IGDC's Early Career Knowledge Exchange Conference

The Lake Chad Basin and Sahel (LCB&S) Security and Development Early Career Knowledge Exchange Conference, hosted by the University of York’s Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre (IGDC), is designed to facilitate active and mutually beneficial knowledge exchange among early career researchers with an interest in the LCB&S region.  This will bring together a diverse range of scholars based in the UK to share and develop insights on longstanding and emerging challenges facing LCB&S countries.  Participants will be given opportunities for discussion and feedback under a range of topics broadly related to security, politics, development, and sustainability in the LCB&S region of Africa and will be encouraged to discuss potential areas for collaboration with other attendees.

The Knowledge Exchange Conference invites submissions in relation to four themes:

1. Conflict and Security in LCB&S: Unravelling prospects for peace among some of the most unstable countries in the world.

2. Politics and Democracy in LCB&S: Fallen rulers, flawed elections, and paths toward representative government.

3. Social and Economic Development in LCB&S: How to explain the performance of LCB&S states and why so many struggle.

4. Sustainability and Environment in LCB&S: Drought, flooding, and displacement – addressing and mitigating the effects of climate change. 

Following opening remarks, the conference will be structured around the four main themes and provide space for participants to present and discuss their work in these areas.  Participants will be allocated 7 minutes to present their desired work, with 3 minutes following each presentation for questions and feedback.  Participants will then be placed into thematic cohort groups to discuss their work and possible areas for collaboration on LCB&S research.  A closing session will provide a focus on solutions and strategic outlook prior to closing remarks.

Participants should submit as part of the application process an Abstract that will form the basis of their presentation.  These presentations will form the basis for follow-up and in-depth discussion on LCB&S issues and within presentations scholars are encouraged to raise areas for future research or collaboration with a mind to create new inter-disciplinary and -institutional networks to exchange and disseminate knowledge on the LCB&S region of Africa.  This emphasis on knowledge exchange and collaboration will be carried through to the cohort groups, which will provide space to discuss work with other researchers conducting similar and/or related research on LCB&S countries. 

Application Process. The Call for Papers is open to early career researchers, including those currently pursuing their PhD and postdocs.  All applications must include:

• A CV of no more than 2 pages.

• An Abstract of 250 words describing the research to be presented at the Knowledge Exchange Conference.  This should include explication of the related subject area, rationale, connection to Conference theme(s), theoretical approach, and methodology.

All applicants will be notified by 5 July 2023.  

Date and location. The Knowledge Exchange Conference will be held at the University of York on 27 July 2023.  Information on getting to the University of York and navigating campus can be found here.

Attendance Costs. There is no fee for attendance, but participants are responsible for planning and funding any travel and accommodation needs.  Consult this link for information regarding the range of accommodation available, including high-end to budget options, hostels, and self-catering.  Cakes, tea/coffee, and lunch will be provided at the event without charge.  Successful applicants are encouraged to contact their home institution if they require financial assistance to attend.

Please contact Dr McDonald with any questions or informal inquiries. 

We very much look forward to receiving your submission!