MARKETING EDUCATION REVIEW
Special Issue: Call For Papers
Submission deadline: August 31, 2025
The Evolving Role of Marketing Education in a Rapidly Changing World
​
Special Issue Editors:
Emily Tanner , West Virginia University, USA
emily.tanner@mail.wvu.edu
Ania Rynarzewska, Georgia College and State University, USA
ania.rynarzewska@gmail.com
​
Society for Marketing Advances / MER Symposium and Special Issue: The Evolving Role of Marketing Education in a Rapidly Changing World
​
The post-pandemic world has transformed higher in how it is delivered, consumed, and evaluated (e.g., Mintz, 2025; Jack, 2024). In this environment, marketing educators are facing an era of profound disruption. The traditional boundaries of higher education are being challenged by shifting student expectations, economic pressures, and evolving workforce demands. Educators must navigate growing calls for flexibility, increasing concerns about student mental health, and an urgent need to balance industry and academic expectations. Simultaneously, issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to evolve, requiring ongoing adaptation in both curriculum and pedagogy. In this increasingly complex environment, marketing educators must rethink their approaches to teaching, learning, and student engagement (Inside Higher Ed, 2024).
​
Students demand real-world relevance, personalized learning experiences, and increased flexibility in course delivery. Universities are under pressure to provide high-value, career-ready education that equips students with both technical and soft skills. However, finding the right balance between academic rigor and industry application remains a challenge. As the marketing field continues to evolve—driven by digital transformation, data analytics, and shifting consumer behaviors—marketing educators must ensure their students are prepared for an uncertain and rapidly changing professional landscape (Grewal et al, 2025).
Beyond curriculum design, marketing educators are increasingly called upon to address student well-being and mental health. Higher education is witnessing rising levels of anxiety, burnout, and disengagement among students. A recent survey found that 38% of young people between 12 and 26 have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, highlighting the growing urgency of mental health challenges in academic settings (Brooks, 2024). Faculty members are being asked to support students in ways that extend beyond traditional teaching roles, from integrating mental health discussions into coursework to implementing policies that promote resilience and work-life balance (Woodruff & Boyer, 2024). These responsibilities add additional complexity to faculty workloads and raise questions about the role of educators in student support systems.
​
This special issue of Marketing Education Review seeks to explore how marketing educators are responding to these disruptions. How can faculty maintain academic rigor while ensuring industry relevance? What role should marketing education play in addressing student well-being? How do we find the right balance between technical skills, soft skills, and critical thinking? We invite empirical and conceptual scholarly contributions that examine these pressing questions and provide actionable insights for marketing educators navigating today’s complex educational landscape.
(contact Guest Editors for list of references)
​
Topics to be considered for this issue may include, but are not limited to:
-
Adapting to Shifting Student Expectations
-
Demands for Flexibility in Marketing Education: The impact of student expectations for online, hybrid, and asynchronous learning on course design and delivery.
-
Ensuring Relevance in the Classroom: Aligning course content with students’ evolving interests, career aspirations, and perceptions of value in higher education.
-
The Future of DEI in Marketing Education
-
Beyond Representation: Evolving strategies for creating inclusive and equitable learning experiences that go beyond demographic diversity.
-
Rethinking Global Perspectives in Marketing Curricula: Integrating cross-cultural insights and non-Western frameworks into marketing education.
-
Balancing Industry and Academic Expectations
-
Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice: Strategies for ensuring that marketing curricula align with industry needs without compromising academic depth.
-
Addressing Employer Expectations for New Graduates: Understanding and responding to evolving workforce demands, including the role of technical and analytical skills.
-
Addressing Student Mental Health and Well-Being
-
The Role of Marketing Educators in Student Well-Being: How faculty can foster a learning environment that supports resilience, motivation, and mental health.
-
Navigating Burnout Among Students and Faculty: Examining the pressures facing both students and instructors in the current educational climate.
-
Finding the Right Balance Between Soft and Technical Skills
-
Developing Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: How to ensure marketing students are prepared for ambiguous, complex decision-making.
-
Integrating Data Literacy Without Losing Human Insight: Balancing the need for analytical expertise with creativity, intuition, and interpersonal skills.
-
The Evolving Role of Marketing Faculty
-
Faculty Adaptability in a Changing Higher Education Landscape: Addressing faculty burnout, career sustainability, and evolving job expectations.
-
The Future of Marketing Faculty Development and Mentorship: Preparing educators to navigate pedagogical shifts, technological disruptions, and changing student needs.
Submission Instructions
Key Events
​
The 2025 Society for Marketing Advances (SMA) Conference, taking place in Las Vegas, NV from November 5-8, 2025, will include a dedicated symposium related to this special issue. This symposium offers authors an opportunity to present their research, receive feedback, and engage with scholars in the field. While participation in the conference is encouraged, it is not a requirement for submitting to the special issue.
​
Manuscripts invited for revision will be included in the MER Special Issue Symposium at the SMA annual meeting. Authors of revised papers will have the opportunity to submit directly to Marketing Education Review, with the goal of streamlining the review process and maintaining reviewer consistency. Those who submit to this special issue may benefit from early feedback, a faster review timeline, and an expedited path to publication.
​
Submission Guidelines
Manuscripts should adhere to the Marketing Education Review formatting and submission requirements. Submissions should provide a clear discussion of both theoretical and practical contributions, with an emphasis on how they address key challenges or opportunities within marketing education. Authors are encouraged to highlight the applicability, adaptability, and impact of their insights on the field.
​
Complete manuscripts must be submitted following MER's required format through the designated submission portal. Authors should ensure they select the option for the special issue during submission ('SMA/MER, The Evolving Role of Marketing Education in a Rapidly Changing World')
​
​
​
​