The 44th EEASA Conference will be held from 21st – 25th September, 2026 in Lilongwe, Malawi

About EEASA 2026

This year, Malawi, “the Warm Heart of Africa”, will host the conference at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, from 22–24 September 2026, (21st and 25th September being travel dates). The theme is: Reimagining Education for Climate Resilience, Justice, and Sustainable Futures.

 Conference Objectives

The conference seeks to:

  1. Examine the role of education in advancing climate action, environmental responsibility, and sustainable development in the Southern African region.
  2. Explore innovative pedagogies, policies, and practices that support climate-smart and green education.
  3. Interrogate issues of climate justice, loss and damage, reparations, and responsibility, and their implications for education.
  4. Strengthen dialogue on education’s contribution to just transitions and sustainable livelihoods.
  5. Share empirical research, case studies, and community-based experiences that demonstrate transformative approaches to ESD.
  6. Foster networks and partnerships among researchers, educators, policymakers, and development actors.

Thematic Areas for Abstract Submission

Climate‑Smart Education and Resilient Futures

This cluster combines the climate‑focused education themes such as:

  • Climate change education
  • Climate‑smart schooling
  • Reparation futures (loss & damage, responsibility, climate justice)
  • Energy education and just transitions

Justice, Ethics, and Transformative Environmental Learning

Focusing on equity, pedagogy, values, and the role of educators such as:

  • Environmental justice
  • Eco‑pedagogy
  • Transformative learning
  •  Sustainability competencies and values‑based education

Education for Sustainable Development and the SDGs in Transition

Anchored in global agendas but reinterpreted through Southern perspectives such as:

  • ESD and the SDGs
  • Reimagining the SDGs in Southern Africa
  • Policy innovations & institutional responses

Community‑Grounded, Indigenous, and localised Sustainability Practices

This cluster emphasizes contextual, local knowledge and community action such as:

  • Indigenous knowledge & sustainability
  • Community‑based sustainability
  • Locally grounded pedagogies and practices

Future Skills, Innovation, and Digital Sustainability

A new cluster integrating technological transformation such as:

  • AI for sustainability education
  • Digital tools for climate literacy
  • Future skills (data literacy, green tech skills, systems thinking)
  • Technology‑enabled transformative pedagogies

Abstract Submissions

There are five kinds of submissions: 1) individual papers, 2) workshops, 3) roundtables,  4) posters and 5) lightening talks. Please read the information below for a clearer understanding of the submission guidelines for each presentation type.

Note: It is recommended that individuals submit only one abstract. However, should you wish to submit more than one, please note that an individual may not present more than two presentations as the main presenter, regardless of the presentation format.

Click on the toggle buttons below to open up information on each presentation type.

Duration: 15 minutes presentation + 5 minutes Q&A

Individual oral paper presentations feature completed or near-completed research and are delivered within themed sessions.

Submission guidelines:

  • One author plus up to five co-authors
  • A maximum of two presenting authors per paper
  • Abstract of up to 250 words, including:
    • Background
    • Objectives
    • Methods
    • Key findings
    • Significance
    • Conclusion
    • 3–5 keywords

Each session will be chaired, with the chairperson responsible for timekeeping and facilitating discussion.

Please note: If an abstract does not meet the criteria for oral paper presentation, authors may be advised to present their work as a Poster Presentation or Lightning Talk, subject to review.

Duration: 60 minutes

Roundtable sessions are interactive discussions involving 4–6 participants who explore a shared topic, emerging issue, or area of debate. These sessions prioritise collective dialogue and active audience engagement rather than formal presentations.

Each roundtable is led by a facilitator and designed to encourage continuous interaction throughout the session.

Submission guidelines:

  • Title (8–10 words maximum)
  • Overview abstract up to 400 words outlining:
    • The topic and its significance
    • Key questions or areas for discussion
    • The format for participant and audience engagement

Please note: Roundtable slots are limited. Submissions that do not meet the criteria may be recommended for consideration as an Oral Paper Presentation.

Workshops are interactive, practice‑focused sessions that actively engage participants through discussion, hands-on activities, or collaborative learning.

Proposals should clearly describe the workshop’s purpose, structure, and intended outcomes, demonstrating effective use of the full session time.

Submission guidelines:

  • Abstract of up to 400 words, including:
    • Background
    • Objectives
    • Methods
    • Key findings
    • Significance
    • Conclusion
    • 3–5 keywords

Please note: Workshop slots are limited. Submissions that do not meet the criteria may be recommended for presentation as an Oral Paper Presentation, subject to review.

Poster presentations offer an opportunity to showcase research, projects, or practice-based work in a visual format and to engage in informal discussion with conference participants.

Submission guidelines:

  • One author plus up to four co-authors
  • A maximum of two presenting authors
  • Abstract of up to 250 words, including:
    • Background
    • Objectives
    • Methods
    • Key findings
    • Significance
    • Conclusion
    • 3–5 keywords

Poster specifications:

  • A1 size (594 × 841 mm / 23.3 × 33.1 inches)
  • Portrait/upright format
  • Posters may be printed or hand-made

This year, the EEASA Conference introduces a new presentation format — Lightning Talks — aimed at maximising participation and encouraging dynamic knowledge exchange.

The Lightning Talk format is intended primarily for new and emerging Master’s and PhD scholars, with a strong emphasis on encouraging local students to participate. It provides a supportive platform for scholars whose work is still in progress, allowing them to share ideas, research questions, emerging findings, or methodological approaches, and to receive constructive feedback from a wider academic audience.

Each Lightning Talk is a 5‑minute presentation, designed to introduce the presenter’s work clearly and concisely rather than to showcase completed research. The format prioritises dialogue, learning, and scholarly development, making it especially suitable for participants who are early in their research journey.

Lightning Talks will take place during the Pre‑Conference Programme on Monday, 21 September, offering participants and delegates the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of emerging research in a lively, fast‑paced session.

The introduction of Lightning Talks reflects EEASA’s ongoing commitment to building scholarly confidence, mentoring emerging researchers, and strengthening local participation in environmental education research.

Submission guidelines: How to structure a 5-minute Lightning Talk 

Lightning Talks are intentionally short and focused. Presenters are encouraged to use the time to introduce their work clearly, rather than attempting to cover too much detail. A simple structure can help make the most of the 5‑minute format:

Suggested structure:

  1. Title and Context (30 seconds)
    Introduce yourself, your institutional affiliation, and the broad focus of your study.
  2. The Key Question or Issue (1 minute)
    What problem, question, or concern is your research engaging with? Why does it matter in environmental education?
  3. Your Approach or Way of Working (1–1.5 minutes)
    Briefly describe how you are investigating this question (theoretical framing, methods, participants, or site).
  4. Emerging Insights or Challenges (1–1.5 minutes)
    Share early findings, key ideas, or challenges you are grappling with — especially areas where feedback would be valuable.
  5. What You’d Like Feedback On (30–60 seconds)
    End by clearly stating one or two questions you would like the audience to think with you about.

Presenters are encouraged to focus on clarity and ideas rather than completeness, and to treat the Lightning Talk as an invitation to conversation. Slides are optional, but if used, fewer slides with minimal text are recommended.

The Lightning Talk format is designed to be supportive, developmental, and collegial, providing a valuable opportunity for emerging and local scholars to share work‑in‑progress and to build confidence presenting within the EEASA community.

To see the types of presentations at a glance click on the image above

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