Announcements

14 March 2025
International Day of Mathematics—“Mathematics, Art, and Creativity”, 14 March 2025


With the growing recognition of mathematics as a vital component of artistic expression and innovative thinking, it has now evolved far beyond its traditional role as a problem-solving tool; mathematics serves as a source of inspiration, a bridge between logic and creativity, and a universal language that connects us all. The theme of International Day of Mathematics (IDM) this year is “Mathematics, Art, and Creativity”, with the aim of exploring the interplay between numbers, patterns, and human imagination while bringing awareness to interdisciplinary applications of mathematics.

In recognition of the 2025 International Day of Mathematics, we invite you to explore the captivating interplay between numbers, patterns, and human imagination. As part of this celebration, we examine the progressive role that mathematics plays across disciplines through our upcoming webinars. From the intricate designs of fractals to harmonious proportions in architecture, we will share the inspiring stories of mathematicians, artists, and innovators pushing the boundaries of creativity. Additionally, we have curated a collection of open access research articles that explore this fascinating relationship, freely available to researchers, educators, and enthusiasts worldwide.

Session 1 Session 2
Date: 14 March 2025, 07:00 (CET)
Webinar ID: 886 5910 5983
Free to register for this webinar here!
Date: 14 March 2025, 16:00 (CET)
Webinar ID: 897 5592 5773
Free to register for this webinar here!

Computer Science & Mathematics

Biology & Life Sciences

Business & Economics

Trigonometric Polynomial Points in the Plane of a Triangle
by Clark Kimberling and Peter J. C. Moses
Geometry 2024, 1(1), 27-42; https://doi.org/10.3390/geometry1010005

Sheaf Cohomology of Rectangular-Matrix Chains to Develop Deep-Machine-Learning Multiple Sequencing
by Orchidea Maria Lecian
Int. J. Topol. 2024, 1(1), 55-71; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijt1010005

Evolution of Hybrid Cellular Automata for Density Classification Problem
by Petre Anghelescu
Symmetry 2024, 16(5), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16050599

The Flexible Gumbel Distribution: A New Model for Inference about the Mode
by Qingyang Liu, Xianzheng Huang and Haiming Zhou
Stats 2024, 7(1), 317-332; https://doi.org/10.3390/stats7010019

Precision-Driven Product Recommendation Software: Unsupervised Models, Evaluated by GPT-4 LLM for Enhanced Recommender Systems
by Konstantinos I. Roumeliotis, Nikolaos D. Tselikas and Dimitrios K. Nasiopoulos
Software 2024, 3(1), 62-80; https://doi.org/10.3390/software3010004

Shrinking the Variance in Experts’ “Classical” Weights Used in Expert Judgment Aggregation
by Gayan Dharmarathne, Gabriela F. Nane, Andrew Robinson and Anca M. Hanea
Forecasting 2023, 5(3), 522-535; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast5030029

Big Data Analytics and Machine Learning in Supply Chain 4.0: A Literature Review
by Elena Barzizza, Nicolò Biasetton, Riccardo Ceccato and Luigi Salmaso
Stats 2023, 6(2), 596-616; https://doi.org/10.3390/stats6020038

An Agile Model-Based Software Engineering Approach Illustrated through the Development of a Health Technology System
by Moe Huss, Daniel R. Herber and John M. Borky
Software 2023, 2(2), 234-257; https://doi.org/10.3390/software2020011

Modelling of Tissue Invasion in Epithelial Monolayers
by Faris Saad Alsubaie, Hamid Khataee and Zoltan Neufeld
Life 2023, 13(2), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020427

Practical Understanding of Cancer Model Identifiability in Clinical Applications
by Tin Phan, Justin Bennett and Taylor Patten
Life 2023, 13(2), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020410

“Recent Developments in Fuzzy Control Systems and Their Applications “Chaotic Systems and Their Applications, 2nd Edition
Symmetry in Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics Advances in Symmetric Cryptography and Data Integrity

     

27 February 2025
More than 300 MDPI Journals Indexed in Web of Science

MDPI is pleased to share a significant milestone in its mission to advance scholarly research and promote the dissemination of knowledge—300+ MDPI journals are now indexed in Web of Science (WoS). This milestone highlights the global recognition, interdisciplinary impact and enhanced visibility of our journals. It also reflects our adherence to rigorous editorial standards, scientific integrity, and our mission to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. 

