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🏠/Guidelines & Submissions/NEXUS 2026

Guidelines & Submissions

NEXUS Conference 2026 - Call for Project

Organized by TRACES — Driven by students and graduates of the University of Hong Kong (HKU)

⏰ Project Submission Deadline:

13 November 2026 at 12:00:00 pm

🗓️ Conference Starting Date

4 December 2026

📍 Venue: The University of Hong Kong Campus

NEXUS Conference 2026 - Call for Project

nexus-2026-poster-landscape.png

Organized by TRACES — Driven by students and graduates of the University of Hong Kong (HKU)

⏰ Project Submission Deadline:

13 November 2026 at 12:00:00 pm

🗓️ Conference Starting Date

4 December 2026

📍 Venue: The University of Hong Kong Campus

Conference Details

🌟 Why Participate in NEXUS?

 

NEXUS is not just another academic competition—it is a platform to transform your ideas into real-world impact. It is a university conference experience for high schoolers.

​

For Students
  • Mentorship & Connection: Present your ideas to and receive feedback from students, graduates and professors of the University of Hong Kong.

  • Hands-On AI Experience: Test cutting-edge AI technologies, from AI prototyping to AI applications.

  • Get Published: All accepted projects will be published in the NEXUS Conference 2026: Solutions for Tomorrow publication.

  • University Exploration: Experience university life firsthand through mock lectures, admissions talks, campus tours, and research lab visits.

​

For Teachers & Educators
  • Turnkey Authentic Learning: Effortlessly adapt existing classroom coursework or extracurricular projects into university-level research experiences.

  • SDG Integration: Connect your school's curriculum directly with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Institutional Partnership: Join as a Partner School to serve as mentors, judges, and core collaborators shaping the conference experience.

🚀 About NEXUS

 

NEXUS is a premier 2-day academic conference designed to empower high school innovators to tackle tomorrow's global challenges today. By integrating knowledge across Sciences, Humanities, Arts, and Technology, participants move beyond single-subject boundaries to build sustainable, equitable solutions.

🏛️ The Four Pillars of the NEXUS Experience

 

The 2-day conference is built around four immersive pillars designed to educate, showcase, and inspire:

​

  • Pillar 1: Keynote Speeches & Mock Lectures: Hear from renowned academics and industry leaders on how transdisciplinary thinking solves complex, real-world problems. Experience high-level academic discussions, including special mock lectures hosted by HKU faculties.

  • Pillar 2: The Solution-Based Conference: Present your research in problem-focused panels, featuring presentations and interactive, collaborative Q&A sessions and panel discussions. Showcase visuals and/or prototypes during the Poster Sessions.

  • Pillar 3: Innovation Hub & Campus Visits: Step inside real-time research environments. Tour HKU’s cutting-edge labs, explore the Arts Tech Lab, interact with university admissions team, and take guided campus tours.

  • Pillar 4: Hands-On AI Prototyping Labs: Demystify machine learning and sensor fusion through interactive workshops. Build ML pipelines in the Machine Learning Sandbox, run object tracking using YOLO, and control smart drones using pose detection in the Human-Robot Interaction Lab.

 

*The conference content may change at any time without prior notice. The organizers are not responsible for any losses or damages resulting from changes to the schedule or content.​

💡 Project Themes

 

We welcome transdisciplinary projects addressing real-world challenges, including but not limited to:

​

  • 🏙️ Sustainable Cities: Reimagining urban living, green transport, and community spaces.

  • 🤝 Tech for Good: Leveraging technology to solve pressing social, environmental, and economic issues.

  • ⚖️ Ethical AI: Exploring responsible development, fairness, and governance in artificial intelligence.

  • 🏛️ Cultural Preservation: Using modern tools and perspectives to protect and promote cultural heritage.

