Keynote speakers
Kristján Kristjánsson, PhD.
Professor of Character Education and Virtue Ethics at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham (UK). A leading international scholar in Aristotelian character education, his work integrates philosophy, psychology, and contemporary educational practice. He is editor of the Journal of Moral Education and has contributed extensively to research, policy, and practice in character education worldwide.
Mary Crossan, PhD.
Professor of strategy at the Ivey Business School, Western University (Canada). Recognized for her work in organizational and character-based leadership development. Ranked among the top 2% most cited scholars in her field. Co-founder of Leader Character Associates and the Virtuosity App and, co-author of the books Developing Leadership Character and The Character Compass: Transforming Leadership for the 21st Century.
Toby Newstead, PhD.
Professor at the University of Tasmania (Australia), expert in virtue-based leadership. She has worked with organizations and leadership programs, applying her research to organizational development and cultural change. Her work, published in leading journals in the field, focuses on translating character theory into practical leadership applications organizations and educational settings.
Jorge López, PhD.
Dean of the Faculty of Psychology and Education at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (Spain). Head Researcher of the Stable Research Group on Leadership within the Regnum Christi International Universities Network, expert in leadership education and human development. His work focuses on comprehensive education, educational mentoring and, purpose-driven leadership with impact in both research and higher education.
Program
Thursday, December 3, 2026
08:00
08:50
Registration
09:00
09:30
Welcome and opening ceremony
09:30
10:45
Keynote Lecture, Toby Newstead PhD.
The Virtue of humanity
11:00
13:00
Paper sessions
13:00
14:00
Networking session
14:00
15:30
Lunch
15:30
17:00
Paper sessions
17:15
18:00
Keynote Lecture Jorge López, PhD.
Leadership and character education
in the RIU: findings and future directions
Friday, December 4, 2026
09:30
10:45
Keynote Lecture Mary Crossan, PhD.
Rethinking character education as the development
of habits that endure across contexts
11:00
13:00
Paper sessions
13:00
14:00
Keynote Lecture Kristján Kristjánsoon, PhD.
The flourishing trend in education since 2020
and the role of leaders
14:00
14:45
Conclusions and future directions
14:45
15:00