Symposium

Connecting our CIPS accredited students, thinkers and future leaders across the globe

So, what is the CIPS Symposium?

Our Symposium is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to put yourself in the mix amongst bright minds and supportive professionals from across over 100 accredited programmes.

Not only will you be sharing thoughts and discussing challenges procurement and supply professionals face today, but you'll also have the opportunity to present your research through one of our two competitions.

Who knows, your research may just end up in your university library for future students in years to come.

2023 registrations now open

Whether your research is on sustainability, contract management or supply chain challenges, this is an opportunity to share your ideas and thoughts with people who are equally enthusiastic about the topic.

Not only will you be sharing your knowledge amongst fellow students and programme leaders, but this is your chance to get noticed by some of the leading procurement professionals amongst a range of industries. 

If you’re coming to the end of your accredited programme and eager to find your next career opportunity, then our Symposium will give you the kickstart and support you need. 

Register your interest to attend, support or to enter a competition.  

Please read our guidelines before entering

Latest news and insights

Our Symposium is a platform to share news, insights and the latest thinking from across the world.

We’ll have speakers from CIPS and thought-provoking leaders from the world of procurement and supply who are ready to address and engage all attendees.  

Collaborate with your peers

Present your research ideas for questions, input and interrogation by our supportive global network.

You’ll also help to inspire the next steps for others by highlighting your learning process and how to carry your work forward.  

Get ahead in your future career

Thinking about where to start your career after your studies? Hear directly from our professional panel and CPOs on the skills and experience needed to progress.

Who knows, you may just find yourself networking your way up the career ladder. 

Unleash your competitive side

Up for a challenge? Stand out from the crowd and amongst your peers and enter our 3-minute thesis.

Showcase all the hard work you’ve been doing and put your skills on a pedestal to grab the attention of procurement leaders.

2022 Student Research Winners

  • Nikeesha A Tomlinson, University of Lincoln - Weaknesses in the NHS’s Supply Chain and Recommendations on How Best to Improve Resilience in the Face of Diseases
  • Jorge Pastor Diaz, University of Lincoln - Stakeholder Coordination in Humanitarian Logistics: Industry 4.0 to the Rescue
  • Azibaolanari Okungbowa, Robert Gordon University - The Mystery of the Black Soot! How does Big Data analytics help to lower scope 3 emissions?
  • Pischanath Ariyapolkanoksin, Sheffield University - The Impact on Customer’s Daily Life of Last-Mile Drone Delivery Service
  • Arif Hasan, University of Strathclyde - Blockchain Implementation
  • Joseph Kumirayi, Leeds Beckett University - The Impact of COVID-19 on the Procurement of Enterprise Systems
 

2022 3MT Video Finalists 

Alastair McDonald
An Investigation into the Challenges of Sustainable Procurement
Trisa Jain
Distribution Challenges in Expeditionary Logistics
Dafydd Davies
Small and Medium Enterprises' Experience of Procurement Social Value

At our Symposium, you can:

ATTEND THE EVENT
GIVE A 10 MINUTE PITCH
SHARE YOUR 3 MINUTE THESIS

Get selected to give a presentation

Be recognised as one of our top global graduates of 2023

GIVE A 10 MINUTE PITCH

10 minute research pitches

Enhance your research project profile and pitch your findings to an audience of supportive and inquisitive minds.
 

How does it work?

We’ll select students to discuss their findings through a 10-minute presentation, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session.

All presentations will be recorded and shared on our website and selected candidate will even be profiled in the Supply Management magazine.

This is your chance to really get noticed and see your name in print which is read by procurement and supply professionals across the world.

What topic can I present? 

Any topic! From sustainability, supply chain resilience, logistics, innovation and many more, so long as it’s related to procurement and supply chain management.
SHARE YOUR 3 MINUTE THESIS

3 minute thesis

The 3-minute thesis is a chance for you to consolidate your ideas and research discoveries, all in a compelling and engaging three-minute presentation. 

Why should I enter?

The 3MT isn’t just a competition. Soft skills are sought after in the procurement and supply profession and the 3MT is a chance for you to put your soft skills to work and to stand in the limelight.

The top five 3MT entries will not only feature on our YouTube channel where we have over 10,000 subscribers, but presentations will be recorded and shared on our website and be profiled online on the Supply Management website.

What topic can I present? 

Any topic! From sustainability, supply chain resilience, logistics, innovation and many more, so long as it’s related to procurement and supply chain management.

Register early by clicking the button below

Competition timeline

GIVE A 10 MINUTE PITCH
 

31 July

All entrants must submit initial 3 slides by this deadline

28 August

Judging process and shortlist deadline

29 September

Selected students final slides

12 October

Finalists present at Symposium
SHARE YOUR 3 MINUTE THESIS
 

5 September

All entrants Submit 3MT videos by this deadline

25 September

Judging process and finalists shortlist deadline

30 September

“People’s Choice” voting open

12 October

Winner announced at Symposium

Watch the recordings for our 2022 Symposium

If you want to watch the recordings for the CIPS Symposium held in 2022, register below to gain access the to event lobby. All students on our accredited programmes, academic leaders and professional practitioners are welcome use the button below.