​​

Definition of Transdisciplinarity

Transdisciplinary study combines knowledge and methods from different academic disciplines to address complex issues, creating a more comprehensive understanding. Your project should demonstrate how this integration creates a deeper understanding and a more innovative solution than a single-discipline approach could.

📝 Submission Guidelines & Eligibility

 

Eligibility
  • Open to all high school students.

  • Both individual and team projects are welcome.

  • All submissions should align with the Definition of Transdisciplinarity above.

  • We welcome both new projects developed for NEXUS and outstanding coursework or extracurricular projects that have been adapted to meet our transdisciplinary, problem-based and solution-focused criteria.

 

Submission Guidelines

Your project submission for the NEXUS Conference consists of the following two components:

1. Abstract (Required):

  • Length: 150-300 words.

  • Content: Your abstract should clearly outline the problem, your transdisciplinary approach, and the proposed solution/findings.

  • Formatting Style: Please follow the provided abstract format. (Submissions with wrong formatting will not be entertained)

  • File Format: Submit in Word format (.docx)​

2. Poster (Optional, but highly encouraged):​

  • Content: Your poster should visually communicate the problem, your research process, and your proposed solution/findings in an engaging and clear manner.

  • ​Formatting Style: The poster should be designed in A0 size and formatted in portrait orientation.

  • File Format: Submit in PDF format (.pdf)

🗓️ Event Timeline & Important Dates
  • Project Submission Deadline:

13 November 2026 at 12:00:00 pm

  • Notification of Acceptance:

On a rolling basis after the Project Submission Deadline

  • Presenter Registration Deadline:

27 November 2026 at 12:00:00 pm

  • Conference:

4 December 2026

*All time displayed is automatically adjusted to your local timezone

How to Submit

Please submit your project (abstract and optional poster) via our online form.

 

Review Process

Submissions will undergo a peer review process by a Review Panel. Projects will be evaluated based on their originality, relevance to the conference theme, transdisciplinary approach, and research quality.

​​

Publication Opportunities

All accepted projects will be published in the NEXUS Conference 2026 Solutions for Tomorrow.​​

 

For more details or inquiries, please contact us at enquiry.traces@gmail.com.

Conference Details

🌟 Why Participate in NEXUS?

 

NEXUS is not just another academic competition—it is a platform to transform your ideas into real-world impact. It is a university conference experience for high schoolers.

​

For Students
  • Free of Charge: Enjoy free participation to NEXUS activities.

  • Mentorship & Connection: Present your ideas to and receive feedback from students, graduates and professors of the University of Hong Kong.

  • Hands-On AI Experience: Test cutting-edge AI technologies, from AI prototyping to AI applications.

  • University Exploration: Experience university life firsthand through mock lectures, admissions talks, campus tours, and research lab visits.

  • Bridge Academic Research & Society: Learn how academic research and innovation translate directly into tangible solutions for real-world societal challenges.

  • Get Published: All accepted projects will be published in the NEXUS Conference 2026: Solutions for Tomorrow publication.

​

For Teachers & Educators
  • Turnkey Authentic Learning: Effortlessly adapt existing classroom coursework or extracurricular projects into university-level research experiences.

  • STEAM Education: Foster cross-disciplinary problem-solving by combining science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

  • Digital Literacy: Equip students with critical skills to navigate, evaluate, and responsibly leverage emerging technologies and AI.

  • SDG Integration: Connect your school's curriculum directly with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Bridge Secondary Schools & Universities: Create seamless pathways for high school students to interact directly with university faculty, researchers, and higher-education environments.

  • Institutional Partnership: Join as a Partner School to serve as mentors, judges, and core collaborators shaping the conference experience.

🚀 About NEXUS

 

NEXUS is a premier 2-day program plus a pre-conference workshop designed to empower high school innovators to tackle tomorrow's global challenges today. By integrating knowledge across Sciences, Humanities, Arts, and Technology, participants move beyond single-subject boundaries to build sustainable, equitable solutions.

