Educating for Futures: 
Empowering Individuals and Institutions for Innovation in the Domain of Human Security, Peace, and Sustainable Development

Building on previous editions, 4th UNITAR International Research Conference (4UIRC) will place greater emphasis on future-oriented education systems, anticipatory learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as on the co-creation of knowledge across regions and generations. The event will take place on 18-19 November 2026 at the UN House, Brussels (Bd du Régent 37/40, 1000).

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) invites Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from qualified scholars and practitioners to serve on the Editorial Board of the special edited research volume developed in connection with the 4th UNITAR International Research Conference (4UIRC). 

 

  1. About the Special Volume 

    The special volume, titled: Educating for Futures – Empowering Individuals and Institutions for Human Security, Peace, and Sustainable Development, will bring together high-quality, peer-reviewed research and applied scholarship emerging from the 4UIRC. The volume aims to advance interdisciplinary, policy-relevant, and practice-oriented contributions that explore how education, training, and applied research can support innovation, resilience, and transformation in the context of human security, peace, and sustainable development. 

 

  1. Purpose of the Editorial Board 

    The Editorial Board is established to provide scholarly leadership, peer-review oversight, and thematic guidance throughout the development of the special volume. The Board supports the 4UIRC Editorial Coordination Team in ensuring academic integrity, analytical coherence, policy relevance, and alignment with internationally recognised publishing standards and United Nations publications requirements. 

    Editorial Board members serve in an independent scholarly capacity. 

 

  1. Key Responsibilities 

    Editorial Board members are expected to: 

  • Contribute to shaping the editorial vision, thematic scope, and structure of the volume;
  • Participate in the review and selection of abstracts;
  • Serve as peer reviewers for submitted manuscripts;
  • Provide timely, objective, and constructive scholarly assessments;
  • Advise on scholarly quality, relevance, diversity, and research ethics;
  • Uphold confidentiality and ethical standards, including the declaration and management of conflicts of interest;
  • Support coherence, rigour, and integration across contributions;
  • Engage respectfully and professionally in all editorial activities. 

 

  1. Profile of Candidates 

    Applicants should demonstrate: 

  • Recognised subject-matter expertise aligned with one or more themes of the 4UIRC, including education for futures, human security, peace, sustainable development, digital transformation, climate resilience, youth leadership, or systems transformation;
  • Demonstrated research and publication experience;
  • Familiarity with peer-review and academic editorial processes;
  • Experience or engagement in multilateral, policy, education, or UN-related contexts;

  • Commitment to academic integrity, inclusivity, and ethical research practices. 

    UNITAR strongly encourages applications that contribute to regional, disciplinary, and gender diversity. 

 

  1. Dual Roles and Conflict of Interest 

    It is standard practice in edited research volumes for Editorial Board members also to contribute manuscripts. Where an Editorial Board member submits a manuscript: 

  • They will be fully recused from all handling, review coordination, discussion, and decision-making related to their submission; 

  • The manuscript will be subject to the same double-blind peer-review procedures and acceptance criteria as all other contributions. 

    All conflicts of interest must be disclosed and documented. 

 

  1. Modality and Duration
  • Membership on the Editorial Board is voluntary and non-remunerated;
  • Editorial work will be conducted primarily through virtual meetings, written consultations, and structured peer-review assignments;

  • Membership applies for the duration of the development, review, and completion of the 4UIRC special volume, unless otherwise concluded by UNITAR. 

    Editorial Board members are not considered staff members, consultants, or representatives of UNITAR or the United Nations.

 

  1. How to Apply 

    Interested candidates are invited to submit an Expression of Interest by completing the application form and providing all requested information, including: 

  • Personal and professional details;
  • A brief statement of motivation and relevant expertise;
  • A short bio, highlighting research, publication, and editorial or peer-review experience;

  • An indication of thematic areas of interest aligned with the 4UIRC. 

    Only complete applications submitted through the designated form will be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

 

  1. Institutional Oversight 

    The Editorial Board will operate under the coordination of the 4UIRC Editorial Coordination Team, which will manage editorial workflows, anonymisation, reviewer assignment, documentation, and institutional clearance. 

 

  1. Relevant Documentation:
1. Personal Details
Titre
2. To express interest, please submit:
Please respect the guidelines
Written in the third person and in a clear, formal, and accessible style. The biography should include your name and current position, institutional affiliation(s), areas of expertise, key research or professional focus, and relevant leadership roles, publications, policy or practice experience, as well as editorial, peer‑review, or academic service where applicable. References to geographic or thematic focus may be included where relevant.
A recent professional headshot (for potential use in official conference materials and online communications).
Upload requirements
Please respect the guidelines
Please submit a concise statement of interest of up to 150 words, outlining your motivation for expressing interest, your relevant expertise or experience aligns with the objectives and thematic priorities of the 4UIRC and/or the Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations mandates, the UN Pact for the Future, and the Secretary‑General’s New Agenda for Peace.

Your personal information will be used for event organisation, communication, and reporting purposes. We are committed to handling your data responsibly and will not share it with third parties. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy: https://unitar.org/legal.

Consent for Website Publication and Communication Use: By submitting these materials, Editorial Board members explicitly authorise UNITAR to use, reproduce, and publish their biography and photograph for institutional purposes, including but not limited to:

  • Display on UNITAR and 4UIRC web pages and affiliated web platforms;
  • Inclusion in online profiles presenting the Editorial Board;
  • Use in conference and special volume communication materials;
  • Incorporation into promotional, informational, and outreach content related to the 3UIRC and the special volume;
  • Dissemination through UNITAR communication channels, including digital publications, newsletters, reports, and social media, where relevant.

All materials will be handled in accordance with UNITAR’s communication, branding, and data-protection policies and will not be used for commercial purposes.

Editorial Oversight 
The editorial process for this preliminary phase is led by:
· Editor-in-Chief: Dr Jon-Hans Coetzer (Jon-Hans.COETZER [at] unitar.org (Jon-Hans[dot]COETZER[at]unitar[dot]org)) 

And supported by: 
· Editorial Coordinator: Alexandra Severino (Alexandra.SEVERINO [at] unitar.org (Alexandra[dot]SEVERINO[at]unitar[dot]org))
· Creative Editor and Outreach Support Focal: Ana Moreira (Ana.MOREIRA [at] unitar.org (Ana[dot]MOREIRA[at]unitar[dot]org))

Please ensure all guidelines are followed for a successful submission. For any questions, contact elearning.ptp [at] unitar.org (elearning[dot]ptp[at]unitar[dot]org).