Call for Papers: Repositioning Internationalization in a New Geopolitical Era
IAU Horizons – Call for Papers
In Focus: Repositioning Internationalization in a new geopolitical era
In recent years, the geopolitical landscape has undergone profound transformation. Multilateralism and the role of international organizations, including the United Nations, have come under renewed scrutiny, even among their founding members. Across regions, democratic governance has faltered, while various forms of authoritarianism have gained ground. Nationalist, nativist, and xenophobic movements have resurged in many parts of the world, contributing to increasingly fragmented and polarized societies. The momentum of globalization has slowed, accompanied by a revival of protectionist policies. Rising geopolitical tensions have led to rearmament and the re-emergence of territorial disputes and armed conflicts, further challenging the protection and promotion of Human Rights.
In this increasingly complex and challenging environment, we witness governments reaffirming their authority over national higher education systems, at times impeding institutional autonomy. Internationalization of higher education and global engagement have likewise come under closer scrutiny, occasionally facing criticism, reduced support, or new restrictions on international academic collaboration in the name of national security. These developments have, in some contexts, contributed to a growing instrumentalization of higher education in the service of national policy agendas.
At this critical juncture, it is essential for the global higher education community to reflect on what is at stake for higher education and international collaboration. What are the key challenges faced by universities worldwide, the tensions at play, and what are the aspirational paths forward? How can this time of crisis be leveraged to reposition the importance of international academic collaboration?
These are the questions higher education leaders are invited to address in the form of opinion pieces (800 words) for the next issue of IAU Horizons magazine.
Deadlines:
Please submit the proposed abstract by 15 December 2025 (midnight CET).
The deadline for submission of the full opinion piece is 1 February 2026.