🏛️ The Five Pillars of the NEXUS Experience

 

The conference is built around five immersive pillars designed to educate, showcase, and inspire:

​

  • Pillar 1: Keynote Speeches & Mock Lectures: Hear from renowned academics and industry leaders on how transdisciplinary thinking solves complex, real-world problems. Experience high-level academic discussions, including special mock lectures hosted by HKU faculties.

  • Pillar 2: The Solution-Based Conference: Present your research in problem-focused panels, featuring presentations and interactive, collaborative Q&A sessions and panel discussions. Showcase visuals and/or prototypes during the Poster Sessions.

  • Pillar 3: Innovation Hub & Campus Visits: Step inside real-time research environments. Tour HKU’s cutting-edge labs, explore the Arts Tech Lab, interact with university admissions team, and take guided campus tours.

  • Pillar 4: Hands-On AI Prototyping Labs: Demystify machine learning and sensor fusion through interactive workshops. Build ML pipelines in the Machine Learning Sandbox, run object tracking using YOLO, and control smart drones using pose detection in the Human-Robot Interaction Lab.

  • Pillar 5: Transdisciplinary Research & Presentation Workshops: Master essential academic skills and ethical frameworks. Draft impactful research abstracts, design structured A0 posters, sharpen public speaking and Q&A techniques, and learn responsible AI literacy for academic research.

 

*The conference content may change at any time without prior notice. The organizers are not responsible for any losses or damages resulting from changes to the schedule or content.​

💡 Project Themes

 

We welcome transdisciplinary projects addressing real-world challenges, including but not limited to:

​

  • 🏙️ Sustainable Cities: Reimagining urban living, green transport, and community spaces.

  • 🤝 Tech for Good: Leveraging technology to solve pressing social, environmental, and economic issues.

  • ⚖️ Ethical AI: Exploring responsible development, fairness, and governance in artificial intelligence.

  • 🏛️ Cultural Preservation: Using modern tools and perspectives to protect and promote cultural heritage.

​​

Definition of Transdisciplinarity

Transdisciplinary study combines knowledge and methods from different academic disciplines to address complex issues, creating a more comprehensive understanding. Your project should demonstrate how this integration creates a deeper understanding and a more innovative solution than a single-discipline approach could.

📝 Submission Guidelines & Eligibility

 

Eligibility
  • Open to all high school students.

  • Both individual and team projects are welcome.

  • All submissions should align with the Definition of Transdisciplinarity above.

  • We welcome both new projects developed for NEXUS and outstanding coursework or extracurricular projects that have been adapted to meet our transdisciplinary, problem-based and solution-focused criteria.

 

Submission Guidelines

Your project submission for the NEXUS Conference consists of the following two components:

1. Abstract (Required):

  • Length: 150-300 words.

  • Content: Your abstract should clearly outline the problem, your transdisciplinary approach, and the proposed solution/findings.

  • Formatting Style: Please follow the provided abstract format. (Submissions with wrong formatting will not be entertained)

  • File Format: Submit in Word format (.docx)​

2. Poster (Required):​

  • Content: Your poster should visually communicate the problem, your research process, and your proposed solution/findings in an engaging and clear manner.

  • ​Formatting Style: The poster should be designed in A0 size and formatted in portrait orientation.

  • File Format: Submit in PDF format (.pdf)

🗓️ Event Timeline & Important Dates
  • Project Submission Deadline:

13 November 2026 at 12:00:00 pm

  • Notification of Acceptance:

On a rolling basis after the Project Submission Deadline

  • Presenter Registration Deadline:

27 November 2026 at 12:00:00 pm

  • Conference:

4 December 2026

*All time displayed is automatically adjusted to your local timezone

How to Submit

Please submit your project (abstract and optional poster) via our online form.

 

Review Process

Submissions will undergo a peer review process by a Review Panel. Projects will be evaluated based on their originality, relevance to the conference theme, transdisciplinary approach, and research quality.

