AURAC: 1st Anatolia University Research & Academic Conference: Beyond the Predictable - Resilience in an Uncertain World

Date: 19-21 March 2027

Location: Anatolia American University - U.L.E, Thessaloniki

Language: English

In an era defined by rapid technological shifts, geopolitical volatilities and systemic global challenges, stability and predictability are constantly being tested. The 1st Anatolia University Research & Academic Conference: Beyond the Predictable: Resilience in an Uncertain World organized by Anatolia American University-U.L.E. provides an interdisciplinary forum for scholars, professionals and researchers to explore how diverse fields can move beyond simply withstanding uncertainty to actively cultivating resilience. The scope of adaptation underpins many modern interdisciplinary challenges where systems must be designed to learn from disruption rather than just recover from it.

We invite theoretical and empirical paper submissions, poster presentations and case studies across the following themes: 

Geopolitics, Strategic Foresight & Decision-Making Under Uncertainty

This theme focuses on the cognitive and strategic resilience required at the top levels of decision-making. In an unpredictable world, leaders can no longer rely solely on historical data. This track explores how governments, institutions and multinational actors can build agile frameworks to anticipate macro-trends, adapt to geopolitical fractures and make high-stakes decisions when previously established frameworks of international relations are nowadays constantly shifting.

Key Focus Areas:

• The return of geopolitical risk
• The weaponization of interdependence
• Alliance dynamics & shifting alignments
• Technology as a geopolitical variable 
• Leadership in a time of fluid frameworks

Building Resilient Business in a Dynamic Global Economy

This theme explores how organizations, industries and economies can achieve sustainable growth and long-term resilience in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global environment. The focus of this theme is on interdisciplinary collaboration and brings together diverse business disciplines to promote solutions and examine strategies that guide economic prosperity, innovation, competitiveness and responsible use of natural, social and financial resources.

Key Focus Areas:

• Sustainable economic development 
• Entrepreneurial growth
• Financial innovation
• Contemporary marketing
• Strategic management
• Supply chain management
• Leadership and communication

The Digital Wildcard: Navigating AI and Technological Disruption

The breakthrough of AI and its integration to everyday life, from simple, repetitive tasks up to solving complex problems in a fraction of time compared to the past, is widely considered as one of the most disrupting events of the last century. This theme examines the dual-edged nature of rapid technological advancement, i.e., building resilience while acting as a source of future uncertainty. It focuses on how societies and businesses can safely integrate disruptive tech to solve complex problems while safeguarding against unforeseen ethical, economic, and operational consequences.

Key Focus Areas:

• Addressing the ethics of algorithmic decision-making
• Leveraging AI for predictive resilience
• Managing the rapid disruption of industries
• Dealing with uncertainty in the workplace
• Securing digital ecosystems against the unknown
• Training LLMs through linguistics

The Human Dimension: Biological, Psychological and Societal Perspectives 

Resilience ultimately depends on people. This holistic theme focuses on the human dimension of resilience, bringing together biological, psychological, and societal perspectives. It explores the effects of uncertainty on human behavior, mental health, social relationships and community cohesion. This theme examines how advances in biotechnology, behavioral and social sciences can enhance the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt and thrive. 

Key Focus Areas:

• Pandemic preparedness
• Βiotechnology breakthroughs 
• Community cohesion
• Behavioral shifts in an unpredictable era
• Mental health and well-being
• Resilience and post-traumatic growth
• Stress and coping
• Applied interventions 

IMPORTANT DATES 

Note: Presenters have to register for the Conference in order for the abstract to be accepted 

CONFERENCE FEES 

• Regular Registration Fee: 150€

• Student Registration Fee: 80€

Notes:

1. Conference fees are non-refundable

2. Each author may submit a maximum of two abstracts

3. At least one author has to register so that accepted articles will be included in the Conference E-book of Abstracts 

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION, REGISTRATION AND MEANS OF PAYMENT

Please use the button below to submit your abstract:and complete your registration and payment.

Registration Form

• An abstract of no more than 200 words should be included together with a maximum of 5 keywords (Times New Roman, size 12, single-spaced).
• Submission requires a Word or PDF document, in English, that includes presenting author and affiliation, and any co-authors and their affiliations. 
  
  

 ABSTRACT REVIEWS AND NOTIFICATION

• Following review by the scientific committee, presenting author(s) will receive a notification e-mail indicating whether their abstract has been selected for oral/poster presentation at the conference or not.
• A participant may not give more than two presentations (oral or poster presentations).

KEYNOTE SPEAKER(S)

TBA

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Chair: Dr. Sevasti Kessapidou 

Vice Chairs: Dr. Mary Kalamaki, Dr. Christos Aliprantis & Dr. Anastasia Chalkia 

Committee members: Dr. Maria Kyriakidou, Dr. Vaggelis Chatzistavros, Dr. Konstantinos Rotsios, Dr. Filio Chasioti & Dr. Christina Chatzidimitriou 

PANEL

TBA

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

The Scientific Committee consists of academics as well as professionals from various fields:

Christi Agapitou (University of Piraeus), Angelos Amanatiadis (DUTh), Andreas Anestis (Anatolia University), Alexandros Astaras (Anatolia University), Athanasios Exadaktylos, Dimitris Folinas (IHU), Chryse Hatzichristou (EKPA), Christina Chatzidimitriou (Anatolia University), Anastasia Chalkia (Anatolia University), Irene Katsama (DUTh), Pavlos Koktsidis (Anatolia University), Ioannis Krassas (Anatolia University), Maria Kyriakidou (Anatolia University), Konstantinos Moutsianas (University of Macedonia), Dimitris Tsarouchas (Virginia Tech) & Iosif Victoratos (Anatolia University)

CONFERENCE VENUE

The Conference will take place on the Anatolia American University-U.L.E. campus located in the northern outskirts of Thessaloniki, Greece. 

ACCOMODATION

Anatolia American University U.L.E. does not provide accomondation options during conference. To book your accomondation, please consider using targeted accomondation websites. 

TENTATIVE CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Friday, 19 March 2027

17:00 - Registration opens

18:00 - 18:30 Opening remarks and welcome

18:30 - 19:30 Keynote speaker

19:30 - 21:30 Poster session 1 & opening reception

Saturday, 20 March 2027

9:30 - Registration opens

10:00 - 12:00 Parallel symposia (oral presentations)

12:00 - 12:30 Coffee break 

12:30 - 13:30 Keynote speaker

13:30 - 14:30 Lunch

14:30 - 16:30 Parallel symposia (oral presentations)

16:30 - 17:00 Coffee break

17:00 - 18:30 Panel I "The Resilience Equation: Geopolitical Risk, Strategic Foresight, and the Future of Global Business" 

Sunday, 21 March 2027

 9:30 - Registration opens

10:00 - 12:00 Parallel symposia (oral presentations)

12:00 - 13:30 Coffee break and poster session 2

13:30 - 14:30 Lunch

14:30 - 16:30 Parallel symposia (oral presentations)

16:30 - 17:00 Coffee break

17:00 - 18:30 Panel II "The Human Algorithm: Balancing Technological Disruption with Psychological and Social Resilience"

 CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS 

All abstracts will be available online on the conference website.

COMMUNICATION DETAILS  

All communication should be sent electronically: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.