NDDCEL Faculty Fellow Kristen Collett-Schmitt and colleagues share new research on inclusive leadership
In June, four faculty members from the Mendoza College of Business were selected to participate in the 2025 Research in Management Learning & Education (RMLE) unConference, held at John Moores University in Liverpool, UK. The gathering, sponsored by leading journals including Journal of Management and Academy of Management Learning & Education, brought together scholars and educators to explore new directions in management education, pedagogy, and leadership development.
Unlike traditional academic conferences, the RMLE unConference is intentionally designed as an organic and participant-driven experience. Discussions are framed around short QIC (Questions, Ideas & Concerns) submissions, which prompt interactive sessions that emerge in real time rather than pre-set panels. This year’s gathering hosted 57 participants from 28 institutions across six countries. The team of Kristen Collett-Schmitt (Finance), NDDCEL Faculty Director Jessica McManus Warnell, Amanda McKendree, and Kelly Rubey (Management & Organization) contributed a QIC submission titled "Cultivating Responsible Leaders: Integrating DEI into Business Education for Lasting Impact," based on their 2025 publication.
Collett-Schmitt, K., McManus Warnell, J., McKendree, A., & Rubey, K. (2025). Cultivating Responsible Leaders: Integrating DEI into Business Education for Lasting Impact. International Journal of Management Education.
The participation of Professor Collett-Schmitt was made possible in part by a travel grant from the NDDCEL which supports faculty engagement in thought leadership opportunities that advance ethical business practice and education.
“The unConference was a first for me—and a truly unique experience. Unlike traditional academic conferences, which are dominated by one-sided presentations, this format was refreshing and highly engaging. It fostered meaningful dialogue, encouraged collaboration, and sparked new research partnerships that may not have been possible otherwise. I’m grateful to the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership for supporting my participation and helping open the door to new avenues in management education research.”
Professor Kristen Collett-Schmitt
Mendoza faculty involvement in the RMLE unConference reflects Mendoza’s commitment to preparing students to lead ethically, with inclusivity and social responsibility at the center of their formation.