Science Communication in the Arab WorldScience Communication in the Arab World

Please note that this call is restricted to participants and presenters at the AFSMC–PCST Symposium 2026 . Submissions should be based on symposium presentations and aligned with the special issue’s theme.

JCOM is pleased to announce a special issue dedicated to “Science Communication in the Arab World”, closely linked to the AFSMC‑PCST Symposium 2026 theme: Science Media and Communication Teaching and Research in the Arab World. AFSMC‑PCST Symposium 2026 is organized by The Arab Forum of Science Media and Communication (AFSMC), in partnership with the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) network to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February 2026.

This special issue aims to explore the challenges and opportunities unique to the Arab region, fertile ground for developing and promoting effective science communication. These are including its rich cultural diversity, growing investment in science, the lack of localized training resources, and limited region-specific research. The symposium seeks to  provide a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange between regional and global stakeholders.

We invite contributions addressing one or more of the following sub‑themes:
    • Teaching: pedagogical approaches and curricula in science communication within Arab institutions.
    • Research: theoretical, empirical, or methodological studies rooted in Arab contexts.
    • Practice: case studies, public engagement projects, and communication strategies implemented in the region.

Potential contribution types include:

    • Research articles (5,000–8,000 words)
    • Practice insights (3,000–5,000 words)
    • Essays (3,500–4,500 words)

Guest Editors
    • Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan (Coordinating Editor)
Co-founder, Arab Forum of Science Media and Communication
    • Teaching: Sima A. Hamadeh
Full Professor of Public Health Nutrition-Media & Communication, Haigazian University, Lebanon
    • Research: Jairo Lugo Ocando
Dean, College of Communication, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
    • Practice: Bothina Osama
MENA Regional Coordinator, SciDev.Net, Egypt

Submission Guidelines

Interested authors are invited to submit an abstract of between 300 and 500 words to Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan at: mohamed.elsonpaty@gmail.com by 28 February 2026. Abstracts must specify the intended article type (research article, practice insight, or essay) and indicate which sub‑theme(s) the work addresses.

Based on an evaluation of these abstracts by the guest editors, selected contributors will be invited to submit full manuscripts directly via the JCOM submission system, where they will undergo peer review following JCOM’s standard procedures. An invitation to submit a full manuscript does not guarantee publication in the special issue.

Important Dates and Timeline

28 February 2026: Abstract submission deadline
31 March 2026: Response from editors to authors of submitted abstracts
31 August 2026: Deadline for first draft of all articles
15 December 2026: Receipt of peer reviews and communication of decision to authors
15 February 2027: Submission of revised articles
15 April 2027: Final decision on articles
30 April 2027: Submission of final articles to JCOM for processing
May 2027: Special issue scheduled for publication

Contact

For all correspondence regarding this special issue, please contact:
Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan
Primary Point of Contact
Email: mohamed.elsonpaty@gmail.com