Announcements

MDPI is delighted to announce the establishment of the Michele Parrinello Award. Named in honor of Professor Michele Parrinello, the award celebrates his exceptional contributions and his profound impact on the field of computational physical science research.

The award will be presented biennially to distinguished scientists who have made outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of computational physical science—spanning physics, chemistry, and materials science.

About Professor Michele Parrinello

"Do not be afraid of new things. I see it many times when we discuss a new thing that young people are scared to go against the mainstream a little bit, thinking what is going to happen to me and so on. Be confident that what you do is meaningful, and do not be afraid, do not listen too much to what other people have to say.”

——Professor Michele Parrinello

Born in Messina in 1945, he received his degree from the University of Bologna and is currently affiliated with the Italian Institute of Technology. Professor Parrinello is known for his many technical innovations in the field of atomistic simulations and for a wealth of interdisciplinary applications ranging from materials science to chemistry and biology. Together with Roberto Car, he introduced ab initio molecular dynamics, also known as the Car–Parrinello method, marking the beginning of a new era both in the area of electronic structure calculations and in molecular dynamics simulations. He is also known for the Parrinello–Rahman method, which allows crystalline phase transitions to be studied by molecular dynamics. More recently, he has introduced metadynamics for the study of rare events and the calculation of free energies.

For his work, he has been awarded many prizes and honorary degrees. He is a member of numerous academies and learned societies, including the German Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften, the British Royal Society, and the Italian Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, which is the major academy in his home country of Italy.

Award Committee

The award committee will be chaired by Professor Xin-Gao Gong, a computational condensed matter physicist, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and professor at the Department of Physics, Fudan University. Professor Xin-Gao Gong will lead a panel of several senior experts in the field to oversee the evaluation and selection process. The Institute for Computational Physical Sciences at Fudan University (Shanghai, China), led by Professor Xin-Gao Gong, will serve as the supporting institute for the award.

"We hope the Michele Parrinello Award will recognize scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of computational condensed matter physics and at the same time set a benchmark for the younger generation, providing clear direction for their pursuit—this is precisely the original intention behind establishing the award."

——Professor Xin-Gao Gong

The first edition of the award was officially launched on 1 November 2025. Nominations will be accepted before the end of March 2026. For further details, please visit mparrinelloaward.org.

About the MDPI Sustainability Foundation and MDPI Awards

The Michele Parrinello Award is part of the MDPI Sustainability Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing sustainable development through scientific progress and global collaboration. The foundation also oversees the World Sustainability Award, the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award, and the Tu Youyou Award. The establishment of the Michele Parrinello Award will further enrich the existing award portfolio, providing continued and diversified financial support to outstanding professionals across various fields. 

In addition to these foundation-level awards, MDPI journals also recognize outstanding contributions through a range of honors, including Best Paper Awards, Outstanding Reviewer Awards, Young Investigator Awards, Travel Awards, Best PhD Thesis Awards, Editor of Distinction Awards, and others. These initiatives aim to recognize excellence across disciplines and career stages, contributing to the long-term vitality and sustainability of scientific research.

Find more information on awards here.

We are honored to recognize the 2024 MDPI Top 1000 Reviewers—scholars whose exemplary commitment to rigorous and constructive peer review is vital in upholding the highest standards of academic publishing.

Selected from a distinguished pool of 215,000 reviewers from 65 countries and regions worldwide, these honorees stand out for their exceptional expertise, diligence, and dedication to advancing research through timely and thoughtful reviews. Their constructive and impartial feedback ensures the publication of high-quality, impactful research, while their timely reviews facilitate swift revisions and faster publication of innovative work.

Peer review is the invisible foundation of academic progress. With gratitude and respect, we celebrate these 1000 scholars who made that foundation stronger in 2024. We respected all privacy preferences, with part of nominees opting for limited attribution.

The names of these reviewers are listed below in alphabetical order by first name:

In order to further enhance the international influence of Societies (ISSN: 2075-4698) and support the Editorial Board with additional expertise, Societies is inviting interested and eligible researchers from academia to apply for Editorial Board membership.

Editorial Board Members will hold the position for two years, with the possibility of renewal for a second term.

