Professor Eva Ärlemalm-Hagsér (Mälardalen University, Sweden), Professor Victoria Carr (University of Cincinnati, United States) and Dr Sue Elliott (University of New England, Australia) have been invited by Bloomsbury Publishers to be lead editors of the first handbook on early childhood education for sustainability (ECEfS). The handbook would essentially be an edited volume comprising 25 chapters that map the ECEfS field, with reference to research, theory, and practice from international perspectives. It would be a state-of-the-field publication for students, teachers, and researchers bringing the work and ideas in this arena to a broader audience. In addition, it will continue to build an ECEfS research and practice community. The intent is to create a comprehensive and contemporary picture of the field inclusive of historical and international perspectives, plus provocations for new directions. 

We are now calling for chapter abstracts. 

Our stance as lead editors is informed by the current global polycrisis, the interconnected global events we are experiencing such as pandemics, wildfires, and floods. A polycrisis is a cascade of shocks with unanticipated and interdependent consequences for all (UNICEF, 2023), but specifically for today’s children. How early childhood teachers, policy makers, and academics respond to this polycrisis will impact children now and in the future. We invite scholars to contribute to this handbook with chapters investigating the intersection of early childhood education and sustainability in times of a global polycrisis. Chapters might explore myriad ECEfS topics, theoretical frameworks, or research methodologies.

Your chapter proposal should include a chapter title, a 250-word abstract, a brief bio and contact details for the author/s.

Email your abstract to eva.arlemalm-hagser@mdu.se by November 30, 2024. If your abstract is accepted, invitations for full chapters will be sent after the publisher approves the handbook outline. Full first chapter drafts of 7000w including references will likely be due June–October 2025.

See the attached PDF for more information. Questions about the handbook can be sent to lead editor Professor Eva Ärlemalm-Hagsér (eva.arlemalm-hagser@mdu.se).