Cornell Keynotes

As the Trump administration rewrites U.S. trade policy and 2025 European Union rules banning goods made with forced labor go into effect, many questions about trade’s global impact have arisen. Some of what we buy worldwide is produced by an estimated 28 workers in forced-labor situations. New government leaders in Washington and Brussels will influence how forced labor is uncovered as well as how regulations to control it are developed, enforced, or even reversed. Join Jason Judd of the Global Labor Institute (GLI) at Cornell’s ILR School and two global labor governance experts, Samira Rafaela and Kelly Fay Rodríguez, as they discuss different approaches being taken by the U.S. and European countries and how those differences could unfold for individuals, companies, and consumers. Follow eCornell [https://ecornell.cornell.edu/] on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ecornell/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ecornell_online/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecornell], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ecornell], and X [https://twitter.com/ecornell_online].

The European Commission launched its AI Continent Action Plan, signaling a commitment to a more proactive role in the global AI ecosystem. Join Cornell’s Lutz Finger and Lucilla Sioli, Director of the European Commission’s AI Office, as they explore the EU’s bold and optimistic vision of becoming the “AI Continent.” From cutting-edge AI factories and gigafactories to trusted data spaces and talent development, this Keynote highlights how Europe is building a uniquely powerful AI ecosystem rooted in collaboration, excellence, and democratic values. Follow eCornell [https://ecornell.cornell.edu/] on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ecornell/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ecornell_online/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecornell], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ecornell], and X [https://twitter.com/ecornell_online].

Join Devon Proudfoot from Cornell’s ILR School as we discuss her groundbreaking research on this "diversity heuristic" — a lay belief that demographic diversity enhances creativity — and its profound implications for organizations, team dynamics, and the evaluation of creative work. Drawing on findings from studies involving over 5,500 participants, the discussion will cover key insights, including: * Observers consistently perceive demographically diverse teams (in terms of race and gender) as more creative than homogeneous ones. * Products attributed to diverse teams are judged as more creative, even if they may be identical to those of homogeneous teams. * Manipulating perceptions of cognitive diversity can shift judgments of team creativity. * There is evidence of a relationship between the proportion of racial minorities or women in a group and judgments of creativity. This webinar is ideal for organizational leaders, HR professionals, diversity and inclusion advocates, creativity researchers, and anyone interested in understanding how beliefs about diversity shape workplace outcomes. What You'll Learn: * The ways in which psychological mechanisms can drive the association between diversity and creativity * How the diversity heuristic influences real-world judgments, including in competitive organizational settings * Actionable strategies to align team composition with creativity assessments in professional contexts Follow eCornell [https://ecornell.cornell.edu/] on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ecornell/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ecornell_online/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecornell], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ecornell], and X [https://twitter.com/ecornell_online].

The success of high-performing teams hinges on trust and transparency, yet many organizations struggle to foster open, honest communication. How can teams overcome these barriers and create a culture where the truth thrives? Join Robert Newman, Senior Lecturer and Executive Director of the Master in Engineering Management Program, as he explores actionable strategies for integrating truth telling into your team’s culture. This session will cover key insights on building psychological safety, overcoming barriers to honesty, and using proven frameworks like radical candor and nonviolent communication to foster collaboration and accountability. Discover how embracing the truth can drive innovation, strengthen relationships, and create resilient, high-functioning teams. Why telling the truth matters: How honesty builds trust, boosts collaboration, and enhances team performance * Common barriers to truth telling: Understanding fears, biases, and organizational obstacles that can hinder open communication * Psychological safety and engagement: How creating a safe space for honesty improves team dynamics and aligns with Gallup’s G12 performance factors * Proven truth-telling techniques: Practical frameworks like radical candor, nonviolent communication, and the truth-telling spectrum * How to deliver truth without harm: Strategies for balancing honesty with empathy to strengthen relationships and avoid conflict * The link between honesty and accountability: How transparency drives measurable success, improves engagement, and leads to higher team and company performance Follow eCornell [https://ecornell.cornell.edu/] on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ecornell/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ecornell_online/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecornell], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ecornell], and X [https://twitter.com/ecornell_online].

eCornell has joined forces with our longstanding enterprise partners at AT&T to explore together what truly drives team performance.  We’re joined by AT&T’s Katie Keser, Assistant Vice President, Technology, with Unified Front Door who, among other things, will bring insights on leadership and emotional intelligence from her perspective at AT&T.  And on the Cornell side, we’ve got Professor of Management Robert Bloomfield from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, who, as a longtime friend and Keynote guest, has always offered unique perspectives on organizational systems and accountability. We’re going to examine both the human and structural elements that make teams successful, and our guests will likely challenge some common assumptions you may have about how teams actually work. Follow eCornell [https://ecornell.cornell.edu/] on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ecornell/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ecornell_online/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecornell], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ecornell], and X [https://twitter.com/ecornell_online].