Iies Conference South Africa 2025 2

Location

Wits Rural Facility
Acornhoek, South Africa

Date

Apr 10 - 12 2025

IIES Member Registration Fee

Free

Graduate Student Forum 2025 | South Africa

The 8th International Graduate Student Forum will take place in Acornhoek, South Africa from April 10-12, 2025. The forum will allow graduate students from universities from around the globe to meet and discuss environmental research from various perspectives. Students will give short 5-minute presentations with two slides maximum to present an overview of their research accessible to people from different research backgrounds. Greater emphasis will be placed on discussion groups and professional development sessions, rather than the research results of an individual’s project.

The forum will be held in conjunction with the 9th Annual Science & Policy Workshop taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa from April 7-8, 2025. Participants interested in attending both events must register for the workshop separately. Registration fees for both events will be covered for all participants.

To provide the optimum networking experience for participants, the number of registrations for the Grad Forum will be limited to 75 graduate students. We aim to have a proportional regional representation among attendees, allowing us to create a diverse and balanced environment that reflects various perspectives. Please note that submitting your registration does not guarantee acceptance into the forum, as participation will be determined based on available spaces and representation criteria. Priority for registration will be given to IIES/UNA members to ensure their active participation in the forum.

Some travel grants will be available to students from IIES member institutions. Opportunities are limited, so please register early. Students hoping to receive a travel grant for this trip must attend both the Science & Policy Workshop and the Graduate Student Forum.

Any faculty members interesting in attending the Graduate Student Forum can contact Raquel Scott () directly. As we have limited spots available, faculty attendance at the Grad Forum will be by invite only.

Organizing Committee

Professor Margaret Graham | Co-chair, Chair of Environmental Geochemistry, School of Geosciences, The University of Edinburgh
Professor Craig Sheridan | Co-chair, Director of Wits Water, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Professor Douglas Evans | Director, International Institute for Environmental Studies
Professor Huy Dang | Associate Professor, Trent School of the Environment and Department of Chemistry
Professor Tracy-Lynn Field | Professor, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Dr. Simone Dahms-Verster
| Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Professor Marleen Dekker | Scientific Director, Professor, Leiden University
Professor Martina Vijver | Scientific Director, Professor, Leiden University
Professor Piotr Szwedo | Associate Professor, Jagiellonian University in Kraków
Lena Helińska | Jagiellonian University in Kraków
Dr. Sabina Favaro | Postdoctoral Fellow, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Dr. Tamlyn Naidu
| Postdoctoral Fellow, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Dr. Alechine Ameh
| Postdoctoral Fellow, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Dr. Sarah Donoghue | Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Edinburgh
Raquel Scott | Operations Coordination, International Institute for Environmental Studies

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Deadline: January 24, 2025
Notification of Abstract Acceptance: February 7, 2025
Health & Safety Training (MANDATORY): TBD
Science & Policy Workshop: April 7-8, 2025
Graduate Student Forum: April 10-12, 2025

Workshop

Venue: University of the Witwatersrand
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Date: April 7-8, 2025

Grad Forum

Venue: Wits Rural Facility
Location: Acornhoek, South Africa
Date: April 10-12, 2025

Professional Development Sessions

SESSION 1

Design Workshop

Tentative Session Topics:
  • Design Workshop
  • Policy Discussion
  • Public Communication of Research
  • Animal & Plant Conservation Biology

*Check back soon for more information.

Important Information for Participants

PRESENTATION: 5-minute oral presentation (max 2 slides)

REGISTRATION: The cost of registration for students is FREE. Any faculty members interesting in attending the Graduate Student Forum can contact Raquel Scott () directly. As we have limited spots available, faculty attendance at the Grad Forum will be by invite only.

TRAVEL SUPPORT: Some travel grants will be available to students from IIES member institutions. Opportunities are limited, so please register early. Students who receive a travel grant must attend both the Graduate Student Forum and the Annual Science & Policy Workshop. Please register separately for these events.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Accommodations and meals will be provided for all attendees of the forum.