Application eligibility:

• Researchers must have completed their doctorate/Ph.D. in the past 10 years (considering exceptions for career interruptions, including medical and family leave);
• Researchers must have served as the first author/corresponding author on at least five peer-reviewed and published manuscripts in the last five years;
• Researchers must have published impactful work in the field of sociology;
• Researchers must currently (at the time of application) hold a Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, or Professor title in academia;
• Researchers must be actively engaged in their community (e.g., experienced at presenting at conferences or involved in professional organizations).

 Benefits for Editorial Board Members include the following:

• A certificate of appointment as an Editorial Board Member will be provided;
• An Editorial Board Member may publish one paper per year, free of charge, in an open access format;
• The journal will regularly acknowledge those who have participated in the peer review process on the journal’s website;
• There will be opportunities to participate in or host annual meetings and online seminars organized by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board Members.

 Responsibilities of Editorial Board Members include the following:

• An Editorial Board Member is asked to review a couple of manuscripts per year and make decisions (i.e., whether to accept or reject them for publication);
• An Editorial Board Member may also write papers for the journal or serve as a Guest Editor of a Special Issue related to their research interests;
• The Editorial Office will seek advice from the Editorial Board whenever this is necessary or productive.

Applications:
Please fill in the application form here.

Please send the application form and your resume to societies@mdpi.com
with the subject “Societies Editorial Board Application + Name”.

Application deadline: 15 May 2025.

Selection process:
The initial screening of application materials will be followed by selection by the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board Members; an email notification will follow, and thereafter a certificate of appointment will be issued.

We are pleased to announce updates to our article template, aimed at improving the readability and visual appeal of our publications. The following updates will be applied to articles published in volumes in 2026, starting from 19 December 2025.

Left information bar:

• Updated the logo and URL for “Check for updates”;
• Removed the “Citation” section (Note: Citation details remain accessible via “Cite” in the online article version);
• Changed the link in “Copyright” to a hyperlink format.

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• Added a DOI link at the bottom-right corner of each page.

The updated template is now available for download from the Instructions for Authors page of each journal.

We hope that the new version of the template will provide users with better experience and make the process more convenient.

For any questions or suggestions, please contact our production team at production@mdpi.com.

Human Rights Day is observed annually around the world on 10 December. It commemorates the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being—regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

In this period of turbulence and unpredictability, where many feel a growing sense of insecurity, disaffection, and alienation, the theme of Human Rights Day is to reaffirm the values of human rights and show that they remain a winning proposition for humanity. Through this campaign, we aim to re-engage people with human rights by showing how they shape our daily lives, often in ways we may not always notice. Too often taken for granted or seen as abstract ideas, human rights are the essentials that we rely on every day.

To commemorate this day, we invite you to engage with a collection of thought-provoking journals, articles, and Special Issues spanning diverse fields such as human rights law, social justice, gender equality, refugee and migrant rights, and civil liberties. By sharing these insights, we aim to honor, advance, and celebrate the universal principles of human rights, and transform this knowledge into meaningful dialogues and actions that will foster a more just, equitable, and compassionate world for all.

“The Role of Assessment in Improving Education and Promoting Educational Equity”
by Irit Levy-Feldman
Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020224

“Social Work and Human Rights: Uncrossed Paths Between Exposure, Engagement, Lens, and Methods in Professional Practice”
by Maria Irene Carvalho, Cristina Albuquerque and Pedro Borrego
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14010014

“Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Services for Young Women with and Without Disabilities During a Pandemic”
by Jill Hanass-Hancock, Ayanda Nzuza, Thesandree Padayachee, Kristin Dunkle, Samantha Willan, Mercilene Tanyaradzwa Machisa and Bradley Carpenter
Disabilities 2024, 4(4), 972-995; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4040060

“On the Human in Human Dignity”
by Isaac E. Catt
Philosophies 2024, 9(5), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies9050157

“Human Rights and Territories: Academic Perceptions of the 2030 Agenda”
by Jesús Delgado-Baena, Juan de Dios García-Serrano, Laura Serrano and José Tomás Diestre Mejías
Societies 2024, 14(6), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060083

“An International Data-Based Systems Agency IDA: Striving for a Peaceful, Sustainable, and Human Rights-Based Future”
by Peter G. Kirchschlaeger
Philosophies 2024, 9(3), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies9030073

