(5–10 minutes): Traditional conference presentations focusing on research findings, theoretical contributions, or case studies.

CREATE 2025 invites oral presentations that are engaging, reflective, and grounded in real experience. We welcome contributions from researchers, practitioners, artists, students, and community members who are working in inclusive, participatory, or creative ways.

Presentations can take different forms. You are welcome to present a traditional paper, share findings through storytelling, or offer a more conversational style. What matters most is that your presentation brings insight, invites others in, and encourages learning together.

We encourage presentations that
🗣️ Share learning from research, practice, or lived experience
📚 Reflect on methods, relationships, or challenges
🔍 Raise meaningful questions or open new conversations
🤝 Show how different people or fields have worked together
💡 Offer fresh ideas or approaches to real-world problems

Each presentation will be part of a session with time for discussion. We aim to create a warm and welcoming space where all voices are heard and respected.

(60 minutes): Facilitated conversations bringing together diverse voices to explore a specific theme or challenge. Roundtables encourage open dialogue, audience participation, and collaborative problem-solving rather than formal presentations.

CREATE 2025 invites round table discussion proposals from anyone who wants to bring people together to reflect, exchange ideas, and think through complex issues in a shared space.

These sessions are not about formal presentations. Instead, they are about real conversations. You will introduce a topic, question, or challenge, and guide a small group in discussion. The aim is to learn with and from one another, rather than deliver conclusions.

We welcome round table discussions that
🗣️ Create space for dialogue between different voices and experiences
📚 Explore ongoing questions, tensions, or gaps in knowledge or practice
🤝 Invite collaboration, co-thinking, and relationship building
💡 Surface insights that may not emerge in formal sessions
🎨 Use creative formats or materials to open up the conversation

Each round table will be set up to encourage participation and mutual respect. Whether you are an academic, community leader, artist, or student, your perspective is welcome.

(60–90 minutes): Interactive, theme-based sessions emphasising collaboration, discussion, and shared learning.

CREATE 2025 invites interactive workshop proposals that give people a chance to learn by doing, not just by listening. Workshops are hands-on, participatory spaces where ideas, tools, and practices are shared in ways that are engaging and inclusive.

We welcome workshops from researchers, artists, practitioners, community members, and educators. You do not need to be an academic to lead a workshop. What matters is that you have something to share that can help others think differently, work differently, or connect more deeply.

Your workshop might
🎨 Introduce a creative method or tool
📚 Teach a skill related to research, activism, or community engagement
🧩 Explore co-design, storytelling, or participatory techniques
🧠 Offer reflective or embodied learning
🗣️ Bring together people with different experiences to build or create something new

Workshops can be for any audience. Please make it clear in your proposal who the session is aimed at and what participants can expect to leave with.

At CREATE 2025, we believe that art is not separate from research. Art, in all it's forms is a powerful way to explore, question, and transform the systems that shape our health and wellbeing.

We welcome artwork and creative presentations that speak to the theme of health equity, from community healing and care to the social and environmental determinants of health.

Submissions may include:
🖼️ Visual art – painting, photography, posters, or installations that reflect lived experiences and community health narratives
🎭 Performance art – theatre, spoken word, music, or dance that brings health stories to life
🎬 Film & multimedia – short films or digital storytelling on health access, stigma, resistance, or transformation
📚 Creative writing – poetry, zines, or narratives that centre marginalised voices and reimagine health systems
🧩 Interactive work – participatory exhibits or workshops that involve the audience in exploring health, justice, and healing

All creative work will be featured in our Public Squares — shared spaces where research, community voices, and artistic expression come together to challenge inequities and build new possibilities.

Whether you are an artist, activist, academic, or community member — if your work speaks to justice in health, we want to hear from you.

(5 minutes): Accepted poster abstracts will be presented as interactive posters – an e-poster and a 3-minute recorded presentation to accompany the poster. 

CREATE 2025 invites digital poster submissions that share work in visual and accessible ways. Posters are a great way to showcase research, projects, or ideas — especially if you prefer visuals, short text, and flexible formats.

You can submit a poster as an individual, a team, or a community group. We welcome posters from researchers, students, artists, practitioners, and activists. Whether your work is finished or still in progress, this is a space to share and connect.

Your digital poster might
📌 Share the story of a project, partnership, or intervention
📌 Show key findings from research or community engagement
📌 Highlight creative methods or lessons learned
📌 Use photos, graphics, or quotes to tell a visual story
📌 Offer questions or reflections to spark conversation

Posters will be displayed online and in digital spaces during the conference, with opportunities to engage with viewers and answer questions.

All abstracts must include:

• Title of the Presentation

• Author(s) and Affiliation(s)

• Background and Objectives

• Methods or Approach

• Findings or Expected Outcomes

• Significance for Health Equity and Societal Impact

Each submission should demonstrate a clear connection to societal impact and health equity by addressing one or more of the following:

• How does the research or creative work contribute to addressing health disparities and structural inequities

• The role of community engagement, participation, or co-creation in the research process

• The implications of the findings for public health, policy, education, or social transformation

• How the approach fosters inclusivity, accessibility, and ethical research practices

Each abstract should follow the structured format below:

• Title

• Background

• Objectives

• Methods

• Key Findings or Expected Contributions

• Conclusion and Societal Impact

Roundtable discussions should be highly interactive and participatory, focusing on collaboration and knowledge exchange around critical issues related to health equity. Proposals should include:

• Theme: How the discussion aligns with the conference focus areas

• Background: Context for the discussion, including any relevant research, projects, or case studies

• Purpose/Aim: Key questions or issues to be explored

• Facilitators/Participants: Proposed contributors or experts leading the discussion

• Target Audience: Who would benefit from attending and contributing

• Opportunities for Engagement: Strategies for audience interaction and contribution

• Equity and Impact: How the discussion contributes to advancing health equity and meaningful societal change

(60–90 minutes): Interactive, theme-based sessions emphasising collaboration, discussion, and shared learning.

Workshops should actively engage participants in knowledge exchange and co-creation. Proposals should include:

• Theme: Relevance to conference focus areas

• Background: Including any collaborations with communities, researchers, or policymakers

• Purpose/Aim: Clear objectives and intended outcomes

• Target Audience: Who will benefit from attending

• Proposed Activities: Methods for engagement, discussion, or problem-solving

• Opportunities for Interaction: How participants will actively contribute and learn from one another

• Impact on Health Equity: How the workshop will contribute to practical or policy-level change

Submissions for artistic performances, installations, or creative research presentations should explore the intersections of art, research, and social impact. Abstracts should include:

• Theme: Relevance to conference focus areas

• Background: Including any collaborations or inspirations for the work

• Purpose/Aim: The intended message, experience, or impact

• Target Audience: Who the presentation is designed for

• Proposed Activities: Description of how the work will be presented (e.g., exhibition, live performance, multimedia)

• Opportunities for Interaction: Ways in which participants can engage with or respond to the work

• Equity and Social Impact: How the creative work amplifies marginalized voices, challenges dominant narratives, or contributes to social justice

Authors may indicate their preferred presentation format (oral, poster, roundtable, workshop, or creative presentation). Submissions should be emailed to cocreate@sun.ac.za by the deadline. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by 30 June 2025.