KUCIRC 2026: KAZA Universities Consortium Research Conference 2026 University of Namibia Katima Mulilo, Namibia, October 12-16, 2026

KUCIRC 2026 is the KAZA Universities Consortium Research Conference, hosted by the University of Namibia at its Katima Mulilo Campus under the theme “One KAZA: People, Nature and Health.” Building on the Consortium’s collaborative research framework, the conference brings together researchers, students, policymakers, practitioners and regional partners to advance research that connects biodiversity conservation, regional cooperation and community well-being across the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Its multidisciplinary scope encompasses community development, human–wildlife interactions, land use, natural resource management, One Health, tourism, climate change, infrastructure and governance. The conference provides a platform for sharing evidence, strengthening research partnerships and translating knowledge into policies and practical interventions that support sustainable livelihoods, resilient ecosystems and inclusive transboundary development.

Submission Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. Submissions should align with the theme “One KAZA: People, Nature and Health” and address conservation and sustainable development in the KAZA region or comparable transboundary contexts. The following paper categories are welcome:

• Full papers describing original research, methodological advances or evidence-based case studies in community development, human–wildlife interactions, land use, natural resource management, One Health, tourism, climate change, infrastructure or governance. Papers should clearly present the objectives, methods, findings and implications for policy or practice.
• Posters describing ongoing research, preliminary findings, innovative approaches or community-based initiatives relevant to the conference themes. Submissions should outline the problem, objectives, approach and available findings or anticipated contribution.

All submissions must be written in English and submitted through the KUCIRC 2026 EasyChair submission portal.

List of Topics

Wildlife Conservation and Ecosystem Management

• Biodiversity monitoring and threatened species conservation
• Wildlife movement, migration corridors and landscape connectivity
• Habitat restoration and ecosystem resilience
• Protected-area management and conservation effectiveness
• Freshwater biodiversity, fisheries and aquatic ecosystem management

2. Human-Wildlife Coexistence and Community Livelihoods

• Human–wildlife conflict prevention and mitigation
• Community-based natural resource management
• Conservation attitudes, perceptions and behaviours
• Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and livelihood diversification
• Conservation benefits, compensation and equitable benefit-sharing

3. One Health and Environmental Health

• Human, livestock and wildlife health interactions
• Zoonotic diseases and integrated disease surveillance
• Antimicrobial resistance at human–animal–environment interfaces
• Water quality, sanitation and environmental pollution
• Food safety, nutrition and community health

4. Sustainable Tourism, Heritage and Green Economies

• Ecotourism and sustainable destination management
• Cultural heritage, indigenous tourism and community enterprises
• Transboundary tourism routes and regional tourism development
• Green entrepreneurship, circular economies and conservation financing
• Tourism impacts, benefit-sharing and local economic development

5. Climate Change, Water and Environmental Sustainability

• Climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation
• Transboundary water governance and integrated catchment management
• Droughts, floods, disaster risk reduction and community resilience
• Sustainable land use, land degradation and ecosystem restoration
• Renewable energy, resource efficiency and nature-based solutions

6. Education, Human Capital and Knowledge Systems

• Environmental education and conservation awareness
• Higher education partnerships and research capacity development
• Indigenous and local knowledge in conservation and development
• Youth participation, skills development and employment
• Knowledge exchange, science communication and community engagement

7. Policy, Governance and Transboundary Cooperation

• Transboundary conservation policies and institutional coordination
• Natural resource governance, land tenure and access rights
• Community participation, equity and inclusive decision-making
• Wildlife crime prevention and cross-border law enforcement
• Science–policy interfaces and evidence-informed decision-making

8. Innovation, Technology and Research Methods

• Remote sensing, GIS and spatial modelling
• Artificial intelligence, machine learning and ecological forecasting
• Wildlife tracking, camera traps, drones and acoustic monitoring
• Citizen science, digital platforms and participatory research
• Statistical modelling, research design and uncertainty assessment
• Interdisciplinary methods, open science and research data management

Committees

Program Committee

• Prof Samuel Kakambi Mafwila
• Dr Kudakwashe Hove
• Prof James Abah

Organizing Committee

• Prof. S. Mafwila
• Prof. J. Abah
• Dr. K. Hove
• Prof. A. Zulu
• Prof. E. Fabiano
• Prof. O. Madzingira
• Prof. M. Mukwambo
• Dr. E. Simasiku
• Dr. J. Nakanyala
• Dr. D. Nkengbeza
• Dr. P. Rutina
• Dr. K.F. Mutasa
• Dr. S.C. Chombo
• Dr. B. Liswaniso
• Dr. S. Chinyoka

Publication

KUCIRC 2026 proceedings will be published in ...

by TBA

Venue

The conference will be held at the University of Namibia, Katima Mulilo Campus, Namibia

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to: khove@unam.na

Sponsors