“A Pioneer Tool to Reduce Restrictive Practices toward People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities”
by Victoria Sánchez-Gómez, Miguel Ángel Verdugo, Manuela Crespo and Amalia San Román
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(4), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14040344

“Taking Back Control: Human Rights and Human Trafficking in the United Kingdom”
by Todd Landman, Ben Brewster and Sara Thornton
Societies 2024, 14(4), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14040047

“Rethinking Dignity and Exploitation in Human Trafficking and Sex Workers’ Rights Cases”
by William Paul Simmons
Societies 2024, 14(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14020016

“Human Rights-Based Intersex Healthcare: Using Hospital Data to Quantify Genital and Reproductive Surgery on Children in Aotearoa New Zealand”
by Katrina Roen, Claire Breen and Ashe Yee
Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(12), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12120660

“A Post-Secular Approach to Managing Diversity in Liberal Democracies: Exploring the Interplay of Human Rights, Religious Identity, and Inclusive Governance in Western Societies”
by Zakaria Sajir
Religions 2023, 14(10), 1325; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14101325

“Women’s Rights in Nigeria’s Indigenous Systems: An Analysis of Non-Discrimination and Equality under International Human Rights Law”
by Foluke Oluyemisi Abimbola, Stanley Osezua Ehiane and Roman Tandlich
Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(7), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12070405

“Personal Factors, Living Environments, and Specialized Supports: Their Role in the Self-Determination of People with Intellectual Disability”
by Eva Vicente, Patricia Pérez-Curiel, Cristina Mumbardó-Adam, Verónica M. Guillén and María-Ángeles Bravo-Álvarez
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(7), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13070530

“Participation, Legal Capacity, and Gender: Reflections from the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Project in Serbia”
by Holly Wescott, Delia Ferri and Malcolm MacLachlan
Disabilities 2023, 3(1), 129-146; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities3010010

“Child and Family Welfare Regimes and Policies in the Context of Migration, Multiculturalism, and Cultural Diversity” Guest Editor: Dr. Elitsa Dimitrova Submission deadline: 28 February 2026	“School Well-Being in the Digital Era” Guest Editors: Dr. Kwok Kuen Tsang and Dr. Ying Zhang Submission deadline: 31 March 2026
“Barriers to Learning and Participation in Educational Settings: Lights and Shadows Towards Inclusive Education” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Antonio-Manuel Rodríguez-García and Dr. Juan Carlos de la Cruz-Campos Submission deadline: 15 June 2026	“Intersections of Religion and Law: Freedom, Social Change, and Human Rights” Guest Editor: Dr. Nadirsyah Hosen Submission deadline: 1 August 2026

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed on 25 November, raises global awareness of violence against women and girls and promotes efforts to end it. Violence against women remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations, with nearly one in three women worldwide experiencing physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.

To contribute to awareness, research, and collaboration on this urgent issue, MDPI journals across Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences and Psychology provide platforms for sharing research and fostering scientific dialogue. Through these collective efforts, MDPI supports the pursuit of practical solutions and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by women and girls worldwide.

“Causal Factors of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG): Perspectives from the Brazilian Higher Education Students”
by Muhammad Qasim Rana, Angela Lee, José Fernando Rodrigues Bezerra, Lekan Damilola Ojo and Guilherme Hissa Villas Boas
Societies 2025, 15(9), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15090261

“Cumulative Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress: An Integrative Model of Coping and Resilience Among Women Exposed to Sexual and Conflict-Related Violence”
by Naama Bar, Stav Shapira and Orna Braun-Lewensohn
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2025, 15(6), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15060110

“From Policy Reform to Public Reckoning: Exploring Shifts in the Reporting of Sexual-Violence-Against-Women Victimizations in the United States Between 1992 and 2021”
by Jessica C. Fleming, Ashley K. Fansher and Ryan Randa
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050701

““If You Are Raped, You Are Like Secondhand”: Systemic Barriers to Reporting Sexual Violence Against School-Aged Girls in a Rural Community in Kenya”
by Leso Munala, Hannah Resendiz Olson and Courtney Johnson
Sexes 2025, 6(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes6010012

