First Edition

World Industrialisation Congress

& Cambridge Industrialisation Annual Conference 2026

Industrialisation in the Digital Age

📅 21 August 2026
📍 Institute for Manufacturing
University of Cambridge
🎯 Where Research Meets Practice
Submit Abstract Register Now

Conference Overview

Connecting Top Scholars, Practitioners, and Policy Makers

The World Industrialisation Congress (WIC) & Cambridge Industrialisation Annual Conference (CIAC) is a premier platform connecting academic research and practical applications in the field of industrialisation. It serves as a global forum for dialogue between industrialisation research and practice.

Hosted by Cambridge Industrialisation and held at the University of Cambridge's Institute for Manufacturing, the conference brings together leading scholars, practitioners, and policy makers to explore the latest frontiers in industrialisation theory and practice.

2026 Conference Theme

The inaugural 2026 conference focuses on Industrialisation in the Digital Age, exploring how digital technologies are transforming global industrialisation pathways, business models, and policy frameworks.

Fully automated manufacturing line in cool blue light
Automated production line

Conference Features

  • 4 Parallel Thematic Sessions
  • Keynote Addresses from Leading Experts
  • Best Paper Awards & Certificates
  • 2026 Industrialisation Star Awards (for enterprises)
  • Optional: Industrialisation Training + Design Challenge
  • Networking Reception & Gala Dinner

Important Dates

June 2026

First Call Published

Conference announcement and call for abstracts

30 July 2026

Key Deadlines

  • Abstract submission deadline
  • Early-bird registration deadline
  • College accommodation booking & payment
August 2026

Abstract Acceptance Notification

Authors notified following review (date to be confirmed)

15 August 2026

Standard & Final Registration Deadline

21 August 2026

Conference Day

WIC 2026 at the Institute for Manufacturing

Registration & Fees

Secure your place at WIC 2026

Student

学生

Early Bird
£100
≈ ¥910 · until 30 Jul 2026
Standard
£130
31 Jul – 15 Aug 2026
Late / On-site
£160
on-site

Academic

学者

Early Bird
£180
≈ ¥1,630 · until 30 Jul 2026
Standard
£230
31 Jul – 15 Aug 2026
Late / On-site
£270
on-site

Corporate

企业

Early Bird
£2,000
≈ ¥18,200 · until 30 Jul 2026
Standard
£2,600
31 Jul – 15 Aug 2026
Late / On-site
£3,000
on-site

Optional Extras

Gala Dinner

Black tie / business formal · evening of 20 August

Early £50 (≈ ¥455) · Standard £60 · Late £70

Other (venue booking, sponsorship, etc.)

Tailored arrangements for partners and sponsors

Price on request

Registration includes access to all keynotes and parallel sessions, conference materials, and refreshments on the main conference day (21 August). Prices are in GBP; the ¥ figure is the official early-bird equivalent.

Select your registration type and payment method in the form below — your exact amount due and payment details appear as soon as you submit.

Register & Pay →

Call for Abstracts

Share Your Research on Industrialisation

We invite abstract submissions covering all aspects of industrialisation research and practice. Submissions should relate to one of our four thematic sessions.

Submission Requirements

  • Length: 300-500 words (English)
  • Format: Word or PDF
  • Include: Title, author(s), affiliation(s), contact email
  • Select: 1-2 preferred thematic sessions
⏰
Submission Deadline
30 July 2026

Presentation Format

Accepted abstracts will be presented in 15-20 minute sessions followed by 5 minutes Q&A.

Recognition

Outstanding papers will receive Best Paper Awards and certificates issued by Cambridge Industrialisation.

Submit Your Abstract

Thematic Sessions

01

Digital Technology & Smart Manufacturing

Organised by: Research Centre for Digital Economy, Tsinghua University

02

Industrial Agglomeration & Regional Development

Organised by: Institute of Urban Governance, Peking University

03

Emerging & Future Industries

Organised by University of Cambridge

04

Traditional Industry Upgrading

Organised by: University of Oxford

Submit Your Abstract

Complete the form below to submit your abstract for WIC 2026. You will receive a reply within a few days.

300–500 words. English only.
Preferred Session(s) — choose 1–2 *

Thank you

Your abstract has been submitted successfully.

We will review your submission after the 30 July 2026 deadline and notify you of the outcome.

