Aims

Dharmadhikara: Journal of Human Ecology is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary and ethically grounded scholarship on the complex relationships among humans, society, and the environment. Anchored in the person-in-environment paradigm, the journal emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecological systems, social structures, cultural contexts, and individual wellbeing. It seeks to promote transformative knowledge that integrates sustainability, equity, and ethical responsibility as the foundation for human development.

The journal provides a platform for innovative theoretical contributions, policy-relevant analysis, and community-based empirical research that address contemporary global and local challenges, including environmental degradation, climate change, social inequality, governance issues, and technological disruption. Dharmadhikara encourages studies that highlight diverse epistemologies, including indigenous knowledge, critical perspectives, participatory approaches, and mixed-methods designs, particularly those emerging from and relevant to the Global South.

Ultimately, the journal aims to foster dialogue and solutions that strengthen harmony between human communities and natural ecosystems, support inclusive and ethical governance, and contribute to sustainable futures across scales, from individuals and households to institutions and global systems.

Scope

Dharmadhikara welcomes original research articles, reviews, conceptual papers, and methodological innovations that align with the journal’s ecology–society–ethics core identity and the person-in-environment perspective. Submissions should explicitly demonstrate the interconnected dimensions of environmental, social, cultural, economic, technological, and policy-related factors.

1. Human Ecology, Resilience, and Sustainability
   Studies on human–environment interactions, ecological resilience, sustainable resource management, climate adaptation, and environmental justice, with explicit links to human wellbeing and community dynamics.

2. Environmental Ethics, Values, and Ecophilosophy
   Analyses of moral responsibility, ecological stewardship, ethical decision-making, and value systems influencing environmental behavior, policy, or governance.
3. Community Empowerment, Social Inclusion, and Equity
   Research on participatory governance, grassroots mobilization, social protection, gender equality, intersectionality, and inclusive development strategies that place people within their socio-ecological contexts.
4. Applied Sustainability, ESG, and Responsible Governance
   Interdisciplinary approaches that integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles; corporate and institutional sustainability practices; policy evaluation; and impact frameworks aligned with SDGs.
5. Local Economies, Social Innovation, and Circularity
   Studies on social entrepreneurship, solidarity and circular economies, local livelihood systems, rural–urban linkages, and innovations supporting environmentally responsible and inclusive economic development.
6. Knowledge Systems, Education, and Indigenous Worldviews
   Research exploring lifelong learning, ecological literacy, community capacity-building, indigenous knowledge systems, and transformative education for sustainability and resilience.
7. Policy, Institutions, and Multilevel Governance
   Analyses of decentralization, institutional arrangements, public policy design, regulatory frameworks, and multi-scalar governance that shape socio-ecological outcomes.
8. Health, Wellbeing, and Social–Ecological Determinants
   Studies on public health, mental wellbeing, health equity, disaster resilience, and social protection with clear integration of socio-environmental determinants within the person-in-environment approach.
9. Digital and Technological Transformation for Sustainability
   Research on digital inclusion, ICT4D, smart and green technologies, data governance, and technological innovations that promote socio-ecological resilience and community sustainability.

Exclusions

The journal does not consider submissions that:

• Present ecological, economic, technological, or health studies without a clear socio-ecological or ethical integration.
• Focus solely on technical assessments, laboratory research, or clinical interventions without contextualizing human–environment relationships.
• Lack theoretical or practical relevance to the person-in-environment and ecology–society–ethics framework.

Dharmadhikara particularly encourages submissions from the Global South, interdisciplinary collaborations, and research that bridges scientific knowledge with community practices and indigenous epistemologies to advance equitable and sustainable development.