Call for abstracts/Call for Papers International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education Special issue on “Sustainability Reporting in Higher Education Institutions” Guest editors: Prof. Dr. Ralf Isenmann, Munich University of Applied Sciences and University of Bremen, Germany (
[email protected]), Dr. Remmer Sassen, University of Hamburg, Germany (
[email protected]‐ hamburg.de), Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Walter Leal, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany (Walter.Leal@haw‐hamburg.de). Dates: The deadline for submissions of 500 word, extended abstracts will be the November 15th 2015, and full papers are due by the June 30th 2016. About the journal: The International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education (IJSHE) is the world´s leading journal specifically addressing sustainability issues in a higher education context. Now in Volume 16, IJSHE is fully indexed and has the impact factor 0.889, which attests its influential role in the academic community. Further details on IJSHE can be seen at: http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=IJSHE Call for abstracts: In the more than 20 years since sustainability reporting first became a topic of broader interest in academia, business, governments, standard setting institutions and various organizations, sustainability reporting has rapidly grown to a field of increasing relevance for various reporting entities and for their respective stakeholders. This development is no less important for higher education institutions as well, particularly for universities and their interested parties. Against the background of the broader international context of sustainable transition management and specifically powered by the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the period 2005–2014 and the global action program as its follow‐up after 2014, sustainability has become one of the most noticeable developments for higher education institutions’ development in the last years. While more and more universities have taking up ESD and are implementing other forms to make sustainability actually happen in academic curricula and students’ day life – perhaps as an integral part of a “whole institutional approach” ‐, some forward‐looking universities have begun reporting on their sustainability actions and future plans. Compared to other reporting entities e.g. in various industries and public institutions, the level of sustainability reporting however is still in its infancy and at an overall early stage, in quantitative and in qualitative terms. According to current trends observed, the level seems to be growing, but in total there is just little research available yet. Universities are still seeking help for guidance on how to develop sustainability reporting. Topical areas of the special issue: The guest editors of this special issue solicit contributions from academia, consulting, standard setting institutions, sustainability reporting universities/higher education institutions, sustainability report users and other interested parties from different countries, including, but not limited to, the following topical areas:
Instruments, contents, and media of sustainability reporting, Characteristics, drivers & barriers, and success factors of sustainability reporting in higher education institutions, Integration of sustainability reporting into universities’ operating processes, Role of information systems and latest software tools supporting sustainability reporting, Quality assurance of sustainability reporting, Motivations and qualification skills of persons/experts/delegates being responsible and are preparing sustainability reports, Expectations and requirements of stakeholders/interested parties, Role of standards & guidelines, standards setting institutions and politics.
Consistent with the aims of IJSHE and in line with the topical areas, contributions are invited on a range of empirical and conceptual issues, with priority given to papers expanding previous research on sustainability reporting in higher education institutions, particularly in universities. Contributions employing innovative and under‐used methodological approaches or theoretical frameworks are particularly welcomed. Submissions: The deadline for submissions of 500 word, extended abstracts will be the November 15th 2015, and full papers are due by the June 30th 2016. Please send expressions of interest with a 500 word extended abstract and full contact details of the authors to the guest editors: Ralf Isenmann (
[email protected]), Remmer Sassen (
[email protected]‐hamburg.de), or Walter Leal (Walter.Leal@haw‐hamburg.de) till November 15th 2015.
