Omega Graduate School is pleased to announce an opportunity for OGS alumni and Society of Scholars members to respond to the following call for papers, working papers, and detailed abstracts.
OGS Society of Scholars Call for Papers, Working Papers, and Research Abstracts
Topic: Leading Constructive Social Change in a Polarized World
Theme
Around the globe, societies are experiencing increasing political, religious ideological, cultural, and social polarization. Divisions over identity, governance, technology, inequality, climate change, migration, public health, and social justice have intensified. This has weakened trust in religious and secular institutions, communities, and one another. More than ever, leaders across sectors are being challenged to navigate complexity, foster dialogue, build bridges across differences, and catalyze meaningful social change.
This call for papers, working papers and abstracts of research proposals invites scholars, researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders to explore the theme “Leading Constructive Social Change in a Polarized World.” We seek contributions that examine how social research can support societal leaders to facilitate constructive engagement, collective problem-solving, social cohesion, and transformative change amid growing polarization.
Scope and Topics
We welcome submissions that address research or proposed research on themes related to any of the following topics:
Leadership and Polarization
- Leadership approaches for navigating polarized environments
- Ethical leadership in contexts of social and political division
- Adaptive, transformational, servant, and systems leadership perspectives
- Leadership communication during periods of social conflict
Social Change and Civic Engagement
- Mobilizing communities for constructive social change
- Building civic trust and democratic participation
- Grassroots leadership and community organizing
- Social movements and collective action
Dialogue, Inclusion, and Bridge-Building
- Strategies for fostering dialogue across ideological differences
- Conflict transformation and reconciliation processes
- Inclusive leadership and social cohesion
- Intercultural, interfaith, and cross-sector collaboration
Organizational and Institutional Perspectives
- Leadership in public, nonprofit, educational, and corporate sectors
- Organizational responses to social polarization
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives
- Institutional trust and legitimacy
Digital Media and Technology
- Leadership in the age of social media and information fragmentation
- Digital platforms, misinformation, and public discourse
- Artificial intelligence and the future of social leadership
- Technology-enabled civic engagement and collaboration
Global and Comparative Perspectives
- Comparative studies of polarization across societies
- Leadership responses to conflict and division in different cultural contexts
- International perspectives on peacebuilding and social transformation
- Lessons from emerging and established democracies
Types of Submissions
- Original empirical research (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods)
- Conceptual and theoretical papers
- Literature reviews and meta-analyses
- Case studies
- Practitioner reflections and applied research
Submission Guidelines
Authors should submit proposals that demonstrate scholarly rigor, originality, and relevance to the OGS Society of Scholars conference theme. Submissions should clearly articulate their contribution to understanding leadership and constructive social change in polarized contexts. The initial vetting process requires the submission of the following:
- Topic, Title, and Author Name
- Research abstract of 250-300 words
- Annotated outline of the paper or proposed paper with the inclusion of at least 10-15 citations
- All work should be submitted according to APA 7 guidelines using Times New Roman, size twelve font. A Word document should be emailed to sbuszka@ogs.edu by July 15, 2026 for consideration.
- Authors are expected to attend the OGS conference in Dayton TN and pay the $50.00 conference fee in advance
Submissions will undergo a peer-review process and will be evaluated based on:
- Originality and significance
- Theoretical and practical contribution
- Clarity and quality of writing
- Relevance to the theme
Outcomes of Review Process
Submissions that meet the above-described criteria will be selected for presentation at the OGS Society of Scholars Conference in Dayton, TN on Thursday, September 24, 2026. During the conference authors will receive further feedback from faculty and peers to assist in guiding them toward paper completion and publication. If enough high-quality submissions are received, Omega Graduate School/Society of Scholars will consider seeking the publication of an edited collection on this topic.
Important Dates
- Abstract and Annotated Outline Submission Deadline: July 15th, 2026
- Notification of Acceptance: August 1, 2026
- Peer Review Feedback: August 21, 2026
- Conference Presentation Date: September 24, 2026
Contact Information
For inquiries regarding the call for papers and/or abstracts, please contact:
Dr. Sharlene Buszka
Omega Graduate School
sbuszka@ogs.edu