FAQs
When and where is the 2025 IARSLCE Conference?
The 2025 IARSLCE Conference is taking place on August 13-15, 2025 at the Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel & Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa. 329 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga, South Africa.
How do I request an official invitation letter?
We can write letters of invitation for attendees who will be presenting at the conference. Please email conference@iarslce.org with your name and your presentation title, and a letter will be written for you.
My proposal was accepted, and I can no longer attend the conference. What should I do?
Email conference@iarslce.org with your name and the title of your presentation.
Will there be free wifi access?
Yes, Coastlands Umhlanga will provide free internet access.
What to bring
In order to reduce our waste, we will have limited hard copies of the conference program on hand. Please save the conference website on your phone and/or download the program PDF so you remain aware of the schedule and session locations.
A note for presenters
If you are displaying slides (Lightning Talks and Research Papers only), you will need to bring your own laptop for your presentation; HDMI cables will be provided. If your laptop doesn't have an HDMI input, you will need to bring an adapter. There is no A/V for roundtables and poster presentations. You are welcome to bring printed handouts, but this is not required.
Navigating the Schedule
If you know the presentation title or presenter's name, click on "Presentations" to do a search. To view the full schedule, download the program PDF, or click here to view the schedule broken down by session titles and types.
Are scholarships or discounts available?
We worked hard to keep conference costs low this year, understanding the travel to Durban is more costly than domestic travel, and have reduced the cost of registration for students, community partners, and all attendees. Registration costs this year are on average between $100-$200 cheaper than last year, for example early bird registration costs for members last year were $350 and are $225 this year.
Additional discounts are available to members of IARSLCE and our Alliance institutions.
The Graduate Student Network (GradSN) will launch their annual call for scholarships soon. Check back here for information or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
If you are interested in volunteering on site at the conference, you can get your registration fee covered in exchange for working three volunteer shifts. If you are interested in volunteering please fill out this form. Space is limited.
How do I register?
Registration closed on July 15.
Do I need to sign up for specific sessions?
No. Registered attendees may attend any general session, breakout session, or opportunity listed in the conference schedule.
What is your refund, transfer, and cancellation policy?
100% refund until July 1, 2025 and 50% refund from July 2-August 1 15, 2025. No refunds will be issued beginning August 2, 2025. No refunds for no-shows. No refunds for no-shows.
If the conference is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, registration fees will be fully refunded; however, IARSLCE is not responsible for any additional expenses incurred in connection to attending the conference (i.e. flights, hotel, etc.).
Navigating Costs of International Travel
We understand that the cost of international travel, particularly flights, may seem daunting. However, there are important factors to consider that help offset these expenses:
Affordable Accommodations: The cost of staying at the four-star Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel, with breakfast included, is significantly lower than accommodation costs at previous conferences in the United States. For example, room rates at the Dana Hotel in San Diego ranged from $150 to $250 per night, while our negotiated rates for Durban are approximately $87 to $96 per night.
Included Meals: Breakfast is included with your hotel stay, and lunch and dinner will be provided by IARSLCE throughout the conference, reducing food costs.
Transportation Covered: Transportation for conference events and activities will be handled by IARSLCE, eliminating the need for additional transportation expenses during your stay.
Reduced Registration Fees: We acknowledge that travel to Durban is more costly for some and have reduced registration fees to help offset expenses. Last year, early bird registration was $350 for members. This year, members can register at the early bird rate of $225.
By taking advantage of these reduced costs, your overall expenses may be comparable to or even lower than attending past conferences, despite the international travel. We also encourage you to take advantage of the reduced hotel rates available from August 10, 2025 to August 20, 2025 to stay and explore the area should you wish. We encourage you to plan early and make use of the discounts and support we’ve arranged to make this an accessible and enriching experience.