Rethinking International Education

In collaboration with

           

Call for abstracts (120 words):
Rethinking International Education: Leadership, Technology, and Global Citizenship for a Changing World

Co-Editors:
Dr. Muhammad Imran
College of Humanities and Sciences, Prince Sultan University, Saudi Arabia
Email: mimran@psu.edu.sa 

Dr. Norah Almusharraf
College of Humanities and Sciences, Prince Sultan University, Saudi Arabia
Email: nmusharraf@psu.edu.sa

Scientific Committee for the Special Issue Publication
Dr. Fabio De Leonardis, Associate Professor, Instutute of Language Sciences, Shanghai International Studies University, China.
Dr. Jana Ho, Assistant Professor, Department of Education, The University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Dr. Liza Sharmin, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh
Dr. Muhammad Afzaal, Associate Professor, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China.

Background and Rationale

In an era defined by global uncertainty, accelerated technological advancement, and renewed demands for social justice, international education faces both unprecedented challenges and transformative opportunities. Traditional models of academic mobility and cross-border engagement are being reshaped by forces such as artificial intelligence, ecological disruption, political polarization, and shifting demographic trends. These dynamics demand a reexamination of how higher education systems cultivate equitable, inclusive, and globally engaged learning environments.

This special issue seeks to reimagine international education as a space for advancing equity, belonging, and global collaboration. As students, educators, and institutions navigate transnational contexts, issues of access, identity, and agency have come to the forefront. Scholars and practitioners are increasingly called to consider how education systems can respond to widening disparities, foster intercultural understanding, and prepare learners for ethical leadership in a deeply interconnected world.

This collection will showcase forward-thinking research and practice by centering themes such as global competence, sustainability, inclusive pedagogy, digital equity, ethical leadership, and decolonial approaches. It will also highlight how international education intersects with critical issues such as immigration, employability, language and identity, and the transformative potential of emerging technologies.

This special issue invites interdisciplinary inquiry and innovative scholarship that explores how global learning can be restructured to empower students, reform institutions, and reinforce the values of justice, inclusion, and mutual respect. In doing so, it aims to contribute to a more responsive, resilient, and human-centered vision of international education.

Special Issue Title:

Rethinking International Education: Equity, Belonging, and Global Engagement in a Changing World

Call for Abstracts

The Journal of International Students invites original, peer-reviewed submissions for a special issue that critically explores how international education can be reimagined to foster equity, belonging, and global engagement in today’s interconnected world.

In the face of rapidly evolving global realities—ranging from technological disruption to demographic shifts and social justice movements—higher education is being challenged to reconsider the purpose, delivery, and accessibility of international education. This special issue seeks to examine how institutions, educators, and students are transforming educational experiences through innovation, ethical leadership, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to inclusion and sustainability.

We invite research articles, case studies, policy analyses, and conceptual papers that engage with international students, student mobility, study abroad, international education programs, international faculty, or other globally oriented educational participants. Manuscripts should use qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods research methods and contribute to one or more of the following themes.

Suggested Thematic Areas and Topics

Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following interconnected topics:

1. Reimagining Curriculum & Pedagogy

  • Online teaching and learning for international students 
  • Future-oriented content and delivery models for global learners
  • Culturally responsive and inclusive pedagogies across borders
  • Interdisciplinary teaching and globalized learning design
  • International programs and global learning outcomes

2. Leadership Development in a Transforming World

  • Educating ethical, adaptive, and globally competent leaders
  • Student leadership initiatives and cross-cultural engagement
  • Transnational leadership development in higher education
  • Experiences of international faculty and administrators

3. Education–Industry Partnerships

  • Aligning international education with labor market needs
  • Internship, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning for international students or study abroad programs
  • Building global employability and workforce readiness
  • International collaborations between universities and employers

4. Technology & Innovation in Learning

  • Artificial intelligence and digital platforms in global education
  • E-learning in underrepresented and transnational contexts
  • Technology-enhanced language immersion and learning experiences
  • Equity and access in digitally enabled international education
  • AI applications and academic engagement of international students

5. Social Impact & Sustainability in Education

  • Education policy, ethics, and governance in a global context
  • Equity, gender, and inclusion in international education
  • Lifelong learning and adult education for social mobility
  • Institutional responses to global crises and sustainable development goals

6. Internationalization and Global Citizenship

  • Global education policy, student mobility trends, and immigration
  • Study abroad, intercultural exchange, and global competence
  • Transnational identities, sense of belonging, and community building
  • The evolving role of international students in knowledge diplomacy

Proposed Timeline: Abstract Due: August 30 | Full Manuscript Due: Nov 30

Target Audience: This special issue will be relevant to:

  • Researchers across the disciplines such as education, sociology, and leadership studies
  • International educators and university administrators
  • Policy-makers and think tanks
  • Graduate students in education-related disciplines
  • Stakeholders working on global education reforms

Manuscript Types

Research Articles, Reviews (English): Research Articles (4,500-7,500 words) submissions use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods research to make significant advancements in under-researched aspects of the field related to topics outlined in the journal's Aims & Scope.

Research in Briefs (English): The "Research in Brief" section of the Journal of International Students is designed for concise analyses of specific topics or questions, using new or existing data sources. Articles should include a brief introduction, a discussion of the data, up to two figures/tables, a maximum of 10 references, and be within 2,000 words. Titles should be under 10 words, and an abstract of 120 words or less is required and manuscripts undergo standard peer review.

Abstract Submission Portal (120 words)

For inquiries about this Special Issue, please contact the editors:

Dr. Muhammad Imran,
College of Humanities and Sciences, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Email: mimran@psu.edu.sa 

References:

Andreotti, V. (2014). Critical literacy: Theories and practices in development education. In R. McCloskey (Ed.), Education and development (pp. 138–148). Routledge.
Fullan, M., & Gallagher, M. J. (2022). The devil is in the details: System solutions for equity, excellence, and well-being. Corwin.
Jackson, D. (2016). Re-conceptualising graduate employability: The importance of pre-professional identity. Studies in Higher Education, 41(8), 1237–1258. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2014.981011
Kim, M. J. (2024). Scripting solutions for the future: the OECD’s advocacy of happiness and well-being. Comparative Education, 60(3), 441-457.
Levine, A., & Dean, D. R. (2012). Generation on a tightrope: A portrait of today's college student. John Wiley & Sons.
Marginson, S., & van der Wende, M. (2007). Globalisation and Higher Education. OECD Papers, 7(7).
OECD. (2020). Back to the future of education: Four OECD scenarios for schooling. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/178ef527-en
Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical leadership and decision making in education: Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas (4th ed.). Routledge.
Carney, S. (2022). Reimagining our futures together: a new social contract for education. UNESCO.