Need help? Contact us at camindustrialisation@cambridgesu.co.uk

Conference Registration

Register your details below, then pay using the options in the Registration & Fees section. We'll confirm your place once payment is received.

Registration Type *
Registration Tier *
Gala Dinner *
Payment Method *

Registration received

Thank you. Complete the payment below to secure your place.

Amount due —

Questions about registration? Email camindustrialisation@cambridgesu.co.uk

Conference Programme

19–23 August 2026 · Institute for Manufacturing

The conference week runs 19–23 August 2026, with the main conference day on Friday 21 August at the Institute for Manufacturing, 17 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS.

Main Conference Day — 21 August 2026

09:00 – 09:30
Welcome Tea & CoffeeIfM Common Room
09:30 – 09:50
Welcome SpeechIfM Common Room
09:50 – 10:10
Keynote SpeechProfessor Yongjiang Shi · Conference Chair, Director Researcher at IfM
10:10 – 11:30
Guest Speeches — Conference Co-ChairsProf. Tiyan Shen (Peking University) & Prof. Yong Wang (Tsinghua University)
11:30 – 11:50
2026 Global Industrialisation Star — Award & Remarks
11:50 – 12:00
Signing of the Global Industrialisation Initiative
12:00 – 12:20
Group Photo
12:20 – 13:30
Lunch & Networking
13:30 – 17:00
Parallel Sessions — 4 Forums (tea break 15:00–15:20)1 Digital Industry — Tsinghua (Seminar Room 1) · 2 Traditional Industry — Oxford (Seminar Room 2) · 3 Emerging & Future Industries — Cambridge (Lecture Theatre 1) · 4 Industry & Region — PKU (Lecture Theatre 2)
17:00 – 17:30
Closing Remarks & AwardsBest Paper / Abstract & Outstanding Volunteer awards

Conference Week at a Glance

19 Aug
Internal working meeting & pre-conference exchange sessionsInternal welcome dinner in the evening
20 Aug
Conference registration (09:00–18:00) & preparatory meetingIfM, 17 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS · Gala Dinner in the evening (Black Tie / Business Formal)
21 Aug
Main Conference DayFull programme above
22–23 Aug
Post-conference follow-up meetingsPartners, forum hosts & participating institutions

Organising Committee

Chair

Professor Yongjiang Shi

Associate Professor, Director of Research, Institute for Manufacturing
Research Director, Centre of International Manufacturing
Chief Advisor, Cambridge Industrialisation
University of Cambridge

Co-Chairs

PhD Researcher Tingrui Zhang

Secretary-General, World Industrialisation Congress
President, Cambridge Industrialisation
Head of Industrialisation Research Group, IfM
University of Cambridge

Professor Tiyan Shen

Professor, School of Government
Dean, Institute of Urban Governance
Deputy Dean, Capital Development Institute
Peking University

Professor Yong Wang

Professor, School of Social Sciences
Director, Research Centre for Digital Economy
Dean, Tsinghua-BMW China Sustainable Development & Mobility Innovation Institute
Tsinghua University

[Additional Co-Chairs to be confirmed]

Secretariat

Dr Tingrui Zhang — Secretary-General

President, Cambridge Industrialisation (overall lead)

Dr Wentao Zhang — Deputy Secretary-General

Cambridge & IfM internal / faculty–student coordinator
Vice President, Cambridge Industrialisation

Mingqian Zhou — Deputy Secretary-General

External relations & communications coordinator
Vice President, Cambridge Industrialisation

Dr Yuhan Zheng — Deputy Secretary-General

International forum coordinator
IEEE Young Professional Climate & Sustainability Subcommittee Chair

Dr Shunru Chen — Deputy Secretary-General

China-side coordinator
Postdoctoral Researcher, Jinan University

Forum coordinators for Peking University, Tsinghua, Cambridge and Oxford to be confirmed.

Aerial view of a container port at golden hour

Volunteer Opportunities

We invite enthusiastic volunteers to help organise WIC 2026.

Volunteer Benefits

  • Free conference registration
  • Organising experience of international conference
  • Volunteer certificate
  • Networking opportunities with distinguished guests
  • Behind-the-scenes conference experience

Requirements

  • Pre jobs and Full-day availability (21 August 2026, 08:00-22:00)
  • Good English communication skills
  • Enthusiasm and professionalism

Applications open: May 2026

Limited spaces - first come, first served

🙋

Interested in Volunteering?

Applications will open in May 2026. Check back soon!

Express Interest