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• Date of publication Mar 11, 2026 Category: Editorial

  Integrity under pressure: on generative AI, fabricated references and ethical publishing

  by Marina Joubert , Michelle Riedlinger

  Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly present in academic writing workflows, and their irresponsible use poses a growing threat to the integrity of scholarly publishing. In this editorial, we highlight the emergence of AI-generated references, or so-called “ghost references”, as a specific concern for JCOM and the wider academic community. We consider how AI tools like large language models can produce convincing yet fictitious citations that might bypass standard peer review. Also, we reaffirm JCOM's policy requiring full disclosure of any generative AI use in preparing manuscripts, remind authors that the responsibility for accuracy and integrity lies with those whose names appear on submissions, and outline our commitment to reject, withdraw, or retract manuscripts found to contain fabricated content at any stage of the publication process. As a journal dedicated to science communication, JCOM maintains a strong focus on the honest and transparent development of knowledge.

  Volume 25 • Issue 1 • 2026

• Date of publication Apr 14, 2025 Category: Article

  Exploring temporal and cross-national patterns: the use of generative AI in science-related information retrieval across seven countries

  by Esther Greussing , Lars Guenther , Ayelet Baram-Tsabari , Shakked Dabran-Zivan , Evelyn Jonas , Inbal Klein-Avraham , Monika Taddicken , Torben Agergaard , Becca Beets , Dominique Brossard , Anwesha Chakraborty , Antoinette Fage-Butler , Chun-Ju Huang , Siddharth Kankaria , Yin-Yueh Lo , Lindsey Middleton , Kristian H. Nielsen , Michelle Riedlinger , Hyunjin Song

  This study explores the role of ChatGPT in science-related information retrieval, building on research conducted in 2023. Drawing on online survey data from seven countries—Australia, Denmark, Germany, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States—and two data collection points (2023 and 2024), the study highlights ChatGPT’s growing role as an information intermediary, reflecting the rapid diffusion of generative AI (GenAI) in general. While GenAI adoption is a global phenomenon, distinct regional variations emerge in the use of ChatGPT for science-related searches. Additionally, the study finds that a specific subset of the population is more likely to use ChatGPT for science-related information retrieval. Across all countries surveyed, science-information seekers report higher levels of trust in GenAI compared to non-users. They also exhibit a stronger understanding of how (Gen)AI works and, with some notable exceptions, show greater awareness of its epistemic limitations.

  Volume 24 • Issue 02 • 2025 • Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Science Communication & AI)

• Date of publication Jan 15, 2024 Category: Editorial

  Welcome to 2024: issues and trends occupying JCOM this year

  by Michelle Riedlinger

  As we usher in 2024, we highlight some of the issues and trends that are occupying JCOM, and the fields of science communication and academic publishing more generally.

  Volume 23 • Issue 01 • 2024

• Date of publication Aug 21, 2023 Category: Essay

  Response to: “Looking back to launch forward: a self-reflexive approach to decolonising science education and communication in Africa”. Recognizing and validating multiple knowledge ecologies

  by Fabien Medvecky , Jennifer Metcalfe , Michelle Riedlinger

  This is a response to Sesan and Ibiyemi's essay [2023], which rightly urges “scholars and science communicators” to resist the colonial legacy of science in African countries. The essay argues that northern paradigms, focused on science as the only true form of knowledge, need to be replaced with functional Indigenous knowledge systems. However, the authors adopt the framework of the global north when reimagining and advocating for a radical ‘power literate’ agenda thus confounding knowledge with science, and education with science communication. These approaches obscure the fundamental importance of reimagining power dynamics in a world of multiple epistemologies. Instead, we propose that ‘knowledge communicators’ facilitate a multi-knowledge world through participatory processes.

  Volume 22 • Issue 04 • 2023

• Date of publication Jun 28, 2023 Category: Editorial

  Reflecting and Renewing to Strengthen JCOM

  by Michelle Riedlinger , Marina Joubert

  During June 2023, we met with the JCOM editorial board members to reflect on the current status of the journal and strategies for future growth. This editorial provides a snapshot of our position and plans.

  Volume 22 • Issue 04 • 2023

• Date of publication Jan 18, 2023 Category: Article

  `Pandem-icons' — exploring the characteristics of highly visible scientists during the Covid-19 pandemic

  by Marina Joubert , Lars Guenther , Jenni Metcalfe , Michelle Riedlinger , Anwesha Chakraborty , Toss Gascoigne , Bernard Schiele , Ayelet Baram-Tsabari , Dmitry Malkov , Eliana Fattorini , Gema Revuelta , Germana Barata , Jan Riise , Justin T. Schröder , Maja Horst , Margaret Kaseje , Marnell Kirsten , Martin W. Bauer , Massimiano Bucchi , Natália Flores , Orli Wolfson , Tingjie Chen

  The Covid-19 pandemic escalated demand for scientific explanations and guidance, creating opportunities for scientists to become publicly visible. In this study, we compared characteristics of visible scientists during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic (January to December 2020) across 16 countries. We find that the scientists who became visible largely matched socio-cultural criteria that have characterised visible scientists in the past (e.g., age, gender, credibility, public image, involvement in controversies). However, there were limited tendencies that scientists commented outside their areas of expertise. We conclude that the unusual circumstances created by Covid-19 did not change the phenomenon of visible scientists in significant ways.

