New Phoenix Scholar issue examining AI, institutional trust and the future of work published by University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies

Summer/Fall 2026 issue brings together research on artificial intelligence, career optimism, leadership, education and the human dimensions of technological change.

PHOENIX, Oct. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies today announced the publication of Volume 9, Issue 1 of the Phoenix Scholar™ a peer-reviewed, open-access periodical for research and scholarship. The Summer/Fall 2026 issue explores the evolving relationship between people, technology and the changing world of work, bringing together perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI), professional practice, leadership, learning and the human dimensions of technological change.

The issue places institutional trust at the center of that discussion. In his opening editorial, Mark McCaslin, PhD, considers how organizations can cultivate trust as workers navigate rapid technological change, workplace uncertainty and concerns about autonomy.

"Technological change is raising important questions not only about what organizations can do with AI, but about how people experience that change and whether they feel they have a meaningful role in shaping it," said McCaslin, editor-in-chief of Phoenix Scholar and associate chair of the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Research (CLER) at University of Phoenix. "This issue brings research and practice together around a shared challenge: how institutions can strengthen trust, preserve human agency and create the conditions for people to remain engaged, resilient and prepared to learn as work continues to evolve."

Research examines AI, workforce trust, career optimism and education

Across 16 contributions, the new issue examines institutional trust and technological change from workplace, leadership and education perspectives. Featured areas include:

• Career optimism and the future of work: "Five Years of Insights from the Career Optimism Index: Shifting Sentiments and the Future of Work" synthesizes findings from five years of University of Phoenix Career Optimism Index® research, while "Psychological Capital as a Foundation for Career Optimism" examines the relationship between workforce research and psychological resources.
• AI, autonomy and institutional trust: Articles explore workforce development strategies for AI adoption, engagement in AI-enabled workplaces, systems-level approaches to autonomy and trust, lessons from entrepreneurs about AI and whether AI represents workforce revolution or disruption.
• Education and resilience: Research addresses STEM teacher self-efficacy and burnout, inclusion for preschool children with autism spectrum disorder, trauma-informed care in alternative education settings, and mindfulness and resilience in higher education.
• Leadership and professional practice: Contributions examine performance calibration and career momentum, entrepreneurial perspectives on AI and trusted approaches to learning and leadership through two book reviews.

The breadth reflects the issue's central premise that institutional trust is shaped not by technology alone, but through leadership practices, opportunities for autonomy and development, psychological capital and the everyday experiences people have within organizations.

Phoenix Scholar™ provides open access to research and scholarship

Phoenix Scholar™ showcases scholarship by University of Phoenix faculty and alumni and provides a platform for sharing research results and exploring their relationship to learning and scholarship. The journal is now an open access journal, allowing its content to be read, downloaded, searched and shared without charge; researchers also are not charged to publish in the periodical. In recognition of its commitment to open-access scholarly publishing, Phoenix Scholar™ has recently been accepted for inclusion in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), an internationally recognized directory that indexes peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journals. This milestone enhances the journal's visibility within the global research community and reflects its adherence to established standards for open-access publishing. Articles are published under a Creative Commons license, and authors retain copyright to their work.

Read Volume 9, Issue 1 of Phoenix Scholar™.

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenix's College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today's challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College's research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

About University of Phoenix 

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life^® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sharla Hooper
University of Phoenix
[email protected]

SOURCE University of Phoenix