Essential Information for Attendees
Dear colleagues,
We are looking forward to welcoming you in just a few weeks for the 2025 IARSLCE Conference in Durban! Please read this entire email as it includes important information about conference logistics. For any questions during the conference, visit the registration desk in the foyer of African Fires on the 2nd Floor or email info@iarslce.org.
August 12: Community Tours
Community tours will take place on Tuesday August 12, the day before the official start of the conference. As space is limited, tours are only open to those who pre-registered. You will not be able to attend if you did not pre-register. Please plan to arrive by 8:30 am to check-in and receive your name badge in the foyer of African Fires on the 2nd Floor. The buses will depart at 9:00 am and return at 1:00 pm.
August 12: Pre-Conference Dinner
If you are arriving early, we invite you to join us for a pre-conference dinner on Tuesday from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow delegates ahead of the conference kickoff. Please RSVP to confirm your attendance, as this dinner is exclusively for those who have signed up.
August 13: Day 1
Plan to arrive between 8:00-9:00 am to check in at the registration desk in the foyer of African Fires on the 2nd Floor. There will be a whole conference Welcome Gathering at 9:00-10:30 am in African Fires. During this welcome gathering, the Board Chair and Vice Chair will facilitate a reflective conversation to lean into the theme of the conference, begin to foster community with members, and prepare for next steps of IARSLCE's Global Research Agenda.
Lunch will be in the Saffron Restaurant on the 4th Floor, followed by the Opening Plenary from 1:45-3:00 pm in African Fires. Hear from a panel of Vice Chancellors from South African institutions as they share their perspectives on the sustainability of community engagement initiatives that their universities undertake and the impact of these initiatives on South African society at large.
August 14: Day 2
Registration will open at 8:00 am, and the first concurrent session of the day will begin at 9:00 am. The Global Scholars Panel, featuring former and current IARSLCE board members, will take place at 11:30-12:45 in African Fires. Don't miss this session featuring speakers representing diverse global regions who will share their current SLCE scholarship, highlight emerging trends, and offer personal insights on IARSLCE’s role in stewarding the field forward.
The Poster Reception, which will include cocktails and light dinner fare, will take place from 6:00-8:00 pm in African Heritage on the 2nd Floor.
August 15: Day 3
All conference participants are welcome to attend the Membership Town Hall from 10:15-11:15 am in African Fires. This is an open invitation to all attendees to help refine the Association’s affirmation statement, discuss shared values and tensions in the field, and strengthen connections among members. Then, we hope you will join us to celebrate the 2025 IARSLCE Award Winners at the Awards Ceremony from 11:30 am-12:45 pm. Finally, our conference week will conclude at the Closing Reception from 1:00-3:00 pm in Saffron, hosted by GivePulse. We’ll reflect on the week and discuss how to sustain the momentum post-conference.
What to bring
In order to reduce our waste, we will have limited hard copies of the conference program available. Please save the conference website and schedule on your phone so you remain aware of the session times and locations.
August in Durban offers a generally mild climate with comfortable daytime temperatures and cool evenings. Bring light clothing for mild, sunny days and long pants and a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings and mornings.
Electrical Outlets
Electrical outlets in Durban, South Africa, may differ from those in your home country. South Africa primarily uses Type M plugs (three large round pins in a triangular pattern), and the standard voltage is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. To ensure you can charge your devices and use your electronics safely, bring a suitable plug adapter (and a voltage converter if your devices are not compatible with 230V).
Meals
We're pleased to provide meals for all registered conference participants. Upon arrival, you'll receive wristbands and drink vouchers that will grant you access to these meals. Please refer to the conference program for specific details regarding meal times and locations.
Please note that our sponsored evening receptions are exclusively reserved for registered conference attendees. Our planning, including headcount and capacity, is directly tied to our registration numbers, and we are unfortunately unable to account for additional guests. We appreciate your understanding!
A note for presenters
Please double check the schedule as some times and rooms have changed. For Lightning Talks and Research Paper presentations, remember 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.
Don’t forget to bookmark the conference website for easy access to all things IARSLCE 2025!
We look forward to seeing you soon!