AASR Conference 2026

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Welcome to the 10th Conference of the African Association for the Study of Religions

Regional Conference of the International Association for the History of Religions

Spirituality, Gender and Agency in African Religions

Gaborone, Botswana, 28 to 30 July 2026

Conference Registration

To register for the conference please click here to complete the ‘registration form‘.

To make payment for Conference Registration please visit: https://www.a-asr.org/2026-conference-registration-fee/

Important Information

Conference Registration Fees

For Africa-based participants

  • Regular rate (non-AASR members): $200 USD
  • Membership rate (for AASR members who have paid their 2025/26 membership fee*): $150 USD
  • Student/retiree rate: $100 USD

For Global North-based participants

  • Regular rate (non-AASR members): $300 USD
  • Membership rate (for AASR members who have paid their 2025/26 membership fee*): $250 USD
  • Student/retiree rate: $175 USD

Important Dates

  • Early Registration Deadline: 1 May 2026
  • After 1 May 2026 fees will increase with $25.
  • If you have not registered by 1 June 2026, your paper will be removed from the Conference Program.

*If you have doubts about the membership fee payment, please contact the AASR Treasurer at
treasurer@a-asr.org

Membership Fees

If you are not yet an AASR member and would like to join the Association, please sign up via
our website > “Join Us” which also lead you to payment options.
Membership fees are as follows:

Scholars from the Global South:

  • Fully employed: $50 USD
  • Students/Retirees/Underemployed: $25 USD

Scholars from the Global North:

  • Fully employed: $60 USD
  • Students/Retirees/Underemployed: $30 USD

Meet our local organising committee

The Local Organising Committee is made up of colleagues based at and connected to the host institution. They play a vital role in ensuring the conference runs smoothly and that delegates feel welcomed and supported throughout the event.

Tshenolo Madigele

Chairperson

Rev. Dr. Tshenolo Jennifer Madigele is a scholar of Practical Theology, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Gerontology, Health and Spirituality, Pastoral Counseling at the University of Botswana.




    Abel Tabalaka

    Member

    Dr Abel Tabalaka teaches Ethics and African philosophy in the Department of Philosophy, Theology and Historical Studies at the University of Botswana.

      Phillip Öhlmann

      Member

      Dr. Philipp Öhlmann is a scholar of religion, development and sustainability. He is Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Theology and Historical Studies at the University of Botswana.

        Doreen Sesiro

        Member

        Dr. Doreen Sesiro is a lecturer at the University of Botswana. She teaches Philosophy; Metaphysics, Epistemology and Ethics. Her research interests are in areas of Transhumanism, Biotechnological Enhancement and African Metaphysics.

          Travel and Accommodation

          We are still in the process of negotiating rates with certain suppliers. The organising committee recommends the following options:

          Accommodation Near the University of Botswana

          A. Negotiated Rates and Student Accommodation

          NamePhoneEmailApprox. Price (BWP / USD per night)
          Peermont Mondior Gaborone+267 319 0600reservations@mondior.co.bwP1,270 (67 ROOMS)
          Regent Select Hotel+267 75974453marketing@regentgrouphotels.comP1,050 (36 rooms) bed and breakfast.
          Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino+267 361 6000gaborone@avanihotels.comP1,400 (199 ROOMS)
          Staybridge Golfview Suites+267 311 4005resgabz@staybridge.co.bwP850 (16 ROOMS) Plus free transport to and from the venue
          Indaba Lodge Gaborone+267 399 9500reservations@indabagaborone.co.bwP810 ACCOM P975 WITH BREAFAST FREE TRANSPORT TO and from THE VENUE 84 ROOMS
          UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA STUDENTS’ ACCOM+26772566436  Mafosid@UB.AC.BW Loetoa@ub.ac.bwOur Hostel accommodation charges are as follows; Non- sharing = P240 per room/night Sharing   = P120 per person/night

