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The connections between water, food and energy are currently being discussed more than ever before, thanks to the recently emerged concept of the water–energy–food security nexus. Various organizations and authors have defined and addressed the concept from their own view points: nexus is, indeed in the air.This Special Issue looks at the water–energy–food security nexus in the context of large Asian river basins, with a focus on transboundary rivers shared by several countries. The articles included in the Special Issue analyse what benefits the nexus approach could bring to these kinds of, often quite demanding, settings. And where are the potential pitfalls that call for further development.The thematic areas covered in the Special Issue thus include water resources management; energy planning and policies with an emphasis on hydropower; and food production systems, including fisheries, irrigation and cropland management. Due to its focus on transboundary contexts, the articles also look at the geopolitical, international cooperation and security aspects related to the nexus.The articles of the Special Issue include case studies from relevant transboundary river basins, with a focus on the Mekong River Basin in Southeast Asia as well as the river basins in Central Asia. Articles also include a comparative analysis in several large Asian river basins as well as more theoretical discussions of the water–energy–food security nexus and its linkages to other framings and approaches, such as IWRM and sustainable development.

water–energy–food nexus, water–energy–food security nexus, transboundary water–energy–food nexus, water security, energy security, food security, transboundary rivers, river basin management, water resources management, water governance, benefit sharing, Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Mekong, China

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The sustainable governance of water resources relies on processes of multi-stakeholder collaborations and interactions that facilitate knowledge co-creation and social learning. Governance systems are often fragmented, forming a barrier to adequately addressing the myriad of challenges affecting water resources, including climate change, increased urbanized populations, and pollution. Transitions towards sustainable water governance will likely require innovative learning partnerships between public, private, and civil society stakeholders. It is essential that such partnerships involve vertical and horizontal communication of ideas and knowledge, and an enabling and democratic environment characterized by informal and open discourse. There is increasing interest in learning-based transitions. Thus far, much scholarly thinking and, to a lesser degree, empirical research has gone into understanding the potential impact of social learning on multi-stakeholder settings. The question of whether such learning can be supported by forms of serious gaming has hardly been asked. This Special Issue critically explores the potential of serious games to support multi-stakeholder social learning and collaborations in the context of water governance. Serious games may involve simulations of real-world events and processes and are challenge players to solve contemporary societal problems; they, therefore, have a purpose beyond entertainment. They offer a largely untapped potential to support social learning and collaboration by facilitating access to and the exchange of knowledge and information, enhancing stakeholder interactions, empowering a wider audience to participate in decision making, and providing opportunities to test and analyze the outcomes of policies and management solutions. Little is known about how game-based approaches can be used in the context of collaborative water governance to maximize their potential for social learning. While several studies have reported examples of serious games, there is comparably less research about how to assess the impacts of serious games on social learning and transformative change.

simulations --- serious games --- Q-method --- integrated water resources management --- policy analysis --- nexus --- participatory modelling --- serious game --- system dynamics --- water-food-land-energy-climate --- active learning --- drinking water --- role-play --- stakeholder collaboration --- Water Safety Plan --- water supply --- serious games --- social simulation --- social learning --- relational practices --- river basin management --- water governance --- multi-party collaboration --- stakeholders --- experimental social research --- Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) --- stakeholder participation --- serious game --- Blue Growth --- Good Environmental Status --- serious games (SGs) --- water management --- value change --- transcendental values --- social equity --- sustainability --- Schwartz’s Value Survey (SVS) --- Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) --- psychosocial perspectives --- decision-making processes --- assessment --- educational videogames --- online games --- water --- ecology education --- drinking water management --- peri-urban --- institutions --- gaming-simulation --- groundwater --- capacity building --- serious games --- planning support systems --- knowledge co-creation --- sustainability --- maritime spatial planning --- serious gaming --- flood --- urban --- rural --- infrastructure --- decision making --- serious games --- role-playing games --- learning-based intervention --- transformative change --- social learning --- aquaculture --- Mekong Delta --- mangrove --- gamification --- serious games --- water governance --- stakeholder participation --- sustainability --- game-based learning --- integrated water resource management (IWRM) --- natural resource management --- simulation --- serious game --- social learning --- stakeholder collaboration --- sustainability --- water governance