The Education Management Association of South Africa (EMASA), in partnership with The Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance (MGSLG), invites academics, policymakers, practitioners, and education leaders to submit abstracts and papers for the EMASA Annual International Conference 2026.
The conference will take place from 18 – 19 September 2026 at the Elangeni Maharani Hotel in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, under the theme: “Education at the Edge: Leading Education institutions that are responsive, equitable, and future-focused.”
The conference seeks to explore how education systems can respond to rapid technological disruption, Artificial Intelligence, inequality, and evolving societal expectations through resilient, innovative, and future-focused leadership.
Contributors are encouraged to submit scholarly and practice-based contributions, including research papers, case studies, policy perspectives, panel discussions, poster presentations, and innovative practices that offer both critical insight and practical application within the education sector.
Key conference sub-themes include: Breaking the Chains: Confronting Inequality in Education; Reclaiming Education’s Role in Social Transformation; Leadership Under Fire: Governance, Leadership and Accountability; Digital Disruption or Digital Divide; Strong Beginnings: Reimagining the Foundation Phase; and Collaboration, Policy, and System Change.
Abstract submissions must be submitted electronically in MS Word format to [email protected]. The closing date for the second and final call for papers is 19 June 2026, while notification of outcomes will be communicated on 03 July 2026.
Presenters are also required to register for the conference. The conference registration fee is R3 500, and all conference-related costs remain the responsibility of each presenter or attendee.
The EMASA Annual International Conference 2026 aims to generate bold ideas, collaborative dialogue, actionable strategies, and meaningful partnerships that empower education leaders to respond creatively and effectively within a rapidly changing world.
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