HEALTH & SAFETY: The health and safety of our participants are important to us. Please be sure to read all of the information in the FAQ section below.
Please note: There will be a mandatory Health and Safety Training Meeting for all participants (online zoom meeting – cameras MUST be on). Information on this will be issued closer to the event date.

South Africa - Frequently Asked Questions​

Yes, but here are a few things to keep in mind when travelling to South Africa:

Don’t wear flashy jewellery
You can become an easy target if you wear flashy jewellery in South Africa, as it usually identifies you as a foreign tourist or somebody with money. That makes you an ideal target for a mugging.

Don’t have your phone out
Theft in South Africa can be as violent as an armed robbery, or as simple as pickpocketing. One of the biggest cases of reported theft comes because of phones being stolen, even directly out of your hand. This is a common occurrence in places like Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Don’t go into dodgy areas
This one should be fairly self-explanatory. If you’re in an area that’s not as well-lit or secure as others, you’re opening yourself up to crime. This is especially true in Cape Town and townships in the Eastern Cape.

Don’t handle large amounts of money in the open
Similar to wearing jewellery, having wads of cash identifies you as someone with money (obviously). It’s always a better idea to carry a card since most establishments are happy to accept card payments.

Don’t walk alone at night
Walking alone at night makes you a prime candidate for a criminal. Either surround yourself with friends or stay at the hotel.

Here are some additional health and safety tips for travel in South Africa:

  • Protests and large gatherings can occur anywhere in South Africa at any time. Avoid areas affected by protests and demonstrations. Use major roads where it’s safe to do so and verify that alternate routes recommended by your GPS are safe prior to travel. Monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities. 
  • Crime and violence are serious issues across South Africa, including murder, rape, assault, food and drink spiking, robbery and carjacking. South Africa experiences more crime during its rolling blackouts (load-shedding). Be particularly alert in major city centres and township areas and when travelling after dark. Crimes in South Africa often involve the use of weapons.
  • Terrorism is a threat worldwide and can occur anywhere at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places and follow the advice of local authorities. 
  • Opportunistic criminals also target travellers at the approaches to Kruger National Park, including Numbi Gate, and at the Lebombo/Komatipoort border. Criminals have also been targeting tourist vehicles at the approaches to Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City Resort.
  • Criminals target travellers and their bags at airports and on public transport. Vehicles parked or stopped at intersections are also targeted. Criminals have posed as fake tourist police to extort and rob tourists.
  • ATM and credit card fraud are common. Criminals wait near ATMs to rob people who have withdrawn cash. Be aware of your surroundings, and only withdraw small amounts. Keep your credit card with you at all times.
  • Respect local wildlife laws. Only use professional guides or tour operators. Follow park regulations and advice from wardens. Don’t swim in lakes and rivers due to the risk of wildlife attacks and disease.

Please note: There will be a mandatory Health and Safety Training Meeting for all participants (online zoom meeting – cameras MUST be on). We want to ensure the health and safety of all of our participants. Information on this will be issued closer to the event date.

For more information on safety, health, travel, and laws in South Africa, visit this website »

Sources:
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/south-africa
https://startlivingafrica.co/7-safest-cities-in-south-africa-and-the-3-most-dangerous

Here are the details to the hotel we will be staying at for both the Workshop and Graduate Student Forum:

Science & Policy Workshop – Johannesburg
Holiday Inn Johannesburg – Rosebank
The Zone, Oxford Rd, Rosebank
Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
April 7-9, 2025
*Check-in is on April 7, 2025 at 4pm and check-out is on April 9, 2025 at 11am.
*Please note that the check-out time is based on the hotel’s policy, but we will be checking out much earlier to get a head start on the day. Details to come closer to the day.

