The Annual Doctoral Workshop fosters interaction among leading faculty scholars and doctoral students on research and preparing for a professional career in academia. The doctoral student participants will broaden their academic network with senior faculty from around the world and develop a better understanding of the particularities of the academic career.    

Nomination & Application Guidelines

All nominations must include all of the materials listed below and should be submitted online to the conference website by June 19, 2026. To apply, please upload one (1) PDF document through the online submission system.

Application materials should include:

· Nomination/recommendation letter from a faculty member (with contact information)

· A one-page summary of the applicant’s career to date

· A description of the applicant’s research interests, not to exceed 300 words

Other things being equal, preference will be given to nominees who:

· Are current members of the SMS

· Are nominated by a current member of the SMS

As an international organization with a widely distributed membership, we aim for the workshop attendee composition to reflect this international representation.

A maximum of two participants will be accepted per institution, with no more than one scholarship granted per institution. Scholarship decisions will consider applicants’ stated financial need. This indication is used solely for scholarship consideration and will not affect participant selection.

Submission Instructions

We request that submissions be completed by EITHER the Student OR the Faculty Member. Depending on your role, please follow these instructions: 

For Students: 

Please compile all three (3) application pieces into one (1) PDF file. When you are ready to submit, you will indicate that you are submitting an application as a student.

For Faculty Members:

Please compile all three (3) application pieces into one (1) PDF file. When you are ready to submit, you will indicate that you are a “Faculty Member nominating a student”, and be prepared to enter basic student information into the required fields.

As generative AI commoditizes information, the premium on strategic judgment, the core of the case method, has never been higher. In this interactive session, Frank T. Rothaermel, author of the #1 Strategy text and dozens of best-selling cases, argues that the in-class case experience is more vital today than ever before. While AI excels at data synthesis, developing the deep insights required for competitive advantage necessitates human-centric debate, the navigation of ambiguity, and, most importantly, critical judgment.

Participants will explore how to:

1. Leverage AI-driven tools that provide individualized, adaptive learning to ensure students master core concepts before entering the classroom.

2. Repurpose reclaimed class time for rigorous, case-based discussions that push students beyond algorithmic prescriptions toward strategic leadership.

Join this hands-on workshop to discover how to integrate cutting-edge technology to meet students where they are, while doubling down on the high-touch, immersive analysis that defines world-class strategy education.

This workshop is part of the SMS Virtual Workshop Conference, a new online event designed to bring the SMS Conferences workshop experience to a global audience. Modeled on the popular Saturday Workshop program at the Annual Conference, this virtual event offers participants hands-on opportunities to strengthen their research and professional skills through focused, application-based sessions with experienced facilitators and thought-leading panelists. Participants will join 120-minute workshops designed to foster meaningful interaction, collaboration, and personalized feedback, along with a live plenary session that brings all attendees together for shared insights and community connection.

For more information on this Event, visit the SMS Website.  

To contact the SMS Executive Office, please email: sms@strategicmanagement.net.  

For technical assistance with this submission process, please contact Submittable Customer Service.