Twenty-Third International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

  • Innovating for Sustainable Futures
  • 20-22 January 2027
  • Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa + Online

Special Focus & Annual Themes

On Sustainability Research Network is brought together by a common concern for sustainability from a holistic perspective, where environmental, cultural, economic, and social interests intersect. We seek to build an epistemic community where we can make linkages across disciplinary, geographic, and cultural boundaries. As a Research Network we are defined by our scope and concerns and motivated to build strategies for action framed by our shared themes and tensions.

The Twenty-Third International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability features research addressing the following annual themes.

  • 2027 Special Focus—Innovating for Sustainable Futures
  • Theme 1: Ecological Realities
  • Theme 2: Participatory Process
  • Theme 3: Economic, Social and Cultural Context
  • Theme 4: Education, Assessment and Policy
  • Theme 5: Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Transitions

Plenary Speakers

The Twenty-Third International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic, & Social Sustainability will feature plenary sessions by some of the world’s leading thinkers and innovators in the field. We will offer both place-based and online options for viewing and engaging.

Program

The conference program groups together presentations along similar themes to facilitate knowledge sharing and community building. The first schedule of sessions will be available when we're able to present a complete picture of the conference. We will offer both place-based and online options for viewing and engaging. In the meantime, you may view a list of all accepted proposals (both confirmed to attend and still pending registration) on our List of Accepted Proposals.

Research Network Chairs

David Humphreys

David Humphreys

Professor of Environmental Policy, The Open University, United Kingdom

(English)

Victoria Hurth

Victoria Hurth

Senior Associate, Institute for Sustainability Leadership, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

(English)

José Gutiérrez-Pérez

José Gutiérrez-Pérez

Professor, Educational Research Methodology, Faculty of Science Education, Universidad de Granada, Spain

(Spanish)

Local Conference Chair

Malcolm Weaich

Malcolm Weaich

Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Local Conference Committee

​Dr. Sibongile Zwane

​Dr. Sibongile Zwane

Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Dr. Pride Ndlovu

Dr. Pride Ndlovu

Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Dr. Prisca Simbanegavi

Dr. Prisca Simbanegavi

Senior Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Lerato Mompati

Lerato Mompati

Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Host Institution

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