SETAC Africa 13th Biennial Conference

This track explores the sources, occurrence, environmental fate, transport, transformation, exposure pathways and biological effects of chemical contaminants across African environments. It encompasses legacy and emerging contaminants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), metals and metalloids, plastics and microplastics, nanomaterials, industrial chemicals and complex chemical mixtures. Contributions addressing chemical characterisation, environmental monitoring, bioavailability, toxicity, mixture interactions, and exposure assessment are encouraged. Emphasis is placed on understanding contaminant behaviour under African environmental conditions, identifying emerging chemical safety concerns, and generating evidence to support the protection of aquatic organisms, terrestrial wildlife, ecosystems and human health. 

Keywords: Legacy and emerging contaminants; pesticides; pharmaceuticals; PFAS; metals; plastics; microplastics; nanomaterials; mixtures; exposure and fate. 

This track focuses on understanding, assessing and protecting the ecological integrity of Africa's diverse freshwater, terrestrial, estuarine, coastal, and marine ecosystems. It welcomes research investigating the effects of environmental contaminants and other anthropogenic pressures on biological systems. Topics include aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicology, wildlife toxicology, biodiversity assessment, ecological monitoring, bioindicators, ecosystem services, habitat degradation, and ecological risk. Contributions integrating laboratory experiments, field investigations, mesocosm studies and ecosystem-level assessments are particularly encouraged, including research involving indigenous African species and understudied ecosystems. The track aims to strengthen scientific understanding of ecological responses to environmental pressures and support evidence-based biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. 

Keywords: Freshwater, marine, estuarine, sediment, soil, and wildlife ecotoxicology; biodiversity; ecosystem services; ecological risk. 

This track addresses the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and human, animal, and ecosystem health. It explores how climate-related changes, including rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, droughts, flooding, ocean warming, ocean acidification and extreme weather events, influence contaminant exposure, toxicity, species distributions, and ecosystem resilience. Contributions examining multiple interacting environmental stressors, cumulative impacts, ecological adaptation, and the links between environmental quality and public health are welcomed. The track also encourages interdisciplinary One Health approaches that integrate environmental, animal and human health perspectives, including research on antimicrobial resistance and environmental drivers of health risks.  

Keywords: Climate-driven exposure; multiple stressors; ecosystem resilience; zoonotic interfaces; environmental and public health connections. 

This track examines how scientific evidence can inform environmental risk assessment, chemical management, regulatory decision-making, and effective environmental governance across Africa. It welcomes contributions to ecological and human health risk assessment, environmental monitoring frameworks, exposure and hazard assessment, regulatory toxicology, environmental quality guidelines, international standards, and compliance. Topics may include the implementation and evaluation of national, regional and institutional regulatory frameworks, environmental impact assessment, chemical safety governance, and approaches to managing uncertainty and data limitations. The scope is strengthening science-policy interfaces, harmonising assessment approaches where appropriate, and translating research findings into practical, transparent and context-appropriate regulatory decisions. Contributions from academia, government, regulatory authorities, industry, and civil society are encouraged. 

Keywords: Environmental risk assessment; regulatory science; monitoring; standards; science-policy interfaces; governance and compliance. 

This track showcases emerging technologies, innovative scientific approaches, and transformative tools advancing environmental toxicology, chemistry, and risk assessment. It welcomes contributions on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including in vitro and in silico approaches, high-throughput screening, omics technologies, adverse outcome pathways, computational toxicology, predictive modelling and artificial intelligence. The track also explores digital monitoring platforms, remote sensing, biosensors, low-cost analytical technologies, citizen science, and data-driven approaches. The development, validation and application of innovative methods suited to African environmental conditions and research infrastructure, including approaches that reduce dependence on costly equipment and animal testing, are encouraged. Contributions addressing safety and sustainability by design, technology transfer, methodological harmonisation, and the integration of novel approaches into environmental decision-making are encouraged. 

Keywords: NAMs; modelling; omics; AI; digital tools; sensors; low-cost methods; citizen science; safe and sustainable design. 

This track focuses on practical strategies, technologies and innovations to prevent pollution, reduce environmental impacts, restore degraded environments, and support sustainable development. It welcomes research on green and sustainable chemistry, cleaner production, responsible resource use, circular economy approaches, waste prevention and management, wastewater treatment, recycling and resource recovery. Contributions addressing contaminated land and water remediation, ecosystem rehabilitation, nature-based solutions, and sustainable industrial practices are encouraged. Attention is given to the environmental challenges associated with urbanisation, mining, agriculture, aquaculture activities, industrialisation, and waste management across Africa. The track promotes the evaluation of solutions in terms of environmental effectiveness, feasibility, affordability, scalability and long-term sustainability, encouraging collaboration between researchers, industry, policymakers and communities to translate scientific advances into measurable environmental improvements. 

Keywords: Green chemistry; circular economy; waste management; remediation; cleaner production; nature-based solutions. 

This track addresses the scientific, institutional, and societal dimensions of strengthening environmental research and equitable environmental protection across Africa. It welcomes contributions exploring research infrastructure, laboratory and equipment access, scientific capacity development, data availability, regional research networks, and sustainable institutional partnerships. Topics include environmental justice, unequal pollution burdens, vulnerable communities, equitable access to scientific knowledge, indigenous and local knowledge systems, and community participation in environmental decision-making. African-led research, inclusive international collaboration, equitable partnerships, research leadership and locally relevant solutions are encouraged. The track seeks to identify opportunities to strengthen Africa's scientific independence, improve participation in global environmental research, and ensure that environmental protection and scientific advancement benefit communities across the continent. 

Keywords: Infrastructure; skills development; community engagement; indigenous knowledge; equitable partnerships; research leadership. 

This track focuses on strengthening scientific communication, professional development, capacity building, and knowledge exchange within the environmental science community. It welcomes contributions addressing science communication, public engagement, environmental awareness, mentorship, scientific writing, career development, leadership, and the professional advancement of students and early-career researchers. In addition to traditional scientific presentations, this track actively encourages interactive, workshop-style sessions that promote practical skills development, indigenous knowledge sharing, professional networking, and collaborative problem-solving. These may include technical training workshops, practical demonstrations, facilitated discussions, mentorship activities, career development sessions, and hands-on training in scientific tools, methods and professional competencies. Contributions addressing stakeholder engagement, science-policy communication, community outreach and the effective communication of environmental risks and research findings are also encouraged. Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening professional networks, improving access to scientific expertise, and creating opportunities for collaboration across academia, industry, government, and regulatory institutions. The track aims to equip African environmental professionals with the skills, connections and opportunities needed to advance their careers, strengthen scientific capacity and contribute meaningfully to environmental protection and sustainable development. 

Keywords: Teaching innovation; science communication; mentorship; career development; stakeholder engagement and outreach.