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What happens when DBA scholar-practitioners come together in a space designed specifically for them?
In this episode of DBA Chronicles, hosts Dr. Kelly Burich and Dr. Valrie Grant welcomed Dr. Jessica Strübel, Professor and DBA Executive Director at the University of Rhode Island College of Business, and Dr. Emilija Djurdjevic, Associate Professor ofManagement, for an inside look at the inaugural DBA Scholars Conference, DBASC 2026.
Taking place October 2–4, 2026, under the theme “Thinking Big: Doctoral Insights for a Changing Business Landscape,” DBASC brings together DBA students, graduates, faculty, andprograms from across institutions. The conference is designed to create an intimate and supportive community where academically rigorous research meets real-world relevance.
Jessica and Emilija share why the conference was created, what makes the DBA scholar-practitioner communitydistinctive, and how DBASC can help participants move their work beyond the dissertation toward collaboration, publication, and practical impact.
The conversation explores:
- Why DBA scholars need a professional community of their own
- What happens when academic rigor meets practical experience
- How DBASC supports research and professional development
- Why community remains important after graduation
- How conference feedback can strengthen research and open new publication pathways
- Why the top 10 percent of submissions will be included in the DBASC 2026 Proceedings
- What it means to “think big” beyond earning the degree
- How DBA scholars can turn evidence into meaningful impact
Valrie and Kelly also preview the central idea behind theirDBASC keynote: “The DBA Is Not the Destination”; an invitation to think bigger about the scholar you become and the impact you create.
Whether you are currently pursuing a DBA, have already graduated, teach in a DBA program, or are considering the journey, this episode offers an inspiring look at what becomes possible when the DBA community learns, collaborates, and grows together.
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