“The Role of Formal Schooling, Literacy, and Health Knowledge in Addressing Domestic Violence Against Women in West Africa”
by Amelia Van Komen and Hayley Pierce
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(11), 1492; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111492

“Back to Industry—Evaluating Women’s Return to Chartered Accreditation Post-Maternity in the Built Environment Sector Professions”
by Sinead Clarkson and Lucy Hind
Adm. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14090204

“Metaphors Describing the Gendered Organization in the Career Advancement of Women: An Integrative Review”
by Sara Rocio Huaman-Morillo, Kara Lynette Vander Linden and Patrick Albert Palmieri
Adm. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14090196

“The Intersection of Gender-Based Violence and Vulnerance in Pastoral Care”
by Ute Leimgruber
Religions 2024, 15(7), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15070776

“Institutional Solidarity in The Netherlands: Examining the Role of Dutch Policies in Women with Migration Backgrounds’ Decisions to Leave a Violent Relationship”
by Chloé Roegiers (Mayeux), Sawitri Saharso, Evelien Tonkens and Jonathan Darling
Societies 2023, 13(11), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13110243

“Choice of Non-Disclosure as Agency: A Systematic Review of Non-Disclosure of Sexual Violence in Girlhood in Africa”
by Doris Kakuru
Women 2023, 3(2), 322-334; https://doi.org/10.3390/women3020024

“Violence against Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Children to the Elderly”
by Cristina Soeiro, Rita Ribeiro, Iris Almeida, Rosa Saavedra, Sónia Caridade, Ana Oliveira and Manuela Santos
Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(2), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12020091

“Violence against Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico”
by Leonor Rivera Rivera, Marina Séris Martínez, Luz Myriam Reynales Shigematsu, José Alberto Gómez García, Fernando Austria Corrales, Filiberto Toledano-Toledano, Alberto Jiménez Tapia, Diana Iris Tejadilla Orozco and Claudia I. Astudillo García
Healthcare 2023, 11(3), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030419

“Factors Associated with Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Victimisation” Guest Editors: Dr. Megan L. Willis and Dr. Rebecca O’Reilly Submission deadline: 31 January 2026	“Impact of Rape and Sexual Violence on the Relationships of Survivors” Guest Editor: Dr. Buuma Maisha Submission deadline: 28 February 2026
“Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Yolanda Rodríguez Castro and Dr. Rosana Martínez-Román Submission deadline: 15 May 2026	“School Violence: A Study of Behavioral and Mental Health Risks Among Young People” Guest Editor: Dr. Mimar Ramis-Salas and Dr. Esther Roca Submission deadline: 15 September 2026

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide and improve children’s welfare. 20 November 1959 is an important date as it is when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Additionally, on the same date in 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

From the moment the sun rises, children wake up to a world shaped by choices they did not make. However, every child, everywhere, also wakes up with rights, including the right to be protected, to learn, and to have their voice heard. It is time to listen to children to understand what their lives are like and how their rights are present, missing, or pursued every day.

To commemorate this day, we invite you to explore a curation of insightful articles, journals, and Special Issues across various fields, including pediatric public health, childhood education, child psychology, and child development. By sharing these findings, we hope to advocate, promote, and celebrate children’s rights, and translate these findings into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.

Keynote speakers:

Dr. Amy Pan, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA	Prof. David Tzuriel Emeritus, Bar-Ilan University, Israel

Feel free to register for this webinar here!

We are honored to feature a series of insightful interviews with distinguished scholars dedicated to child-centered research, as they share their inspiring journeys and valuable perspectives on advancing children’s well-being, rights, and development in diverse global contexts.

	Name: Dr. Anna Di Sessa Affiliation: University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Italy “World Children’s Day serves as a crucial reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard and prioritize the health, rights, and well-being of children. As a researcher, it underscores the need to address the unique health challenges children face through evidence-based research. On a broader scale, it emphasizes the importance of creating a world where all children can thrive, free from poverty, violence, and neglect”. Please read the full interview here.
	Name: Dr. Diego Gomez-Baya Affiliation: University of Huelva, Spain “Programs to foster positive youth development should be active and participatory, allowing adolescents to take ownership of their own development. Likewise, measures that encourage greater civic and environmental engagement are equally necessary, hand in hand with the promotion of personal character strengths”. Please read the full interview here.
	Name: Dr. Graham Connelly Affiliation: University of Strathclyde, UK “We need to protect children from being harmed by conflict and provide the best care for children affected by strife, dislocation, famine and poverty. We need to fund international children’s agencies better, and yes, of course hold them to account for the funds they receive. There are very good examples, worldwide, of ways of consulting with children that are not tokenistic. I’d like to see these being expanded”. Please read the full interview here.

