Each year, the Doctoral Symposium brings together PhD students from Montreal’s four business schools around what unites us most: a shared passion for research. More than an academic event, it is a moment of collegiality and connection. A space where participants can exchange with peers who face similar challenges, yet evolve within their school’s distinct academic traditions. The symposium also offers a valuable opportunity to build lasting relationships, expand one’s network, and meet those who may well become future collaborators. It provides a supportive environment to practice an essential dimension of academic life: scientific communication. Finally, it strengthens ties across the four business schools and allows us to fully leverage the richness of our joint program by cultivating a strong, diverse, and inspiring scholarly community.
With this spirit in mind, the Doctoral Symposium will return for its 5th edition on March 12–13, 2026, at HEC Montréal, in the Hélène-Desmarais building. For this edition, we have designed three complementary formats that we hope will enable everyone to participate fully in the event: (1) oral presentations, (2) roundtable discussions, and (3) workshops.
Important Dates
- January 30, 2026 — Proposal submission deadline
- February 5, 2026 — Acceptance notifications + registration opens
- February 28, 2026 — Registration deadline
- March 12–13, 2026 — Doctoral Symposium 2026
Objectives
The symposium aims to:
- Provide PhD students with a professional setting to present and discuss their research
- Encourage interdisciplinary dialogue across business-related fields
- Strengthen collaboration between Montreal’s academic institutions
- Foster a supportive and inclusive doctoral research community
Participating Institutions
The symposium brings together doctoral researchers from Montreal’s leading business schools, including:
- HEC Montréal
- McGill University – Desautels Faculty of Management
- Concordia University – John Molson School of Business
- Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) – École des sciences de la gestion (ESG)
Hosting Institution – HEC Montréal
Founded in 1907, HEC Montréal is one of Canada’s leading business schools and an internationally recognized institution for research and graduate education.
Hosting the 2026 PhD Annual Symposium reflects HEC Montréal’s commitment to doctoral training, academic excellence, and collaboration across institutions.
Contact
For inquiries related to the symposium, please contact:
More information will be added as the symposium program develops. Please check back regularly for updates.