Why is this theme important?
STEM education and development is crucial for Africa's sustainable growth and development. As a continent, Africa has enormous potential for growth, and STEM expertise is a key driver for achieving this potential. Governments in Africa are recognizing the importance of STEM subjects and are investing in initiatives to promote STEM education, research, and policy. However, there are still many challenges to be addressed, such as the lack of resources for science education, the marginalization of girls and young women in STEM, and the limited access to affordable technology.
What kinds of papers are we encouraging?
We invite submissions from STEM academics, education researchers, and policymakers from Africa and around the world. We welcome studies that focus on the role of technology in STEM education, including AI, virtual labs, and new forms of engineering that facilitate greater female participation. We also encourage critical analyses of the potential limitations of a development agenda that centers on STEM, the marginalization of those without access to technology, the assumption that digital skills are easily acquired, and the relevance of STEM education to the lives of girls and young women. We hope that papers will provide insights, strategies, and recommendations for addressing these challenges and promoting inclusive, equitable, and sustainable STEM education and development across Africa.
What are we looking forward to in the submissions?
In the submissions for this conference theme, we are looking forward to innovative and impactful research, policy proposals, and case studies that demonstrate the potential of STEM education and development to transform Africa's future. We welcome submissions that address the challenges of increasing access to quality STEM education, fostering a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce, and leveraging technology to address social and economic development challenges. We are particularly interested in submissions that offer practical solutions to the complex and interrelated challenges facing STEM education and development in Africa. We are also interested in papers that explore STEM partnerships in West Africa. Such partnerships are essential for promoting STEM education and development in Africa and could be between industry, academia, and government. Ultimately, we hope that the submissions will inspire new and innovative STEM partnerships that contribute to creating a new agenda for STEM education and development in Africa which prioritizes equity, inclusion, and sustainability.
Theme Conveners: Douglas Agyei (UCC) ddagyei@ucc.edu.gh and Jane Cullen (OU) jane.cullen@open.ac.uk
Submit your abstract by Monday, 29th May 2023 through https://www.icerdaafrica.org/abstract-submission