[Commlist] Call for Papers : Communication and Society Journal (50) from 22 October to 15 january 2026: Communication and Conflict

The  Call for Papers for Communication and Society Journal  on the 
subject Communication and Conflict is open from 22 October to 15 
january, 2026.

Thematic Editors: Teresa Ruão (CECS, University of Minho, Portugal), 
Inês Amaral (CES, University of Coimbra, Portugal) and Iván Puente 
(University of Vigo, Spain).

To speak of ‘conflict’ is to discuss a reality that, far from being 
restricted to the military or diplomatic sphere, manifests itself in 
multiple spheres of social life. We refer to the political, social, 
cultural, technological or even interpersonal domains of conflict. And 
“when neighbours quarrel, lovers argue or nations go to war, the 
predictable remedy prescribed by the voices of reason is communication” 
(Krauss & Morsella, 2000, p. 144).

In fact, communication — in all its forms and media — seems to be 
capable of generating, mediating, amplifying or mitigating tensions 
through its influence on perceptions, human behaviour and outcomes, thus 
playing a central role in the genesis, escalation and resolution of 
these tensions. The media shape perceptions, construct narratives of 
legitimisation or demonisation, and act as catalysts for social 
mobilisation. Social networks amplify marginalised voices, but also 
enhance phenomena of polarisation and misinformation. At the same time, 
institutional actors and organisations use communication strategies, 
from crisis management to public diplomacy, to influence internal and 
external audiences.

In this context, communication is not merely a vehicle for transmitting 
information, but rather an interactive process of constructing meaning, 
negotiating meanings and managing emotions. The media, journalistic 
discourse and social media function as privileged channels of framing, 
where narratives of victim and adversary are crystallised or challenged. 
Organisational, institutional, and community communication uses 
mediation, conciliation, and public diplomacy practices to defuse 
tensions, using active listening techniques, structured feedback, and 
reframing of problems. Many other communication phenomena can be 
observed in conflict contexts.

It is therefore appropriate — even in the current global geostrategic 
context — to deepen our understanding of the communication processes 
underlying contemporary conflicts. This edition of the journal 
Comunicação e Sociedade invites researchers to explore, with theoretical 
and methodological rigour, the multiple interfaces between dialogue and 
antagonism. We welcome collisions of ideas and interdisciplinary 
approaches that analyse, for example, the use of victim and aggressor 
narratives, the dynamics of empathy and dehumanisation, the 
effectiveness of media literacy practices in contexts of tension, or the 
role of journalism and the impact of transnational disinformation 
campaigns. In addition, comparative studies and regional research that 
reveal how cultural, historical, and political specificities shape 
conflict discourses will also be welcome in this volume.

By bringing together diverse contributions—empirical and theoretical, 
quantitative and qualitative—we aim to offer a comprehensive picture of 
communication dynamics in conflict situations, as well as clues for the 
formulation of more effective mediation practices and policies. The 
scientific community is therefore invited to submit papers that 
challenge conventional views, propose new analytical tools and 
contribute to a deeper understanding of communication processes in 
conflict contexts.

Thematic areas (non-exhaustive):

•          Mediation and framing of conflicts in the media;

•          Crisis narratives and conflict rhetoric;

•          Social networks, filter bubbles and polarisation;

•          Organisational communication in the context of labour disputes;

•          Public diplomacy, propaganda and disinformation;

•          Crisis management and risk communication;

•          Intergenerational, ethnic or cultural conflicts and 
communication practices;

•          Ethics and social responsibility in journalistic coverage of 
conflicts;

•          Opinion makers, international conflicts and the social 
construction of reality.

References

Krauss, R. M., & Morsella, E. (2000). Communication and conflict. In M. 
Deutsch, P. T. Coleman, & E. C. Marcus (Eds.), The handbook of conflict 
resolution: Theory and practice (pp. 144–157). Jossey-Bass.

Submission period (full texts): 22 October 2025 to 15 January 2026

Publication period: continuous edition (July to December 2026)

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

Communication and Society is an open-access academic journal that 
operates in accordance with the demanding standards of the peer review 
system and uses a double-blind review process. Each submitted work will 
be distributed to a minimum of two reviewers who have been previously 
invited to evaluate it, according to its academic quality, originality, 
and relevance to the objectives and scope of the subject matter.

Manuscripts should be submitted via the journal's website 
<https://revistacomsoc.pt/index.php/revistacomsoc/about/submissions>. If 
you are accessing Comunicação e Sociedade for the first time, you must 
register in order to submit your article (instructions for registering 
here <https://revistacomsoc.pt/user/register>).

The author guidelines can be found here 
<https://revistacomsoc.pt/about/submissions>.

For further information, please contact: 
(comunicacaoesociedade /at/ ics.uminho.pt) 
<mailto:(comunicacaoesociedade /at/ ics.uminho.pt)>

No Payment from the authors will be required

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