6th Annual M&D Online Conference · Call for abstracts
From Collaboration
to Impact
Advancing Higher Education, Interdisciplinary Research and Technological Sovereignty for Africa’s Sustainable Digital Future.
When
12 November 2026
08:00–16:00 SAST
Where
Microsoft Teams
Online, across five countries
For whom
M&D candidates
And everyone who supports them
Abstract deadline
30 September 2026
Please do not submit an abstract by email.
01
An invitation to turn knowledge into impact
Why this conference exists
The Multi-University Postgraduate Support Network (MUPSN) invites master’s and doctoral candidates, supervisors, early-career researchers, pracademics, and research-support practitioners to submit abstracts for its 6th Annual M&D Conference.
The conference creates space to share emerging and completed research, strengthen scholarly networks, and translate postgraduate knowledge into meaningful social, institutional and technological impact across Africa.
Let’s spark the conversation
How can collaboration in higher education and interdisciplinary research generate measurable impact, strengthen Africa’s technological sovereignty, and advance an inclusive, sustainable digital future?
A multi-university collaboration
02
Prepare and submit your abstract
Abstract submission guidelines
Abstracts should present a clear, coherent account of the proposed contribution and demonstrate its relevance to the conference theme.
- Length
- 250–300 words, excluding the title and keywords.
- Include
- Title; author name(s); institutional affiliation(s); and the corresponding author’s email address.
- Structure
- Background or problem; aim or research question; methodology or approach; key findings or anticipated contribution; and implications for policy, practice, theory or further research.
- Keywords
- Four to six keywords, listed in alphabetical order.
- Language
- English, written clearly for an interdisciplinary audience.
- Submission format
- Use the official editable abstract template.
Types of contributions
Review and selection
Submissions will be reviewed for alignment with the conference theme; clarity of the research problem and purpose; methodological or conceptual coherence; originality and significance; interdisciplinary relevance; and potential contribution to Africa’s sustainable digital future.
Authors will be notified of the outcome after the review process.
Important dates
03
Register, connect and participate
Three steps to take part
Register for the conference so we know to expect you and can send you the joining link.
Register on this pageDownload the official editable abstract template and write your abstract into it.
Download the templateUpload your completed MUPSN conference abstract to the submission folder.
Upload your abstractWho should submit?
Master’s and doctoral candidates at all stages, supervisors, academics, early-career researchers, research-support professionals, policymakers and practitioners.
Why participate?
- Share research with a multi-institutional audience.
- Receive constructive scholarly engagement.
- Build networks across institutions and countries.
- Explore collaboration, publication and impact.
Registration
Secure your place
Registering tells the coordinator to expect you and puts the date in your calendar. If you intend to present, you still upload your abstract using the official template.
Enquiries
Ask a question about the conference
tjanorn@unisa.ac.za
emphahrs@unisa.ac.za
Collaborate · Create knowledge · Generate impact
Join us on 12 November 2026 to advance Africa’s sustainable digital future.