Call for papers for European Scientific Journal for Dual Higher Education (ESJ DHE) - Issue 2026/1
Posted on 2025-10-01The European Scientific Journal for Dual Higher Education (ESJ DHE) invites contributions for its 2026/1 issue under the thematic priority:
"The Societally Relevant Dual Higher Education – Empowering Agency in a Changing World"
In light of accelerating global transformation processes – climate change, the digital and AI revolution, internationalization and increasing social complexity – the role of dual and cooperative higher education systems is gaining renewed significance. Institutions such as Universities of Applied Sciences, Professional Higher Education institutions, and Cooperative Universities are uniquely positioned to bridge academic learning and real-world practice. This thematic issue addresses how these forms of Dual Higher Education (DHE) can contribute to fostering societal agency, future readiness, and civic engagement among students and graduates.
Guiding Questions
We welcome empirical, comparative, conceptual, and practice-based contributions that engage with questions such as:
- How can dual higher education empower students for societal agency and future competence?
- What models of curricular design, learning architecture, or institutional structures support this mission?
- How do authentic workbased learning experiences contribute to competence development in real-world contexts?
- What role do societal stakeholders play in shaping ecosystems in dual higher education? From the inside as well as from outside?
- How can dual programs respond to global challenges (e.g. sustainability, AI, digital transformation, inclusion, mental health, well-being)?
- Which competence models, learning designs (e.g. experiential learning, place-based learning), and governance practices foster transformative capabilities?
- How can dual higher education systems contribute to provide seamless learning pathways between educational sector (e.g. from EQF level 5 to 6)?
- How can competences from real life activities/ experiences be recognised in dual higher education systems?
We are particularly interested in:
- Empirical studies (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods)
- Comparative analyses across countries or institutional types
- Case studies of innovative programs, curricula, or partnerships
- Reviews or mappings of existing DHE approaches linked to societal relevance
- Analysis of European Policies in (dual) higher education and comparative policy studies
Submission Guidelines
- Deadline for submissions: January 15, 2026
- Language: English
- Article types: Empirical research papers, case studies, theoretical contributions (6,000-10.000 words)
- Review process: Double-blind peer review
- Publication format: Online, Open Access
- Submission system: via Open Journal Systems (OJS) [click here for submission]
- Templates: Please use the official ESJ DHE article template (available on the website)
- Publication fees: None – ESJ DHE does not charge any APCs or submission fees
- Copyright: Authors retain full rights under Creative Commons License
About the Journal
The European Scientific Journal for Dual Higher Education (ESJ DHE) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that provides a platform for scholarly exchange on all aspects of dual, cooperative, and professional higher education. The journal is an initiative of the EU4Dual University Alliance and aims to promote the development of dual higher education across Europe and beyond.
- Chief Editor: Prof. Dr. Ulf-Daniel Ehlers (DHBW Karlsruhe, Germany)
- Publisher: EU4Dual Alliance / ESJDHE Editorial Board
- ISSN Registration: 3052/7015
Contact & Further Information:
For questions regarding this Call for Papers, submission guidelines, or technical assistance, please contact the editorial office at:
florian.schaefer@dhbw.de