NIFT International Conference Mumbai, India 22nd-23rd January 2026

Introduction

As National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) celebrates its 40th anniversary, the institution is hosting a conference rooted in a vision of inclusive futures. NIFT has through the years of its existence valued cultural and individual diversity and emphasized on the power of fellowship. This conference takes NIFT’s commitment forward to embrace diverse perspectives, ensuring equitable opportunities, and advancing inclusive practices in the fashion and design community. There have been transformative changes in the way design is viewed and practiced. Design is now responsible to make sense of complexity, digital technologies and disruptive business ideas. And yet stand firm on responsible and ethical ground. The NIFT International Conference 2026 seeks to foster meaningful dialogue, encourage collaboration among stakeholders, and shape a more inclusive and forward-thinking future in design. The conference includes plenary sessions of thought leaders, panel discussions, presentations of academic papers, posters, exhibitions showcasing student and Industry projects in the areas of adaptive clothing and technologies, workshops, fashion show and Craft bazaar where craft communities will display India’s rich artisanal heritage.

Why this Conference?

In an ever-evolving world, the need to explore future opportunities and research in inclusive design has never been more critical. The current conference aligns with NIFT’s vision by fostering dialogue on designing for diverse needs, ensuring accessibility, and shaping an equitable future.

Inclusive design is supported by a vast ecosystem of designers, researchers, and industry professionals across allied fields. While deeply rooted in India's unique socio-cultural contexts, it is also a globally significant discourse.

With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion reaching a pivotal moment for real change, stakeholders—including academia, corporates, CSR, social innovation labs, NGOs, and government bodies—are actively invested in shaping a more inclusive future. This conference serves as a vital platform to connect, collaborate, and drive meaningful impact.

NIFT International Conference Mumbai, India 22nd-23rd January 2026

Description of the peer review process:

INTRODUCTION: Inception of the Review Committee

The Review Committee (RC) was constituted to plan, manage, and execute the end-to-end academic review process for the conference. The committee ensured academic rigour, transparency, and timely coordination across all stages of the conference lifecycle, from the call for abstracts to post-conference reporting. In addition to review-related responsibilities, the RC played a key role in the conception, development, testing, and operationalisation of the Ibentos platform as the official conference management system.

SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work of the Review Committee included academic review management, stakeholder correspondence, and digital platform development. Responsibilities covered planning and execution of the abstract and full paper review process, coordination with authors, reviewers, moderators, development and deployment of the Ibentos platform, scheduling and thematic organisation of papers and posters, support during conference sessions, and post-conference documentation.

PROCESS FLOW – PRE-CONFERENCE

The pre-conference phase involved drafting and dissemination of the Call for Abstracts and Papers, collection and anonymisation of submissions, uploading onto the Ibentos platform, formation of reviewer panels, and extensive correspondence with authors and reviewers. Review modalities, evaluation criteria, and double-blind peer review protocols were established. Full papers underwent plagiarism and AI checks prior to final selection. Papers were scheduled by tracks and themes. A call for posters was issued, reviewers were assigned, and poster submissions were managed through the platform.

PROCESS FLOW – DURING CONFERENCE

During the conference, the Review Committee coordinated with moderators and faculty anchors, managed session scheduling, conducted technical checks, prepared digital backdrops, and ensured smooth conduct of all sessions. Parallel paper tracks were executed across both days of the conference with strict adherence to time slots. Breakout sessions were recorded using AI-assisted tools, supported by manual note-taking for documentation.

PROCESS FLOW – POST-CONFERENCE

Post-conference activities included report writing, data compilation, verification, and cleaning for certificate generation. Attendance records, presentation details, and reviewer contributions were consolidated to ensure accurate issuance of certificates.

ABSTRACTS, FULL PAPERS AND FINAL PRESENTATIONS

The Review Committee coordinated the complete lifecycle of abstract and full paper management, from submission and anonymisation to review and final presentation. Based on reviewer feedback, authors were informed regarding acceptance and revisions. Final papers were shortlisted for presentation across thematic tracks, and continuous follow-up was undertaken to ensure author registration, presentation readiness, and adherence to schedules.

COORDINATION WITH IBENTOS PLATFORM

The Review Committee worked closely with the Ibentos team for the conception, creation, testing, and execution of the conference management platform. This included managing submissions, reviewer assignments, feedback circulation, acceptance communication, and final uploads. Continuous coordination ensured platform stability, reviewer access, and data accuracy throughout the conference lifecycle.

PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF PARALLEL PAPER TRACKS

The Review Committee planned and executed multiple parallel paper tracks across both days of the conference. This included thematic clustering of papers, allocation of moderators, session scheduling, on-ground coordination, technical support, and documentation, ensuring consistency and academic rigour across all sessions.

MISCELLANEOUS

The committee addressed ad hoc queries, managed last-minute changes, resolved platform-related issues, and ensured seamless communication among all stakeholders.

NUMERICAL SUMMARY OF SUBMISSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS,