The theme for the 9ISC is: Impactful investigations: Advancing research for social change. “Impactful investigations” are those that result in: raising awareness, shifting perspectives, impacting communities and changing lives.
Now more than ever, there is need for transformative research that not only has academic benefit, but is able to make real contributions to the development of functioning and sustainable societies. Academic research has great potential to facilitate social change, and can also contribute to evidenced-based decision-making and the broadening of perspectives at all levels. Research for social change brings the academic institution closer to the communities within the wider society and allows researchers to make real contributions that last.