X-twitter Facebook-square Youtube Instagram Rss

Annual Research Colloquium

Theme:

Research Without Boundaries: Bridging Disciplines, Building Sustainable Futures & Transforming Society

Venue: Graduate School of Business and Leadership, Westville Campus, UKZN

Date: 15 & 16 October 2026

Call for Abstracts

About

The Organising Committee of the College of Law and Management Studies is delighted to invite you to this year’s College Research Colloquium, centred on the theme “Research Without Boundaries: Bridging Disciplines, Building Sustainable Futures and Transforming Society.” Our goal is to bring together academics, researchers, postgraduate students, corporate practitioners, policymakers, and community stakeholders from across the College of Law and Management Studies, our sister Colleges, partner institutions, and beyond, to showcase and celebrate research excellence and foster interdisciplinary collaboration to address contemporary societal challenges.

This colloquium presents a unique opportunity to engage with leading scholars, researchers, and practitioners, exchange ideas across disciplines, and gain insights from diverse perspectives and experiences. By connecting researchers across traditional disciplinary boundaries, the colloquium seeks to inspire innovative thinking, strengthen collaborative partnerships, and demonstrate how research can contribute to building more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient futures.

Call for abstracts

Abstract Submission Guidelines

We invite abstracts in MS Word between 300 and 400 words (in English).

  • Title: A clear and descriptive title that accurately represents the content of the abstract.
  • Introduction & Objective: A brief introduction that outlines the context and purpose of the research.
  • Methodology/Approach: An overview of the research methodology, approach, or methods used. 
  • Results/Findings: A summary of the main outcomes, findings, or results of the research. 
  • Discussion/Implications: An interpretation of the results, emphasising their significance. 
  • Conclusion: A brief conclusion that summarises the key points and suggests the broader implications.


Sub-Themes

Regional and Local Economic Development for Societal Transformation
Papers will be sought that examine the strategies for promoting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable regional and local economic development. Contributions may explore regional competitiveness, local industrialisation, place-based innovation, spatial inequality, regional value chains, and policy interventions that stimulate economic transformation. The organisers welcome empirical, theoretical, and policy-oriented research that advances understanding of how local and regional economies can drive long-term societal transformation.
Papers will be sought that examine innovative and evidence-based approaches to addressing poverty, unemployment, and inequality. Contributions may address labour market dynamics, social protection, human development, inclusive growth, employment creation, and interdisciplinary policy interventions that promote socio-economic inclusion. The organisers welcome research that enhances understanding of the structural drivers of inequality and identifies practical solutions for achieving equitable and sustainable development.

Papers will be sought that examine the transformative role of artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and innovation in shaping research, organisations, industries, and the future of work. Contributions may address AI-enabled research, digital transformation, information systems, business analytics, financial technology (FinTech), automation, digital governance, cybersecurity, ethics, organisational change, and the implications of technological advancement for business and society. The organisers welcome empirical, theoretical, and practice-oriented research that advances responsible innovation, digital inclusion, organisational resilience, and sustainable technological development.

Papers will be sought that examine the role of governance, leadership, and institutions in advancing societal transformation. Contributions may address public administration, institutional effectiveness, public policy, organisational change, anti-corruption, service delivery, adaptive governance, and leadership approaches that strengthen accountability and resilience. The organisers welcome research that contributes to stronger institutions, effective leadership, and sustainable societal progress.

Papers will be sought that examine the role of entrepreneurship, business innovation, and enterprise development in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth and socio-economic development. Contributions may address entrepreneurship, social enterprises, informal economies, enterprise development, marketing, consumer behaviour, supply chain and logistics management, operations, technology transfer, business incubation, financing mechanisms, and innovation ecosystems. The organisers welcome scholarship that demonstrates how innovative business practices and entrepreneurial solutions contribute to competitiveness, economic inclusion, resilience, and community development.

Papers will be sought that examine innovative approaches to advancing environmental sustainability and climate resilience through finance, governance, and policy. Contributions may address green finance, climate adaptation and mitigation, ESG reporting and accountability, sustainable investment, the circular economy, disaster risk management, and governance mechanisms that support sustainability transitions. The organisers welcome empirical and conceptual research that promotes environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable development.