​​

Publication Opportunities

All accepted projects will be published in the NEXUS Conference 2026 Solutions for Tomorrow.​​

 

For more details or inquiries, please contact us at enquiry.traces@gmail.com.

General Policy and Notice

Previously Presented/Published Policy

NEXUS requires that all projects submitted be original work, not previously presented at other conference, and not previously submitted for publication prior to the project submission deadline date. A project which includes an increased number of cases and demonstrates a significant change in results is considered new research; therefore, the work is eligible for consideration.

​

Copyright Policy

By submitting his/her project (hereafter the "work") to NEXUS Conference 2026, the author retains the copyright to the project and agrees to give NEXUS a limited, nonexclusive, royalty-free license to publish the work on the website and or other places, and to archive the content for maintenance of the scientific record. NEXUS agrees not to sublicense the content to a third party.

​

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Notice

As a project presenter, the presenter understands and acknowledge that NEXUS shares your information and presentation with our partners to enhance the programme and experience. We will not sell your personal data to third parties.

​

Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

NEXUS is committed to fostering original, student-led research grounded in human-based reading, thinking, and writing. The initiative is designed to support intellectual development through authentic scholarly engagement, and participants are expected to derive the greatest benefit by prioritising their own ideas and analysis.

​

At the same time, NEXUS recognises that AI has become an increasingly relevant tool in academic work. Limited and appropriate use of AI is therefore permitted, provided that it supports — rather than replaces — original thinking.

​

Acceptable Use of AI
AI may be used as a supplementary tool to assist with the development of original research. Appropriate uses include:

  • Identifying relevant literature or sources beyond initial materials (akin to using Google Scholar, Library website, Google, etc.)

  • Locating data sources or suggesting avenues for empirical investigation

  • Providing feedback on proposed topics, arguments, or structure (akin to a teacher, classmate, or friend’s advice)

  • Assisting with stylistic editing to improve clarity and readability

​

Unacceptable Use of AI
AI must not be used as a substitute for independent intellectual work. Prohibited uses include:

  • Generating written content that is directly used or lightly edited for submission

  • Producing arguments or counter-arguments without independent critical engagement

  • Generating citations or references without verification and original research input

 

Declaration of AI Use
Any use of AI must be clearly disclosed. Submissions that incorporate AI are required to include an appendix titled “Use of AI”, placed after the references section. This appendix does not count toward the word limit.

​

The appendix should:

  • Provide a clear explanation, written by the author, of how AI was used

  • Include supporting evidence (e.g. screenshots) demonstrating the nature of usage

 

Failure to disclose AI use may result in disqualification if it is found to violate NEXUS academic integrity standards.

​

All submissions are assessed according to the same academic criteria, regardless of whether AI has been used. Participants who do not use AI are not required to include an appendix.

​

This policy ensures that AI remains a supportive tool while preserving the integrity, originality, and academic value of all work presented through NEXUS.

Guidelines

Abstract Guidelines
Poster Guidelines
Presentation Guidelines

Online Submissions

Abstract

Full Manuscript

🍎 Information for Educators & School Partnerships

 

TRACES offers a structured two-tiered collaboration framework for high schools:

  • Partner Schools: Core collaborators that help refine the concept, rundown and details of the conference. Teachers from Partner Schools are invited to serve as project mentors, session chairs, and review panel judges.

  • Participating Schools: Institutions that encourage, support, and guide student research submissions to the NEXUS conference.

​

📩 Get In Touch: To explore school partnership opportunities or ask general questions, email us at enquiry.traces@gmail.com.

Templates

Abstract

Presentation

Full Manuscript

Format

Abstract

Presentation

Full Manuscript

TRACES 2026

Advance Knowledge. Empower Learners. Transform Education. From Inspiration to Impact.

Contact Us

To learn more, don’t hesitate to get in touch by enquiry.traces@gmail.com.

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© 2026 by TRACES. All Rights Reserved.​

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