“Mucous Fistula Refeeding in Newborns: Why, When, How, and Where? Insights from a Systematic Review”
by Layla Musleh, Ilaria Cozzi, Anteo Di Napoli and Fabio Fusaro
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2490; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152490

“Our Children/Our Future: Examining How Indigenous Peoples in the US Assert Self-Determination and Prioritize Child Wellbeing”
by Meschelle Linjean and Hilary N. Weaver
Genealogy 2025, 9(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy9010026

“Machine Learning in Pediatric Healthcare: Current Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions”
by Hammad A. Ganatra
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(3), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14030807

“Developmental Patterns in Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Preschool Children”
by Maria Eugenia Martelli, Federica Gigliotti, Federica Giovannone, Giuliana Lentini, Filippo Manti and Carla Sogos
Children 2025, 12(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12020125

“Climate Action and the UNCRC: A ‘Postpaternalist’ World Where Children Claim Their Own Rights”
by Aoife Daly, Nabin Maharjan, Esther Montesinos Calvo-Fernández, Liesl Heila Muller, Emily Margaret Murray, Alicia O’Sullivan, Florencia Paz Landeira and Katie Reid
Youth 2024, 4(4), 1387-1404; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth4040088

“Understanding the Wellbeing Needs of First Nations Children in Out-of-Home Care in Australia: A Comprehensive Literature Review”
by Darren Garvey, Ken Carter, Kate Anderson, Alana Gall, Kirsten Howard, Jemma Venables, Karen Healy, Lea Bill, Angeline Letendre, Michelle Dickson and Gail Garvey
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(9), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091208

“A Systematic Review of Economic and Concrete Support to Prevent Child Maltreatment”
by Gretchen Cusick, Jennifer Gaul-Stout, Reiko Kakuyama-Villaber, Olivia Wilks, Yasmin Grewal-Kök
and Clare Anderson
Societies 2024, 14(9), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090173

“Family Functioning and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Gifted Children”
by Maria Assunta Zanetti, Tommaso Trombetta, Luca Rollè and Carlo Marinoni
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(5), 1171-1181; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14050077

“Impact of Sexual Abuse on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review”
by Ana Carolina Alves, Maria Leitão, Ana Isabel Sani and Diana Moreira
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(4), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13040189

“Challenges of Iron Chelation in Thalassemic Children”
by Alkistis Adramerina and Marina Economou
Thalass. Rep. 2024, 14(1), 1-9; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep14010001

“MIH and Dental Caries in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
by Marta Mazur, Denise Corridore, Artnora Ndokaj, Roman Ardan, Iole Vozza, Sylvie Babajko and Katia Jedeon
Healthcare 2023, 11(12), 1795; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121795

“Picture Books, Imagination and Play: Pathways to Positive Reading Identities for Young Children”
by Amanda Niland
Educ. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13050511

“Paying Attention to the Spiritual Flourishing of Young Children in Church Toddler Groups: A Scoping Study Evaluating the Feasibility of a Research Study in This Context”
by Ann Casson, Mary Woolley, Ann Pittaway, Tansy Watts, Nicola Kemp, Robert A. Bowie, Katie Clemmey
and Rosanne Aantjes
Religions 2023, 14(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14020236

