The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is organising the 4TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF YOUNG RESEARCHERS ON AFRICA (CIJIA) on 26th, 27th and 28th of May 2026, an academic meeting that has established itself as a leading forum for debate, the exchange of ideas and the presentation of innovative research on Africa and its diaspora.
Under the slogan ‘Africa looking to the future. History, challenges and perspectives of African Studies’, this fourth edition proposes to reflect, from critical and renewed approaches, on the profound changes that the African continent is undergoing in a global context marked by political, social, cultural, technological and environmental transformations. The conference is being held as part of the ULPGC’s ‘Bridge to Africa’ initiative, reinforcing the institutional commitment to the promotion and projection of African Studies.
A space for young researchers
CIJIA was created with the aim of strengthening academic networks and providing a forum for dialogue for those who are beginning or consolidating their careers in African Studies. Therefore, the call for papers is aimed at:
- Undergraduate and Master’s students
- Doctoral students at any stage of their research
- Young doctors (theses defended in the last five years)
- Independent researchers
How to participate
There are three ways to participate, designed to suit different profiles and work formats:
- Individual or co-authored papers: presentation of research individually or jointly (maximum two people per proposal).
- Pre-established thematic panels: groups of between three and six participants organised around a common theme. These panels will function as official conference tables and will allow for more in-depth and interdisciplinary debates.
- Pre-doctoral workshops: a specific space for training, academic support and methodological exchange between doctoral researchers.
Proposals may be submitted in Spanish or English, and participation may be online or in person.
Registration form: available in English
Registration form: available in Spanish
Thematic areas
Proposals must fall within one of the conference’s thematic areas, which include:
- Governance, citizenship and political transformation
- African economies in transition
- Migration dynamics and African diasporas
- Climate change, sustainability and environmental justice
- Conflict, peace and human security
- Cultures, identities and artistic expressions
- Health, wellbeing and care systems
- Gender, feminism and diversity in Africa
- Africa and technology
- Education, research and knowledge production
- Decolonial perspectives and critical reinterpretations
- African history For further information on these topics, please visit the official conference website.
Key dates
Conference dates: 26th, 27th and 28th May 2026.
Deadline for submitting proposals: 28th February 2026
Contact
If you have any questions about the conference, please contact the organising committee at congreso.cijia@gmail.com