          B. Hotels (Closest to University of Botswana)

          NameTypeApprox. Distance to UB
          Peermont Mondior GaboroneHotel~0.9 km
          Regent Select HotelHotel~1.2 km
          Hana Guest House / LodgeLodge / Guesthouse~0.5–1.2 km
          Avani Gaborone Resort & CasinoHotel / Resort~1.2 km
          StayBridge Golfview SuitesHotel / Suites~1.9 km
          Indaba Lodge GaboroneLodge / Hotel~1.8 km

          C. Hotels (2–4 km from University of Botswana)

          NameTypeApprox. Distance to UB
          Cresta President HotelHotel~2 km
          room50twoBoutique Hotel~3 km
          Hilton Garden Inn GaboroneInternational Hotel~3 km
          Protea Hotel Masa SquareInternational Hotel~3 km
          Cresta Lodge GaboroneHotel~3.7 km
          Woodlane HotelHotel~1.9 km
          Town Lodge GaboroneHotel~4 km
          TravelodgeHotel~4+ km

          C. Guesthouses & Self-Catering Apartments

          NameTypeApprox. Distance to UB
          Innisfree ApartmentsSelf-Catering~1.1 km
          Apartment @125Self-Catering~3.7 km
          Eagle’s Fountain ApartmentsSelf-Catering~3.4 km
          Mophato Guest HouseGuesthouse~1.5 km
          Stay Easy InnGuesthouse~2.4 km
          Brackendene LodgeLodge~3 km
          Aflica ApartmentsSelf-Catering~2.5 km
          Gubz Sun ApartmentsSelf-Catering~2.8 km

          Visa and Invitation Letters

          For the sake of visa procedures, we can provide a standard invitation letter confirming that the participant’s proposal has been accepted for the conference and the appropriate fee has been paid.

          Please note that we provide an invitation letter upon an email request and only after registration and paying the fee. For non-presenting participants, an academic affiliation is required. Please email Megan Robertson at m.a.robertson@leeds.ac.uk if you require a visa.

          Graduate Grant Awardees

          Thanks to the generosity of some senior members of our Association, we can provide a limited
          number of conference grants to support the participation of graduate students at the conference. The 2026 awardees are listed below.

          Joseph Kwadwo Asuming

          Full Bio

          Joseph Asuming is a PhD fellow researching religion’s role in peacebuilding in Ghana. His work examines Christian, Islamic, and Indigenous collaborations, contributing to scholarship on interfaith relations, national cohesion, and conflict prevention.

            Miriam Wambūi

            Full Bio

            Miriam Wambūi, a University of Nairobi PhD student, researches African religion, rituals, memory, and digital culture. She also works professionally in cultural programming, capacity building, and interdisciplinary knowledge production.

              Chepng’eno Carolyne

              Full Bio

              Chepng’eno Carolyne is a UNISA PhD student exploring African women’s theology, religion and social change, indigenous knowledge, and gender justice, advancing inclusive, context-driven scholarship on the intersections of faith, culture, and transformation.

                Abirat Zakariah

                Full Bio

                Abirat Zakariah is a PhD student researching Muslim women’s religious leadership and peacebuilding in Ghana, examining gendered authority, agency, and community engagement within contemporary Islamic contexts and interreligious social transformation.

                  Li’Tsoanelo Zwane

                  Full Bio

                  Li’Tsoanelo Zwane, a doctoral researcher at the University of the Western Cape, studies African metaphysics, ritual practices, and counter-colonial hermeneutics. She also lectures in ethics and practises as a Sangoma and Death Doula.

                    Charles Chukwudi Ugwunnadi

                    Full Bio

                    Charles Ugwunnadi, a PhD candidate in Ethics at Makerere University, researches indigenous gender systems, female–female marriage, and sexuality, advancing decolonial approaches to African philosophy, intimacy, spirituality, and moral agency.

                      Kuhle Zondeka

                      Full Bio

                      Kuhle Zondeka is a feminist PhD researcher at UCT examining bodily surveillance in church settings. Her work explores gender, spiritual agency, and women’s experiences across South African religious, political, and social landscapes.

                        See you in Gaborone!

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