Volume 82 (2026), entitled “A New Decade for Social Changes,” continues the journal’s interdisciplinary trajectory by assembling a diverse body of empirical and conceptual contributions that explore how education systems, communication environments, labor structures, and governance mechanisms evolve in response to accelerated technological, social, and institutional transformations. The issue reflects a growing concern with adaptability, resilience, and skill formation in an increasingly complex global landscape.

A first thematic cluster is centered on education and learning processes, with a strong emphasis on competencies, autonomy, and the integration of emerging technologies. The contributions examine the development of hands-on and social-based skills among practicum trainees, highlighting the importance of experiential learning in shaping employability. Complementary studies investigate autonomous learning behaviors among Vietnamese students of English as a Foreign Language, as well as reading comprehension strategies and the challenges encountered in higher education contexts. The role of learning environments—both physical and pedagogical—is further explored through analyses of how contextual factors influence comprehension outcomes. Notably, the integration of artificial intelligence into elementary social studies education is addressed as a forward-looking imperative, signaling a shift toward digitally augmented pedagogies. Additionally, the lived experiences of clinical instructors guiding nursing students provide a grounded perspective on professional training, bridging theory and practice within applied educational settings.

The issue also contributes to the field of communication sciences by examining media preferences and religious broadcasting in Tanzania, offering insight into how communication channels mediate identity, belief systems, and community engagement. This perspective is complemented by broader reflections on algorithmic influence in contemporary digital environments, particularly through a literature review on filter bubbles in the age of generative artificial intelligence, which underscores the growing importance of understanding informational fragmentation and personalization dynamics.

Psychological and sociological dimensions are explored through studies that foreground lived experiences and structural challenges. Research on parents of children with hearing impairments reveals the emotional, social, and institutional complexities associated with caregiving and inclusion. Similarly, the experiences of remote workers are analyzed in light of changing labor patterns, emphasizing flexibility, isolation, and digital dependency. From a sociological and legal standpoint, the issue addresses systemic gaps in responding to child sexual violence within the criminal justice system, highlighting institutional limitations and the need for more effective protective mechanisms.

The volume further expands into community studies, anthropology, and governance, particularly through analyses situated in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. These contributions explore how traditional structures, community education, and migration dynamics intersect with evolving governance models and socio-environmental change. Together, they provide a nuanced understanding of how local identities and institutional arrangements are reshaped under conditions of modernization and demographic pressure.

In the field of management and organizational studies, the issue includes research on the adaptation of professional competencies in procurement roles, reflecting the need for strategic agility in contemporary organizations. This is complemented by an integrative review of commitment among high-quality human resources in state-owned enterprises, which identifies key mechanisms and determinants influencing organizational loyalty and performance.

The final set of contributions addresses a diverse range of applied and cross-disciplinary topics. These include the use of machine learning techniques in traffic safety analysis, demonstrating the role of advanced analytics in public policy and infrastructure planning; agricultural forecasting models for corn production in Mexico, with implications for food security and self-sufficiency; and occupational health studies assessing the risks of noise-induced hearing loss in workplace environments. Additionally, the issue examines the impact of military interventions on peacebuilding efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, offering lessons on security governance and conflict resolution. The volume concludes with a study on religious conversion experiences among emerging adults in an urban Philippine context, providing insight into identity formation and spiritual trajectories in contemporary societies.

Taken together, the articles in Volume 82 offer a comprehensive and multidimensional perspective on the transformations shaping education, communication, labor, governance, and societal well-being. By integrating empirical findings with conceptual reflection across varied geographic and disciplinary contexts, the volume contributes to a deeper understanding of how individuals, institutions, and communities navigate the opportunities and tensions of a new decade marked by rapid social change.