  Volume 22 • Issue 01 • 2023

• Date of publication Nov 07, 2022 Category: Commentary

  Twenty years of science communication: looking back, looking forward

  by Michelle Riedlinger , Marina Joubert

  Our 20th anniversary this year is a special milestone for JCOM. It is a time to reflect on our past performance and future prospects. We pause to consider the activities of this journal, and the broad field of science communication over the past 20 years.

  What is ‘‘science communication’’?

  by Bruce V Lewenstein

  Have we ever been satisfied with Science Communication? Continuity and change

  by Massimiano Bucchi

  Advancing inclusion through culturally relevant science communication: a perspective from Puerto Rico

  by Mónica I. Feliú Mójer

  Citizen science communication and engagement: a growing concern for researchers and practitioners

  by Susanne Hecker

  Exploring the politics of science communication research: looking at science communication from a social justice perspective

  by Emily Dawson, Stephen Hughes, Simon J. Lock and Michel Wahome

  Twenty years of teaching science communication — a personal reflection

  by Nancy Longnecker

  Science communication: a messy conundrum of practice, research and theory

  by Jennifer Metcalfe

  Research in science communication in Latin America: mind the gap

  by Luisa Massarani and Thaiane Oliveira

  Volume 21 • Issue 07 • 2022

• Date of publication Apr 11, 2022 Category: Editorial

  Welcome message from the new editorial duo

  by Michelle Riedlinger , Marina Joubert

  In this editorial, we reflect on our new roles as Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor of JCOM. We acknowledge the work of previous editors of JCOM, the Editorial Office and the wider JCOM community who have contributed to the success of the journal. We introduce the new Editorial Board and future directions for the journal, and we encourage suggestions from authors, reviewers and readers for taking the journal forward.

  Volume 21 • Issue 03 • 2022

• Date of publication Dec 14, 2020 Category: Article

  The COVID-19 mirror: reflecting science-society relationships across 11 countries

  by Jennifer Metcalfe , Michelle Riedlinger , Martin W. Bauer , Anwesha Chakraborty , Toss Gascoigne , Lars Guenther , Marina Joubert , Margaret Kaseje , Susana Herrera , Gema Revuelta , Jan Riise , Bernard Schiele

  Twelve researchers from 11 countries used autoethnographic techniques, keeping diaries over 10 weeks of the COVID-19 crisis, to observe and reflect on changes in the role and cultural authority of science during important stages of viral activity and government action in their respective countries. We followed arguments, discussions and ideas generated by mass and social media about science and scientific expertise, observed patterns and shifts in narratives, and made international comparisons. During regular meetings via video conference, the participating researchers discussed theoretical approaches and our joint methodology for reflecting on our observations. This project is informed by social representations theory, agenda-setting, and frames of meaning associated with the rise and fall of expertise and trust. This paper presents our observations and reflections on the role and authority of science in our countries from March 10 to May 31, 2020. This is the first stage of a longer-term project that aims to identify, analyse and compare changes in science-society relationships over the course of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

  Volume 19 • Issue 07 • 2020 • Special Issue: COVID-19 and science communication, Part II, 2020 (COVID-19 and Scicomm / 2)

  Also a part of:

  Collection: Volume 19 • Issue 05 • 2020 • Special Issue: COVID-19 and science communication, Part I, 2020 (COVID-19 and Scicomm / 1)

• Date of publication Nov 24, 2020 Category: Commentary

  Activists as “alternative” science communicators — Exploring the facets of science communication in societal contexts

  by Birte Fähnrich , Michelle Riedlinger , Emma Weitkamp

  For many decades, NGOs and social movements have acted as “alternative” science communicators. They have made strategic use of science to promote their ideological stances, to influence political and/or economic decision-making and to motivate civic action. To date, however, our understanding of science communication in activism has received little critical attention. This set of commentaries acts as a starting point for further research and reflection. The different cases and perspectives urge readers to consider the impact, democratic legitimacy, and relevance of alternative science communication, and the challenges that alternative science communicators pose for science communication and society.

  Engaging with ‘activists’ and ‘alternatives’ in science communication

  by Jane Gregory

  The ambivalent role of environmental NGOs in climate communication

  by Simone Rödder

  Socioenvironmental activism and emerging science communicators in Mexico

  by Susana Herrera

  Activists as alternative science communicators. The NGO “Danish Seed Savers”: science communicators and activists but questionably alternative

  by Louise Windfeldt

  Activists as strategic science communicators on the adoption of GMOs in Uganda

  by Ivan Nathanael Lukanda Dr

  A rhetorical perspective on youth environmental activism

  by Hannah R. Feldman

  ‘Science for social revolution’: People’s Science Movements and democratizing science in India

  by Venkateswaran T.V.

  Volume 19 • Issue 06 • 2020