Reimagining Higher Education: Innovation and Leadership in an Interconnected World

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Introduction

This special issue, Reimagining Higher Education: Innovation and Leadership in an Interconnected World, brings together the latest research on the transformative role of universities as institutional change agents in a rapidly evolving global landscape. As higher education institutions (HEIs) navigate complex local, regional, and global challenges, they are increasingly called upon to lead innovation, advance inclusive practices, and foster resilience. This volume explores how HEIs are responding to these demands through four key interconnected subthemes that reflect both emerging trends and enduring responsibilities within academia. 
The first theme, ‘Transformative Leadership in Global Higher Education’, investigates how university leaders are shaping institutional change in response to mounting global pressures. Contributions examine leadership strategies that prioritize resilience, inclusivity, and cultural adaptability, highlighting how administrators and academic leaders are reconfiguring institutional structures to foster diversity, global mobility, and sustainable transformation. 
The second theme, ‘Technology-Enhanced Learning: Opportunities and Challenges’, explores the growing influence of digital transformation in education. As artificial intelligence, big data, and other emerging technologies redefine how teaching and learning occur, the articles in this section examine both the benefits and barriers to digital integration. Topics include the development of equitable and inclusive digital learning environments, the design of future-ready campuses, and the ethical implications of data-driven education. Emphasis is placed on ensuring digital inclusion and access for all learners, particularly in underserved contexts. 
The theme of ‘Sustainability and Ethics in Higher Education’ delves into the responsibility of universities to contribute meaningfully to global sustainability efforts. Research featured here highlights how HEIs are advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by embedding sustainability and ethical reasoning into curricula, research agendas, and community engagement. Case studies illustrate how partnerships, social enterprises, and cross-sector collaborations are enabling universities to have measurable social and environmental impacts.
Finally, the theme ‘Future Skills and Employability in the Knowledge Economy’ addresses how universities are reimagining educational models to better prepare students for a dynamic labor market. The contributions explore competency-based learning, lifelong education, and the growing relevance of micro-credentials and alternative qualifications. The role of industry collaboration and experiential learning in equipping students with future-ready skills is also critically examined. By integrating insights across these four themes, this special issue offers a comprehensive view of how higher education is being reimagined in the 21st century. It presents forward-thinking strategies and evidence-based practices that position universities as critical actors in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and innovative global society.

List of Topic Areas

• Transformative Leadership in Global Higher Education
• The role of university leaders in managing transformation in higher education
• Building resilient institutions in an era of global challenges
• Addressing cultural diversity, inclusion, and mobility in higher education Technology-Enhanced Learning: Opportunities and Challenges
• The impact of AI, big data, and emerging technologies on teaching and learning
• Digital inclusion and equity in education
• Designing future-ready digital campuses Sustainability and Ethics in Higher Education
• Universities as drivers of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Integrating sustainability into curricula and research
• Partnerships, social enterprises, and community engagement for social impact Future Skills and Employability in the Knowledge Economy
• Competency-based education and the role of industry partnerships in an evolving job market
• Fostering lifelong learning in academic programmes
• The role of micro-credentials and alternative qualifications

Submissions Information

Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available here.
Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see here.
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to ““Please select the issue you are submitting to”. 
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.

Key Deadlines

Submissions open: 21/12/2025
Submissions closed: 30/06/2026