[Commlist] Communication and Society Journal Vol. 51) Call for papers : ‘Media Literacy, Democracy and Intergenerational Approaches’

*The**Communication and Society Journal **(Vol. 51) **c**all for papers 
****with the theme ‘Media Literacy, Democracy and Intergenerational 
Approaches’ is open from April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026*
*Thematic editors: *Clarisse Pêssoa (Instituto Português de 
Administração de Marketing, Portugal/CECS, Universidade do Minho, 
Portugal), Ana Filipa Oliveira (Cicant, Universidade Lusófona, 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 concern for all generations 
(Boler et al., 2025; Vuorikari et al., 2022). The recent celebration of 
the Council of Europe’s Year of Digital Citizenship Education (2025) 
underscores the growing recognition that fostering critical digital 
competencies requires collaborative, 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 increasingly urgent 
to re-examine what constitutes essential 21st-century competencies and 
how intergenerational cooperation can enrich these debates. These 
competencies extend far beyond the simple ability to access and evaluate 
information: they entail ethical engagement with digital content, 
critical navigation of algorithmic media environments, and constructive 
participation in democratic processes supported by intergenerational 
dialogue. Recent research has demonstrated the transformative potential 
of intergenerational approaches, highlighting how collaboration across 
generations can contribute positively to the development of critical 
digital competencies and to enhancing educational processes (Bjursell et 
al., 2023; Leek & Rojek, 2023; Trujillo-Torres et al., 2023).
In this context, we invite submissions of empirical and theoretical 
contributions that explore the integration of MIL in formal and informal 
educational settings involving different generations, and that examine 
its impact on civic and democratic attitudes, cultures and behaviours. 
We particularly encourage submissions reporting research findings from 
intergenerational projects that demonstrate how collaborative approaches 
can meaningfully strengthen media and information literacy, democracy 
and digital citizenship.
Topics of interest:

  * Media and information literacy as a fundamental element of
    democratic citizenship
  * Digital citizenship, misinformation 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 competencies
  * Participatory cultures and digital activism
  * Intergenerational approaches to MIL

*IMPORTANT DATES*

  * *Proposal submission period (full manuscript):* from April 1, 2026
    to June 30, 2026
  * *Publication period:* continuous edition (January to June 2027)

*LANGUAGE*
Articles may be submitted in English or Portuguese. The articles 
selected for publication will be translated into Portuguese or English, 
respectively, and shall be published in full in both languages.
*EDITING AND SUBMISSION*
/Comunicação e Sociedade/ is an open-access academic journal operating 
according to rigorous standards of the peer review system and following 
a double-blind review process. Each submitted work will be assigned to 
at least two reviewers previously invited to assess it, according to its 
academic quality, originality and relevance to the objectives and scope 
of the theme.
Original submissions should be made through the journal’s _website_ 
<https://revistacomsoc.pt/index.php/revistacomsoc/index>. When accessing 
/Comunicação e Sociedade/ for the first time, you must register before 
submitting your article (instructions to register _here_ 
<https://revistacomsoc.pt/index.php/revistacomsoc/about/submissions>).
Refer to the guidelines for authors _here_ <https://revistacomsoc.pt/about>.
For further information, please contact: 
_comunicacaoesociedade@ics.uminho.pt_ 
<mailto:(comunicacaoesociedade /at/ 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./ Advance 
online publication. _https://doi.org/10.1177/00936502251318630_ 
<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_ 
<https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.1970-2221/15942>
Leek, J., & Rojek, M. (2023). ICT tools in breaking down social 
polarization 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_ 
<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_ 
<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_ 
<https://doi.org/10.2760/115376>
No payment from the authors will be required
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