Redefining Academia: Innovative Approaches to Diversity and Inclusion
A special issue of Trends in Higher Education (ISSN 2813-4346).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 14 November 2025 | Viewed by 462
Special Issue Editors
Interests: black girlhood; STEM/STEAM; informal learning; ethics of care; preservice teacher development; critical media literacy
Interests: bilingual education and ESOL; family engagement; cultural relevant pedagogy; teacher preparation
Interests: black education; resistance pedagogy; historical and contemporary issues in urban education; critical multiculturalism; transformative/emancipatory learning
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue seeks to explore and highlight innovative strategies, practices, and frameworks that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within academic settings. We invite contributions that examine how diverse perspectives, identities, and experiences shape learning environments and contribute to the academic success of historically marginalized groups. The Special Issue will focus on research, case studies, and practical approaches that foster inclusive classrooms, curricula, and campus cultures, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces where all students, faculty, and staff feel valued, supported, and empowered.
Through this Special Issue, we aim to bridge gaps in higher education by showcasing research that addresses systemic inequities, advocates for cultural responsiveness, and promotes the ethical imperative of care in educational practices. Research areas may include, but are not limited to:
- Pedagogical innovations;
- Institutional strategies;
- The ethics of care;
- Access and retention;
- Community engagement.
The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for scholars, educators, and practitioners to engage in critical conversations about diversity and inclusion, offer actionable solutions, and advance the collective goal of transforming higher education into a more equitable and just space for all. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Deneen Dixon-Payne
Dr. Judith Cruzado-Guerrero
Dr. Marcia Watson-Vandiver
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 single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Trends in Higher Education is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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
- diversity in higher education
- inclusive pedagogy
- equity and inclusion
- student retention
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