ODC annual conference 2026
Designing for the Unknown
September 30 - October 1st, 2026
The 2026 ODC Annual Conference will be held fully on-line, spread out over two consecutive days: September 30 and October 1. It is co-organized by Özgecan Koçak (Emory University) and Jeroen van Bree (Berenschot & University of Amsterdam). The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Designing for the Unknown’. The unprecedented turbulence that organizations are currently faced with means we have to design for an unknown future. Our hope is that this conference will be a forum for exchange about this pressing issue between academics, practitioners, and executives. On the first day of the conference, we want to explore several developments that are bringing change and uncertainty to organizations, such as the rise of GenAI, geopolitical turbulence, and climate change. On the second day, we want to explore what innovations the field of organization design can bring to address these challenges.
If your organization is sending more than one participant to the conference, we offer two options. One option is to become a corporate member, which offers full access to all the benefits of ODC membership for an unlimited number of members from your organization. The other option is to get a custom discount for this annual conference, based on the number of people from your organization that are signing up. For both options, please contact us at info@orgdesigncomm.com.
Programme
Day 1 (September 30th, times below in CET)
3.45-4.00pm: Waiting room
4.00-4.15pm: Opening & welcome
4.15-4.55pm: Keynote + Q&A (Joel Podolny: Designing for the Unknown)
4.55-5.05pm: Coffee break
5.05-5.50pm: Working groups:
- How AI is Impacting Organizations (John Joseph)
- Geopolitical turbulence and the impact on business (Hank Volberda)
- Designing Toward Desirable Futures: Organizational Responses to Climate Change (Garima Sharma)
5.50-6.25pm: Closing panel: Reports from the breakout sessions: What will you need to do differently in 5/10 years? How different will your life/work be from today? (Facilitated by Phanish Puranam; Panelists: John Joseph, Hank Volberda, Garima Sharma).
6.25-6.30pm: Thank you and goodbye
6.30-7.00pm: Cocktail room
Day 2 (October 1st, times below in CET)
3.45-4.00pm: Waiting room
4.00-4.15pm: Opening & bridge from day 1, interactive sessions
4.15-4.55pm: Keynote + Q&A (Melissa Valentine on AI-Powered Organizations: Redefining the Future of Work)
4.55-5.05pm: Coffee break
5.05-5.50pm: Working groups:
- Redesigning Culture and Structure for GenAI-Enabled Organizations (Sameer Srivastava)
- Maverick Organization Designs of the Future (Amy Kates)
- Designing for Complexity (Chengwei Liu & Anissa Oukhiar)
5.50-6.25pm: Panel discussion featuring conveners from working groups (facilitated by Martin Gonzalez; Panelists: Sameer Srivastava, Amy Kates, Chengwei Liu, Anissa Oukhiar).
6.25-6.30pm: Thank you and goodbye
6.30-7.00pm: Cocktail room