LTAS 2026
9–11 December 2026
Eindhoven
Eindhoven
9–11 December 2026
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
The aim of the Let’s Talk About Service (LTAS) conferences is to introduce PhD students and early career researchers to the world of service research and guide them through their journey in academia. LTAS is much more than a typical conference or doctoral consortium; keynote speakers and mentors have helped young scholars start collaborations and publish papers together.
The theme of LTAS2026 is "Engineering the Future of Service: Innovation, Impact & Integrity".
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is the Alma Mater of engineering talent in the Netherlands.
Engineering is in our DNA. While engineers are typically associated with natural sciences such
as physics, chemistry, or mathematics, we as service researchers also engineer. In a time
where technologies transform service production, delivery, and consumption, we have to engineer
solutions that optimize the outcomes for all stakeholders (e.g., firms, brands, customers, or even societies).
The aim of LTAS2026 is not only to engineer new service solutions, but also to engineer YOU.
Keynote speakers and coaches are ready to educate and train you, such that you can grow and become the
future expert in the service domain.
To become this future service expert, you need (at least) three important skills:
You should be able to spot innovation,
conduct research that has impact, and work with integrity.
One of TU/e's core values is to be "Curious". This means that we cherish curiosity, driving us to explore, question, and innovate, encouraging continuous learning and discovery. In the service domain, this means that we examine service ecosystems, firm strategies and customer responses to successfully implement a wide variety of innovations. Think of innovations such as service robots and hybrid (human-AI) service teams , blockchain applications, digital twins, remote healthcare, servitization, and the broader challenge of sustainable service and consumer behavior, among others. Together with our keynote speakers and business case owners, you will dive into several of these service innovations.
TU/e is widely known for its deep and structural connections to industry. We treat industry as a core element of our academic mission, strongly influencing both research and education. The university is embedded in Brainport Eindhoven, one of Europe’s leading high‑tech innovation hubs, alongside companies such as ASML, NXP, Signify, Philips, Vanderlande, DAF Trucks, VDL, and hundreds of SMEs and startups. A large share of TU/e’s research is conducted in public–private partnerships, and TU/e is one of the most successful Dutch universities when it comes to valorization—the translation of academic knowledge into societal and economic impact. TU/e's Innovation Space is a unit which actively supports researchers and students in patenting, licensing, and venture creation. You will meet the people at Innovation Space and learn how to rethink the impact of your research.
Other core values of TU/e are Open, Respectful, and Responsible. This means that we we are transparent about our actions, processes and decisions, that we are honest and trustworthy, that we acknowledge and value each other’s professionalism, and that we are accountable for our work and our contribution to the university. Indeed, these are important values for academic researchers, to be able to lead by example and make a positive impact on society. Hence, special attention will be given at LTAS2026 to principles like open science, the role of ethical review boards, preregistrations, data management plans, and related topics. This is essential knowledge for any your service scholar to be part of the future of service.
(continuously updated)
We are happy to confirm the following speakers and contributors to LTAS2026.
Jenny van Doorn is professor of Service Marketing at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
Her research focuses on the use of new technology in the service frontline, such as technology and customer engagement
(i.e. non-transactional customer behavior), sustainability, and food waste. Currently, she is fascinated by the
use of social service robots as the next frontier of societal transitions.
Her work has appeared in, amongst others, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science,
Journal of Service Research and International Journal of Information Management. She conducts her research at, and together with, partners from practice,
such as the robot application developer Welbo, care facility Tangenborgh, Emmen, Humanitas Rotterdam, sushi restaurant IMONO or Landal Green Parks.
She frequently shares her research with practitioners and public policy makers, but also with the general public.
Tobias Schäfers has been an Associate Professor at the Department of Marketing at Copenhagen Business School since September 2018.
Since March 2023, he is also a professor of marketing at HSBI - University of Applied Sciences and Arts Bielefeld, Germany.
Before joining CBS, he was an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Technical University Dortmund, Germany.
In his research, Tobias investigates the psychological aspects of individuals’ behavior in relation to services, prices, and digitalization,
in both business-to-consumer and business-to-business contexts. For example, he has examined consumers’ motives to use access-based services as an alternative to ownership,
customers’ reactions to the introduction of fees for previously free products, and consumers’ reactions during service recovery via digital channels.
Tobias’ research has been published in leading international journals, such as Journal of Service Research, Journal of Interactive Marketing, Journal of Business Research, Industrial Marketing Management,
Psychology & Marketing, and Marketing Letters.
Lisa Brüggen is Director of Netspar, Professor for Financial Services at Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (SBE) and Principal Investigator at BISS, The Brightlands Institute for Smart Society. She is also member of the supervisory board of NIBUD, and member of the policy advise group pensions from SPMS.
She is an internationally recognized expert in financial services, financial behavior, choice guidance and retirement communications. She has received several awards, including the American Marketing Association's Emerging Scholar Award. She also obtained NWO and Netspar grants for her research on retirement communication and how to better prepare for approaching retirement. Her work has been published in leading international journals, such as the Journal of Marketing. She likes to bridge the gap between science and practice and shares her findings with the pension industry in an accessible way.
A unique part of LTAS is the collaborative workshop format. The workshop is designed
explicitly for teamwork and immediate application. Participants work in mixed groups with
guidance from experienced scholars from European top universities. The goal is to setup
a proposal for research that is innovative, has impact, and characterized by integrity principles.
Four industry experts will introduce their companies and the challenges within those companies.
These practical cases will form the basis for the collaborative workshop and the associated
research proposal.
Located in the heart of the high-tech ecosystem of the Netherlands, called Brainport,
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is a young university, founded in 1956 by industry,
local government and academia. Today, their spirit of collaboration is still at the heart
of the university community. We foster an open culture where everyone feels free to exchange
ideas and take initiatives. Our mission is to leads the change for a better world
by educating responsible engineers, by empowering academics and professionals,
by advancing global scientific knowledge, and by driving impactful, sustainable innovation
in the Brainport ecosystem and beyond.
Our campus is located at the edge of the city center.
Arrive at Eindhoven Central Station. The TU/e campus is a short walk from the station.
Fly into Eindhoven Airport (EIN) or Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). There are smooth bus connections from Eindhoven Airport to Eindhoven Central Station (#400 and #401). Trains from Schiphol to Eindhoven Central Station run frequently.
Follow signage to “Universiteit / TU/e”. Paid parking is available on campus.
Community partner of the LTAS series.
Host institution for LTAS 2026.
Case owner at LTAS 2026.
Financial sponsor of LTAS 2026.
To be announced.
Organizing committee: