Building Momentum for Global Sustainability
The upcoming SRI2026 Africa Regional Conference represents a pivotal moment for South Africa’s higher education and research communities. Scheduled for 22-26 June 2026 in Stellenbosch and Cape Town, with plenaries available online, the event marks the first time the Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress has elevated its Africa gathering to the primary annual convening. South African universities, research councils, and innovation hubs are actively shaping preparations that promise to showcase African-led solutions to pressing sustainability challenges.
Understanding the SRI Platform and Its African Evolution
The Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress, known as SRI, has grown since 2021 into a leading global platform for interdisciplinary collaboration on sustainability. In 2026 the Africa Regional Conference assumes centre stage, moving beyond its previous satellite format. This evolution underscores the continent’s increasing influence in shaping research agendas and policy outcomes. South African institutions, including the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Future Earth Africa Hub, play central roles in steering this transition.
National Research Foundation Leadership in Conference Planning
The NRF, South Africa’s premier research funding agency, serves as a key co-convenor alongside Future Earth, the Future Earth Africa Hub, and the Belmont Forum. NRF teams coordinate logistics, scientific programming, and stakeholder engagement across the higher education sector. Early-bird registration and session proposal processes are already underway, with deadlines set for January 2026. Universities such as Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town are preparing dedicated organising committees to host parallel sessions and exhibitions.
Key Themes Driving Academic Engagement
The conference theme, “Advancing African-led solutions for sustainability transformation,” aligns closely with national research priorities outlined by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. Sessions will explore knowledge co-production, science-policy interfaces, and South-South cooperation. Higher education institutions are encouraged to submit proposals that integrate teaching, research, and community impact, ensuring the event delivers actionable outcomes for students and early-career researchers.
University-Level Preparations Across South Africa
Preparations extend well beyond the host venues. The University of the Witwatersrand, University of Pretoria, and Rhodes University are developing internal working groups to identify research outputs suitable for presentation. These groups focus on climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable urban development—areas where South African scholarship already enjoys international recognition. Virtual participation options ensure academics from historically disadvantaged institutions can contribute fully.
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Role of Research Infrastructure and Innovation Hubs
South Africa’s network of research infrastructure, supported through the NRF’s National Equipment Programme, will feature prominently. Delegates will tour facilities at Stellenbosch and Cape Town that support advanced materials science, genomics, and renewable energy research. Innovation hubs linked to universities are preparing demonstration projects that translate laboratory findings into scalable community solutions, highlighting the higher education sector’s contribution to national development goals.
Building Capacity Among Early-Career Researchers
A dedicated stream for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows forms a core part of the programme. Workshops on grant writing, science communication, and policy engagement will run alongside the main sessions. The NRF has allocated targeted funding to support attendance from emerging researchers at universities across all provinces, reinforcing South Africa’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of sustainability leaders.
International Partnerships and South-South Collaboration
Preparations emphasise strengthened ties with African and global partners. Memoranda of understanding between South African universities and counterparts in Kenya, Nigeria, and Brazil are being finalised to enable joint session proposals. The Belmont Forum’s involvement ensures alignment with international funding priorities, opening pathways for collaborative research grants that benefit South African higher education institutions.
Logistical and Digital Readiness
Hybrid delivery models are being refined to maximise accessibility. Technical teams at the host universities are upgrading digital platforms to support seamless online participation for plenaries. On-site logistics include sustainable transport options and carbon-offset programmes, reflecting the conference’s own sustainability ethos. These measures position South African universities as exemplars of responsible event hosting.
Anticipated Outcomes for the Higher Education Sector
Organisers expect the conference to catalyse new research consortia and curriculum innovations. Policy briefs emerging from sessions will feed directly into national strategies on the Sustainable Development Goals. For South African academics, the event offers a high-visibility platform to influence global discourse while strengthening local networks that support teaching excellence and graduate employability.
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Looking Ahead to June 2026
As deadlines approach, momentum continues to build across the sector. Regular webinars hosted by the NRF keep the community informed of programme developments. With strong institutional backing and clear alignment to national priorities, the SRI2026 Africa Regional Conference promises to elevate South Africa’s profile in global sustainability research while delivering tangible benefits to its universities and researchers.
