About ICSRI

Conference Theme

The International Conference on Social Research and Innovation (ICSRI) is an annual research conference organised and hosted by the Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI), Villa College in Male’, Maldives. The two-day conference aims to provide a platform for participants from diverse backgrounds, whether in academia, industry, or civil society, to share their knowledge and experiences on the multifaceted aspects on social innovation. The conference will provide a platform for dialogue and collaboration to address the most critical challenges, from climate change and resource management to social equity and responsible technology adoption.

Keynote Speakers

The International Conference on Social Research and Innovation showcases prominent keynote speakers and thought-provoking panel discussions, offering participants a valuable opportunity to acquire knowledge, establish connections, and delve into popular discourse within the industry. Both local and international experts from within the industry will present enlightening and interactive sessions and panel discussions.

Notable Dates

01 Apr

2025

Abstract Submission Deadline

30 Jun

2025

Abstract Acceptance Deadline

15 Jul

2025

Early Bird Registration Deadline

03 Aug

2025

Full Paper Submission Deadline

15 Aug

2025

Conference Registration & Payment Deadline

Conference Tracks

The International Conference on Social Research and Innovation invites students, academics, researchers, and experts from diverse backgrounds, including various agencies, colleges, universities, research institutions, as well as government and private sector professionals. We welcome your contributions, be it research findings, tactical strategies, technical innovations, cutting-edge technologies, or best practices that addresses the pressing need for groundbreaking solutions to the complex issues of our time. All submitted abstracts and papers will undergo a rigorous and impartial review and assessment process by our Evaluation Committee, comprising esteemed journal editors and domain experts. Successful authors will have the opportunity to present their papers at the conference as invited speakers.

Authors and presenters can select from a choice of eight thematic categories. We encourage you to thoroughly explore all the categories and choose the one that best aligns with your abstract's focus.

1 Digital Transformation and Smart Solutions

Exploring the role of AI, IoT, blockchain, and other emerging technologies in creating sustainable and resilient solutions for a rapidly changing world.

2 Climate Action and Resilience Engineering

Addressing climate adaptation and mitigation efforts through cross-disciplinary urban planning, engineering, and environmental science research to build resilient communities.

3 Business and Social Entrepreneurship Driving Equity

This track focus on innovative solutions that address social disparities, promote inclusivity, and create sustainable economic opportunities for communities.

4 Resilient Learning Systems and Future Skills

Examining resilience in education, this theme highlights strategies for building flexible learning systems that prioritise problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration to prepare students for an uncertain future.

5 Responsive Law and Governance

This theme explores adaptive governance models and flexible legal frameworks designed to keep pace with rapid social, environmental, and technological changes.

6 Global Health, Biomedicine, and Preparedness

Examining integrated approaches to healthcare and biomedicine, emphasising pandemic preparedness, public health resilience, and global health equity.

7 Community Wellbeing and Social Support Systems

Investigating community- based mental health solutions, this theme focuses on the role of social networks, family, and community resources in enhancing mental health and collective resilience.

8 Urbanisation, Mobility, and Sustainable Cities

Exploring Sustainable Urban Planning, Innovative Mobility Solutions, and the Future of Cities, focusing on inclusive infrastructure and sustainable urban living.

Panel Discussion

ICSRI presents five engaging panel discussions that delves deep into the trending and popular topics that are currently shaping the industry's discourse. Expert panelists will provide valuable insights, diverse perspectives, and thought-provoking analyses on the most relevant subjects of the moment.

INDIVIDUAL ABSTRACT INFORMATION

**Full details are outlined in the Submission Guidelines linked below. Please download the document and read carefully before you submit.

