Q2 2025-2026 Activity Update

Here are the Hoffmann Institute’s key updates from Quarter 1 of the 2025/2026 Academic Year. 

• We supported season 2 of the INSEAD Business Sustainability series run by Karel Cool and Atalay Atasu with 2 webinars on Sustainability in Turbulent Times

The INSEAD Hoffmann Institute supported The INSEAD Business Sustainability series run by Karel Cool and Atalay Atasu, with 2 webinars on Sustainability in Turbulent Times on Regional Changes and Opportunities and Circularity and Growth at BIC Lighter.

• We captured the insights of over 60 INSEAD faculty as part of our annual faculty business trends survey on top societal issues businesses should address in 2026

For the fifth year in a row, we surveyed our faculty to capture their insights on top societal issues businesses should address in 2026 and which ones pose the greatest risks to business.

This year, more than 60 professors across all nine academic areas shared their perspectives. Dean Francisco Veloso and Dean of Faculty Peter Joos explored these key trends in this INSEAD knowledge article.

• We supported the research and publications of 15 INSEAD faculty by highlighting their findings on Hoffmann Institute channels

We showcased 15 INSEAD  faculty research and publications on our INSEAD Hoffmann Institute social media channels. 

• We proudly supported INSEAD’s presence in Davos for the World Economic Forum, with its largest ever delegation contributing to panels and discussions across the main forum and accredited events.

INSEAD Hoffmann Institute supported INSEAD presence in Davos for the World Economic Forum, with its largest ever delegation contributing to panels including a panel on “The Future of Organising and Governing Social Innovation for a Fragmented World” featuring Professor Ilze Kivleniece. The conversation blended realism and hope for the future of social innovation, highlighting a turning point where outdated top-down models fail amid shifting funding, geopolitics, and trust; panellists called for collaborative, polycentric governance, local empowerment, better capital connections, and bold reinvention to seize this crisis as an opportunity for a thriving impact economy.

• We engaged with the Business Schools for Climate Leadership network to run a panel session with our Dean Francisco Veloso and a workshop in partnership with InTent during the World Economic Forum. 

In partnership with the Business School for Climate Leadership and InTent, INSEAD Hoffmann Institute organised a panel and workshop, “Nature-Positive Strategies for Climate-Resilient Business,” featuring INSEAD  Dean Francisco Veloso, Franz Heukamp, Anne-Sophie Castelnau, Barbara Scheel Agersnap, and Fernanda Accorsi.

The discussion highlighted how tackling climate and sustainability challenges requires cross-sector, industry-wide, and business–academic collaboration — through sharing best practices, co-designing programmes, and supporting smaller firms alongside large organisations.

• We also gathered with INSEAD Alumni at a special alumni reception in Davos hosted by Alexander and Isabel Hoffmann

INSEAD Hoffmann Institute gathered INSEAD Alumni for a reception event in Davos, with Alexander Hoffmann welcoming alumni alongside our Dean, Francisco Veloso. Our faculty members Philippe Aghion, Alexandra Roulet, Subi Rangan, Ilze Kivleniece, and Theodoros Evgeniou shared insights and reflections from their time in Davos.

• We hosted the final session of Les Conferences de L'INSEAD series with Jean Jouzel who spoke about climate change

Founded in 1987 by Henri-Claude de Bettignies, Les Conférences de l’INSEAD are a long-standing tradition: a series of five evening conferences followed by open debates on major issues shaping business and society. These conferences are open to the local community, including INSEAD faculty and staff.

INSEAD Hoffmann Institute hosted the final session of the Les Conferences de l’INSEAD with Jean Jouzel, member of the French Academy of Sciences and recipient of the 2012 Vetlesen Prize who spoke about climate change.