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The was officially launched in November 2019. To celebrate its fifth anniversary an online conference will take place on Wednesday 20 November 2024 in collaboration with The University of Manchester. If there is enough interest, this may extend to a second day or half-day on 21st November. 

Exploiting the improved internet access made possible by the Equiano undersea cable, this will be our first globally-accessible and multi-disciplinary research conference with a singular focus on St Helena.

We aim to bring together researchers and other key stakeholders based on the island; those who are based off-island but have done research on, or around, St Helena; or research that has been part of wider regional studies that includes St Helena and those who have an interest in finding out more about the research work undertaken to date in this fascinating, historically and environmentally significant location. 

Why get involved? 

This is an excellent opportunity for those who have conducted research on, or about, St Helena to network with others, and explore the impact of their work and its possible application. 

The event will be free to all attendees, and widely publicised on-island and to interested parties and organisations off-island including other British Overseas Territories; institutions, development and other NGOs with a particular interest in St Helena and small island states.

Themes

The conference will be organised around the following broad themes. Each will feature a keynote speaker and then a number of short (15-20 minute) presentations:

• Natural sciences, including ecology, earth sciences, biology (terrestrial and marine) and agriculture
  St Helena is internationally recognised as a biodiverse landscape of significant value. Yet it faces significant challenges in this regard, battling to sustain its endemic flora and fauna in the face of threats posed by invasive species and possible climate change. Energy, food and water security are also issues of crucial importance.
• Humanities, anthropological, historical, and archaeological studies
  The island鈥檚 colonial history, first under the East India Company, then under British Government rule, is a microcosm of the colonial experience, including its role in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean slave trade. 
• Contemporary social science, culture and economy
  Small island states face distinct economic and social challenges, including declining populations; how to integrate into digitally-driven 21st century economics and business practices; how to leverage new educational opportunities based around distance learning; and so on.
• Medical science, health and telemedicine
  St Helena has an ageing population, isolated from many medical resources: yet the improvements in communications also open up opportunities in telemedicine and research into the mental and physical health of small, rural communities.

Submissions that may cross different themes are encouraged. The themes are also open to revision: in the you can suggest an alternative theme.

Plenary discussion

A key outcome of the conference is to explore opportunities for interdisciplinary synergies that can create benefits for the sustainable economic and social development of the island. We seek to identify research needs and gaps, and produce a preliminary list of research priorities for St Helena. Each theme, and then the conference as a whole, will therefore conclude with a plenary discussion focused on this agenda.

Submission

Interested presenters, please submit a 250-word abstract using the before Monday, 16 September 2024. Presentations should be around 15 minutes long.

For more information

Contact Rebecca Cairns-Wicks on rebecca.cairns-wicks@sainthelena.edu.sh or Drew Whitworth on drew.whitworth@manchester.ac.uk, telephone +44 7501 963630.