The event brought together student researchers, faculty, staff and community partners to explore what it means to lead with courage in a complex world. It marked the first time Brown has hosted the U.S. conference.

A global community united by “BRAVE”

Guided by the theme BRAVE, the conference framed courage as a daily practice rather than a dramatic act. It is a willingness to try again after failure, to advocate for others, to sit with discomfort and to speak up with integrity. Sessions encouraged participants to consider what principled risk-taking looks like today, how bold ideas emerge from humble partnerships and how leaders make room for others to lead alongside them.

Throughout keynotes, workshops, networking sessions and research presentations, one idea persisted: knowledge gains power when shared in service of the common good. Programming highlighted the Laidlaw commitment to developing leaders who pair intellectual curiosity with ethical responsibility, and who uplift one another in the process.

Across the weekend, Scholars deepened interdisciplinary and international connections, built new skills, reflected on identity and context and engaged in conversations about leadership grounded in values rather than position. Sessions facilitated by partner organizations, including the Oxford Character Project, challenged Scholars to examine the “moral muscle” required to do hard things and the role vulnerability plays in building trust.

Celebrating research, leadership and lived experience

The conference also served as a showcase of innovative student research and Leadership-in-Action projects spanning public health, environmental justice, educational equity, economic mobility, civic engagement and emerging technologies. Poster sessions, lightning talks and small-group “campfire” discussions offered Scholars space to share insights, exchange feedback and build relationships across diverse fields and geographies.

Community partners from across Providence joined the conversations, offering grounded perspectives on working in multiracial, multigenerational, community-led environments. Their presence underscored a theme woven throughout the weekend: courageous leadership is rooted in the people and places we serve.

The conference closed with a collective call for Scholars to continue supporting one another as they chart their paths forward: to keep learning, experimenting and leading with an openness that reflects a brave spirit.