Graduate Student Forum – Acornhoek
Wits Rural Facility
Orpen Road
Acornhoek, 1280, South Africa
April 9-13, 2025
*Check-in is on April 9, 2025 from 2pm to 4:30pm (no check-in access after 4:30pm) and check-out is on April 13, 2025 at 10am.

Anyone from the following countries/organizations are required to have a travel visa when entering South Africa:

  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Belarus
  • Bulgaria
  • China
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Egypt
  • Ethiopia
  • Guinea
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Ivory Coast
  • Liberia
  • Lithuania
  • Mali
  • Mexico
  • Morocco
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Romania
  • Rwanda
  • SADC Iaissez-passers
  • Senegal
  • Sierre Leone
  • Slovak Republic
  • Uganda
  • United Nations Lasse Passer
  • Vietnam

To get more information, please visit the following website: Department of Home Affairs – South Africa.

To apply for a travel visa, you must fill out the following application form.

You will need the following when applying for a travel visa:

For more information, please visit the following website: How to Apply for Travel Visa to South Africa

The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR), and is probably the smartest currency to have if you want to make cash purchases. And though hard currencies such as USD, EUR and GBP are accepted in some places, to be safe, exchanging your money ahead of time into ZAR is probably the smartest and safest way to go.

If you choose to bring USD, be sure to bring crisp, recent notes in small denominations (torn bills or older bills from before 2006 are sometimes not accepted). You won’t always be able to get change for a $100 bill, so be sure to bring plenty of $10, $5 and $1 bills.

South Africa also accepts all major credit cards, but MasterCard and Visa are more widely accepted than American Express or Diner’s Club. Most bigger cities or towns will have card machines to make payments, but cash is always handy in case of an emergency.

Please note:
*Most African currencies (with the notable exception of the South Africa ZAR) cannot be exchanged back into hard currencies, so any notes and coins you have left over will simply be souvenirs when you return home.
*Some USD banknotes may not be accepted due to the high levels of counterfeit currency in circulation, it is recommend that you only travel with notes printed within the last five years.

Sources:
https://wild-wings-safaris.com/frequently-asked-questions/what-currency-should-i-bring
https://africatravelresource.com/safari-resources/money
https://www.gsafrica.com/travel-guide/money

In Johannesburg, we will be staying at the hotel from April 7-9, 2025. Check-in is on April 7, 2025 at 4pm and check-out is on April 9, 2025 at 11am.
*Please note that the check-out time is based on the hotel’s policy, but we will be checking out much earlier to get a head start on the day. Details to come closer to the day.

In Acornhoek, we will be staying at the Wits Rural Facility from April 9-13, 2025. Check-in is on April 9, 2025 from 2pm to 4:30pm (no check-in access after 4:30pm) and check-out is on April 13, 2025 at 10am.

Note: If you plan on arriving early or leaving later than those dates, and you require additional days at the hotel, please contact for a group booking code so that you can pay for the rooms at our group rate. You will be responsible for booking your own additional days.

You are responsible for booking the following flights:

  • Return flight from home to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

Transportation by bus will be booked by the IIES to and from Acornhoek, South Africa. Transportation to and from the venues/hotels will also be booked by the IIES.

Breakfast will be provided at the hotels in the morning. Coffee/tea, snacks, lunches, and a group dinner will be provided at the Workshop and Graduate Student Forum.

Breakfast at the Holiday Inn in Johannesburg will be served from 6:30am to 10:30am during the week.

Meals at the Wits Rural Facility are as follows:

  • Breakfast will be served between 7:00am and 8:00am daily
  • Lunch will be served between 12:30pm and 1:30pm daily
  • Dinner will be served between 6:30pm and 7:30pm daily

Feel free to explore the city and discover local restaurants for any other meals. Be sure to check the Safety in South Africa link.

For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.


If you have any questions or require any further information please contact:

Raquel Scott, Operations Coordinator, International Institute for Environmental Studies
Email: 

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