Call for a special Issue: Leadership in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability

This special issue explores the critical role of leadership in fostering sustainability within early childhood education. With growing awareness of environmental and social responsibility, early childhood educators and leaders have a unique opportunity to shape sustainable futures through pedagogical practices, management, policies, and community engagement. We welcome contributions canvassing a broad range of topics, potentially including both theoretical and empirical studies related to early childhood education contexts and spaces. Contributions may relate to local and global sustainability challenges such as social/economic justice, gender inequities, children’s wellbeing or relationalities with nature.

The issue delves into key themes such as curriculum development for sustainability, leadership strategies for advocacy and environmental restoration, equity and inclusion in sustainability education, and the role of policy in sustainable early childhood education initiatives. Contributions will highlight innovative approaches, case studies, and research that demonstrates how leadership can inspire transformative change among young learners, educators, families and broader communities.

By examining leadership around sustainability in early childhood education settings, this issue aims to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical solutions for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to fostering a more sustainable world through early learning.

• Educator Professional Development for Sustainability – How leadership supports training and capacity-building for early childhood educators to integrate sustainability into their pedagogical roles.
• Young Children's Agency in Sustainability – How leadership can empower children as active and agentic participants in sustainable practices, decision-making and advocacy.
• Intergenerational Learning & Community Engagement – How collaboration between educators, families, and communities can foster sustainability education.
• Indigenous Perspectives & Cultural Sustainability – How leadership approaches can honour Indigenous knowledges and traditions in sustainability education.
• Policy and Advocacy for Sustainability in Early Childhood – How leaders influence the embedding of sustainability into strategic planning, policies, curricula, professional standards and quality frameworks.
• Ethical Leadership & Sustainable Governance – How ethical decision-making and governance structures support sustainability efforts in early learning environments.
• Innovative teaching and technologies in sustainability education – How innovative pedagogical methods and digital tools as pedagogical strategies can promote learning experiences about sustainability with young children.

This special issue will be edited by Professor Eva Ärlemalm‐Hagsér (Mälardalen University, Sweden) and Dr Sue Elliott (University of New England, Australia).

Questions about the special issue and any general enquiries about requirements can be sent to Prof. Eva Ärlemalm‐Hagsér (eva.arlemalm‐hagser@mdu.se) and Dr Sue Elliott (sue.elliott@une.edu.au).

Manuscript requirements: Follow the CiA Journal authors instructions.

Final paper submission date: 1^st February 2026

Proposed CiA publication: Volume 3, Number 1, May 2026.