To explore the full list of our journals indexed in WoS, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals/wos. Beyond expanding the coverage of our publications in the leading academic databases, we are dedicated to ensuring that our journals are included in as many scope-specific databases as possible. This increases the visibility of our authors’ work and extends the reach of their significant data. 

This milestone would not have been possible without the efforts and expertise of our academic editors, reviewers and authors. Their commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in creating an inclusive, accessible, and impactful publishing platform. We also extend our gratitude to the global research community for their trust as we continue to break new ground in academic publishing. This milestone is not just a celebration of MDPI’s progress but also recognition of the collective strides made by researchers worldwide. 

As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, MDPI remains steadfast in its commitment to open access publishing and ensuring that high-quality research reaches and inspires a global audience.

18 February 2025
Meet Us at the 30th Annual ACM Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces (ACM IUI), 24–27 March 2025, Cagliari, Italy


Conference: 30th Annual ACM Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces
Date: 24–27 Mar 2025
Location: Cagliari, Italy

MDPI will be attending the 30th Annual ACM Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

The 30th Annual ACM Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces (ACM IUI) 2025 provides an ideal platform for leading researchers and practitioners to meet and discuss the state-of-the-art advances at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and human–computer interaction (HCI). Ideal IUI submissions should address practical HCI challenges using machine intelligence and explore both the computational and human-centric aspects of such methodologies, techniques, and systems.

The theme for IUI 2025 is “Sustainability”, covering a wide variety of topics, such as intelligent user interfaces allowing for social inclusion, interactive intelligent systems for environmental sustainability, human control of energy management or resource conservation, behavioural changes, and data-driven decision-making for environmental monitoring.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://iui.acm.org/2025/index.html.

17 February 2025
MDPI Celebrates Excellence in Medical Research with Early Career Researcher Awards


MDPI, a pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Singapore, proudly announce the successful conclusion of the first edition the MDPI Early Career Researcher Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to medical and biomedical research, were presented to six exceptional researchers during an awards ceremony held at LKCMedicine HQ Building on 28 November 2024.

Honoring Excellence in Research

The awards recognize exceptional postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. students who have demonstrated outstanding originality, innovation, and impact in their respective fields. We are honored to announce the winners of the 2024 edition:

Early Career Researcher (Postdoc) Award:

  • Dr. Theresia Handayani Mina, “Adiposity and Metabolic Health in Asian Populations: An Epidemiological Study Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Singapore”;
  • Dr. Erfan Rezvani Ghomi, “Wound Healing Improvement by Novel Aligned Antimicrobial Nanofibrous 3D Scaffolds”;
  • Dr. Yadollah Ranjbar Slamloo, “Functional Alterations of The Prefrontal Circuit Underlying Cognitive Aging in Mice”.

Early Career Researcher (Ph.D.) Award:

  • Pritisha Rozario, “Mechanistic Basis for Potassium Efflux-Driven Activation of the Human NLRP1 Inflammasome”;
  • Michelle Law Cheok Yien, “Chikungunya Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 is a Versatile RNA Capping and Decapping Enzyme”;
  • Yin Ruoyu, “The Use of Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Tools in Older Adults: A Mixed Method Study”.

Our collaboration highlights a shared commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and research within the academic community, addressing today’s healthcare challenges, and inspiring continued innovation.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on the success of the first edition, MDPI and LKCMedicine are excited to announce that the 2025 MDPI Early Researcher Awards will continue to celebrate excellence and innovation in medical research. The next edition promises to expand its scope, introducing new categories and providing even greater recognition for impactful research.

Further details on the 2025 awards, including nomination criteria and timelines, will be shared in the coming months. We remain committed to fostering a culture of research excellence and collaboration within the global scientific community.

5 February 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #20 - Beijing, Singapore, Bangkok, JAMS, Jisc

Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.

In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.


Opening Thoughts

2024 Annual Meeting – Beijing (15 January 2025)

You haven’t truly experienced a New Year’s celebration until you’ve attended one of MDPI’s Chinese Annual Meeting festivities. This year I visited our annual meeting in Beijing, held on the 15th of January.

Imagine this: stepping into a banquet hall filled with 140 tables and about 1,400 colleagues from our Beijing offices, all gathered to share in a six-hour event. The agenda included year-end speeches and presentations, a variety of performances by our colleagues, a selection of awards honouring local employees for their work, group photos for the memories, and a dinner.

