Journal of Science Communication (Scopus Q2) - Special Issue

Deadline: November 30, 2024

Editors: Fábio Ribeiro (University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro – Portugal); Sónia Silva (Catholic University of Portugal); Thaiane Moreira de Oliveira (Fluminense Federal University – Brazil)

Contacts: fabior@utad.pt; sonsilva@ucp.pt; thaianeoliveira@id.uff.br

KEY DATES AND TIMELINE:

Deadline for abstract submission: 30 November 2024

Selection of abstracts: 31 January 2025

Full article submission: 31 May 2025

Publication date: December 2025

Language: English

No Article Processing Charges (APC) are required

This special issue is dedicated to exploring ‘informal science communication’, broadly defined as playful and meaningful science learning, communication or engagement that typically occurs in daily life within informal contexts.

Historically, the public communication of science was controlled mainly by individuals located within universities and similar research institutions [Schäfer & Fähnrich, 2020], with the result that science was perceived as exclusive, elitist and inaccessible. Today, we increasingly value broad societal access to knowledge about new scientific advances. Recent developments have paved the way to a renewed vision that understands science communication as a broader phenomenon. Several global and regional health crises have highlighted the importance of constructive dialogue between science and society, as well as the challenges associated with public apathy or ignorance towards science and related challenges such as anti-science sentiments, distrust, and misinformation about science. society [Ruão & Silva, 2021].

In this special issue, we want to delve into the potential and efficacy of public engagement of science in these unexpected places and (possibly) involving unexpected role players and novel approaches. Possible contributions to this special issue may include research articles, essays, or practice insights related to the following thematic areas:

• Advances and directions of science communication in informal contexts
  
• Technological environments and “new” informal contexts to communicate science
  
• Creative science communication strategies
  
• Public perceptions of and responses to encountering science in public spaces
  
• Experiences and motivations of researchers’ participation in novel science communication contexts
  
• Procedure to participate
  
• Please send an abstract of about 500 words to the guest editors of this special issue (listed above) by 30 November 2024. Your abstract should include:
  
• the angle on or definition of informal science communication, and the central aim of the proposed manuscript
  
• the context of and perspective that will be discussed
  
• the expected findings, recommendations, or conclusions.
  

Please indicate whether the proposed contribution is intended as a research article (typically 6,000 to 8,000 words), a practice insight (3,000 to 5,000 words), or an essay (3,500 to 4,500 words).

You are welcome to consult with the editors of this special issue about your article ideas and potential angles or approaches.

Invited manuscripts will be submitted directly via the JCOM submission system for peer review. As such, an invitation to submit a full manuscript does not guarantee publication as part of this special issue.

Full information here: https://jcom.sissa.it/news/18/