Fostering (dis)Engagement and (dis)Connection: Illuminating Problems and Possibilities of Dialogic Practice for Diverse Learning Environments
A special issue of Education Sciences (ISSN 2227-7102).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 58
Special Issue Editors
Interests: interpersonal, family and dialogic communication; personal, relational and social identity work; inclusive communication
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Although perspectives of dialogue are vast and varied, what they share is a recognition of the impactful role communication plays in shaping personal, relational, and social realities. Weaving dialogic practices into the existing fabric of education has the potential to enhance personal and community wellness by deepening self and social awareness; fostering engagement; and strengthening connection between individuals and groups. It also has the potential to complicate these outcomes. With this Special Issue, we strive to illuminate the complexity of dialogic practice for diverse learning environments. We invite submissions that help us understand the breadth of dialogic practice across educational levels, institutions, and initiatives; various outcomes associated with dialogic practice, including those related to belonging, connection, and engagement; and ways to maximize effective dialogic practice. We also invite critical pieces on the limitations or tensions of dialogic approaches—such as instances where dialogue fails to bridge divides, reinforces existing power structures, or proves insufficient in addressing systemic inequities—so that we may better understand both the promise of and obstacles to implementing dialogic practices effectively in educational contexts.
We welcome submissions across a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, including both empirical research reports and case studies that both detail and reflect on dialogic practices applied within diverse educational contexts. Of particular interest to us are submissions that address the following topics:
- Methods for enhancing dialogic engagement and connection.
- The integration of dialogic practices within the classroom or broader educational context including campus-wide initiatives, co-curricular contexts, community–campus connections, and employee relationships.
- Outcomes associated with dialogic practices, especially outcomes related to belonging, connection, conflict, and peacebuilding.
- Qualities or factors associated with dialogic engagement or disengagement.
- Barriers to effective dialogic practice.
- Dialogic-centered curricula, including those focused on dialogue facilitation training and professional training and development.
- Unique dialogic approaches and applications.
- Unexpected outcomes or obstacles associated with dialogic practice.
Dr. Meredith Marko Harrigan
Dr. Emi Kanemoto
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Education Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- dialogue
- dialogic practices
- dialogic pedagogy
- dialogic communication
- diversity
- engagement
- connection
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