This may have been one of the largest events I have attended. For those unaccustomed to such an event, it might seem overwhelming, but it was quite the opposite. The atmosphere was one of celebration as everyone came together to support their peers and celebrate the achievements of 2024.

I was honoured to deliver the opening speech and a presentation highlighting our growth and investment in MDPI’s most valuable asset: our people.

“Our editorial teams represent MDPI at its finest”

I want to give special recognition to the editorial department, across all of our offices, which forms the heart of our business. These teams are the frontline communicators with our authors, reviewers, and guest editors, creating a smooth experience of processing our manuscripts. Their professionalism and kindness are often highlighted as key drivers of satisfaction with MDPI. For this, I extend my deepest gratitude to all our editorial staff, across every office. They truly represent MDPI at its finest.

Beijing is home to two of our offices, with just over 800 employees in Tongzhou and over 600 in Haidian. Thank you to our administrative teams and everyone involved in organizing these New Year’s celebrations across all offices. These events provide a moment to reflect on our shared accomplishments and appreciate the positive impact each of you has on our culture.

MDPI Offices in China

While the history of MDPI begins in Basel, Switzerland, the story of MDPI is very much rooted in China. Below is a list of MDPI’s current offices in China and their respective dates of inauguration:

  • 2008: Beijing (Tongzhou, Haidian)
  • 2013: Wuhan (Hankou, Guanggu)
  • 2019: Tianjin
  • 2021: Dalian
  • 2021: Nanjing

To date, over 381,000 MDPI research articles have been published by authors affiliated with Chinese institutions, making China our largest market. This is reflected not only in the volume of publications but also in the scale of our workforce supporting local operations and contributing to global success.

While no new offices in China were launched between 2022 and 2024 due to the pandemic and strategic planning, we remain committed to future growth here. Our plans include expanding operations as we continue to build our global workforce.

We look forward to a year filled with continued collaboration, growth, and shared success.

“We remain committed to future growth in China”

Impactful Research

MDPI and Jisc Consortium Extend Open Access Agreement for 2025

I’m pleased to share that MDPI has extended its agreement with the Jisc consortium in the UK for 2025. This renewal strengthens our partnership with UK institutions and reaffirms our shared commitment to advancing open access publishing.

Jisc is the UK’s not-for-profit digital, data, and technology agency supporting tertiary education, research, and innovation. Through initiatives such as our agreement, Jisc helps institutions access essential digital resources and infrastructure to support researchers. Currently, 62 UK institutions are part of our Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) through this partnership.

Authors from participating institutions benefit from discounts on article processing charges (APCs), with even greater support for institutions that centrally fund APCs. This helps researchers focus on their work while simplifying the publishing process.

A full list of participating institutions can be found here.

As Becky Castellon, our Institutional Partnerships Manager, puts it: “Extending our agreement with Jisc is a reward for the strong partnership we’ve built with research institutions throughout the UK.”

At MDPI, we are dedicated to making research more accessible while reducing administrative burdens for institutions and authors. Open access publishing is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to expand its reach in the UK and beyond.

Inside MDPI

Visit to MDPI's Singapore office

During my January trip to some of our APAC offices, I also had the pleasure of visiting our Singapore office for the first time. It’s exciting to see how much the team has grown, now numbering over 55 staff members, with more joining us in February.

Welcoming and Supporting New Team Members

“Experienced staff play an important role in mentoring new hires”

I had the opportunity to connect with both experienced colleagues and new team members who are currently embarking on their careers. This visit reminded me of what it was like when I was in their shoes. I encourage all of us to engage new colleagues with empathy, as we have all been in their position. By creating a welcoming and supportive environment, we can help them settle in and learn about the corporate world, MDPI and our mission.

Experienced staff play an important role in mentoring and guiding new hires, most of whom are transitioning from academia to their first job. I’m especially grateful to colleagues such as Colin Chen, Alicia Ren, Yu Nwe Soe, Colin Wee, Amy Cham and other senior members who have contributed to shaping the culture and work environment in Singapore.

Building MDPI’s Positive Reputation

During my visit, I spoke with the office staff about the importance of their roles in building a positive reputation that helps create trust in MDPI. I shared how every interaction and communication point contributes to the marketing of MDPI and our journals. I also highlighted the career development opportunities available as MDPI continues to grow.

