Where Ideas Strike – An (un)Conference Approach
In the spirit of co-creation and emergent thinking, HELTASA 2026 will again follow its (Un)Conference format- a deliberate departure from passive, show-and-tell presentations toward a dynamic, participant-driven experience. Like the Highveld thunderstorm itself, our time together will be charged with energy, disruption, and the possibility of new growth. The agenda will be shaped not only by what is presented but by what emerges from the collision and alchemy of ideas, the conversations sparked in corridors, and the collective sensemaking of all who gather.
We invite scholarly contributions that are rigorous, reflective, and generative – contributions that draw on evidence and practice while also surfacing questions, inviting dialogue, and co-creating responses to the challenges we face. Whether grounded in empirical research, practitioner wisdom, or emergent experimentation, we welcome work that deepens our collective understanding of what works, what remains unresolved, and what might be possible for The Emerging University.
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Formats for Participation
| Format | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Dialogues | 45–60 minutes | Facilitated conversations that begin with a brief provocation (2–3 co-facilitators) followed by collective engagement with participants. No traditional slide-deck presentations necessary, but creative provocations are welcomed – just the crackle of ideas, voices, and debate. |
| Conversation Starters | 15 minutes | A short, focused presentation that surfaces a question, a tension, or an emerging idea. Like the first rumble of thunder, this format signals what is coming: dialogue, not monologue. It prioritises what remains unresolved, what invites collaboration, and what participants can carry into discussion. |
| Lightning Strikes | ±7 minutes | PechaKucha-style presentations: 20 slides (with minimal text or compelling images) displayed for 20 seconds each. A fast-paced, visual format designed to deliver quick, brilliant flashes of inspiration, each one a spark that can ignite further conversation. |
| Workshops & Playshops | 60–90 minutes | Interactive, hands-on sessions that engage participants in active learning, experimentation, or creative practice. Like the rain that follows a storm, these sessions soak the ground, creating conditions for new growth. Proposals should outline the structure and how participants will be actively involved. |
| Creative Demonstrations | 10–15 minutes | Artistic expressions including poetry, song, dance, storytelling, or multimodal installations that explore higher education themes through creative forms. These are the colours that emerge when the storm breaks: vibrant, unexpected, and deeply human. |
| Poster Conversations | 60-minute collective session | Visual displays of research, practice, or work-in-progress. Posters serve as conversation starters, inviting informal dialogue and networking. Like the clearing sky after a storm, this format offers space for connection, reflection, and exchange. |
| Student-Led Sessions | 15–20 minutes | Sessions led by students and foregrounding student perspectives, experiences, and agency in shaping The Emerging University. The freshest growth often comes from the ground up; these sessions centre those most intimately affected by the university we are reimagining. |
What Makes This (Un)Conference Different
Dialogue over Presentation
Sessions are designed to generate engaging conversation rather than one-way presentations. Every format is intended to spark discussion, encourage participation, and create opportunities for meaningful exchange among delegates.
Emergent Agenda
While formats and themes provide structure, the conversations themselves will be shaped by participants. What you bring, question, challenge, and co-create will influence the direction and energy of the (Un)Conference.
After the Storm: Spaces for Emergence
An agentic space for participants to voice emergent thoughts, share reflections, or raise questions that have not found a home elsewhere. This is the petrichor moment - the unexpected and generative scent that rises when the storm has passed.
Collective feedback and sensemaking captured through Padlet, collaborative notes, and other creative forms of documentation. The storm leaves new growth in its wake; together we will harvest what emerges and carry it back into our institutions and practices.
Beyond “Show and Tell”
Participants are encouraged to think beyond traditional slide presentations. Images, objects, storytelling, creative artefacts, dialogue, and lived experience are all welcomed as ways of inviting engagement and participation.
Closing the Loop
The event concludes with a facilitated reflective and reflexive session - an opportunity to survey the landscape after the storm, identify key insights, harvest commitments, and consider how ideas generated during the (Un)Conference can lead to immediate action and longer-term institutional transformation.
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