Call for Conference Papers

The Women’s University in Africa Gender and Diversity Centre will host a hybrid Conference on: “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education in Africa”

 

Proposed Dates

22 – 24 November 2023

Venue

Women’s University in Africa Hope & Fay Conference Centre, Marondera, Zimbabwe

 

Background

Many African countries have on paper committed to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 4 which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education, as well as lifelong learning opportunities for all, SDG 5 which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, and SDG 10 aimed at reducing inequality within and among countries. The Leave No-one Behind mantra which is central to Agenda 2030 stems from the recognition that there are groups of people who have overlapping disadvantages, who could easily be marginalised and excluded even in the context of higher education. Hence, there is growing interest to make higher education institutions (HEIs) more inclusive by embracing diversity and equity. Considering the extensive social and private benefits that higher education generates, ensuring inclusive access and success is essential to achieve social justice and positive social transformation in Africa.

In as much as SDGs promote equality and non-discrimination and social justice, several challenges threaten efforts to foster equity, diversity and inclusion in higher education institutions’ activities and communications. Globally, HEIs are experiencing a dramatic decline in government subsidies and an increase in student fees (De Jager & Gbadamosi 2010). The reduction of public funding resources especially in Africa has negatively impacted on equity in admission to higher education for many students including those with disabilities, ultimately limiting their right to access and participate in higher education and the opportunities it creates. The shrinking funding has also negatively affected the internationalisation agenda, through implicit and explicit xenophobia which has created a hostile environment for foreign students and professionals in some African HEIs. Furthermore, there are questions about commitment by HEIs to assign sufficient institutional resources for diverse and inclusive hiring practices, and to deliberately integrate diverse employees’ involvement in all systems and processes (Fradella, 2018).

Other issues relate to the use of digital technologies in HEIs. While there is increasing significance of digital equity in higher education, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed several inequities present in higher education institutions in Africa with negative implications on teaching and learning outcomes (Mare, Woyo & Amadhila 2022). The digital divide between rural and urban, exorbitant data costs, gender gaps and digital illiteracy, and lack of devices – though perennial challenges – were accentuated during the COVID-19 era.

On the other hand, the SADC Protocol on Gender & Development specifically calls on member states to implement gender sensitive educational curricula, policies and programmes addressing gender stereotypes and inequalities in education. But it has been noted that the needs of women are often not adequately recognised and addressed as they are not equally represented in decision making positions in higher education institutions, including the staff complement of the Science and other departments.

 

This conference aims to bring together a wide range of researchers, educators, policy makers, students, activists, and practitioners concerned with equity, diversity and social inclusion in higher education to share ideas and explore various innovative pathways on how to deal with the aforementioned challenges facing HEIs. The conference is also a platform to track progress made in achieving gender equality, equity, diversity and inclusion in higher education in order to draw lessons learnt in addressing asymmetrical relations, while, at the same time, interrogating barriers that continue to hinder social equality and inclusion. The conference is open to submissions from various disciplines and selected papers will be published.

 

The conference will be held in-person at the Women’s University in Africa Hope & Fay Conference Centre but it will also make provision for participants attending the conference virtually.

 

We welcome submissions that focus on, but are not limited to the following sub-themes:

• Inclusiveeducation and disability in higher education;
• Diversity and inclusion in higher education administration and management;
• Gender responsive pedagogy, andragogy and/or heutagogy;
• Digital equity in higher education institutions in Africa;
• Funding and inclusion in Higher Education Institutions in Africa;
• Equity promotion policies and practices;
• Internationalisation and/or xenophobia in higher education in Africa;
• Language diversity in Higher Education Institutions;
• Researching and theorising equity, diversity and inclusion; and
• Gender, innovation and industrialisation in Higher Education Institutions.

 

 

Abstract Submission

Abstracts of 300 words should be submitted by 15 August 2023 to the following email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All abstracts will undergo a blind peer- review process by a panel of specialists in the field. Abstracts should be in Word format with the following information:

1. Name(s) and email address(es) of Author(s);
2. Institutional Affiliation as you would like it to appear in programme;
3. Title of abstract;
4. Theme;
5. Body of abstract; and
6. 3 to 5 keywords.

 

Key dates

Abstract Submission:15 August 2023

Abstract acceptance by: 21 August 2023

Full draft paper submission deadline: 23 October 2023

 

Submission of Full Papers

Upon acceptance of abstract, full papers should be a maximum of 6 000 words excluding title pages and references. Submissions must be original work and not published or submitted elsewhere.

Submissions should stimulate new thinking and fresh debate on equity, diversity, and inclusion issues in Higher Education in Africa. Submissions should also encompass a gender lens.

Guidelines for full paper submissions

• File type: Microsoft Word
• Font: Arial
• Size: 11 pt.
• Line spacing: 1,5 lines
• Alignment: Justified
• Referencing: Harvard style

 

All papers accepted for and presented at the conference must be in English and will be eligible for publication in a Conference eBook. Selected conference papers will be further reviewed by peer reviewers and editors and developed for publication in a themed hard copy volume.

CONFERENCE FEES	AMOUNT (USD)
International participant	$100
Local participant	$50
Student participant	$20

 

*Conference fees for in-person participants include registration fee, Book of Abstracts, teas, lunches, and a conference bag.

For more information contact us on:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.