Connecting with the Singapore Marketing Team

I also spent time connecting directly with the Singapore Marketing team, which has quickly grown to 15 young and ambitious members. They are eager to learn and are actively contributing to our journal and corporate marketing activities. I shared insights into our corporate marketing structure and strategy and look forward to supporting them as they grow. 

During the visit, I was joined by my colleague Dr. Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing, who provided training on indexing. This training was greatly appreciated by the local staff.

Meeting with Prof. Dr. Manoj Gupta

Lastly, we had the privilege of meeting Prof. Dr. Manoj Gupta, Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of Technologies since 2016 and Section EiC of Metals.

Prof. Gupta is an active decision-maker for the journal and a great brand ambassador for MDPI.

Prof. Gupta has helped sustainably scale Technologies, which now has a 4.2 Impact Factor and a 6.7 CiteScore, ranking Q1 in the JCR category of Engineering and Q1 in the CiteScore category of Computer Science.

During our meeting, we discussed strategies for Institutional Open Access Partnership agreements and ways to promote MDPI journals in Singapore.

PS. During the visit, we also had the chance to participate in Lo Hei, also known as Yee Sang or the “prosperity toss.” This is a raw fish salad traditionally enjoyed during Chinese New Year and is particularly popular among Chinese communities in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Everyone gathers around the table as the ingredients are added one by one, and then the salad is mixed together. It was a fun experience to take part in this New Year tradition!

 

Coming Together for Science

JAMS – Journal & Article Management System

I am excited to announce the official relaunch of JAMS (Journal & Article Management System), one of MDPI’s key initiatives to support academic publishers worldwide.

With this relaunch, JAMS now offers new pricing models and flexible solutions for small-scale journals, commercial publishers, and university presses. We have also redesigned the JAMS website to enhance the user experience.

“JAMS is a testament to our commitment to simplifying the publishing process”

Explore the new website here: jams.pub

It’s also great to see the JAMS team expanding our presence at conferences and on social media to engage more effectively with the academic community.

Recently, Facundo Santomé (Senior Marketing Manager) and Alex Ramos (Senior Marketing Specialist) represented JAMS at the APE 2025 conference in Berlin, highlighting how our platform empowers small and independent publishers to streamline and scale their journal management.

JAMS was built to change that by adapting to the unique requirements of each publisher.

At MDPI, we continually invest in our growth – not only by expanding our operations and staff but also by developing innovative products that serve the academic and publishing community at large. JAMS, with its comprehensive suite of journal management tools, is a testament to our commitment to simplifying the publishing process for our partners.

Imagine a submission system that frees up your time for strategy, innovation, and impactful publishing.

Under the leadership of Silvano Bonfatti (Product Manager, MDPI), the JAMS team has conducted in-depth market research to understand the challenges publishers face: endless administrative tasks, inefficient workflows, and systems that don’t always meet their needs.

If you believe JAMS could benefit any of your network contacts, please share our website. Contact the JAMS team. They are always ready to assist with your publishing needs.

What Sets JAMS Apart?

  • Scalability – Whether you're a niche journal or managing thousands of submissions, JAMS grows with you.
  • End-to-End Workflow – From submission to peer review and final publication, everything is in one place.
  • Automation That Works for You – Say goodbye to chasing reviewers and formatting issues, so that you can focus on quality instead.
  • Built by Publishers, for Publishers – JAMS is backed by MDPI’s expertise; we know exactly what it takes to run a journal smoothly.
  • Flexible & Fair Pricing – Supporting journals of all sizes, with special rates for non-profits and publishers in the Global South.

Partners Who Already Trust JAMS

If you believe JAMS could benefit any of your network contacts, please share our website. Contact the JAMS team. They are always ready to assist with your publishing needs.

Closing Thoughts

Visit to MDPI's Bangkok office

To conclude my APAC trip, I had the pleasure of visiting our Bangkok office from 22 to 24 January. The office has grown significantly, closing 2024 with a total of 445 colleagues across various departments, including Editorial, Production, Conference, Training, Journal Relationship Specialists (JRS), Managing Editors, and supporting teams in HR, Admin, IT, and Finance.

I would like to praise our Bangkok management team for their excellent work in supporting our growth and creating a positive work environment. Our colleagues here are humble, talented, hardworking, and appreciative of MDPI’s mission.

