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You are warmly invited to submit a proposal for a book chapter in our upcoming edited book, tentatively titled, Global Perspectives on Educational Innovation and Leadership: Policy, Politics and Meaningful Change. To submit, please email the Editors with your chapter proposal:
• Dr Nicola Sum, Monash University ([email protected])
• Dr Paul Campbell, University of Hong Kong ([email protected])
• Dr Stephen MacGregor, University of Calgary ([email protected])
• Dr Rania Sawalhi, University of Jordan ([email protected])
Innovation and educational leadership are complex, contextually embedded processes that require clear conceptualization if their possibilities and implications are to be understood (Campbell et al., forthcoming; OECD, 2022). We posit that innovation in education is best understood not as a singular or static concept, but as a dynamic, contextually embedded process encompassing the generation, adaptation, and implementation of new or improved ideas, practices, or structures which enhance learning, equity, and systems (Friesen et al., forthcoming; Fuad et al., 2022). This could be manifest in the form of a product, a process, or a cultural condition, and is shaped by the interplay of leadership, policy, professional agency, and socio-cultural context (Campbell et al, forthcoming). Following our recent Special Issue in School Leadership and Management, this edited volume provides an opportunity to examine common conceptual characteristics of educational innovation, contexts surrounding its manifestation, and the role of leadership (Fullan et al., 2023). Furthermore, understanding the inhibitors and enablers of innovation, through diverse perspectives, and consideration of how this relates to broader policy and political climates can lead to meaningful and sustainable change at this critical time.
The book will be structured as outlined below. Proposed chapters should address the theme of the appropriate section guided by suggested question/s.
Each chapter submission must include an abstract, keywords, and 3-4 questions which would inform further reflection on key ideas within the chapter. We encourage co-authored chapters which include graduate students as co-contributors, and seek submission from contexts and perspectives informing innovation and leadership across the globe.
Section I: Conceptual Foundations of Innovation and Leadership:
How is innovation in educational leadership understood and conceptualized?
How can we distinguish between creativity and innovation in educational contexts?
In what ways does educational leadership facilitate the transformation of creative ideas into viable, impactful innovations?
How do these distinctions influence leadership practices and decision-making in schools or systems?
How do clear definitions and terminology shape our understanding of innovation across different educational systems and contexts?
In what ways does innovation address adaptive challenges in education, and how does it differ from incremental improvement?
How might varied conceptualizations and contextualization of innovation have implications for how leadership is understood and vice versa?
How can educational leadership foster innovation that drives social change and community engagement beyond technological solutions?
Section II: Systemic and Contextual Influences on Innovation
How do community-focused and collective conceptions of leadership enable, action, and sustain educational innovation?
How does the interplay between context, people, and organizations shape innovation across educational settings such as K–12, higher education, and community organizations?
How do leadership practices, both positional and non-positional, support sensemaking and agency within ecological systems that influence innovation?
How do leaders interpret policy frameworks in ways that enable or inhibit innovation?
How do political pressures and priorities shape the possibilities, focus, and outcomes of innovation and leadership?
How do broader systemic and ecological structures support or constrain educational innovation?
How can educational leaders cultivate the courage and capacity for risk-taking required to pursue meaningful innovation?
Section III: Policy, Practice, and Examples of Innovation
Who is empowered to innovate in education, and how does stakeholder agency shape the innovation process?
What examples of innovative practice, such as collaboration, historical influence, or professional learning, can inform current educational leadership approaches and innovation practices?
How can historical innovations inform and inspire contemporary educational practices?
How do educational policies frame, support, or constrain innovation?
How does community engagement influence the success and sustainability of educational innovation?
How does the growing politicization of education affect school leaders’ capacity to innovate?
Section IV: Future Directions: Research, Methodology, and Implications for Change
How can innovation serve as a catalyst for educational change and improvement?
How can innovative approaches help address persistent challenges in education?
What role does innovation play in advancing mental health, wellbeing, social justice, educational equity, and professional learning?
What are the implications for research methods and scholarship more broadly for understanding innovation and leadership in education?
Why is it important to establish clear, operational definitions of innovation that are shared among all stakeholders?
How can innovation be designed to reflect and include diverse voices and perspectives from the outset?
Chapters should be 6000-8000 words (including references), double spaced pages and structured to include-
Abstract (200 words)
Key words (4-6 keywords)
Introduction with key question/s
Theoretical framework/ perspective
Case study illustration (or research methods, data and analysis)
Implications and conclusions
Questions for reflection- we envision 3-4 questions which would support the use of the chapter as an educational resource that can be discussed with students/reading circle.
APA 7th style for referencing
Proposed timeline:
8 August 2025: Submission of proposed chapters from authoring teams:
title (and section of the book)
names, designations and affiliations of each contributing author (please include country)
200-word abstract and 4-6 keywords
3 questions for reflection.
18 August 2025: Contributors notified of abstract outcomes.
August 2025: Editors finalize book contract with Emerald. Contributing authors will be notified accordingly*
5 November 2025: Submission of draft chapters
1 December- 30 January 2026: All authoring teams complete peer reviews**
12 February 2026: Peer review feedback to authors **
10 April 2026: Submission of final chapters
May 2026: Editors organize Submission to publishers
Jan 2027: Anticipated publication date (lead in to book launch at ICSEI 2027)
*All contributing authors will receive digital access to the book via the Emerald online platform, and they are entitled to 35% off if they wish to purchase a hard copy.
**NB: each authoring team will be required to peer review 2 manuscripts. Please ensure you organize this time in your schedule.
We look forward to your contributions and anticipate an exciting publication project ahead.
References:
Campbell, P., MacGregor, S., Sum, N., Friesen, S., Sawalhi, R., Conway, J., Andrews, D., Braunberger, D., & Kam, Y. C. (forthcoming). Conceptualizing innovation in education: A scoping review of implications for school leadership and change. School Leadership and Management.
Friesen, S., Sum, N., Sawalhi, R., MacGregor, S., Campbell, P., Conway, J., Andrews, D., & Penner, A. (forthcoming). The Leadership of Innovation in Education: Findings from an environmental scan. School Leadership and Management.
Fuad, D. R. S. M., Musa, K., & Hashim, Z. (2022). Innovation culture in education: A systematic review of the literature. Management in Education, 36(3), 135-149.
Fullan, M., Azorín, C., Harris, A., & Jones, M. (2023). Artificial intelligence and school leadership: challenges, opportunities and implications. School Leadership & Management, 44(4), 339–346. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2023.2246856
OECD (2022), OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy: Germany 2022: Building Agility for Successful Transitions, OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy, OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/50b32331-en.
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