In conjunction with IFHE, 2026, Hartbeespoort, South Africa

1. Eligibility and Membership
• The first author must submit their T&D abstract by December 1, 2025 (23:59 GMT) and must complete conference registration by February 14, 2026.
• Each first author may submit up to two (2) T&D abstracts. There is no limit to submissions as second or third author, or for serving as a faculty or professional mentor/supervisor.
• Mentorship/Supervisor designation should be noted separately from authorship. Mentors who provide guidance or oversight (e.g., faculty supervisors, professional advisors) but are not direct contributors to the creative or written work should be listed as a Mentor rather than as a co-author.
• Authors should determine order of authorship according to each person’s direct contribution to the creative and written components of the submission. Any author may submit the abstract on behalf of the author team.
2. Presentation Commitment
• Submission of a T&D abstract indicates a commitment by at least one author (or mentor) to attend the conference in person and to present the accepted work during the exhibition.
3. Review and Selection
• Abstracts will be evaluated through a double-blind peer review based on:
• Relevance to the overall conference theme (see description below)
• Artistic and scholarly merit, as evidenced through required abstract components
• Applicability and contribution to the IFHE global audience and mission
4. Submission Format and Language
• All abstracts must be submitted online through the Conference website, in English, using the designated T&D abstract submission link.
5. Originality
• Submitted works must be original and previously unpublished, meaning they have not appeared in any prior IFHE digital catalog, conference proceeding, or exhibition.
6. Abstract Structure and Length
• Abstracts must not exceed two (2) pages of written content (approximately 1,000 words, single-spaced) and should include the following:
• Title of the creative work
• Five (5) keywords
• Category of submission: Professional, Graduate, or Student*
• Abstract content following the required structure (outlined below)
• Reference list (as applicable)
• Page 3 should include up to four (4) high-quality images of the finished design or conceptual drawings that effectively communicate the intended work.
• The abstract and images must not include identifying information (e.g., author names or institutions).
• Note: Following peer review, authors are encouraged to revise their written abstract based on reviewer feedback. Final photos of the completed artifact must be submitted to the T&D Chair prior to the conference and exhibition.
7. Eligible Submission Types
• The T&D exhibition welcomes submissions across a range of design categories, including:
• Fabric or textile pieces (table display or wall hanging)
• Garments or apparel ensembles
• Accessories or functional design artifacts
• Interior design or spatial design solutions
• Research posters that focus substantially on textiles and/or design
• Submissions should articulate a clear design purpose or problem statement and demonstrate alignment with the conference theme.
8. Notification of Acceptance
• Applicants will receive an official notification of acceptance via email by January 26, 2026, or earlier.

The 2026 SAAFECS–IFHE Conference theme, Science as Collaboration, emphasizes working together across disciplines, sectors, and communities to address complex human and environmental challenges. Within the field of Textile and Design (T&D), this theme celebrates design as a bridge—linking creativity, research, and real-world impact through collaborative exploration.

T&D scholars are encouraged to frame their submissions around how design can serve as a catalyst for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and/or social or environmental innovation. Strong submissions will clearly communicate how the creative work connects people, ideas, or systems in meaningful and impactful ways to address their design purpose or challenge.

Submissions might explore:

• Collaborative Processes – Partnerships between designers, scientists, educators, communities, or industries that inform the creative outcome.
• Interdisciplinary Integration – How design incorporates insights from technology, health, environment, or social science to address shared challenges.
• Community and User Engagement – Co-design with specific populations or user groups, or designs developed in response to local needs.
• Sustainability and Responsibility – Creative practices that model stewardship, circularity, or ethical production through collaboration.
• Knowledge Exchange and Impact – How the creative work contributes to learning, awareness, or policy that improves quality of life.

In essence: The theme Science as Collaboration invites textile and design scholars to show how their creative work not only reflects artistic excellence but also exemplifies the power of partnership—demonstrating that design can be both a method of inquiry and a means of collective change.

When preparing your submission, please address each of the following components clearly and concisely.
Abstracts should be no longer than two (2) pages of text, with a third page reserved for images.
Use 1-inch margins, 11- or 12-point Times New Roman, single spacing, and portrait orientation.

1. Title and Identifiers

• Title of the design or creative work
• Up to five (5) keywords or key phrases
• Category of submission: Professional, Graduate, or Student*
• (Mentorship designations, if applicable, should be listed separately following acceptance)

2. Context and Concept

• Provide a design rationale that situates the submission within existing knowledge, literature, or practice.
• Clearly state the purpose, design challenge, or research question addressed by the creative work.
• Describe how the submission reflects the 2026 Congress theme: “Science as Collaboration.”
• Explain the significance, originality, and implications of the work for appropriate audiences and global textile/design scholarship.

3. Visual Impact and Aesthetics

• Use appropriate professional design language to describe form, function, and creative intent.
• Reference elements and principles of design as relevant to your work.
• Include high-quality images or conceptual renderings that clearly communicate the design’s aesthetic and innovative qualities.

4. Process, Technique, and Materials

• Describe the methods, processes, and techniques used in developing the work, emphasizing creativity, rigor, and craftsmanship.
• Identify and discuss materials used and justify their selection in relation to the concept or purpose.
• Highlight any technological or scientific approaches (e.g., material testing, digital fabrication, sustainability analysis, or user-centered evaluation) that strengthen the work.

5. Cohesion and Contribution

• Demonstrate how the design and abstract form a cohesive scholarly narrative, integrating concept, process, materials, and aesthetics.
• Explain the work’s contribution to creative scholarship, including novelty, innovation, or advancement of knowledge within textile and design disciplines.
• Emphasize how the project embodies impact and alignment with the conference theme.

6. References

• Include a reference list in APA (7th) or MLA format for all cited sources (literature, media, exhibitions, technical data, etc.).
• References should appear at the end of the two-page text section.