Thailand was among MDPI’s top 30 markets in 2024 for total publications. With our office in Bangkok, we have an opportunity to further promote open access while supporting local researchers and institutions. This includes open access discounts, author training sessions, conference sponsorships, and other initiatives. We currently have 25 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) from Thailand and will work on expanding this network.

Engaging with Group Leads

“Group leads play an important role in creating a safe, positive environment”

During my visit, I met with our group leads to highlight their crucial role in managing journal performance and mentoring new employees, especially given our increased hiring targets. Many new hires are early in their careers and require training, development, and support. Group leads play an important role in creating a safe, positive environment that fosters professional growth while maintaining MDPI’s reputation for service quality.

To wrap up the session, I added a personal touch by holding the door and giving everyone high-fives – a small gesture to show appreciation, boost morale, and strengthen team spirit. It’s important for our colleagues to feel seen, heard, and valued.

University Visit: King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB)

We also visited King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) to explore collaboration opportunities.

Our discussions focused on: Institutional Open Access Partnership (IOAP), Author training sessions, Conference sponsorships, Student employment initiatives, and more.

This visit reinforced the importance of building strong relationships with local universities, ensuring we continue to support and engage with the academic community in Thailand.

“My time in Bangkok was productive and inspiring”

My time in Bangkok was productive and inspiring. The senior team has done a great job in growing the office and creating a supportive, high-performing environment. I look forward to seeing continued success from our colleagues in Thailand.

Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

24 January 2025
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Multimodal Technologies and Interaction in 2024


The editorial team at Multimodal Technologies and Interaction extends our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated reviewers whose expertise and commitment have been key to the journal's success in 2024. Last year, Multimodal Technologies and Interaction received 556 review reports from 298 reviewers representing 41 countries and regions worldwide.

To recognize the invaluable time, effort, and attention to detail that each reviewer dedicates, Multimodal Technologies and Interaction expresses its sincere gratitude through an annual acknowledgment of reviewers.

We are honored to recognize the reviewers who allowed us to publish their names each year. The names of these reviewers are listed below in alphabetical order by first name:

Alejandro Medina Santiago Juan Luis Cabanillas García
Alessandro Pagano Jungho Jeon
Anastassia Zabrodskaja Juri Taborri
Andrei Dumitrescu Jyotindra Narayan
Andreja Špernjak Kendall Hartley
Andrius Katkevičius Kenneth Y. T. Lim
Andrzej Kasperski Klaus Stiller
Angelo Lorusso Kleopatra Nikolopoulou
Antonio Hernández-Mendo Krassie Petrova
Ariel Teles Krzysztof Wołk
Artur Janowski Lawrence Murphy Smith
Brett Bligh Lidia Bajenaru
Calin-Petru Corciova Luigi De Napoli
Casey Watters Manuel J. Díaz Villanueva
Cecilia Maria Bolognesi Manuel Soriano
Chao Gu Maria G. Ioannides
Christopher G. Healey Mariana Cernicova-Buca
Daisuke Akiba Mariusz Żytniewski
Dan Iulian Alexe Mark Marshall
David Lamas Michael G. Hilgers
David Perpetuini Ming-Hung Hsu
Dayi Zhang Mircea Neagoe
Diego Vergara Muddasar Naeem
Dimitrios Kotsifakos Munho Ryu
Dimitris Karampatzakis Nicola Giannoccaro
Eleftherios Anastasovitis Nikša Alfirević
Elisabete Paulo Morais Olamilekan Shobayo
Eloy Lopez Meneses Pamela Cowan
Erik Kučera Paolo Ciampi
Federico Luis Del Blanco García Paula Escudeiro
Felipe Jimenez Paweł Powroźnik
Fernando Almeida Paweł Weichbroth
Florin Girbacia Pedro M. B. Torres
Francesco Costantino Pengfei Qi
Fu-Min Chang Peter Williams
Galina Ilieva Radu Comes
George A. Tsihrintzis Ramin Soltanmohammadi
Georgios Kokkonis Rita Panaoura
Georgios Pappas Rohith Venkatakrishnan
Giandomenico Caruso Satoshi Saga
Giuseppe Del Core Seung-Yoon Rhee
Gloria Cerasela Crisan Shulan Lu
Gorazd Bombek Silvia Parusheva
Grigori Evreinov Stan Andrei
Hongjun Li Stefano Filippi
Hyunsu Lee Stelios Xinogalos
Igor Vujović Stephan Schlögl
Ilona Heldal Steve Glass
Ines Radanović Stylianos Mystakidis
Isabella Poggi Tao Zhang
Ismo Rakkolainen Teerath Kumar
Jakub Swacha Tihomir Orehovački
James C. L. Chow Todorka Glushkova
Jan Skalka Tom Garner
Javier Orozco-Messana Trojnacki Maciej
Jeffrey Bakken Vasile-Daniel Pavaloaia
Jerzy Balicki Victor-Alexandru Briciu
Jesús Ángel Román Gallego Vivek Kumar
Jie Zhang Wolfgang Leister
Joe Hasei Xenophon Zabulis
Johannes Huwer Yanhong Peng
José Cravino Yulia Stukalina
José Fernández-Cerero Zhonglin Lin
José L. Rodríguez Zsuzsanna Bacsi

