Call for Book Chapters: Education Diplomacy Across Borders: Global Perspectives on Higher Education, Gender, Peace, and Sustainable Development

2026-09-15

Education has emerged as one of the most influential drivers of international cooperation, sustainable development, and social transformation. Beyond the classroom, education fosters intercultural dialogue, strengthens diplomatic relationships, advances gender equality, promotes peace, and equips societies to address complex global challenges. As countries seek innovative approaches to improve educational quality, equity, and international engagement, education diplomacy has become an increasingly important field of scholarship and practice.

This edited volume brings together researchers, policymakers, higher education leaders, and practitioners from around the world to examine how education serves as a bridge between nations and contributes to global development. The book will present comparative perspectives, policy analyses, empirical studies, and country case studies that illustrate how educational cooperation strengthens institutions, supports inclusive development, and promotes international partnerships.

The volume particularly welcomes contributions from the Global South while encouraging dialogue between developed and developing countries to foster mutual learning and evidence-informed policymaking.

Contributors are invited to submit original chapters addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

Part I: Foundations of Education Diplomacy

  • Theories and models of education diplomacy

  • Education as soft power

  • Education and international relations

  • Comparative education policy

  • Educational governance in a global context

Part II: Higher Education and International Partnerships

  • Internationalization of higher education

  • University diplomacy and global engagement

  • Student and faculty mobility

  • Joint degrees and transnational education

  • International research collaboration

  • Academic leadership and institutional partnerships

Part III: Gender, Equity, and Inclusive Education

  • Gender-responsive educational policies

  • Women in higher education leadership

  • Women in STEM and research

  • Inclusive education and disability

  • Equity and access in higher education

  • Educational opportunities for marginalized communities

Part IV: Peace, Citizenship, and Sustainable Development

  • Peace education

  • Global citizenship education

  • Intercultural dialogue

  • Education in humanitarian settings

  • Climate change education

  • Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement

Part V: Innovation and the Future of Education

  • Artificial intelligence in education

  • Digital learning ecosystems

  • Educational technology

  • Research diplomacy

  • Future skills and lifelong learning

  • Educational resilience and crisis response

Part VI: Country Perspectives

Authors are encouraged to submit chapters examining education diplomacy within a specific national context or through comparative analyses involving two or more countries. Comparative studies involving Türkiye and Pakistan, as well as contributions from Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, are particularly welcome.

Types of Chapters

The editors welcome: Empirical research; Comparative studies; Policy analyses; Systematic reviews; Conceptual papers; Case studies; Institutional best practices; Interdisciplinary perspectives

Submission Guidelines: Please submit:

  • Chapter title

  • Extended abstract (600–800 words)

  • Five keywords

  • Author biography (100–150 words)

After the abstract is accepted, authors will be invited to submit a full chapter. All submissions must be original and must not be under consideration by another publisher.

Submit to:

 

Submit abstracts or full chapters directly to the editors at: owsd@aydin.edu.tr

Editors:

Osman GULTEKIN, Ph.D.
UNESCO Chair on Cultural Diplomacy, Governance and Education; Director of International Relations and Assistant Professor in Political Science and International Relations at İstanbul Aydın University, Türkiye.
Coordinator of UNESCO - Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) Women in Science Displacement Outreach Master’s (WISDOM) Program at İstanbul Aydın University
STAR Scholars Network Country Director for Türkiye

osmangultekin@aydin.edu.tr

 

Nadia AYUB, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor in the College of Economics and Social Development (CESD) at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM), Pakistan
Executive Board Member, Asia & Pacific, UNESCO – Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)

nadia.ayub@iobm.edu.pk

Abstracts Due: Dec 1, 2026 | Full chapter (no more than 5,500 words): Feb 1, 2027 | Publication date: May 1, 2027