Journal Special Issue "Interdisciplinarity in R&D" Call for Papers: Deadline Extended
Updated: November 15, 2013
Special Issue: "Interdisciplinarity in R&D"
Call for Papers
As a novel endeavor, the Japan Society for Science Policy and Research Management has undertaken the curation of special journal issues via a Call for Papers format. As the second initiative of this kind, we have organized a special issue under the theme of "Interdisciplinarity in R&D" through an open Call for Papers. This special issue is scheduled for publication in 2014 and may offer a shortened duration from manuscript submission to publication compared to standard submissions. We believe this represents an excellent publishing opportunity for all those conducting relevant research, and we cordially invite you and your colleagues to consider submitting your manuscripts to this special issue.
1. Background of the Special Issue
Contemporary science is confronted with numerous challenges arising from environmental shifts accompanying societal development (e.g., global warming, energy crises, water resource depletion), as well as numerous issues brought about by humanity itself through advances in scientific inquiry (e.g., environmental pollution). Many of these challenges cannot be resolved solely through knowledge derived from a single academic discipline; thus, "interdisciplinary research"—the integration of multiple academic fields—is deemed essential for their resolution.
The significance of interdisciplinary research has been acknowledged since the 1970s, with concrete initiatives commencing in Japan in the 1980s. However, such efforts cannot yet be regarded as sufficient, either quantitatively or qualitatively. Even in recent years, numerous educational and research organizations continue to be newly established, and novel initiatives are continuously being pursued.
Although interdisciplinary research possesses a comparatively long history, it remains an unresolved, ongoing challenge. As causes for this situation, various hurdles requiring resolution have been pointed out, including a lack of compatibility among fundamental concepts across academic disciplines, difficulties in personnel mobility between fields, practical administrative and operational costs, and a deficit of personnel capable of bridging the interface between science and society (Science Council of Japan Recommendation: "'Integration of Knowledge' as Science for Society," 2011). In foreign nations as well, some interdisciplinary research centers have been forced to close before fully realizing their objectives.
In light of this current state, we consider it imperative—for the purpose of achieving science for society and ensuring the success of interdisciplinary education and research—to thoroughly inventory the outcomes and issues of past initiatives, conduct objective analyses from an academic perspective, and provide constructive feedback to the scientific community.
2. Scope of the Call for Papers
Accordingly, this special issue solicits research papers on critical topics pertaining to the identification, understanding, and analysis of interdisciplinary research, aiming to create a scholarly forum for deepening interdisciplinary inquiry. Prospective topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Analysis of challenges within existing and historical interdisciplinary R&D systems; (2) Evaluation of interdisciplinarity within established academic disciplines; (3) Methodologies for promoting interdisciplinary research directed toward solving societal issues; (4) Evaluation methods for outcomes generated from interdisciplinary research; (5) Methodologies for human resource development essential to interdisciplinary research.
Submissions must be peer-reviewed papers corresponding to "Research Papers" or "Research Notes" as defined in the journal's submission guidelines.
3. Important Dates
Submission Opening: August 1, 2013
Submission Deadline: March 31, 2014
Scheduled Publication: September 30, 2014
Article Category: News & Announcements