24 January 2025
Meet Us at the 30th Annual ACM Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces, 24–27 March 2025, Cagliari, Italy


Conference: 30th Annual ACM Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces
Date: 24–27 March 2025
Location: Cagliari, Italy

MDPI will be attending the 30th Annual ACM Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces as an exhibitor which will be held from 24 to 27 March 2025. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

The 30th Annual ACM Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces (ACM IUI) 2025 provides an ideal platform for leading researchers and practitioners to meet and discuss the state-of-the-art advances at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and human–computer interaction (HCI). Ideal IUI submissions should address practical HCI challenges using machine intelligence and explore both the computational and human-centric aspects of such methodologies, techniques, and systems.

The theme for IUI 2025 is “sustainability”, covering a wide variety of topics, such as intelligent user interfaces allowing for social inclusion, interactive intelligent systems for environmental sustainability, human control of energy management or resource conservation, behavioral changes, and data-driven decision-making for environmental monitoring.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://iui.acm.org/2025/index.html.

24 January 2025
International Day of Education—AI and Education: Human Agency in an Automated World, 24 January 2025


Education is a fundamental right and a powerful driver of equity, justice, and sustainable development. It opens pathways to opportunity, fosters critical thinking, and empowers individuals to make meaningful contributions to society.

On International Day of Education, we reflect on the transformative power of education in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. This day serves as a call to action for accessible, inclusive education for all, regardless of age, gender, and background. As we pursue global progress, it is essential to tackle the systemic barriers that prevent millions from accessing quality education—such as poverty, discrimination, and a lack of technological infrastructure. By prioritizing inclusive and innovative educational systems, we can nurture engaged, resilient, and informed communities capable of confronting urgent global issues like climate change, social inequality, and environmental sustainability.

In celebration of this day, we invite you to explore a curation of insightful articles, journals, and Special Issues across various fields, including education sciences, social sciences, and sustainability. By sharing these findings, we hope to inspire transformative educational policies, advocate for more inclusive practices, and contribute to a more sustainable and compassionate global society.

Reading Comprehension in Older Adults—Effects of Age, Educational Level, and Reading Habits
by Bernardo Riffo, Carlos Rojas, Andrea Helo, Mónica Véliz, Paula Urzúa, Gloria Gutierrez and Ernesto Guerra
J. Intell. 2025, 13(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence13010004

Generative AI in Education: Assessing Usability, Ethical Implications, and Communication Effectiveness
by Maria Matsiola, Georgios Lappas and Anastasia Yannacopoulou
Societies 2024, 14(12), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14120267

Metacognition About Collaborative Learning: Students’ Beliefs Are Inconsistent with Their Learning Preferences
by Yunfeng Wei, Nicholas C. Soderstrom, Michelle L. Meade and Brandon G. Scott
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111104

Education for Sustainable Development: What Matters?
by Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniș, Dan Gheorghe Păun, Oliva M. D. Martins, Artur J. Santos and Laura Urdeș
Sustainability
2024, 16(21), 9493; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219493

“SHIELDing” Our Educators: Comprehensive Coping Strategies for Teacher Occupational Well-Being
by Joy C. Nwoko, Emma Anderson, Oyelola A. Adegboye, Aduli E. O. Malau-Aduli and Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14100918

Extended Reality Educational System with Virtual Teacher Interaction for Enhanced Learning
by Fotis Liarokapis, Vaclav Milata and Filip Skola
Multimodal Technol. Interact. 2024, 8(9), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/mti8090083

