Communication and Society Journal call for papers | Vol. 51 | Media Literacy, Democracy and Intergenerational Relations

The journal Communication and Society (Comunicação e Sociedade) is accepting submissions on the theme “Media Literacy, Democracy and Intergenerationality” between 1 April and 30 June 2026

The guest editors for this 51st volume are Clarisse Pêssoa (Portuguese Institute of Marketing Management, Portugal/CECS, University of Minho, Portugal), Ana Filipa Oliveira (Cicant, Lusófona University, Portugal) and Julian McDougall (Bournemouth University, United Kingdom)

In an era marked by profound technological transformations, widespread misinformation and new forms of civic participation, the relationship between media and information literacy (MIL), digital citizenship and skills development has become a central issue for all generations (Boler et al., 2025; Vuorikari et al., 2022). The recent celebration of the Council of Europe’s Year of Education for Digital Citizenship (2025) underscores the growing recognition that fostering critical digital skills requires collaborative and intergenerational approaches — not as an option, but as an imperative.

As the concept of ‘citizenship’ transcends traditional boundaries to encompass digital and global dimensions, it becomes urgent to re-examine what constitutes the essential skills of the 21st century and how intergenerational cooperation can enrich these debates. These skills go far beyond the simple ability to access and evaluate information: they involve ethical engagement with digital content, critical navigation of algorithmic media environments, and constructive participation in democratic processes underpinned by intergenerational dialogue. Recent research has demonstrated the transformative potential of intergenerational approaches, highlighting how collaboration between generations can contribute positively to the development of critical digital skills and the improvement of educational processes (Bjursell et al., 2023; Leek & Rojek, 2023; Trujillo-Torres et al., 2023).

It is in this context that we invite empirical and theoretical contributions exploring the integration of MIL in formal and informal educational contexts involving different generations, and examining its impact on civic and democratic attitudes, cultures and behaviours. We particularly encourage submissions presenting research findings from intergenerational projects, highlighting how collaborative approaches can contribute significantly to strengthening media and information literacy, democracy and digital citizenship.

Topics of interest:

• Media and information literacy as a fundamental element of democratic citizenship
• Digital citizenship, disinformation and polarisation
• Competency-based approaches to MIL and citizenship
• Critical literacies and civic empowerment
• Educational practices and pedagogical approaches to MIL and citizenship education
• Equity, inclusion and access in MIL and citizenship education
• Artificial intelligence, generative media and civic skills
• Participatory cultures and digital activism
• Intergenerational approaches to MIL

Submission period (full texts): 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026

Publication period: rolling publication (January to June 2027)

LANGUAGE

Articles may be submitted in English or Portuguese. Articles selected for publication will be translated into Portuguese or English, respectively, and must be published in full in both languages.

PUBLICATION AND SUBMISSION

Comunicação e Sociedade is an open-access academic journal, operating in accordance with the rigorous standards of the peer-review system and employing a double-blind review process. Each submitted manuscript will be distributed to a minimum of two reviewers previously invited to assess it, based on academic quality, originality and relevance to the journal’s objectives and scope.

Manuscripts must be submitted via the journal’s website. If you are accessing Comunicação e Sociedade for the first time, you must register in order to submit your article (instructions for registration here).

The guidelines for authors can be found here.

For further information, please contact: comunicacaoesociedade@ics.uminho.pt

References

Boler, M., Gharib, H., Kweon, Y.-J., Trigiani, A., & Perry, B. (2025). Promoting mis/disinformation literacy among adults: A scoping review of interventions and recommendations. Communication Research. Published online in advance. https://doi.org/10.1177/00936502251318630

Bjursell, C., Boström, A.-K., & Dybelius, A. (2023). Intergenerational learning in a changing world: Knitting generations together. Ricerche di Pedagogia e Didattica, 18(2), 51–65. https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.1970-2221/15942

Leek, J., & Rojek, M. (2023). ICT tools in breaking down social polarisation and supporting intergenerational learning: cases of youth and senior citizens. Interactive Learning Environments, 31(6), 3682–3697. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2021.1940214

Trujillo-Torres, J. M., Aznar-Díaz, I., Cáceres-Reche, M. P., Mentado-Labao, T., & Barrera-Corominas, A. (2023). Intergenerational learning and its impact on the improvement of educational processes. Education Sciences, 13(10), Article 1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13101019

Vuorikari, R., R., Kluzer, S., & Punie, Y. (2022). DigComp 2.2: The digital competence framework for citizens – With new examples of knowledge, skills and attitudes (EUR 31006 EN). Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2760/115376

[Posted: 17-03-2026]