Academic Leaders Impact Summit
An Invitation-Only Thought Leadership Event
Wednesday, November 4th
About the Event
The Academic Leaders Impact Summit is an invitation-only gathering for Interfolio users and academic leaders hosted alongside the Elsevier Impact Conference (EIC) in Madrid.
This is a dedicated day of facilitated peer discussion, expert-led conversation, and strategic insight-sharing. It is designed for academic professionals navigating the challenges of faculty management and wellbeing, research administration, and institutional growth.
In a world where academic institutions are under increasing pressure to demonstrate impact, build trust in their data, and adapt to rapid technological change, the Academic Leaders Impact Summit creates a rare space: a room of peers navigating similar challenges, experts who can contextualize them, and a structured conversation designed to produce insights you can act on.
Attendance is by invitation only and limited to ensure the quality of discussion. All registered attendees have access to the full conference on 5 November at the EIC Madrid conference, as well as an invitation to the conference reception on 4 November at the RIU Plaza España rooftop terrace overlooking Madrid.
What You Will Gain
Peer insights you cannot get anywhere else
The Academic Leaders Impact Summit brings together a carefully curated group of academic leaders, with registrants joining from Spain and Portugal, Germany, Italy, France, Qatar and the UAE. The conversations that happen in this room do not happen in webinars or product demos.
Practical frameworks for real institutional challenges
Sessions are structured around topics such as building trust in data security and research systems, the impact of AI on faculty wellbeing and academic workflows, and demonstrating institutional research impact in a meaningful way. You will leave with approaches, frameworks, and ideas that are directly applicable to your work.
A platform to contribute, not just consume
This is a workshop-style event. You will be invited to participate in discussions, share your institution’s experience, and help shape the conversation. Your voice is part of what makes this event valuable for everyone in the room.
A post-event insight readout
Every attendee will receive a curated post-event summary capturing the key themes, perspectives, and takeaways from the day’s discussions. The readout is yours to share— with your leadership team, your board, or your colleagues who could not attend.
Event Theme: Securing Foundations by Building Connected, Trustworthy Systems
Academic institutions are at an inflection point. The systems that support faculty, research administration, and institutional strategy are being asked to do more — with greater transparency, greater reliability, and greater accountability than ever before. This theme anchors the day's discussions in the practical and strategic realities facing academic leaders in 2026 and beyond.
Agenda
Location: Chamberí, unless otherwise noted
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
REGISTRATION
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
EIC Madrid Opening Keynote, Welcome and Plenary Sessions
This session takes place in Madrid 1-2 as part of the Elsevier Impact Conference agenda.
10:30 AM - 10:50 AM
BREAK
10:50 AM - 11:05 AM
Kickoff Academic Leaders Impact Summit
With introductions, agenda overview, and what to expect from the day.
11:05 AM - 11:40 AM
Data infrastructure risks and security
This session, led by an academic leader from Europe, will speak to the role of data in connected, trustworthy research infrastructure.
11:40 AM - 12:00 PM
Integrating faculty and research management systems
Helen deMooij, Senior Solution Engineer, Elsevier
Alberto Zigoni, Senior Director, Technical Services, Elsevier
This discussion will look at how integrating faculty and research management systems can create a trusted institutional data network that improves efficiency and data quality.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Fireside Chat
Speakers from the Middle East will be joining us for a fireside chat about how their institution is working through promotion and tenure challenges while gaining the trust of their academic faculty.
12:30 PM - 1:35 PM
Networking Lunch
Continue conversations, exchange ideas, and connect with peers.
1:35 PM - 2:20 PM
The effects of AI on faculty wellbeing
Dr. Gábor Kismihók, Head of Lab Learning and Skill Analytics, TIB Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology,
Patrick Crisfulla, VP Interfolio & Pure, Elsevier and Co-Chair of the Interfolio Steering Committee
This session will speak to the effects of AI on faculty wellbeing. Patrick Crisfulla will share sentiments from academic leaders around AI use in institutional processes, while Dr. Kismihók will discuss his research on how hybrid human-AI approaches can support mental health and career management in academia.
2:20 PM - 3:05 PM
Battle of the Data Towers: Overcoming Legacy Inertia and Designing for Adaptability
Gilla Camden, Faculty Affairs Specialist, University of Doha for Science and Technology
Data silos, fragmented administrative systems, and manual processes can undermine even the best-planned technology implementations. Through the University of Doha for Science and Technology's Interfolio rollout, this session examines strategies for aligning disparate data sources, supporting institutional change, and building a scalable foundations. Learn how UDST tackled data integration challenges, addressed user adoption, and built a flexible data foundation to support institutional reporting
3:05 PM - 3:15 PM
Closing & Next Steps
Helen de Mooij, Senior Solution Engineer, Elsevier
Wrap up of the day’s key themes, information on the post-event readout, and how to stay connected with the community.
3:15 PM - 3:35 PM
BREAK
3:35 PM - 5:00 PM
Building Effective Collaborations Across Diverse Teams to Drive AI Transformation
Zsofia Buttel, Senior Product Manager at Elsevier
This interactive workshop introduces a socio-technical perspective on AI transformation in higher education. Drawing on real-world examples and lessons learned from digital transformation initiatives, participants will explore recurring patterns, tensions, and stakeholder dynamics that shape how AI adoption unfolds in practice.
This session takes place in Madrid 1-2 as part of the Elsevier Impact Conference agenda.
5:45 PM - 7:45 PM
EIC Madrid Evening Reception
Location: RIU Plaza España Rooftop
Continue the conversation after the day’s sessions at our rooftop reception overlooking Madrid. Connect with peers, speakers, and Elsevier colleagues while enjoying light refreshments and panoramic views of the city.
Offered during the event
Office Hours with Navid Bazari, VP, Head of Product for Interfolio at Elsevier will offer time dedicated to speak with you about Interfolio and your institution.
Register Your Interest
Spaces are limited. If you have received an invitation, please register using the link provided by the team to secure your place. If you are interested in joining the event, please email: impactconf@elsevier.com