Emotions and Science Communication

JCOM is pleased to announce a special issue dedicated to exploring the intricate relationship between emotions and science communication. We invite researchers, practitioners, and scholars from various disciplines to submit abstracts for original research articles, essays, and practice insights that delve into the relationship between emotions and the communication of scientific information.

Guest editors of this special issue

    • Luisa Massarani, Brazilian National Institute of Public Communication of Science and Technology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil
    • Neta Shaby, Southampton Education School, University of Southampton, UK
    • Daniel Silva Luna, Institute for Media, Knowledge, and Communication, University of Augsburg, Germany 

Scope and topics

Once considered a hindrance to cognition, emotions are now recognised as central to several dimensions of the human experience, including attention, memory, motivation, forming relationships, and making decisions. This shift in perspective reveals that emotions influence our cognitive abilities and profoundly affect how we communicate and learn from one another. Consequently, communicating science is profoundly shaped by how emotions are experienced and expressed by both communicators and their diverse audiences.

While substantial research has focused on emotions within classroom activities such as class attendance, studying, and test-taking, less attention has been paid to emotional experience in informal science settings such as media, museums, and public science events. Despite their significant role, emotions are under-theorised and under-researched in science communication. However, there is a growing interest among researchers and practitioners in understanding their role in the public communication of science and leveraging these insights for more effective science communication. 

This special issue examines emotions' multifaceted role in science communication. We are particularly interested in contributions that address the following topics:
    • Emotional Engagement in Science Communication: How do emotions shape public engagement with scientific topics? What emotional strategies can enhance public understanding and interest in science?
    • Emotional Responses to Science Communication: What are the emotional reactions of different audiences in various science communication contexts? How do these reactions influence multiple aspects of science engagement, such as learning outcomes, trust in scientists, and attitudes towards science?
    • The Role of Emotions in Risk Communication: How do emotions influence the communication of scientific risks, such as those related to health, environment, and technology? What best practices can be implemented to address emotional responses to risk information?
    • Emotions as Public Practice in Science Communication: How are emotions expressed by scientists, communicators, and audiences within the public sphere of science communication? How do these emotional expressions influence the norms and values underpinning science communication practices?
    • Representations of Emotions in Science Media: How are emotions represented through appeals, frames, discourses, and narratives in science journalism, documentaries, social media, and other formats? How do these affect the credibility and reception of scientific messages?
    • Cross-cultural and Intersectional Perspectives on Emotions and Science Communication: How do cultural differences and identities such as class, gender, and ethnicity influence the emotional dynamics of science communication? How do these shape engagement and effectiveness?
    • Ethical Considerations: What are the ethical or moral implications of using emotions in science communication? What are the trade-offs between emotional engagement and factual accuracy, and how can these be addressed? 
    • The Politics of Emotion in Science Communication: What role do emotions play in the political dynamics of public engagement with science? How are emotions used to frame scientific debates on contentious issues like climate change or public health crises, and what are the implications for public trust and policy influence? 

Submission guidelines

Interested authors are invited to submit an abstract of 300 to 500 words outlining their proposed contribution's scope, methodology, and significance. Abstracts should clearly state the research question(s), the theoretical framework, and the expected outcomes 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).

Important dates and timeline

Announcement and call for abstracts: 31 July 2024
Deadline for abstracts: 30 September 2024
Selection finalised; authors informed: 30 November 2024
Manuscripts due: 30 April 2025
Peer review completed: 30 July 2025
Revisions and resubmissions are complete: 30 August 2025
Final submissions and approvals: 30 September 2025
Publication: October/November 2025

Submission process

Please submit your abstracts to luisa.massarani@fiocruz.br with the subject line "Special Issue on Emotions and Science Communication". 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.