ICTL 2026
Inviting the S/spirit into Leadership
The conference explores how the S/spirit shapes leadership in times of fatigue and organizational change. Building on the 2024 conference, the 2026 gathering focuses on practices—lived, embodied, and transformational.
It will take place from 17 to 19 June 2026 at the University of Lucerne, bringing together experts, leaders, and interested parties from theology, church, and society.
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.
Further information about the topic, programme and registration will be published soon.
This website will be updated continuously. Please check periodically.
Accomodation
The city of Lucerne offers a beautiful conference venue, located directly at the clear blue waters of Lake Lucerne, embedded in the scenic surroundings of the Swiss alps. We kindly advise conference participants to book a hotel room early. The following hotels have offered rooms and rates (as long as stock lasts) for conference participants. With your registration confirmation you will receive discounts at the hotels listed below.
Hotel Alpha (www.hotelalpha.ch), Hotel Continental Park (www.continental.ch), Hotel Waldstätterhof (www.hotel-waldstaetterhof.ch), Hotel Wilden Mann (www.wilden-mann.ch), Hotel Cascada (www.cascada.ch).
The complete list of hotels can be downloaded here: Hotellist
Other hotels of various categories and more information regarding your stay can be found on the official website of the city of Lucerne (www.luzern.com).
Getting here
We encourage our visitors to use the train for getting here if they live less than 1000 km away. Find your travel options on the SBB online schedule for example.
For participants traveling farther and via plane, there are three options for getting to us:
via BSL EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg
Hourly travel options to Lucerne
90 minutes from Basel airport to Lucerne. (First 20 minutes by bus to Basel SBB railway station and from there approx. 1 hour by train)
One-way costs: approx. 40 Swiss francs (Euro)
via ZHR Zurich Airport
Half-hourly travel options to Lucerne
75 minutes from Zurich Airport to Lucerne (one change)
One-way costs: approx. 32 Swiss francs (Euro)
via GVA Geneva Airport
Hourly travel options to Lucerne
180 minutes from Geneva Airport to Lucerne (no change of trains possible).
One-way costs: approx. 88 Swiss francs (Euro)
