Inviting the S/spirit into Leadership

In a world marked by leadership fatigue, fragmented authority, and organizational disillusionment, this conference asks a vital question: How can we invite the S/spirit into our leadership?

We understand “spirit” both theologically—as the Holy Spirit—and, from a social-scientific perspective, as the “good or bad” spirit that shapes a team, group, or organization. We invite scholars, practitioners, and spiritual communities to examine how the S/spirit animates leadership practices, shapes collective purpose, and enables moral as well as organizational transformation.

Building on the 2024 conference, which featured around thirty contributions on the theme “What is the S/spirit of our leadership?”, this year’s gathering turns toward practices. The proceedings of the 2024 conference will be published in early 2026 (see reference list below).

Moving beyond technocratic tools and performative models, we particularly welcome contributions that focus on practices—lived, embodied, reflective, and transformational engagements with the S/spirit in leadership.

For submission guidelines and deadlines, please see the Call for Papers.

The ICTL 2026 conference uses a double-blind review process to ensure fair and impartial evaluation of all submissions.

General Chairs 

Jack Barentsen, ETF Leuven, Belgium

Patrick Renz, University of Lucerne, Switzerland

Program Committee Chairs

Christian Preidel, University of Lucerne, Switzerland (Founding Chair) 

Patrick Renz, University of Lucerne, Switzerland (Founding Chair) 

Steven van den Heuvel, ETF Leuven, Belgium  (Founding Chair) 

Jack Barentsen, ETF Leuven, Belgium (Founding Chair) 

Cees Tulp, ETF Leuven, Belgium

Denis Imhof, University of Lucerne, Switzerland

Organization Committee

Cornelia Seglias, University of Lucerne, Switzerland 

Leandra Vogt, University of Lucerne, Switzerland 

Review Committee

Will be updated soon.