Presentation Types

Individual Paper: Each paper will be allocated 15 mins, which includes time for the paper presentation. Papers will be grouped into sessions according to common themes or ideas aligning with conference tracks. Individual papers will be accepted for the following categories.
- Full Papers: Research including primary and/or secondary data collection and analysis, presenting clear findings and conclusions.
- Review Papers: Comprehensive reviews existing literature (systematic, bibliometric, scoping, etc.), analyzing trends, gaps, and future directions in the field.
- Case Studies: Detailed examinations of specific cases, illustrating practical applications or unique insights relevant to the field.
Poster: Poster presentations offer a visual summary of research findings. They allow for direct interaction with conference attendees, who can ask questions and discuss the research with the poster author in a more informal setting. This format is especially useful for early-stage researchers or for presenting preliminary results.

NOTE: Abstracts without any findings or conclusions will not be accepted. Abstracts should clearly outline the research objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Be kindly reminded of the following guidelines to ensure smooth submission process.

Language: All abstracts must be written in English or Dhivehi
Originality and Copyright: The author(s) are responsible for the accuracy and originality of the abstract, ensuring it does not infringe on any copyright.
Submission: All submissions must be made via the online portal. Please ensure ALL authors/presenters are aware of, and agree with, the abstract details as well as the submission terms and conditions.
Number of Submissions: Delegates can be a ‘presenting author’ on a maximum of two presentations (2 individual abstracts). It is possible to be listed as part of an author team on more than two presentations. However, the Organising Committee can only guarantee no program clashes for up to two presentation slots for any individual as presenting author/s.
Conference Registration: If the submission is accepted, at least one author will register and pay to present the abstract at the Conference. Abstracts may be removed from proceedings if the presenter has not completed the payment for registration by the specified deadline.
Financial Considerations: No funding is provided for presenters for travel, accommodation, or other related expenses.
Publication and Media Consent: Permission is granted for the abstract to be published in the ICSRI 2025 abstract booklet if it is accepted for presentation. Additionally, ICSRI organisers have permission to film or photograph your presentation.
Notification of Change: It is understood that unforeseen circumstances can occur. Should you be unable to present or need to nominate a different presenting author, please inform ICSRI organisers promptly by emailing icsri@villacollege.edu.mv.

Review Process and Templates

ABSTRACT REVIEW PROCESS

All abstracts for Individual papers and/or Posters are subject to a peer-review process by the technical committee, facilitated by ICSRI 2025 reviewers. The review process is intended to:

Ensure rigour and quality of research within the conference presentations.
Support alignment with specific SDGs and the conference tracks.
Determine the most appropriate format of presentation for the paper (e.g.,individual paper or poster).

Abstracts will be reviewed using the following criteria:

Relevance to ICSRI 2025 conference theme.
Contribution to specific research field/s and scholarly contextualization.
Clarity of writing and appropriate language use
Relevance to identified SDG/s and conference track.

The Reviewer will make one of the following decisions:

Accept as is
Accept, with editing required for clarity
Revision Required, submit with revisions suggested by reviewers
Rejected on basis of not satisfactorily meeting the stated review criteria.

Where there is a discrepancy between the reviewers, the Technical Committee Chair will adjudicate for a final decision.

**All abstracts should be written in MS Word format (DOC or DOCX) templates provided (available for download below). Save your abstract using this format: “ICSRI2025_yourLastName.doc”.

Templates

Abstract Template

Full Paper Template

Oral Presentation Guideline

Poster Guideline

Conference Registration Fees

Take advantage of early bird offer and get more than 20% off from the normal registration fee.

Physical

Online

VC Students

Early Bird Registration

MVR 250

Regular Registration

MVR 300

Villa College/VIHS Staff

Early Bird Registration

MVR 450

Regular Registration

MVR 500

Local/permit holders

Early Bird Registration

MVR 600

Regular Registration

MVR 775

International (USD)

Early Bird Registration

USD 125

Regular Registration

USD 175

Local Students

Early Bird Registration

MVR 450

Regular Registration

MVR 500

Admission to the welcome ceremony

Admission to all presentation sessions

Access to poster area

Conference materials

Conference program and book of abstracts

Lunch, Coffee/tea during the breaks

VC Students

Early Bird Registration

MVR 250

Regular Registration

Till 01 Jan 2024

MVR 300

Villa College/VIHS Staff

Early Bird Registration

MVR 450

Regular Registration

Till 01 Jan 2024

MVR 500

Local/permit holders

Early Bird Registration

MVR 600

Regular Registration

Till 01 Jan 2024

MVR 775

International (USD)

Early Bird Registration

USD 125

Regular Registration

Till 01 Jan 2024

USD 175

Local Students

Early Bird Registration

MVR 450

Regular Registration

Till 01 Jan 2024

MVR 500

Travel Info

Do I need visa to Maldives?

