CALL FOR BOOK CHAPTERS

Call for Book Chapters: Digital and Tech-Enabled Social Innovation in Asia: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies
(will be published by CRC Press)

Edited by: Intan Azura Mokhtar, Arif Perdana, Sandy Arief, June Cao

Description:

This edited book examines how digital and tech-enabled social innovation is transforming the social impact landscape across Asia. It explores how higher education institutions (HEIs), in partnership with private corporations, non-profit organisations, and government agencies, leverage digital technologies to address complex societal challenges and drive inclusive development. From mobile platforms that enhance access to healthcare and education, to AI-driven solutions for disaster response and community empowerment, the region is witnessing a surge in initiatives that harness digital tools for social good. This volume combines case studies, comparative analyses, and actionable strategies to reveal how Asian HEIs and their partners nurture digital changemakers through interdisciplinary collaborations and user-centric initiatives. By showcasing diverse approaches to integrating technology and digitalisation for social innovation, the book aims to build stronger, interconnected regional ecosystems and offer valuable lessons for academics, practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders committed to sustainable development and driving meaningful social change.

Indicative Topics

Technology for Inclusive Education: Educational technology (EdTech) innovations bridging gaps in rural and underserved communities; digital literacy programmes; adaptive learning platforms; and partnerships between HEIs and education-focused social enterprises.

Digital Health and Wellbeing: Telemedicine and mobile health applications; mental health platforms; health data systems; AI in healthcare; and collaborations between medical schools, healthcare providers, and technology innovators.

Smart Cities and Urban Innovation: Civic technology and participatory governance; e-government services; open data initiatives; sustainable mobility solutions; and HEI-led urban innovation labs.

Empowering Marginalised Communities: Digital platforms for disability inclusion; bridging generational and socioeconomic divides; indigenous rights and cultural preservation through technology; and community-university partnerships.

Ethical and Privacy Considerations: Data protection in social innovation projects; algorithmic bias and fairness; surveillance concerns; and frameworks for responsible tech deployment.
Digital Inequality and Access: Infrastructure challenges; affordability barriers; digital literacy; and strategies for inclusive technology adoption across diverse Asian contexts.

Sustainability and Scalability: Funding models for tech-enabled social innovation; long-term impact assessment; ecosystem support; and replication frameworks.

Cross-Cutting Themes: Design thinking and human-centred innovation; policy and regulatory frameworks; measuring social impact; emerging technologies (AI, blockchain, and IoT); youth leadership; and cross-border collaboration.

Who Should Contribute

We invite academics, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society experts involved in social innovation, information systems, education, public health, urban planning, computer science, public policy, and development studies to contribute conceptual, theoretical, or empirical chapters. We particularly welcome contributions that showcase partnerships between HEIs and external stakeholders.

Submission Guidelines

General Requirements

Originality: Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
Length: 5,000 to 8,000 words, including references, appendices, tables, and figures.
Language and Spelling: Use British English consistently.
Referencing: Follow APA (7th edition) strictly and use reference management software (e.g., Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley). We strongly suggest including the article DOI if applicable.
Any use of AI tools in writing or editing this chapter must be clearly disclosed. AI may be used only for grammar and language checking, not for generating or writing substantial content.
Figures and Tables: Must be cited in the body text (e.g., Table 1 shows…, see Figure 2).
Provide high-resolution images (≥300 dpi) and editable tables.
Secure written permission for any copyrighted material.
Formatting: Microsoft Word (.docx), 12-point Times New Roman, 1.5-spaced, 2 cm margins.
Abstract and Keywords: Include an abstract of 150–200 words and 3–5 keywords.
Ethics and Funding: Disclose relevant funding, ethics approval, and conflicts of interest.

Recommended Structure

Chapters may adopt conceptual, doctrinal, comparative, or empirical approaches. Flexibility in structure is encouraged, provided the argumentation remains coherent. Suggested outlines include:

Empirical or Policy-Oriented Chapters

Title
Abstract and Keywords
Introduction (problem, rationale, and contribution)
Literature Review or Context
Methodology (legal, policy, or empirical design)
Findings and Discussion
Implications for Policy and Practice
Conclusion and Future Research
References (APA 7th)
Appendices (if applicable)

Conceptual or Theoretical Chapters

Title
Abstract and Keywords
Introduction (motivation, relevance, and contribution)
Theoretical or Philosophical Foundations
Framework or Model Development
Discussion (implications, limitations, and future research)
Conclusion
References (APA 7th)

Tentative Deadlines:

Full Chapter Submission: 28 February 2026
Notification of Acceptance: 31 March 2026
Reviewer Feedback: 30 April 2026
Revised Chapter Submission: 30 June 2026
Submission to Springer: 31 August 2026

All deadlines are tentative and may be adjusted to maintain thematic and regional balance across the volume.

Submission Process

Please send your abstracts and chapters to all three submission emails below:

Email subject: SocInnovation Submission – [Lead Author Surname] – [Short Title]

File naming: SocInnovation_[LeadSurname]_[ShortTitle]_v1.docx

Include:

Cover page with author names, affiliations, ORCID (if available), and short bios (100–150 words each)

Review and Selection

All submissions undergo peer review. Evaluation criteria include:

Relevance to the volume's scope and themes
Originality and scholarly contribution
Methodological or conceptual rigour
Clarity, coherence, and adherence to submission guidelines

Rights and Permissions

Authors are responsible for citation accuracy and permissions for third-party materials. Publication will follow Springer's copyright and open-access policies.

Publisher

CRC Press

Editors

Assoc. Prof. Intan Azura Mokhtar, Singapore Institute of Technology.
Assoc. Prof. Arif Perdana, Monash University.
Asst. Prof. Sandy Arief, Universitas Negeri Semarang.
Assoc. Prof. June Cao, University of Southampton.