Abstracts are invited for The 2026 LITASA Conference, hosted by the Gauteng Branch of LITASA, under the theme:
 

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​​Celebrating 21 years of literacy research, practice and advocacy, LITASA's 2026 Conference marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s literacy journey. For more than two decades, this conference has brought together educators, researchers, policymakers, community organisations and literacy advocates committed to shaping the country’s literacy landscape. As we celebrate LITASA’s 21st birthday, we invite participants to reimagine literacy’s role in building equitable, multilingual and socially just futures — futures in which every South African can access knowledge, participate fully and exercise agency with dignity.

 

In a moment marked by challenging PIRLS findings, widening inequalities, rapidly advancing AI technologies and shifting linguistic and cultural ecologies, literacy remains a powerful tool for transformation. This year’s theme foregrounds multilingual literacies as dynamic resources that bridge home and school, local realities and global opportunities, foundational learning and higher education, and classrooms and communities.

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The conference will create space to explore:

• Transformative literacy in a changing world, including literacy, social justice, innovation, AI, sustainability and partnerships.

• Foundations for the future in the early years, with attention to home languages, cultural knowledge and strong early literacy development.

• Reading across the years, focusing on transitions, continuity and deepening engagement in reading and writing across schooling.

• Literacies in higher education, including access, equity, epistemic justice and responses to digital and AI-driven shifts.

• Rethinking assessment, particularly in multilingual and multimodal contexts.

• Literacies beyond the classroom, highlighting community, family, workplace and digital literacy practices.

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We welcome submissions and presentations in all twelve official South African languages. Please indicate your preferred presentation language when submitting.

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Presentations may take the form of:

• Research papers (15-minute presentation, 10-minute discussion)

• Practitioner presentations (15-minute presentation, 10-minute discussion)

• During-conference workshops (1 hour)

• Posters

• Panel discussions (1 hour)

• Community project showcases (15-minute presentation, 10-minute discussion)

• Innovative or multisensory literacy demonstrations (15-minute presentation, 10-minute discussion)

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Abstracts for research papers, practitioner presentations, workshops, posters, community project showcases, and innovative demonstrations should not exceed 200 words and should not include citations. Abstracts for panel discussions should not exceed 350 words, inclusive of panellist details.

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Abstract submission: Closing date 15 March 2026

(Scroll down to complete the Submission form)

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If you have any queries, contact us at info@litasa.org.za.