UPCOMING CONFERENCE
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22–26 MARCH 2027

1st ACHER Annual International Conference

Higher Education Research and Innovation for Africa's Sustainable Futures
CALL FOR PROPOSALS AND PARTICIPATION

Maputo, Mozambique

About the Conference

The theme for the 1st ACHER Annual International Conference is “Higher Education Research and Innovation for Africa's Sustainable Futures.”

ACHER is a pan-African network of scholars, practitioners, and institutions with an established programme of activity in higher education research, policy engagement, and capacity-building, and this conference is intended as a recurring flagship scholarly gathering for the network.

ACHER’s core business is to strengthen the research environment and science systems within higher education institutions on the African continent. The conference is therefore anchored explicitly in research in higher education, and invites both theoretical and empirical contributions.

  • Research infrastructure and governance
  • Evidence-based policy-making
  • Curriculum and employability
  • Quality assurance
  • Equity and inclusion
  • Internationalisation
  • Digital transformation
  • Climate and environmental sustainability
  • Financing of research
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Submission of Proposals

Participants are invited to submit a proposal for a paper, poster, panel, or workshop for the Early Career Researchers Pre-Conference Workshop on a topic relevant to the conference sub-themes.

Abstracts should not exceed 300 words, clearly stating the research problem, methodology where applicable, and key findings or argument, together with the sub-theme to which the submission responds.

Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 October 2026

All abstracts will be peer-reviewed and applicants will be informed of the results by 30 November 2026.

Authors are expected to submit their full papers, not exceeding 6,000 words including references, by 31 January 2027.

Selected conference papers will be considered for a special journal issue and/or an edited conference proceedings volume, subject to peer review.

Important Dates
  • Abstract Submission: 30 October 2026
  • Notification of Acceptance: 30 November 2026
  • Full Papers: 31 January 2027
Contact Information

Conference website: To be announced.

Conference enquiries: info@acher.ac

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ACHER Events

A programme of conferences, forums, workshops and policy engagements advancing higher education research across Africa.

Event 01

ACHER Congress

Every 5 Years

The ACHER Congress is the network's major governance and scholarly gathering, bringing together researchers, institutions and higher education stakeholders from across Africa.

  • Elect governing boards
  • Keynote speakers, panel discussions and workshops on higher education research
  • Showcase research excellence in African universities
Governance • Research • Networking
Event 02

ACHER Forum

Every 2 Years

Boosting Research Profiles of Second-Tier African Universities

  • Focus on research capacity building, collaboration and innovation
  • Share best practices, success stories and challenges
  • Create networking opportunities for researchers and policymakers
Capacity Building • Collaboration
Event 03

University–Industry Partnership Forum

Partnership & Innovation

A platform for universities and industry partners to develop meaningful collaborations that connect research, innovation and real-world development needs.

  • Facilitate collaboration between universities and industry partners
  • Showcase successful partnerships and innovative projects
  • Discuss challenges and opportunities for collaboration
Industry • Research • Innovation
Event 04

ACHER Annual Research Conference

Annual

ACHER's annual scholarly conference brings researchers together around a major theme relevant to higher education research and innovation.

  • Theme-based conference discussions
  • Calls for papers, presentations and posters
  • Opportunities for early-career researchers to showcase their work
Research • Publications • ECRs
Event 05

ACHER Policy Dialogue Series

Policy Engagement

A regular platform for engaging evidence, policy and practice in African higher education.

  • Discuss policy issues affecting African higher education
  • Bring together policymakers, researchers and industry experts
  • Inform policy decisions through research evidence
Evidence • Policy • Practice
Event 06

Research Methodology Workshops

Research Capacity

Practical research training designed to strengthen methodological capacity among researchers in African universities.

  • Hands-on training in research methodologies
  • Expert facilitators and peer learning
  • Focus on strengthening research capacity
Training • Methods • Skills
Event 07

ACHER Early Career Researcher (ECR) Forum

Early Career Development

The ECR Forum supports the next generation of African researchers through mentorship, professional development, research training and opportunities to connect with established scholars and policymakers.

  • Support and mentorship for ECRs
  • Workshops on research skills, grant writing and publication strategies
  • Networking with established researchers and policymakers
Mentorship • Research Skills • Professional Networks

ACHER Events Programme: These events provide complementary opportunities for scholarly exchange, research capacity development, policy engagement, collaboration and professional networking across the African higher education community.