Call for Abstracts: Special Issue on Strong Sustainability in the Nordics

2025-03-10

We invite abstract submissions for a special issue dedicated to exploring the theme of Strong Sustainability in the Nordics. This special issue aims to look at the multifaceted role of social sciences and humanities (SSH) in driving sustainability transformations across the Nordic region. A special focus shall be placed on the practices within the academic environment itself. The special issue is initiated by the early career research network “Advancing Strong Sustainability in the Nordic Social Science and Humanities” (StrongSSH).

Topics of interest:

  1. Strong sustainability in the Nordics: Examining the principles and practices of strong sustainability within Nordic contexts, both in general and in the academic environment in particular.
  2. The role of SSH in sustainability transformation: Investigating how social sciences and humanities contribute to sustainable development and transformation.
  3. Methodological approaches: Applying innovative methodologies for studying (strong) sustainability, including interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary methods.
  4. The (environmental) footprint of academic conventions: Critically reflecting on the sustainability performance of academic life, e.g. using meetings as case studies to discuss their carbon footprints and the outcomes they generate, or autoethnographic reflections on their impact on both academic and personal growth.
  5. Doing academia differently: Reflecting on alternative academic practices that promote sustainability and inclusivity, such as exploring the use of measures of success that go beyond traditional metrics like publications.

We welcome contributions from all disciplines but require them to engage with STS scholarship and/or theories to some degree. We encourage submissions that combine critical self-reflection with empirical research, and that offer new perspectives on how academia can contribute to sustainability in innovative and impactful ways. We also welcome submissions that transcend traditional paper formats and use different formats, such as personal or visual essays, experiential accounts, collaborative manifestos, narratives, poetry or prose, etc. 

Interested authors should send an abstract (250 words) and a short author-bio (200 words) to Carolin Zorell (carolin.zorell@oru.se) no later than April 17, 2025.

Submission Guidelines:

  • See journal website for details: https://www.ntnu.no/ojs/index.php/njsts/about/submissions
  • Please follow the journal’s submission guidelines available on our website.
  • We distinguish between traditional paper publications and non-traditional formats and the review process will differ based on the type of contribution. Traditional paper formats adhering to conventional academic standards will undergo double-blinded peer review. Other formats will be reviewed by at least one member of the StrongSSH network to assess quality and alignment with the topic of the special issue. While these will not be classified as traditional peer-reviewed publications, they will still undergo a structured review process. The type of review will be indicated in the final publication.

Important Dates:

  • Deadline abstracts: April 17, 2025
  • Abstracts reviewed and authors notified: April 30, 2025
  • Submission of full papers: December 15, 2025
  • Blind reviews sent to authors: February 2, 2026
  • Deadline for revisions: March 2, 2026
  • Notification of acceptance: April 1, 2026
  • Publication date: June 1, 2026

For inquiries and submissions, please contact Carolin Zorell Carolin.Zorell@oru.se; Line Valdorff Madsen lvm@build.aau.dk; Anne Bach Nielsen anne.bach.nielsen@sund.ku.dk or Marius Korsnes; marius.korsnes@ntnu.no.

We look forward to your contributions to this important and timely discussion.