CONFERENCE SPECIAL SESSION

A Systems Thinking Approach to Environmental Knowledge Management and AI Enablement.

Overview: This session presents a pioneering Environmental Knowledge Management System developed by Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) using the DAPSI(W)R(M) framework. Integrating systems thinking, AI, and knowledge graphs, the approach transforms conservation decision-making by enabling structured cause-effect analysis and AI-powered insights to tackle biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation at the root.

SDG Alignment: The session aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Objectives: The session aims to introduce a disruptive model for environmental knowledge management that enhances evidence-based conservation through systems thinking and AI-driven knowledge structures. It will demonstrate how structured cause-effect reasoning empowers decision-makers to design targeted, scalable responses that address the root causes of biodiversity loss. Additionally, the session will explore how large language models (LLMs) can leverage this semantic foundation to support nature-positive policies, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience strategies.

Amplifying Research Impact: Publishing in High-Impact Journals and Building Institutional Strength

Overview: This special session will provide practical and strategic guidance for researchers aiming to publish in high-impact (Q1 and Q2) journals. Drawing on extensive publishing experience, the session will offer valuable insights on navigating the publishing process, understanding journal expectations, and overcoming common challenges faced by authors, particularly in emerging research ecosystems.
In addition to supporting individual researchers, the session will also explore how institutions can develop and sustain their own academic journals in collaboration with established publishers. This includes understanding editorial workflows, ensuring ethical publishing standards, and building journals that serve regional needs while meeting global quality benchmarks.

SDG Alignment: This session aligns strongly with the global goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda. By promoting equitable access to high-quality publishing opportunities, it contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education). Through its focus on institutional capacity-building and the creation of local publishing infrastructure, it supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Furthermore, the emphasis on partnerships between global publishers and universities resonates with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), fostering collaboration to strengthen academic ecosystems and global knowledge exchange.

Objectives: The session aims to equip researchers with actionable strategies for publishing in Q1 and Q2 journals. It will demystify the publishing process by highlighting common pitfalls and success factors. Additionally, it will explore how universities can create and manage their own academic journals in partnership with Emerald. Ultimately, the session seeks to contribute to building stronger, more visible, and self-sustaining research ecosystems.

CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Driving Innovation Ecosystems: The Role of Fourth Generation Universities

Overview: This workshop, organized by Elsevier, will look into driving action through knowledge and partnerships. In an era where knowledge, innovation, and partnership are vital components of sustainable economic growth, the concept of the "Fourth Generation University" (4GU) has gained prominence as a transformative model for Higher Education institutions.

4GUs are characterized by their active engagement in fostering innovation ecosystems, and bridging academia to industry, government, and civil society (the so-called 'Quadruple Helix' model). This workshop aims to explore the characteristics of these universities, examine how their attributes might be effectively measured, and will invite discussion as to their applicability within local contexts, such as the Middle East.

Participants will be introduced to the core features that distinguish 4GUs, including their entrepreneurial orientation, partnership models and their role as catalysts for regional development through skills and R&D. The session will explore some of the work that Elsevier, together with 12 founding academic partners, has initiated to understand the 4GU concept in detail and to recognise the different ways that universities contribute to regional ecosystems.

SDG Alignment: The workshop aligns with:

Objectives: This interactive session aims to inspire higher education leaders, policymakers, and partners to consider the role of universities as engines of regional innovation and growth, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and dynamic knowledge economy.

Ultimately, this Elsevier-organized workshop provides university leaders, policymakers, and researchers with actionable frameworks to design, implement, and scale innovation-led initiatives that generate tangible benefits for their communities—advancing both regional development and the global Sustainable Development Goals.

Beyond the Metrics: Ensuring Research Integrity and Data Quality in Global University Rankings

Overview: This workshop responds to growing concerns about research ethics and data misuse in the rankings ecosystem— issues that are especially salient across the MENA region as research output scales. Drawing on Elsevier’s dual role as publisher and information-analytics provider, the session will open the “black box” of quality assurance: how self-citation patterns, retractions, predatory outlets, authorship anomalies, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies such as generative AI are detected, reviewed, and addressed before curated datasets flow to ranking providers (e.g., THE, QS). Through demonstrations and discussion, participants will gain a transparent understanding of safeguards that protect comparability and fairness while discouraging metric gaming, and will codevelop practical recommendations that strengthen institutional reporting, governance, and responsible research assessment.

SDG Alignment: The workshop advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) by reinforcing trustworthy evaluation and learning ecosystems, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by improving research information infrastructure and metadata standards, SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability in research systems, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration among universities, publishers, and ranking providers.

Objectives: By the close of the session, participants will understand Elsevier’s end-to-end quality-assurance measures and how they interface with ranking datasets; be able to recognize high-risk integrity signals and distinguish legitimate impact strategies from metric gaming; and leave with a concise, MENA-relevant set of recommendations—policy, governance, capacity-building, and a practical checklist for responsible research assessment and data submissions—that can be applied immediately within their institutions and networks.