Delegation of HSE Graduate School of Business Participated in 12th International Research Conference on Responsible Management Education RMERC 2025 at University of Belgrade
A delegation from the HSE Graduate School of Business took part in the 12th international "Responsible Management Education Research Conference" (RMERC 2025), held from October 21 to 23 in the Serbian capital by the Faculty of Organizational Sciences at the University of Belgrade and the PRME Working Group on Poverty. RMERC is one of the world's leading platforms for discussing current practices in developing responsible business education, facilitating dialogue among scholars on cutting-edge research results, and implementing new educational approaches.
This year's theme for RMERC 2025 was "Rethinking Growth and Exploring New Possibilities for a Regenerative World." The lineup of plenary session participants was truly impressive, including prominent researchers from 38 countries working at the intersection of business, science, and systemic transformation. Among them were management "guru" Ichak Adizes, Columbia University professor Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, and the founder of the International Management Teachers Academy (IMTA) and co-chair of the RMERC 2025 organizing committee, Milenko Gudic. The conference program included 127 peer-reviewed papers across 24 thematic areas focused on research into regenerative solutions in management, education, finance, entrepreneurship, technology, and leadership.
The HSE Graduate School of Business delegation included: Ivan Prostakov, Deputy Director of the HSE Graduate School of Business and Professor at the Department of Strategic and International Management; Ekaterina Ivanova, Associate Professor at the Department of Strategic and International Management; and Mikhail Akim, Professor at the Department of Operations Management and Logistics.
Representatives of the business school presented 5 papers based on research results on current issues of the sustainable development agenda. The paper "Rising Digital Inequalities in the 'Slowbalization' Context as the Catalyst for Rethinking Approaches to the Global Economic Order and Responsible Management" was presented by HSE Graduate School of Business Professor Ivan Prostakov. The study "Spiritual Practices in Sustainable Food Consumption" was jointly presented by HSE Graduate School of Business Professor Mikhail Akim and Associate Professor Ekaterina Ivanova. Associate Professor Ekaterina Ivanova, together with AlmaU Senior Lecturer Aurora Diaz Soloaga, presented papers on "Development of Regenerative Winemaking Practices in Europe" and "ESG Dashboards as Tools for Glocal Sustainability Management." Professor Evgeny Schwartz from the HSE Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technologies and HSE Graduate School of Business Professor Mikhail Akim jointly presented a paper "Market-Driven Environmental Accountability as a Bridge to Regenerative Business: Integrating Scope 3 Emissions and Advancing Responsible Management Education."
Alumni of HSE Graduate School of Business master's programs contributed in the research preparation: Anna Fedenko ("Sustainable Business Management," 2024), Sofia Ivanova ("Sustainable Business Management," 2025), Arina Simonova ("International Management," 2025), Alexandra Volkova ("International Management," 2025), Alexander Vorobyev ("Marketing: Digital Technologies and Marketing Communications," 2025), as well as leading international experts: Flavio Pinheiro Martins, University of São Paulo, and Yury Blagov, St. Petersburg State University.
One of the notable events of RMERC 2025 was a cross panel discussion: a dialogue between PRME working groups and chapters, demonstrating joint initiatives, sharing experiences, and potential for future collaboration in strengthening the global PRME community. Ekaterina Ivanova, representing the Steering Committee of the PRME Chapter Eurasia and the PRME Working Group on Sustainability Mindset, participated in this discussion.
Prior to the official opening of RMERC 2025, Ekaterina Ivanova and Aurora Diaz Soloaga, members of the PRME Chapter Eurasia Steering Committee, conducted the 7th master class on the Impact Five (i5) system: "Innovative Pedagogy for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" for a group of 25 conference participants, focusing on innovative pedagogical approaches in preparing responsible leaders. This workshop generated significant interest among the international audience of RMERC 2025 and laid a solid foundation for expanding students' capabilities in addressing global challenges.
The participation of representatives from all levels of HSE Graduate School of Business - from the management team and faculty to alumni - emphasizes not only the leadership position of Russian business education in the PRME Chapter Eurasia, but also the significance of RMERC 2025 as a global inclusive platform for responsible management education.
Our delegation's contribution to the 12th International RMERC 2025 Conference in Belgrade highlights the leading position of the HSE Graduate School of Business in the PRME Eurasia community and our commitment to developing responsible business education. The presentations by our faculty and alumni on current sustainable development issues demonstrated the high level of research at GSB and its key role in finding new approaches to management education. Participation in interactive panel discussions and workshops at the conference opened up new opportunities for us to strengthen global connections and exchange best practices, which is crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of Russian business education.
Participating in the prestigious international RMERC 2025 conference in Belgrade was an important opportunity for me to present research results on current sustainable development issues, as well as to exchange ideas and experiences with leading scholars and practitioners in the field of responsible management education. I am grateful to the RMERC 2025 organizing team for one of the most memorable conferences I have had the fortune to attend, and I appreciate all my colleagues from the PRME Chapter Eurasia for their support in implementing our flagship educational and research initiatives. This event not only broadened perspectives and demonstrated GSB's contribution to the global PRME community but also laid the foundation for further collaboration and joint projects in promoting responsible business education.
At the RMERC conference in Belgrade, Professor Evgeny Shvarts from HSE and I presented a new concept of 'logistical poverty' as a structural barrier to regenerative business models. Using examples from the timber industry and bioenergy, we showed how ignoring Scope 3 emissions in supply chains leads to economic collapse and environmental damage. We particularly emphasized the need to transform business education to prepare leaders capable of managing complex value chains in the context of a regenerative economy. Also, Associate Professor Ekaterina Ivanova and I presented a study demonstrating how the practice of Orthodox fasting can significantly reduce carbon and water footprints, offering a unique model of sustainable consumption.