Papers will be sought that examine the role of accounting, finance, financial markets and risk management in promoting economic resilience, organisational performance, sustainable development and sound governance. Contributions may address financial management, corporate and public finance, financial markets, banking, auditing, taxation, financial inclusion, governance, responsible investment, and risk management practices that strengthen institutional resilience and accountability. The organisers welcome scholarship that demonstrates how sound financial systems contribute to transparency, economic stability, sustainable growth and societal transformation.

Papers will be sought that examine collaborative approaches to knowledge creation and societal impact through stakeholder engagement and community partnerships. Contributions may address participatory research, community engagement, co-production of knowledge, knowledge mobilisation, research impact, ethical partnerships, and pathways for translating research into policy and practice. The organisers welcome scholarship that demonstrates how collaborative research can strengthen communities and generate meaningful societal impact.

Papers will be sought that speak to the role that the law and our courts can play in advancing transformative constitutionalism and social justice. Contributions may also explore how legal institutions, governance frameworks, regulatory systems and accountability mechanisms respond to contemporary societal challenges and promote equitable, rights-based development. The organisers welcome scholarship from across all areas of law that examines the capacity of legal norms, institutions and practice to advance justice, protect human rights, strengthen democratic governance and contribute to meaningful societal transformation.

Papers will be sought that examine how education and skills development can prepare individuals and societies for a rapidly changing world. Contributions may address curriculum innovation, higher education, digital pedagogy, lifelong learning, workforce development, industry-academia partnerships, graduate employability, future skills, and knowledge systems. The organisers welcome research that advances teaching, learning, and skills development in ways that foster innovation, economic resilience, and societal transformation.

Submit Abstract

Poster Presentations

Should you wish to showcase your presentation in the form of posters, all posters must conform to the following guidelines:
  • Paper Size: A0 – 841mm x 1189mm PORTRAIT.
  • Layout: A poster should include a clearly visible title at the top centre, followed by author and affiliation information underneath, including e-mail address / addresses.
  • Graphics: Effective visual display of information is essential in a poster presentation. To achieve this goal, author(s) should concentrate on two or three main points and should prefer graphic displays over text to illustrate their message effectively. Overall, a poster should have more graphics than text. In addition, graphics should be simple to understand, with contrasting colours and no grid lines.
    • Main title: 78 -96 pt (bold, uppercase)
    • Author(s): 72 pt (bold, title case)
    • Affiliation(s): 48 pt (normal, title case)
    • Subheading: 36 pt (bold and uppercase)
    • Subheading: 30 pt (bold and title case)
    • Body of the text: 24 pt (normal)

Awards

  • Best Paper Award for each College of Law and Management Studies Discipline – R5000.
  • Best Paper Award for other UKZN Disciplines – R5000.

Registration

RSVP to attend if you are NOT presenting.

Register Now

Organising Committee

Dr Damilola Aboluwodi (AboluwodiD@ukzn.ac.za) 

Dr Suhayfa Bhamjee (BhamjeeS@ukzn.ac.za)

Ms Mandhira Bramdeo (bramdeo@ukzn.ac.za)

Dr Nyashadzashe Chiwawa (ChiwawaN@ukzn.ac.za)

Professor Jobo Dubihlela (DubihlelaJ@ukzn.ac.za)

Professor Gavin George (Georgeg@ukzn.ac.za)

Dr Sanele Gumede (Gumedes@ukzn.ac.za)

Dr Janine Hicks (HicksJ@ukzn.ac.za)

Ms Hazel Langa (Langah@ukzn.ac.za)

Professor Isabel Martins (MartinsM@ukzn.ac.za)

Ms Bongiwe Mokoena (Mokoena@ukzn.ac.za)

Dr Lorraine Muguto (MugutoL@ukzn.ac.za)

Dr Admire Mthombeni (MthombeniA@ukzn.ac.za)

Professor Paul Francois Muzindutsi (MuzindutsiP@ukzn.ac.za)

Dr Shushentha Naidoo (NaidooS4@ukzn.ac.za)

Professor Phocenah Nyatanga (Nyatanga@ukzn.ac.za)

Professor Purshottama Sivanarain Reddy (Reddyp1@ukzn.ac.za)

Dr Sheetal Soni (Sonish@ukzn.ac.za)

Professor Mogie Subban (Subbanm@ukzn.ac.za)

Professor Thea van der Westhuizen (Vanderwesthuizent@ukzn.ac.za)

Professor Claire Vermaak (Vermaakc@ukzn.ac.za)

Enquiries

Please direct all queries to Ms Mandhira Bramdeo (bramdeo@ukzn.ac.za)