FAQs
When and where is the 2025 IARSLCE Conference?
The 2025 IARSLCE Conference is taking place on August 13-15, 2025 at the Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel & Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa. 329 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga, South Africa.
Navigating Travel Costs
We understand that the cost of travel to Durban, particularly flights, may seem daunting. However, there are important factors to consider that help offset these expenses:
Affordable Accommodations: The cost of staying at the four-star Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel, with breakfast included, is significantly lower than accommodation costs at previous conferences in the United States. For example, room rates at the Dana Hotel in San Diego ranged from $150 to $250 per night, while our negotiated rates for Durban are approximately $87 to $96 per night.
Included Meals: Breakfast is included with your hotel stay, and lunch and dinner will be provided by IARSLCE throughout the conference, reducing food costs.
Transportation Covered: Transportation for conference events and activities will be handled by IARSLCE, eliminating the need for additional transportation expenses during your stay.
Reduced Registration Fees: We acknowledge that travel to Durban is more costly for some and have reduced registration fees to help offset expenses. Last year, early bird registration was $350 for members. This year, members can register at the early bird rate of $225.
By taking advantage of these reduced costs, your overall expenses may be comparable to or even lower than attending past conferences, despite the international travel. We also encourage you to take advantage of the reduced hotel rates available from August 10, 2025 to August 20, 2025 to stay and explore the area should you wish. We encourage you to plan early and make use of the discounts and support we’ve arranged to make this an accessible and enriching experience.
Where to Stay and How to Book
Click here for details on hotel bookings.
Getting to and around Durban
Click here for information on getting to Durban and recommended points of interest.
Are scholarships or discounts available?
We worked hard to keep conference costs low this year, understanding the travel to Durban is more costly for those coming from the United States, and have reduced the cost of registration for students, community partners, and all attendees. Registration costs this year are on average between $100-$200 cheaper than last year. For example, last year, early bird registration for members was $350 and this year it is $225. Click here for more information about registration.
Additional discounts are available to members of IARSLCE and our Alliance institutions.
The Graduate Student Network (GradSN) will launch their annual call for scholarships soon. Check back here for information or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
If you are interested in volunteering on site at the conference, you can get your registration fee covered in exchange for working three volunteer shifts. If you are interested in volunteering please fill out this form. Space is limited.
How do I register?
Register for the conference here. You do not need to be an IARSLCE member or have an accepted presentation to attend; however, current members, students, and community partners do receive discounts on registration. If you aren’t sure if your IARSLCE membership is active, email admin@iarslce.org. If you need to renew or become a member, click here to join.
Alliance institutions receive five $100 discounts on conference registrations. If your institution is a member of the IARSLCE Alliance, please register with your institutional email address so we can verify your affiliation. See list of participating institutions here.
When will the schedule be announced?
Proposals are due on March 1, and notifications will go out in mid-March. We anticipate announcing the schedule soon thereafter. Subscribe to our newsletter receive updates.
Do I need to sign up for specific sessions?
No. Registered attendees may attend any general session, breakout session, or opportunity listed in the conference schedule.
What is your refund, transfer, and cancellation policy?
100% refund until July 1, 2025 and 50% refund from July 2-August 1 15, 2025. No refunds will be issued beginning August 2, 2025. No refunds for no-shows. No refunds for no-shows.
If the conference is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, registration fees will be fully refunded; however, IARSLCE is not responsible for any additional expenses incurred in connection to attending the conference (i.e. flights, hotel, etc.).
COVID Policy
IARSLCE is committed to protecting the health and safety of all who attend the 2025 Conference at the Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel. Attendees with health concerns are encouraged to mask. We encourage you to stay at home if you are feeling unwell. If you test positive for COVID during the conference, you should plan to isolate and wear a mask, and notify the IARSLCE Director by email at admin@iarslce.org as soon as possible. If you test positive for COVID-19 and are unable to attend, contact us with a letter from your health provider and/or proof of positive test, and we will issue a refund.
We will continue to monitor public health related issues. IARSLCE reserves the right to make adjustments to our policies in order to protect our community’s health and safety, as advised by public health professionals.
Accessibility
To make a request for accommodations, email conference@iarslce.org