Short Paper / Work-in-Progress Peer-reviewed • Published in Proceedings • In Workshop Session (10 min) | |
Purpose | Emerging research, pilot studies, or work-in-progress with preliminary findings. Short papers are presented as 10-minute impulses in the Applied Workshop Sessions and are expected to connect directly to the practical challenges discussed in those sessions. They are ideal for doctoral students, early career researchers, and practitioners with field-based evidence to share. |
Eligibility | Research at an advanced stage of design or early data collection. Completed studies with a focused scope are also welcome. Submissions must clearly relate to one of the thematic workshop areas listed below. |
Word count | 4-6 pages (excl. references). Abstract: 150 words. References follow APA 7th edition. |
Review process | Single-blind peer review by the Scientific Committee. |
Presentation | 10-minute impulse presentation within a grouped Applied Workshop Session. The format is designed to spark discussion and connect research to practice. Presenters must attend in person. |
Language | English. |
Proceedings | Included in published conference proceedings with DOI. |
Thematic Areas for Short Paper Submissions
Short papers should contribute to one of the following workshop areas. When submitting, please indicate which area your paper best fits. Papers will be grouped with related presentations in the Applied Workshop Sessions.
Day 1 — Access & Equity
- Technology design for equitable access — offline solutions, mobile-first approaches, low-bandwidth tools, and hidden exclusion risks (language, disability, gender)
- Financing models and the political economy of digital access — affordability, public-private partnerships, donor funding, and who bears the cost
- Learner-centred equity — lived barriers beyond infrastructure: time, motivation, digital confidence, cultural relevance, and dropout
Day 2 — Learning & Teaching
- AI applications in teaching and learning — intelligent tutoring, adaptive pathways, feedback systems, and teacher agency
- Digital teaching in rural and low-connectivity environments — mobile learning, simple platforms, content creation under constraints
- Learner engagement in diverse contexts — gamification, blended learning, inclusive participation, teacher- vs. technology-led approaches
- Assessment and evaluation in low-connectivity settings — offline tools, mobile-based assessment, reliability and equity
- Curriculum design for African contexts — localisation, language, embedding digital tools, alignment with TVET and employability
- Inclusive education and accessibility — assistive technology, gender-sensitive design, reaching marginalised learners
Day 3 — Skills & Economy
- Recognition of prior learning and competency frameworks — mapping informal skills, RPL tools, linking recognition to employment
- Credentialing and micro-credential pathways — digital credentials, trust and interoperability, alignment with national frameworks
- Ecosystem partnerships for employment — government-industry-education collaboration, apprenticeships, technology-enabled job matching
Not sure which area fits? Choose the closest match. The programme committee may reassign papers to ensure the best grouping.
Review Criteria
- Clarity and relevance of the research question
- Appropriateness of conceptual or methodological approach
- Coherence of preliminary findings or theoretical argument
- Relevance to the selected workshop thematic area
- Potential contribution to knowledge or practice
- Quality of writing and academic structure
General Requirements
- Language: English only
- File format: PDF for initial submission; Microsoft Word (.docx) for camera-ready versions
- Font: Times New Roman 10pt, paper size 210x297mm, margins on all sides (see template)
- Line spacing: 1.2 for body text
- Referencing: APA 7th edition throughout
- Anonymisation: All submissions undergo blind review. Remove all author names, affiliations, acknowledgements, and self-identifying references from the manuscript.
- Tables and figures: Numbered consecutively, with captions; referenced in the text; submitted at sufficient resolution (min. 300 dpi for images)
- Ethical considerations: Submissions reporting on human participants must confirm ethical approval or waiver in the methods section
Submission Structure
Short Paper / Work-in-Progress (4-6 pages excl. references)
- Title (max. 15 words)
- Abstract (150 words)
- Keywords: 3–5 keywords
- Problem or research question
- Conceptual or theoretical positioning
- Methodology or planned approach
- Preliminary findings or argument (where available)
- Expected contribution and next steps
- References
All submissions must follow the formatting specifications. Non-compliant submissions will be returned without review.