Work-Family in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. The Importance of Nurturing Relationships
Conference · Barcelona June 30 - July 1, 2025
11th International Conference of Work and Family
Over the past few years, we have navigated waves of transformative changes: flexible schedules, remote working, and hybrid models. Just as we began to master these shifts, artificial intelligence emerged, disrupting established norms once again. How do we approach this new landscape? One thing remains constant: the importance of relationships, both at work and in social life – including family.
Hybrid and remote work have brought both opportunities and challenges in maintaining a healthy work-family balance. While employees have experienced greater flexibility, allowing more time for family and personal pursuits, the lack of clear boundaries has led to difficulties in disconnecting from work, increased stress, and potential burnout. At the same time, such remote connections do not allow for face-to-face relationships that tend to be stronger and more personalized.
Artificial intelligence plays a dual role in this scenario. On one hand, AI-driven tools facilitate better time management, automate routine tasks, and enable more efficient remote work. These advancements can support work-family balance by freeing up time for personal and family activities. On the other hand, AI can introduce new challenges by increasing expectations for productivity and availability. The ability of AI to analyze vast amounts of data quickly may lead to higher workloads and pressure to perform, complicating the balance between professional and personal lives.
We also witness a global shift toward more individualistic and aging societies, making relationships more critical than ever. The support of family, friends, and colleagues is vital in managing the demands of this rapidly changing environment. Strong relationships provide the emotional and practical support needed to balance work and family responsibilities effectively. Additionally, engaging in activities we enjoy, and prioritizing leisure is crucial for personal well-being. Pursuing hobbies, spending time with loved ones, and taking breaks to recharge are essential components of a balanced life. These activities not only help reducing stress but also contribute to personal flourishing.
At the International Center for Work and Family, we have been exploring these dynamics for years. Our research underscores the benefits of work-family balance for individuals, organizations, and society. At the upcoming 11th bi-annual International Conference of Work & Family, we aim to foster discussions on best practices for maintaining work-family balance in this new era. By sharing experiences and insights, we can develop strategies that enhance both professional productivity and personal fulfillment.
Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of work and family, emphasizing the importance of achieving an integrated and fulfilled life.
Conference topics.
Call for papers: Submission guidelines.
If you are interested in participating, please submit a 800-word paper proposal by March 15, 2025, following the instructions below. We will notify authors of acceptance by April 1, 2025. Participants in the conference who have papers accepted should submit full papers by May 15, 2025. We especially encourage theoretical and innovative empirical papers, ethnographies, lab studies, as well as quantitative and qualitative analyses.
Please follow these guidelines for your proposal submission. Proposals that are not prepared according to these instructions will NOT be reviewed.
- The proposal must be in ONE document.
- The maximum length of the proposal is 800 words.
- Use Times New Roman 12-pitch font, double spaced, 1-inch (2.5 cm) margin all around and number all of the pages.
- Check that the proposal prints correctly (i.e., all imported figures and tables appear), and ensure that the file is virus-free.
- Submit your proposal through this online form.
- After submitting your proposal you will receive a confirmation email. If you have any problem with this upload form, contact us at conferences@iese.edu or try to resubmit after a few minutes.
- NO changes in the paper title, abstract, authorship, and actual paper will be accepted AFTER each submission deadline.
Please follow these guidelines for your full paper submission. Papers that are not prepared according to these instructions will NOT be reviewed.
- The entire paper (title page, main text, figures, tables, references, etc.) must be in ONE document.
- The maximum length of papers is 8000 words.
- Use Times New Roman 12-pitch font, double spaced, 1-inch (2.5 cm) margin all around and number all of the pages of the paper.
- Check that the paper prints correctly (i.e., all imported figures and tables appear), and ensure that the file is virus-free.
- When your proposal was accepted, you will have received an email with a link where you will upload your full paper. If you have any problems with this upload form, please contact us at conferences@iese.edu or try to resubmit after a few minutes.
- NO changes in the paper title, abstract, authorship, and actual paper will be accepted AFTER each submission deadline.
Submission deadlines.
March 15, 2025
Submit a 800-word paper proposal
April 1, 2025
Notification of acceptance
May 15, 2025
Submission deadline for accepted papers
Agenda.
8:30 ‐ 9:00 a.m. Registration and Welcome Coffee
9:00 ‐ 9:15 a.m. Welcome Addresses and Introduction, prof. Mireia las Heras
9:15 - 10:00 a.m. TBC
10:00 ‐ 11:45 a.m. Track Sessions I
12:00 ‐ 1:00 p.m. Authors meet readers
1:00 ‐ 2:00 p.m. Lunch (North Campus Dining Room)
2:15 ‐ 3:15 p.m. Plenary Session I
3:20 ‐ 4:20 p.m. Plenary Session II
9:30 - 11:00 p.m. Track Sessions II
11:15 a.m. ‐ 12:45 p.m. Track Session III
1:00 ‐ 2:00 p.m. Lunch (North Campus Dining Room)
2:15 ‐ 3:15 p.m. Plenary Session III
3:20 ‐ 4:20 p.m. Plenary Session IV
7:30 ‐ 10:30 p.m. Conference Dinner
More speakers to be confirmed.
You can see the speakers from the most recent editions of the conference here: 8th edition, 9th edition, 10th edition.
Stay for a back-to-back conference on Women in Leadership
Join us for our International Conference of Women and Leadership Conference, which begins on July 1 immediately after the International Conference of Work and Family.
Chair of the conference.
Chair of the conference.
Registration fees.
The 11th International Conference of Work and Family will be held in-person in Barcelona. Special fees are available for academics and students that attend both the Conference of Work and Family (June 30 - July 1) as well as the Conference of Women and Leadership (July 1-2).
| Early Bird: Until May 15 (one conference) | Early Bird: Until May 15 (both conferences) | Regular Fee: May 16 to June 15 (one conference) | Regular Fee: May 16 to June 15 (both conferences) | Late fee: June 16 to July 4 (one conference) | Late fee: June 16 to July 4 (both conferences) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academics | €470 | €550 | €620 | €700 | €800 | €900 |
| Students | €270 | €300 | €420 | €450 | €500 | €600 |
Accommodation.
IESE is a dynamic community of scholars and practitioners who will welcome you to Barcelona, a traditional and welcoming Mediterranean city. It is a city with a great number of tourist attractions and a friendly atmosphere that will offer conference participants and their families plenty of opportunities to enjoy their stay here, over and above the academic program we are preparing for you.
We look forward to welcoming you to IESE in Barcelona!
