Global Innovation Scholars Lab

The Institute for Innovation and Economic Development (iiED) at Cal State Monterey Bay introduces the Global Innovation Scholars Lab, an international initiative designed to:

Attract distinguished academic talent from around the world
Enhance collaborative research in the fields of business, social science, and technology
Strengthen CSUMB’s presence in global academic networks

The Global Innovation Scholars Lab supports meaningful scholarly activities that contribute to CSUMB’s research excellence and global engagement efforts, bringing together faculty, researchers, and thought leaders from around the world.

Program Objectives

The Global Innovation Scholars Lab aims to:

Recruit up to 10 international visiting scholars per semester
Facilitate collaborative research between CSUMB faculty and international scholars
Support CSUMB’s globalization strategy and institutional research goals
Deepen relationships with international partner institutions
Enrich the cultural and academic life of the CSUMB community

Visiting Scholars Program

Faculty Research Matching

Each scholar will be paired with CSUMB faculty members based on shared research interests. This ensures purposeful collaboration and encourages high-quality scholarly output across disciplines.

J-1 Visa Sponsorship

The program supports international participation through J-1 visa sponsorship, provided in partnership with the CSUMB International Programs Office. Scholars will receive the necessary documentation and support throughout their stay.

Housing and Campus Integration

CSUMB will assist scholars in securing on-campus or off-campus housing and provide guidance to ensure a smooth transition to campus and community life.

Public Contribution

International scholars are encouraged to engage with the broader CSUMB community through:

Guest lectures
Student mentorship
Faculty development seminars
Co-hosted workshops

Each scholar will also be expected to deliver one or more research presentations per semester, contributing publicly to CSUMB’s academic dialogue and campus-wide learning.

Signature Events & Conferences

International Responsible Business and Social Impact (IRBSI) Symposium

The IRBSI Symposium is an annual international forum co-hosted by the iiED, the College of Business at CSUMB, and the Sinyi Research Center for Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility at National Cheng-Chi University. Each year, it brings together global voices to explore how emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, can drive social, environmental, and economic progress through research, student innovation, and international collaboration.

2026 Association for Language Awareness Conference

Theme: Heritages, Languages, Ecologies
iiED is proud to serve as a host for the 2026 Association for Language Awareness Conference, advancing international conversations around language, culture, technology, and sustainability.

Discussion Themes:

Language Awareness in the Age of AI – What is gained or lost when AI mediates language? Why learn languages in a digital age?
Language Awareness in Virtual Exchange – Exploring Virtual Exchange, COIL, and telecollaboration practices in cross-cultural learning.
Language Awareness for Indigenous Languages – Honoring the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032) and supporting community-based linguistic preservation.
Language Awareness in Community, Education, and the Workplace – Understanding the role of language in everyday social and professional life.
Language Awareness for Stewarding Ecologies – Connecting language awareness to environmental and social sustainability.