What's Happening?
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Division of the Academy of Management (AOM) has announced an extension for the submission deadline for a potential Special Issue on Entrepreneurship and Innovation
in the Space Economy at the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal (SEJ). The new deadline for submitting 500-word extended abstracts is November 15, 2026. This initiative is linked to the Inaugural Space Economy Conference, scheduled for March 2027 in London and/or Oxford, UK. The conference aims to serve as a developmental platform, allowing participants to present and refine their research, receive peer feedback, and connect with the growing research community in anticipation of the Special Issue. The call for abstracts includes two tracks: an Academic Track for conceptual, empirical, and work-in-progress research, and a Professional Track for real-world industry challenges and insights from the space sector.
Why It's Important?
This extension and the broader initiative highlight the increasing recognition of the space economy as a significant area for academic and professional exploration, with a deliberate focus on DEI principles. For the U.S., this is important as the nation is a major player in the global space industry, with both government agencies like NASA and private companies driving innovation. Integrating DEI into the nascent and rapidly expanding space economy can foster a more inclusive and diverse talent pool, potentially leading to more innovative solutions and equitable opportunities within this high-growth sector. By encouraging diverse perspectives in entrepreneurship and innovation within the space domain, the initiative aims to prevent the replication of existing inequalities in a new frontier, ensuring that the benefits of the space economy are broadly shared and that a wider range of voices contributes to its development.
What's Next?
Following the extended submission deadline on November 15, 2026, selected abstracts will proceed to the Inaugural Space Economy Conference in March 2027. This conference will provide a crucial forum for researchers and professionals to develop their work further, with an expected submission deadline for the full Special Issue in late May 2027. The outcomes of this initiative could influence future research agendas, policy discussions, and investment strategies within the global space economy, particularly concerning how diversity and inclusion are integrated into its growth. The focus on both academic and professional tracks suggests an intent to bridge theoretical understanding with practical application, potentially leading to new frameworks and best practices for DEI in emerging industries.
Beyond the Headlines
The emphasis on DEI within the space economy reflects a broader societal push to embed equitable practices into all sectors, especially those with significant future growth potential. This initiative goes beyond simply acknowledging diversity; it actively seeks to shape the foundational principles of a new economic frontier. By doing so, it aims to preemptively address issues of access, representation, and equity that have historically plagued established industries. The involvement of a premier journal like SEJ underscores the academic rigor and long-term vision behind this effort, suggesting that the insights generated could have lasting impacts on how entrepreneurship and innovation are understood and practiced in high-tech, capital-intensive sectors globally. It also signals a growing awareness that diverse teams are not just ethically desirable but also strategically advantageous for complex problem-solving and innovation.