“Mitigating the Impact of Maternal Mental Health Challenges on Children’s Development” Guest Editors: Dr. Nanmathi Manian and Prof. Dr. Pamela J. Surkan Submission deadline: 1 January 2026	“Early Childhood Education Policy: Impact on Children’s Well-Being and Development” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Nadia Siddiqui and Dr. Johny Daniel Submission deadline: 17 January 2026
“Substance Use and Child Welfare: Intersecting Crises” Guest Editors: Dr. Rebecca Gomez and Dr. Kasey Claborn Submission deadline: 31 January 2026	“Healthy Child, Healthy Adult—Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity as a Public Health Concern” Guest Editors: Dr. Lindsy Kass and Dr. Gillian McLellan Submission deadline: 28 February 2026
“Shaping Futures: Health Policy Innovations for Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children” Guest Editor: Dr. Ucheoma Nwaozuru Submission deadline: 15 June 2026	“Parenting in Context: Family Engagement in Promoting Child Development” Guest Editors: Dr. Joo Young Hong and Dr. Shinwoo Choi Submission deadline: 15 September 2026

The World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence, observed annually on 18 November, draws attention to the urgent need to protect children from sexual exploitation, abuse, and violence, and to support survivors in their healing journeys. In a world where millions of children, particularly girls, remain vulnerable to such violations both online and offline, ensuring their safety, dignity, and well-being is a global imperative.

In recognition of the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence, MDPI highlights the need to advance the understanding of child protection, trauma-informed care, and mechanisms for justice and rehabilitation. Open access publishing ensures that critical findings on the prevention of child sexual exploitation and abuse, evidence-based interventions, and survivor support are accessible to researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and communities worldwide. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting knowledge exchange, MDPI contributes to the global commitment to safeguard children, affirm their rights, and build a future where every child can grow free from violence and exploitation.

 “Risk Factors for Teen Dating Violence Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youths: A Systematic Review”
by Francesco Sulla, Giulia Fiorentino, Giuseppe La Selva, Nunzia Merafina, Salvatore Adam Leone and Lucia Monacis
Adolescents 2025, 5(3), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents5030037

“Intimate Partner Violence in Adolescent Girls: The Role of Impulsivity and Emotional Dysregulation”
by Iciar Iruarrizaga, Lorena Gutiérrez, Leticia Olave, Ana Estévez, José Antonio Muñiz, Janire Momeñe, Maria Dolores Chávez-Vera and Cecilia Peñacoba
Psychiatry Int. 2025, 6(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint6020041

“Collecting Research Evidence to Inform Programming to Tackle Violence Against Young Women and Girls: The Importance of Diverse Data for Policy Making”
by Dirk Schubotz, Siobhán McAlister and Gail Neill
Youth 2025, 5(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5010007

“Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children and Adolescents with Disabilities: A Systematic Review”
by Garazi Álvarez-Guerrero, Deborah Fry, Mengyao Lu and Konstantinos Kosmas Gaitis
Disabilities 2024, 4(2), 264-276; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4020017

“Impact of Sexual Abuse on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review”
by Ana Carolina Alves, Maria Leitão, Ana Isabel Sani and Diana Moreira
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(4), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13040189

“Victims of Child Grooming: An Evaluation in University Students”
by Patricia Alonso-Ruido, Iris Estévez, Bibiana Regueiro and Cristina Varela-Portela
Societies 2024, 14(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010007

“Experiences of Domestic Violence and Disability”
by Gayle Brewer and Calanthe Hendrikse
Disabilities 2023, 3(4), 550-561; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities3040035

“Psychosocial Traumatic Environments: A Clinical Case of Childhood Abuse”
by Carmen Amorim-Gaudêncio, Gisele Suminski Mendes and Lucas José Bacalhau Silveira
Sexes 2023, 4(3), 402-410; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes4030026

“Child Maltreatment and Links with Experiences of Interpersonal Violence in Sport in a Sample of Canadian Adolescents”
by Sylvie Parent, Camille Clermont, Stephanie Radziszewski, Tine Vertommen and Jacinthe Dion
Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(6), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12060336

“Early Educational Interventions to Prevent Gender-Based Violence: A Systematic Review”
by Lourdes Villardón-Gallego, Alba García-Cid, Ana Estévez, and Rocío García-Carrión
Healthcare 2023, 11(1), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11010142

“Interpersonal Violence Among Adolescents” Guest Editors: Dr. Sarah Buxbaum and Dr. Rima H. Tawk Deadline for submissions: 31 January 2026	“Decision-Making in Child Abuse and Neglect: Insights from Professionals’ Perspectives” Guest Editors: Dr. Merav Jedwab and Dr. Hanin Mordi Deadline for submissions: 29 April 2026

The field of social studies explores how individuals, communities, and institutions interact across time and space, while addressing the social issues that define contemporary life. In an era marked by inequality, rapid technological change, migration, environmental crises, and shifting political landscapes, the study of social structures and policies has become vital to understanding how societies evolve and how equitable solutions can be developed. This field not only examines human behavior and systems but also seeks to inform the creation of fairer, more inclusive, and more resilient communities.