Exploring Social Skills in Students of Diverse Cultural Identities in Primary Education
by María Tomé-Fernández, Eva María Aranda-Vega and José Manuel Ortiz-Marcos
Societies 2024, 14(9), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090158

Metacognitive Management of Attention in Online Learning
by Matthew Jensen Hays, Scott Richard Kustes and Elizabeth Ligon Bjork
J. Intell. 2024, 12(4), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence12040046

Interactive Learning with iPads and Augmented Reality: A Sustainability-Oriented Approach to Teaching Plastics Chemistry
by Sabrina Syskowski, Chantal Lathwesen, Nikolai Maurer, Antje Siol, Ingo Eilks and Johannes Huwer
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3342; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083342

Inclusive Teaching in Higher Education: Challenges of Diversity in Learning Situations from the Lecturer Perspective
by Rannveig Beito Svendby
Social Sciences 2024, 13(3), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13030140

Examining the Efficacy of ChatGPT in Marking Short-Answer Assessments in an Undergraduate Medical Program
by Leo Morjaria, Levi Burns, Keyna Bracken, Anthony J. Levinson, Quang N. Ngo, Mark Lee and Matthew Sibbald
Int. Med. Educ. 2024, 3(1), 32-43; https://doi.org/10.3390/ime3010004

Education for Environmental Citizenship in Pre-Service Teachers: Potentialities and Limitations of a Pedagogical Approach Applied at a Distance
by Elisabete Linhares and Pedro Reis
Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15411; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115411

Sustainability Education Across the Lifespan Innovative Theories and Practices for Designing and Evaluating Inclusive Educational Technology and Online Learning
Topics: Generative Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Agency in Teaching and Learning with Digital Technology: Opportunities and Challenges

International Day of Education Webinar 2025

Session 1: 24 January 2025, 11:00 a.m. CET
Session 2: 24 January 2025, 3:00 p.m. CET
Free to register for both sessions.
Recordings will be available on Sciforum shortly afterwards.

23 January 2025
Meet Us Online at the MDPI International Day of Education Webinar—Session 2, 24 January 2025


In celebration of the International Day of Education, which is celebrated on 24 January 2025, MDPI is delighted to announce a special webinar dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaboration among researchers, educators, and students. This event will explore inclusive, equitable, and innovative education strategies to ensure lifelong learning opportunities for all.

This webinar aims to connect members of the international open access community, encouraging them to share research findings, insights, and best practices. Together, we can contribute to building a more inclusive and sustainable future.

We warmly invite you to join us at the MDPI International Day of Education Webinar 2025. Let us come together to shape the future of education!

Title: MDPI International Day of Education Webinar 2025 | Session 2
Date: 24 January 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m.–4:55 p.m. (CET) | 9:00 a.m.–10:55 a.m. (EST)

This is a free webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.

Register for free:

Program:

Speaker/Presentation Time in CET Time in EST
Introduction 3:00–3:10 p.m. 9:00–9:10 a.m.
Dr. Heng Luo
“Improving blended learning through effective online discussion design: group size, role assignment, and timing”
3:10–3:30 p.m. 9:10–9:30 a.m.
Dr. Garry Hornby
“School-wide support for students with gifts and talents”
3:30–3:50 p.m. 9:30–9:50 a.m.
Prof. Dr. V. Scott. H. Solberg
“Social and emotional learning as foundation for future readiness”
3:50–4:10 p.m. 9:50–10:10 a.m.
Prof. Dr. Jerrell Cassady
“Building systemic solutions to support learners with academic anxieties”
4:10–4:30 p.m. 10:10–10:30 a.m.
Q&A Session 4:30–4:50 p.m. 10:30–10:50 a.m.
Closing of Webinar 4:50–4:55 p.m. 10:50–10:55 a.m.

