Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): Human Agency in Complex Systems: Sustainability Transitions and Regional Development Pathways

The February 2026 Volume of the Argael Publisher Journal brings together two analytically distinct yet conceptually aligned studies that reposition the human actor at the center of structural transformation.

The first article introduces The Human Engine framework, a conceptual model that situates humans as active processing nexuses within coupled human–natural systems. By articulating vertical “sky–earth” flows—energy, information, institutional pressures, and normative signals—the study extends CHANS and Earth system scholarship beyond aggregate representations of human actors. It foregrounds internal cognitive, affective, and social mechanisms that determine whether socio-ecological systems evolve toward regenerative sustainability or destructive overshoot.

The second article provides quantitative empirical evidence from vocational education in the East Coast of Aceh, examining how graduates navigate career pathways between higher education, public service, and entrepreneurship. The findings reveal a strong structural orientation toward formal and secure employment, while entrepreneurial engagement remains comparatively weak due to capital constraints, ecosystem limitations, and perceived risk. The study highlights a persistent misalignment between vocational outputs and regional private-sector capacity