedings. Choosing to publish an Extended Abstract gives authors the option to submit the paper elsewhere for publication after the conference.
Submission Template – Poster Presentation
Poster sessions provide an opportunity to share research in the working stage, i.e., with at least part of the data having been collected and analyzed, but not necessarily ready for submission to a journal. They are presented as part of poster sessions. Poster sessions can be particularly useful for getting input at intermediate stages of a research project. All poster abstract submissions must be directed to only one topic.
By submitting a poster abstract, the author affirms that they will register for and appear at the conference to participate in the poster session.
Format and Submission Process for Posters:
Prepare and submit an extended abstract in PDF format. Poster submissions must include the title and an extended abstract of 750-1000 words plus selected references. The abstract should summarize the research, including the conceptual framework, description of the method, data, results, and conclusions. Authors also have the option of including one table summarizing results and/or one figure (these also do not count against the word limit).
In addition to the manuscript, please prepare brief descriptions clearly stating your (1) Research Question, (2) Method and Data used (not applicable for non-empirical papers), (3) Key Contributions, and (4) Summary of Findings.
To assure an anonymous review, authors must avoid revealing their identities in the body or reference section of the paper. Authors should do the following:
- Do not include a front page with author-identifying information.
At the time of submission via Ex Ordo, the submitter will be asked to provide contact information for all authors including name, affiliation and email.
Confirmation that your abstract was submitted successfully will be sent via email to the submitter.
Accepted poster authors must agree to prepare a poster for display during the session and be available to discuss your research and answer questions at the invited poster session.
Submission Template – Special Session
Anyone may organize and propose a special session, although those who are unfamiliar with AMA conference special sessions are encouraged to discuss their ideas with the conference co-chairs or track chairs for developmental feedback before submitting a proposal. Special sessions provide a good vehicle to acquaint marketing academics with new perspectives, theories, and provocative ideas, to bring diverse participants together around a common theme, or to integrate academically-minded practitioners into the conference. Sessions involving participants from multiple countries, focusing on theory development or cutting-edge research directions, and offering insights regarding academic-business partnerships for teaching or research are particularly encouraged.
Special sessions should feature three or four presentations on a related theme. Another possibility is an interactive panel discussion among 4-6 panelists and a moderator. Other creative special session formats are encouraged, particularly those that generate attendee interaction.
All special session proposal submissions must be directed to only one topic. Proposals for special sessions should describe the topic and its importance to marketing, summarize the issues to be covered, and identify all individuals (with their qualifications) who will formally participate. Special session proposals should provide specificity regarding the purpose, format, participants and roles in the session.
Selection criteria include the general quality of the proposal, the level of interest the session is likely to generate at the conference, and the session’s relevance to the conference theme.
By submitting a special session proposal, the organizer and listed participants affirm that, if accepted, all will register for and appear at the Conference as described in the proposal.
Format and Submission Process for Special Sessions:
Prepare and submit an extended abstract in PDF format. Special session proposals must include the title of the session and an extended abstract of 4,100 words maximum. The proposal should describe the objective of the session, its structure and general orientation, likely audience, key issues, and topics to be covered, as well as a description of why the session is likely to make an important contribution to the discipline. Also, include a brief description of each paper in the session.
The text of the special session proposal must not exceed 4,100 words and should be submitted in the double-spaced format, prepared in 12-point font. Please prepare a separate description not exceeding 100 words. This should not be included in the proposal itself but will be pasted in the appropriate space during the submission process via Ex Ordo
At the time of submission via the online system, the submitter will be asked to provide contact information for all presenters including name, affiliation, and email as it should appear in the final program materials.
Due to the unique nature of special sessions, presenter names and information should be included in the proposal and will be noted as a part of the review process.
Confirmation that your proposal was submitted successfully will be sent via email to the submitter. All special session moderators and participants are expected to register for the conference.
How Do I Submit My Paper?
All submissions should be made electronically via the AMA’s online submission management system (Ex Ordo). If you have submitted to an AMA academic conference in the last year, you should be able to use the same username and password. The deadline for submission has been extended to December 8, 2025.
Important Dates
- Call for Papers Deadline Extended: December 8, 2025
- Accept/Reject Notifications Sent: February 2, 2026
- Event Early-Bird Registration: April 1, 2026
- Conference Dates: May 16-18, 2026
Conference Co-Chairs
Monica LaBarge
Queen’s University
Jacob Brower
Queen’s University
Michael Mulvey
University of Ottawa
Code of Ethics
Authors submitting papers to American Marketing Association academic conferences must adhere to the following code of ethics:
- Submitting authors should specify who will present papers being considered for Special Sessions or Competitive Paper presentations. An author can be listed as a presenter for no more than two submissions but can be listed as the co-author of multiple submissions. This restriction is to encourage authors to submit their best work and to allow a wider range of presenters.
- Submissions should not already be published in any journal or publication (including online journals, books, and book chapters). Submitting authors should monitor this issue carefully.