2026 Warwick Summer School on Practice-based Studies

2026 Warwick Summer School on Practice and Process Studies:

To Know is to Act: Revisiting and rethinking learning and knowing from practice & process perspectives

The Warwick Summer School convenes scholars interested in practice and process studies in an open and multi-disciplinary learning community characterized by dialogue, discussion, and joint exploration.

The Summer School is designed for those with an advanced understanding of practice and process theories. The 2.5 days will consider the state-of-the-art of practice, process and routine studies and discuss the particular 2026 theme: To Know is to Act. The event will take place in person at the University of Warwick, UK.

2026 Warwick Summer School on Practice and Process Studies: To Know is to Act: Revisiting and rethinking learning and knowing from practice and process perspective flyerLink opens in a new window 

In 2026, our signature event — the Warwick Summer School on Practice and Process Studies — will be delivered as an in-person event. We aim to create a lasting academic community characterised by open dialogue, discussion, and joint exploration.

Keynote speakers for 2026 are:

• Jean Lave, Professor Emerita in the Department of Geography, University of California, Berkley
• Erik Rietveld, Socrates Professor, Senior Researcher at the University of Amsterdam

• Callen Anthony, Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations, NYU Stern

Attendees will have the opportunity to share their work during ‘research clinics’ and receive feedback on their work from peers and seasoned faculty including:

• Ann Langley, HEC Montreal and Warwick Business School
• Davide Nicolini, Warwick Business School
• Hari Tsoukas, University of Cyprus and Warwick Business School
• Jorgen Sandberg, University of Queensland and Warwick Business School
• Katherina Dittrich, Warwick Business School
• Qian Li, Warwick Business School
• Omid Omidvar, Warwick Business School
• Ila Bharatan, Warwick Business School

2026 Theme: To Know is to Act: Revisiting and rethinking learning and knowing from practice & process perspectives

In this Summer School we will critically discuss dominant understandings of organizational change modelled on motion (stage-based models) and, importantly, explore strong-process images of change in which change is viewed as becoming - is endemic and ongoing. Related questions of agency, temporality, and stability will also be explored. The management implications of strong-process images of organizational change will be discussed.

Applications:

Please include in your application a personal statement about your research and the reasons for attending the summer school. During the application process, please indicate your preferred attendance, residential and non-residential. Click here to submit your application.

Registration fees: The fee is dependent on whether you are attending as a residential or non-residential participant

Residential includes three nights' bed and breakfast (Tues 30 June/Weds 01/Thurs 02 July) at Scarman Conference Centre, three lunches and three evening meals as well as Summer School attendance. From 12 pm Tuesday, 30 June 2026, to check out on Friday, 3 July 2026.

Fee: TBC

Non-residential includes three lunches and three evening meals as well as Summer School attendance. From 12pm Tuesday 30 June to the evening of Thursday 02 July 2026.

Fee: TBC