The Baobab Conference 2027

We invite abstracts of original research from African graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty at universities in Japan. The call is launched alongside the online opening symposium on 21 November 2026.

The deadline for abstract submissions is 15 December 2026. Authors will be notified of the review decision and their presentation format by 30 December 2026.

Tracks

Submissions are welcome across four broad tracks, listed below. The tracks are meant to keep the conference open to a wide range of disciplines, not to set rigid boundaries. Interdisciplinary work is encouraged: choose the track that best reflects the main focus of your research.

Practical relevance

When you submit, you will be invited to describe the practical relevance of your research and the kinds of collaboration you would welcome. The organising team uses this to arrange introductions with participating organisations in the research–industry matchmaking session.

Presentation formats

• Oral presentations in themed research sessions.
• Poster presentations in a dedicated poster session.

The Academic Committee assigns each accepted abstract to an oral or poster presentation.

Review

Every abstract is reviewed by the Academic Committee, with reviewers drawn from all four tracks and conflicts of interest managed. Abstracts are assessed on the clarity of the research question, relevance, approach, contribution and quality of presentation.

Awards and certificates

Awards will be presented for the Best Student Oral Presentation and the Best Student Poster; the criteria will be shared with participants in advance. All presenters receive a certificate of participation, and accepted abstracts will be published in a digital abstract book.