Gen Z & Intergenerational Dynamics 2026

Gen Z & Intergenerational Dynamics

Monday, 16 March 2026 | Oxford

A one-day forum exploring evidence-based insight to help leaders navigate generational change.

This event brought together senior leaders, researchers, and practitioners for a day of evidence-led insight into the realities of today's multigenerational workforce. Held at the Cohen Quad, Exeter College, the event explored how generational change is reshaping organisations; from labour market participation to management practices, wellbeing, and long-term performance.

A day of insightful discussion

Participants engaged with new economics research and real-world organisational perspective, gaining a clearer understanding of the opportunities and challenges created by having five generations in the workforce simultaneously.

Themes included:

The labour market outlook for Gen Z and how structural shifts are affecting early career trajectories.
Managing multigenerational teams and the contrasting expectations shaping communication, leadership, and collaboration.
The generational mental health crisis, its economic drivers, and what effective organisational responses can look like.

The day also featured interactive sessions where participants applied academic insights to their own organisational contexts; supported by group work, and peer learning.

Watch the Keynotes talks

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EELQkeWzWNg?si=FjDoKz0-SMpBKehg

Watch the Panel Discussion

Download Brochure here

Key Themes

Unique Challenges for Gen Z in the Labour Market:

How structural shifts in the economy are reshaping career paths for Gen Z.

Managing a multigeneration workforce:

Navigating contrasting leadership and communication styles across generations for effective collaboration and productivity.

The data behind the mental health crisis:

Uncover the economic and social factors driving the generational mental health crisis.
How organisations can respond effectively, supportive environments, inclusive policies, and sustainable wellbeing strategies.

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Find out more about Dr Grace Lordan

Grace Lordan

Dr Grace Lordan is a professor at LSE, Founding Director of The Inclusion Initiative, and creator of the MSc in Behavioural Science. She is an expert on labour market skills, inclusive leadership, women’s progress, and the future of work. Grace advised the UK government on skills and productivity and leads the £2M ESRC DAPEW project. Her work appears in top journals and outlets like FT, Fortune, and HBR.

Find out more about Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson

Paul served as Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies from 2011 to 2025 and is now Provost of Queen’s. He is a columnist at The Times, regular media contributor, Visiting Professor at UCL, and Senior Advisor at Public First. He is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller Follow the Money and hosted leading economics podcasts. He has advised UK governments on pensions, inflation, climate policy, and public spending, was appointed CBE in 2018, and holds multiple honorary doctorates.

Find out more about Mathias Jensen

Mathias Fjællegaard Jensen

Mathias is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford and a Non-Stipendiary Research Fellow at Nuffield College. His research focuses on labour market inequalities, with work spanning gender and family dynamics, the long-term effects of parental death on children, and intergenerational mobility among immigrant and local populations. He uses rich Danish administrative and employer–employee data to uncover the mechanisms shaping earnings, opportunities, and socio-economic trajectories.

Find out more about Rebecca Robins

Rebecca Robins

Rebecca is a global expert in leadership development, organisational transformation and high-performing cultures. With 20+ years’ experience as a brand consultant across Europe, the US and Asia, she has advised clients including AstraZeneca, LEGO, Microsoft and LVMH. She teaches on executive programmes at Cambridge, Oxford and The Defence Academy, and serves as NED for education-focused organisations. Author of three books, including Five G

Find out more about Michael Robinson

Michael Robinson

Michael is the Senior HR Director for P&G Northern Europe. Since joining P&G in 2011, he has held key HR roles across the UK and Europe. He has built a broad range of skills, including strategic thinking, talent management, conflict resolution and change management. Throughout his career, he has shown a strong commitment to embedding equality and inclusion, empowering every employee to be at their best.

Find out more about Emilia Persson

Emilia Persson

Emilia is an Organisational Culture Consultant and Future Taskforce Coach at Q5. She is a strategic advisor specialising in leadership, culture, and performance. Alongside her client work, she plays a key role in Q5’s Futures Taskforce, partnering with university students across the UK to explore emerging trends in the modern workplace. This year she leads research on the impact of a multigenerational workforce, connecting academic insight with organisational realities to shape practical, future-focused solutions for employers and employees.

Find out more about Charlotte Cutter

Charlotte Cutter

Charlotte Cutter is a Consultant in Arup’s Economics & Casemaking team. She works across complex infrastructure, mobility and innovation-led regeneration projects, helping public and private sector clients understand how emerging trends in technology, governance and demographics will shape places over the long-term. Charlotte is particularly interested in the geopolitical factors that shape young people's interaction with the economy, work and society. She is alumna of both Cambridge University's School of Geography and Judge Business School.

Gen Z & Intergenerational Dynamics 2026