Relevant Special Issues:

MTI
Innovative Theories and Practices for Designing and Evaluating Inclusive Educational Technology and Online Learning
Guest Editor: Dr. Julius Nganji
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025

Sustainability
Sustainability in Higher Education: Curriculum Design and Materials Development
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Ajda Fošner
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 2 April 2025

Societies
Sustainability Education Across the Lifespan
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Naomi T. Krogman and Prof. Dr. Susan A. O’Neill
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025

Social Sciences
Gender Equity in K-12 Education, Academia and Higher Education: A Global Perspective
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. James Etim
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025

Education Sciences
Agency in Teaching and Learning with Digital Technology: Opportunities and Challenges
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Irina Engeness and Prof. Dr. Siv M. Gamlem
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025

Journal of Intelligence
Cognitive, Emotional, and Social Skills in Students
Guest Editors: Dr. Cristian A. Rojas Barahona, Dr. Cristina Rodríguez and Prof. Dr. Roberto A. Ferreira
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2025

IME
Health Professions Education Advancements and Innovations—International Perspectives
Guest Editors: Dr. Douglas McHugh and Dr. Anthony Payne
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 26 January 2026

Topics:

Explainable AI in Education
Topic Editors: Dr. Guanfeng Liu, Dr. Karina Luzia, Dr. Luke Bozzetto, Dr. Tommy Yuan and Prof. Dr. Pengpeng Zhao
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
Topic Editors: Dr. Xin Zhao, Prof. Dr. Minna Rollins and Dr. Marco Carratù
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025

23 January 2025
Meet Us Online at the MDPI International Day of Education Webinar—Session 1, 24 January 2025


In celebration of the International Day of Education, which is celebrated on 24 January 2025, MDPI is delighted to announce a special webinar dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaboration among researchers, educators, and students. This event will explore inclusive, equitable, and innovative education strategies to ensure lifelong learning opportunities for all.

This webinar aims to connect members of the international open access community, encouraging them to share research findings, insights, and best practices. Together, we can contribute to building a more inclusive and sustainable future.

We warmly invite you to join us at the MDPI International Day of Education Webinar 2025. Let us come together to shape the future of education!

Title: MDPI International Day of Education Webinar 2025 | Session 1
Date: 24 January 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (CET) | 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. (CST Asia)

This is a free webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.

Register for free:

Program:

Speaker/Presentation Time in CET Time in CST Asia
Introduction 11:00–11:10 a.m. 6:00–6:10 p.m.
Dr. Albert Ziegler
“Growth Mindsets Revisited”
11:10–11:30 a.m. 6:10–6:30 p.m.
Prof. Mark C. Mifsud
“Empowering Future Generations: ESD in Education”
11:30–11:50 a.m. 6:30–6:50 p.m.
Dr. Sarit Ashkenazi
“Does Grade Matter? Effects of the Corona Closure on Mathematical Knowledge - The Case of Young Children with Mathematical Learning Disabilities”
11:50 a.m.–12:10 p.m. 6:50–7:10 p.m.
Prof. Dr. Helen Payne
“The BodyMind Approach for Students with Chronic Anxiety”
12:10–12:30 p.m. 7:10–7:30 p.m.
Q&A Session 12:30–12:55 p.m. 7:30–7:55 p.m.
Closing of Webinar 12:55–1:00 p.m. 7:55–8:00 p.m.

Relevant Special Issues:

MTI
Innovative Theories and Practices for Designing and Evaluating Inclusive Educational Technology and Online Learning
Guest Editor: Dr. Julius Nganji
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025

Sustainability
Sustainability in Higher Education: Curriculum Design and Materials Development
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Ajda Fošner
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 2 April 2025

Societies
Sustainability Education Across the Lifespan
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Naomi T. Krogman and Prof. Dr. Susan A. O’Neill
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025

Social Sciences
Gender Equity in K-12 Education, Academia and Higher Education: A Global Perspective
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. James Etim
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025

Education Sciences
Agency in Teaching and Learning with Digital Technology: Opportunities and Challenges
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Irina Engeness and Prof. Dr. Siv M. Gamlem
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025

Journal of Intelligence
Cognitive, Emotional, and Social Skills in Students
Guest Editors: Dr. Cristian A. Rojas Barahona, Dr. Cristina Rodríguez and Prof. Dr. Roberto A. Ferreira
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2025

IME
Health Professions Education Advancements and Innovations—International Perspectives
Guest Editors: Dr. Douglas McHugh and Dr. Anthony Payne
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 26 January 2026

Topics:

Explainable AI in Education
Topic Editors: Dr. Guanfeng Liu, Dr. Karina Luzia, Dr. Luke Bozzetto, Dr. Tommy Yuan and Prof. Dr. Pengpeng Zhao
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
Topic Editors: Dr. Xin Zhao, Prof. Dr. Minna Rollins and Dr. Marco Carratù
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025

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