IRNOP community

IRNOP Ideology The merits of IRNOP can be expressed in some keywords: Informal (not an association with fees), international, open (for all researchers of different backgrounds in the project field worldwide), volunteer driven (no officers), affordable (moderate fees by having academics arranging conferences on campuses), independent (but collaborating with others), flexible and renewal oriented (open for new research themes).​

IRNOP Informalities Within a system without a formal organization, there is still a need for common informal rules. The network is kept together via 1) the IRNOP conferences where the individuals get a chance to see each other in person, 2) The home page (handled by Umeå University, Sweden), 3) the list serve (handled by UTS, Australia) and 4) the Linkedin group (handled by BI, Norway). The decision on where and when coming conferences are to be held (on campus of an academic institution) is made by previous organizers. The organizer of the first IRNOP (USBE at Umeå University) opens the procedure by announcing the next conference issue via the homepage and by use of the list serve as well as handles the consensual process needed for the decision.

IRNOP Ideas It is probably wise to keep some rules open for the time being especially since changes have been suggested. The question on how often there should be an IRNOP conference has been opened. The next conference will be at Boston University in 2017 and it might be advantageous to have an opening for conferences also in 2018, 2019, etc. The decision (about conferences for 2018 and 2019) needs to be taken well in advance of the IRNOP conference in Boston. When deciding on the exact dates for a specific conference the organizer should synchronize with dates of other project-related conferences (like EGOS, EURAM, MPC, Nordic Academy of Management and others) and if possible also with teaching activities. The organizer should also pave the way for publication of articles based on conference papers. Furthermore, Irnopians should be encouraged to participate also in other conferences and to publish in suitable options available. ​

PREVIOUS IRNOP

IRNOP 1, Lycksele Sweden, 1994

Organized by Umeå University,

Umeå School of Business and Economics Rolf A. Lundin, Johann Packendorff,

Anders Söderholm, Tomas Blomquist

IRNOP 2, Paris France, 1996

Organized by École Polytechnique Paris

Christophe Midler, Gilles Garel

IRNOP 3, Calgary Canada, 1998

Organized by University of Calgary

Francis Hartman, Janice Thomas, George Jergeas

IRNOP 4, Sydney Australia, 2000

Organized by University of Technology Sydney

Lynn Crawford, Kaye Remington

IRNOP 5, Renesse Netherlands, 2002

Organized by Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

Rodney Turner, Mark van Onna

IRNOP 6, Turku Finland, 2004

Organized by Åbo Akademi University and Helsinki University of Technology

Karlos Artto, Kim Wikström

IRNOP 7, Xi'an China, 2006

Organized by Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) and supported by

Project Management Research Committee China (PMRC)

Lixiong Ou, Fupei Qian

IRNOP 8, Brighton UK, 2007

Organized by CENTRIM, University of Brighton and SPRU, University of Sussex

Tim Brady, Andrew Davies, Jonas Söderlund

​IRNOP 9, Berlin Germany, 2009

Organized by Technische Universität Berlin

Hans Georg Gemünden

IRNOP 10, Montreal Canada, 2011

Organized by Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

Brian Hobbs, Yvan Petit, Monique Aubry

IRNOP 11, Oslo Norway, 2013

Organized by BI Norwegian Business School

Jonas Söderlund, Ralf Müller

IRNOP 12, London UK, 2015

Organized by Bartlett School of Construction & Project Management at University College London

Andrew Davies, Andrew Edkins, Hedley Smyth

IRNOP 13, Boston USA, 2017

Organised by Metropolitan College at Boston University

Vijay Kanabar, Steve Leybourne, Roger Warburton

IRNOP 14, Melbourne Australia, 2018

Organized by RMIT University

Derek Walker

IRNOP 15, Stockholm Sweden 2024

Organized by KTH Sweden, Stockholm

Anna Jerbrant, Tina Karrbom Gustavsson, Joakim Lilliesköld, Ermal Hetemi, Maksim Miterev

Why you should attend

The IRNOP (International Research Network on Organizing by Projects) Conference offers a unique, inclusive space for project scholars worldwide. Unlike traditional associations, IRNOP is informal, independent, and volunteer-driven—making it accessible, affordable, and refreshingly open.

Rooted in academic collaboration rather than bureaucracy, it brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds to explore emerging project-related themes in a flexible and evolving environment. By attending IRNOP, you join a global network committed to advancing project studies through genuine exchange, academic freedom, and community spirit.