The Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH)
CALL FOR PAPERS
THE OPEN MOVEMENT IN TIMES OF URGENCY AND RAPID CHANGE
The Open Movement has emerged as a transformative force in addressing global challenges, fostering transparency, accessibility, and collective action. However, as the world faces increasing uncertainty—ranging from pandemics and climate crises to technological disruptions—there is a growing need to reinforce open networking of trust among citizenry, academia, and industry.
The 2026 CARLIGH Conference seeks to explore how openness can catalyse resilience, bridge divides, and reimagine knowledge-sharing ecosystems. We invite scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders to contribute original research, case studies, and innovative practices that align with the conference's thematic focus. Our next conference, which takes place at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in the Royal City of Kumasi, Ghana in 4-8 May, 2026 is poised to deepen openness in society and strengthen our collective resilience.
Sub-Themes:
We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following areas:
1. Open Science for Global Challenges
- Open research and data-sharing for crisis response (e.g., pandemics, climate change, disaster resilience).
- Ethical frameworks and policy advocacy for open science in times of urgency.
2. Open Technology for Equitable Access
- Open-source tools to bridge digital divides and foster inclusive connectivity.
- Cybersecurity and privacy challenges in open digital infrastructures.
3. Open Education and Publishing for the Open Era
- Scaling Open Educational Resources (OER) for inclusive and lifelong learning.
- The role of libraries in supporting open education and scholarly publishing.
- Innovative publishing models and the future of open access.
4. Open Governance and Democratic Resilience
- Open data as a tool for governance, civic engagement, and transparency.
- Combating misinformation and protecting democratic processes through openness.
5. Cultural Openness and Equity
- Decolonizing knowledge and ensuring open access to marginalized histories and languages.
- Open licensing in the arts and cultural heritage preservation.
6. Ethics, Sustainability, and the Open Movement
- Ensuring the financial and institutional sustainability of open initiatives.
- Balancing openness with privacy, data sovereignty, and ethical considerations.
- Emerging technologies (AI, blockchain) and their impact on openness.
7. Open Networking of Trust Among Citizenry, Academia, and Industry
- Building cross-sectoral collaborations to strengthen knowledge ecosystems.
- Public-private partnerships for sustainable open solutions.
- Fostering trust and cooperation through open innovation and shared governance.
Guidelines for Submission of Abstracts
We invite abstracts for the following submission types:
· Papers: 300–500 words
· Case Studies: 300–500 words
· Panel Discussions: 250–400 words
· Co-Lab Sessions: 250–400 words
· Lightning Talks: 150–250 words
· Posters: 200–300 words
Descriptions of submission types
Papers: Scholarly research papers presenting original findings, theoretical advancements, or systematic reviews. Typically peer-reviewed, these papers provide in-depth analysis and contribute to academic and professional discourse.
Case Studies: Detailed examinations of real-world scenarios, illustrating challenges, solutions, and outcomes in practice. These submissions highlight lessons learned, best practices, and insights from industry or research applications.
Panel Discussions: Interactive sessions featuring multiple experts discussing a topic from diverse perspectives. These panels encourage audience engagement and critical debate on emerging trends, challenges, and innovations.
Co-Lab Sessions: Collaborative, workshop-style sessions designed to foster hands-on engagement, knowledge-sharing, and brainstorming. Participants work together to develop ideas, solutions, or frameworks in real-time.
Lightning Talks: Short, focused presentations (typically 5–10 minutes) delivering key insights, innovative ideas, or research highlights in a concise and engaging format.
Posters: Visual presentations summarizing research, case studies, or projects. These static displays allow for one-on-one discussions, providing an opportunity for deeper engagement and feedback from attendees.
Submissions should also include the following:
· Title of Proposed Presentation
· Name of Presenter(s)
· Affiliation/Institution
· Email Address & Contact Information
· Sub-Theme Category
· Abstract (300-500 words)
· Keywords (3-5 words)
· Short professional profile of Speaker(s) not exceeding 150 words
Important Dates:
· Conference Call:
· Deadline for Abstract Submission:
· Notification of Acceptance:
· Full Paper Submission Deadline:
· Conference Dates:
· Venue:
How to Submit:
Submissions will be received via the OpenConf platform. Please visit [OpenConf Submission Link] to upload your abstract. For any inquiries, you may also send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line: "CARLIGH 2026 Conference Paper Submission – [Your Name]".
For more information, visit [Conference Website] or contact [Publication Chair: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.].
Join us in shaping the future of open collaboration, trust, and knowledge-sharing across citizen spaces, academia, and industry!