Drawing on diverse disciplines such as sociology, political science, law, anthropology, economics, and psychology, Social Studies connects scholarship to real-world challenges including poverty, gender inequality, education reform, public health disparities, disability inclusion, and environmental justice. It emphasizes both critical analysis and practical engagement with public policy and social reform, encouraging collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.

At its heart, this field fosters inquiry, civic awareness, and ethical reflection. It invites scholars to interpret multiple perspectives and contribute to the shared goal of advancing social well-being. Through this journal cluster, we aim to strengthen dialogue and collaboration across disciplines, linking research on law, health, equity, environment, family, and identity to the urgent social and policy questions shaping our collective future.

The following are the seven participating journals:

• Challenges-Journal of Planetary Health (ISSN: 2078-1547) focuses on planetary health; human flourishing; climate change; biodiversity and natural ecology; food systems; regenerative economies; sustainable energies; technologies; planetary health education; and ethics, values, and spirituality. The journal is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Susan Prescott (1. School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Australia; 2. ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute at Perth Children’s Hospital, Australia; 3. NOVA Institute for Health of People, Places and Planet, USA);
• Disabilities (ISSN: 2673-7272) focuses on the physical, biopsychosocial, and environmental aspects of disability. The journal is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Reinie Cordier (Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Australia);
• Genealogy (ISSN: 2313-5778) focuses on family, generational, ethnic, ancestral, and national bonds. The journal is led by Editors-in-Chief Dr. Athena Leoussi (Department of Languages and Cultures, University of Reading, UK), Prof. Dr. Natividad Gutiérrez Chong (Institute of Social Research, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico), and Prof. Dr. Joanna Beata Michlic (UCL Institute for Advanced Studies, Centre for Collective Violence, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, University College London, UK);
• Laws (ISSN: 2075-471X) focuses on human rights, gender, environmental, refugee, and criminal law, among others. The journal is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Patricia Easteal (1. School of Law and Justice, University of Canberra, Australia; 2. Legal Light Bulbs, Australia);
• Sexes (ISSN: 2411-5118) focuses on the area of sexuality. The journal is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. David L. Rowland (Department of Psychology, Valparaiso University, USA);
• Social Sciences (ISSN: 2076-0760) focuses on sociology, social policy, social work, anthropology, criminology, etc. The journal is led by Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Prof. Nigel Parton (School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, UK);
• Societies (ISSN: 2075-4698) focuses on sociology and societal questions to enhance our understanding of the social realm throughout history. The journal is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Gregor Wolbring (Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada). 

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Selected Topics and Special Issues:

• “Planetary Health: Urgency and Agency for Systems Change. Including Submissions Associated with the 2025 Planetary Health Annual Meeting (PHAM2025)”;
• “Transportation and Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities”;
• “Exploring Family Ancestral Histories Through Genetic Genealogy”;
• “Rethinking Law for Nonhuman Minds: AI Agents and the Transformation of Legal Fundamentals”;
• “Social, Structural and Behavioral Interventions for HIV Prevention”;
• “Labor, Health, and the Digital Divide: Leveraging Machine Learning for Social Equity”;
• “The Well-Being of Socially Vulnerable Groups in the Unsteadiness During Social Movements”.

Selected Articles:

• “Nature Connection: Providing a Pathway from Personal to Planetary Health”
• “The Power of Acceptance of Their Disability for Improving Flourishing: Preliminary Insights from Persons with Physical Acquired Disabilities”
• “Notes toward a Demographic History of the Jews”
• “Redefining Boundaries in the Metaverse: Navigating the Challenges of Virtual Harm and User Safety”
• “The Role of Breast Morphology in Women’s Rival Derogation Tactics”
• “Impacts of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Research Trends and Students’ Perceptions”
• “AI Tools in Society: Impacts on Cognitive Offloading and the Future of Critical Thinking”