Fourth Young Scholars Conference 2024

Fourth Young Scholars Conference on Structural Change and Industrial Policy in Africa

organised by

University of Johannesburg, Young Scholars Initiative

11-12 June 2024 | Virtual Conference

About the conference

Industrialisation and industrial development continues to be at the forefront of the development agenda of many African countries. With the ratification and implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), trade, regional integration and regional industrialisation are likely to become even more important in policy considerations.

The DSI/NRF South African Research Chair in Industrial Development (SARChI-ID), hosted at the College of Business and Economics, and the Young Scholars Initiative are pleased to invite abstracts from young scholars for the Fourth Young Scholars Conference on Structural Change and Industrial Policy in Africa, to be held virtually on 11-12 June 2024.

Senior international scholars will act as discussants to provide feedback on presented papers. The conference will be held virtually, with the option of congregated physical attendance at satellite venues, where attendants can participate in the conference as a group in a single venue. Attendance is free and open to the public.

How to participate

OPTION 1: SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT TO PRESENT AT THE CONFERENCE
Deadline for submissions: 22 April 2024

As part of the submission, extended abstracts of 600-800 words are required. The deadline for submissions is 22 April 2024. Submissions must be uploaded at https://forms.gle/93CZ7gyB7X3m7mMH8. For queries or technical assistance, please contact Mrs Melanie Ridgard on sarchiid@uj.ac.za.

Presentation at the conference is open to postgraduate students, postdoctoral research fellows and early career researchers.

Presenters whose abstract submissions are successful will be required to submit presentations by 20 May 2024. The submission of full papers at this time is also encouraged to allow discussants an opportunity to engage more closely with the work.

Submissions are invited around the broad themes of structural change, industrial development and industrial policy in Africa. Studies with a sub national, national or supra-national focus are all welcome.

Topics could include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Structural change in Africa
• Industrial development, industrialisation, sector studies, and deindustrialisation in Africa
• The political economy of industrial policy in Africa
• Trade and industrial development in Africa
• The innovation, technological upgrading, and the 4IR in Africa
• Green industrialisation and green industrial policy in Africa
• Gendered aspects of industrial development and policy in Africa
• Labour market or distributional aspects of industrial development in Africa

Awards

We will be recognising outstanding full papers with awards for the Best Paper ($750) and Runner-up Best Paper ($250). To be eligible, submissions need to be accepted and presented at the conference, and full papers need to be submitted to sarchiid@uj.ac.za by 20 May 2024. These awards are at the discretion of the selection committee and decisions of the selection committee are final.

OPTION 2: HOST A SATELLITE EVENT AT YOUR UNIVERSITY

Deadline for submissions: 22 April 2024

You have the opportunity to host a satellite event to this conference at your own university. A satellite event is intended to serve as an in-person gathering to this otherwise virtual event. It’s an opportunity to gather peers interested in the conference themes and enjoy the sessions together. You do not have present a paper to host a satellite event.

For more information and to apply to host a satellite event complete this form by 22 April 2024.

OPTION 3: ATTEND AS A GENERAL PARTICIPANT

Those who would like to simply attend the conference are welcome to join us. General registration will open on 6 May 2024.

Important dates

• Abstract submission deadline 22 April 2024
• Satellite hosting application 22 April 2024
• Conference registration opens 6 May 2024
• Submission of presentations and optionally of full papers 20 May 2024