To enter Maldives no pre-arrival visa is required. A thirty day free visa is issued on arrival for all Nationalities, provided: Should posses a valid passport with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) -(standard ICAO Annex 9, chapter 3.10.1) and should have at least 6 months validity. Have a valid ticket to continue the journey out of Maldives Have enough funds to cover the expenses for duration of the stay in Maldives. (US$100 + $50 dollars per day) or a confirmation of reservation in a Tourist Resort or a Hotel

Where can I get ferries to go city?

If you have booked with a tour company such as Secret Paradise or with a hotel, guesthouse or resort it is likely that you will have provided them with your flight arrival details. If this is the case then it is usual for them to send a representative to meet with you at the arrival gate. They will then take care of your onward transfer meaning less hassle for you!

The opening of the Sinamale Bridge at the end of August 2018, linking Male with Hulhule Island and Hulhumale, has brought about a number of changes to transfer choices to and from the airport. It is now possible to take a private taxi to Hulhumale or Male from the taxi rank directly outside the arrival area. Note that vehicles are currently not allowed to wait but from our experience there appears to be a steady stream of vehicles so you should not have to wait long. Charges are likely to fluctuate as this new airport services settles down. Expect to pay around 100MVR to reach Hulhumale and 150MVR to reach Male, which also entails crossing the bridge!

To reach Male independently you can also choose to take the Airport Express Speedboat, the charge is MRF30 or US$2 for a one way transfer per person, leaving every 15 minutes. There is also the airport public ferry, charge MRF10 or US$1 per person one way, leaving every 10 minutes. Both leave from the new water front jetty, beneath the waterfront food court and opposite the domestic terminal.

What currency is accepted in Maldives?

Maldivian Rufiyaa
The Maldives has a non-convertible currency – Maldivian Rufiyaa – this cannot be purchased beforehand. One Rufiyaa is 100 Laari and is available in 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Rufiyaa notes. The US Dollar is accepted as legal tender throughout the Maldives.

What is the exchange rate of Maldivian Ruffiyya to USD?

One US Dollar is equivalent to 15.42 Rufiyaa. However, the exchange rate offered on US$1 and US$5 notes by local businesses may be lower. This is because there is a 3% handling charge made by the bank on the deposit of US$ notes of US$5 or less.

Where can I exchange my cash?

You can exchange your cash both arrival and departure terminal. At the Arrival terminal you will see an exchange counter just before the exit at the left-hand side of the exit gate. The exchange counter at the departure is located at the duty free area opposite to dome cafe' on the way to Prier Bridge.

What is the time difference?

The Maldives is 5 hours ahead of the GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). To offer holiday makers the optimum use of the tropical sun most resorts have their clocks put forward one hour to GMT+6.

Awards and Evaluation Criteria

Best Presenter Award

Novice Researcher
A researcher/industry expert/individual at the master's level who possesses a solid foundation in their field. While equipped with research experience, they are in the early stages of building their scholarly identity.
Career Researcher
A researcher/industry expert/individual at the Ph.D. level, in the early stages of their career, who has achieved a significant milestone in academic attainment. Recognized for their potential and early accomplishments, these researchers demonstrate a commitment to advancing knowledge and making a lasting impact in their chosen area of expertise.

Best Paper Award

The Best Paper Award is a prestigious accolade presented to the most outstanding contribution among full-paper submissions. This distinction recognizes a submission that demonstrates exemplary research, innovation, and scholarly impact.