The Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) at the University of the Free State is thrilled to announce the second iteration of the Southern African Mountain Conference (SAMC2025). This prestigious event will
be held at Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg from 17 to 20 March 2025. The conference, headed by Prof Ralph Clark, Director of the ARU will feature three renowned keynote speakers: Sissie Matela, Prof Steven Goodman, and Dr Steve Boyes.
The university is ecstatic and eagerly anticipates the opportunity to once again welcome delegates from around the world to this important gathering of mountain researchers.
The Second Southern African Mountain Conference (SAMC2025), themed Southern African Mountains – Overcoming Boundaries and Barriers, will build on the highly successful first conference (SAMC2022) held in March 2022. This, the first of its kind in Southern Africa, attracted 259 participants from 21 countries, with 168 papers delivered and 4 sponsored special sessions.
According to Prof Vasu Reddy, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, the conference will foster a more nuanced understanding of mountain landscapes, their inhabitants, and the challenges they face. By examining these ecosystems as ‘natural laboratories’, researchers can gain valuable insights into the interconnectedness of physical, social, human, and ecological systems.
Prof Reddy also emphasised the importance of the conference in shaping the future of mountain research at the University of the Free State (UFS). The Afromontane Research Unit, a leading institution in this field, has laid a strong foundation for future advancements. SAMC2025 aligns with the university's vision of research excellence, impact, and innovation, and will contribute to building a strong network of researchers and practitioners.
Beyond the Conference
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor highlighted the need for the legacy of SAMC2025 to extend beyond the event itself. By fostering sustained networks, promoting interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, and disseminating findings to broader audiences, the conference can drive meaningful change in mountain conservation and policy.
Key Points from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor's Remarks:
Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach: SAMC2025 will encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration to address the complex challenges facing mountain ecosystems as complex systems and green futures.
Knowledge sharing: The conference will facilitate the exchange of ideas and research findings among participants.
Policy influence: The outcomes of the conference will inform policy decisions related to mountain conservation and sustainable development.
Public engagement: SAMC2025 will strive to reach broader audiences, including the general public, through various communication channels.
Legacy building: The conference aims to create a lasting impact by fostering partnerships, promoting research excellence, and driving positive change in mountain regions.
As the Southern African Mountain Conference 2025 approaches, it is clear that this event will play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of mountain environments and shaping a more sustainable future for these valuable ecosystems.
Southern African mountains comprise those situated south of the Congo Rainforest and Lake Rukwa and include the mountainous islands of the western Indian Ocean. Thus, SAMC2025 is targeting Angola, the Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (southern mountains), Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, La Réunion, South Africa, southern Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Are you a researcher, student, or conservationist passionate about mountain environments? The Southern African Mountain Conference 2025 is seeking innovative and thought-provoking abstracts for its upcoming event.
Another exciting platform exists for scholars working on Mountainscapes and the Anthropocene (with a strong Humanities, Arts-based and Social Science focus) to consider abstracts. See for example, the call.
Don't miss this opportunity to share your research and connect with like-minded individuals. Submit your abstract today and be part of a vibrant community dedicated to understanding and protecting our precious mountain ecosystems.
Important dates
Submission of abstracts closes 16 September 2024
Early-bird registration closes 30 November 2024
INSTRUCTIONS ON SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS- Go to website: https://2025.samc.africa/
- Navigate to 'Abstracts/Proposals' in the menu
(in both the ‘Open’ and the ‘African Mountainscapes and the Anthropocene’ calls) - Log into your account; if you haven't registered yet, 'Create account'
- Upload your abstract by clicking on ‘My Abstracts’, then ‘Add a new Abstract’.