Announcements

Prof. James O. Finckenauer is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Professorial Fellow at Rutgers University, USA, and serves as Session Chair of Session 1. Crime, Policing and Justice. With over 37 years of academic experience, he is a leading expert in organized crime and international criminal justice. He has authored numerous books and publications and has held prominent roles, including President of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and Director of the International Center at the U.S. National Institute of Justice. His research and teaching have had a global impact, with academic engagements across Europe, Asia, and beyond.

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?

My name is James O. Finckenauer, PhD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers—The State University of New Jersey.

2. What was the primary goal or inspiration for establishing this year’s conference theme?

To present recent research on some of the most cutting-edge social science issues we are facing today, and to provide a forum for new scholars to present their work to a global audience.

3. How do the sessions reflect the most pressing questions or emerging frontiers in the field today?

In inviting submissions, each session chair has delineated a scope of topics to be considered by potential presenters. This range encompasses both pressing questions and emerging frontiers.

4. How do you envision this conference, fostering collaboration or sparking new research directions among attendees?

It will provide an opportunity for scholars—both those who are up and coming, and those who are more established—to present their work to a worldwide audience. Unlike most conferences, which are limited in time and place, and which may entail travel expenses unaffordable to potential attendees, this online conference has none of those limitations. The potential reach is thus unlimited for both presenters and all other participants.

5. In your opinion, what are the most exciting or unanswered questions currently driving research in this field?

In the area of criminology and criminal justice, there is a perennial search for new ideas on how to better prevent and control crime and delinquency. Especially challenging is the evolving nature of crime in areas such as cybercrime and in the use of AI to commit crime, and also in transnational crime (crime that transcends national borders). This search is the underlying basis for the focus on “what works” as the theme of the crime and justice session.

6. What are you most looking forward to at this year’s conference?

A lively discussion and questions that challenge conventional thinking and provoke interest in new areas of research.

7. What are the most important qualities of an outstanding researcher?

Perhaps two of the most important qualities of a good research scientist—and I include any scientist in any subject area—are to be open minded and also to be aware of one’s own biases.

8. Do you have any messages for the participants, young scholars, and future practitioners of this conference?

Yes, try to emulate and adopt those two qualities mentioned just above!

Introduction of IOCSS 2026:

• Conference date: 28–29 May 2026
• Deadline for registration: 25 May 2026

Conference chairs:

• Prof. Daniel McCarthy, (University of Surrey, Guildford, UK);
• Dr. Lawrence Ho, (National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei City, Taiwan).

More information: https://sciforum.net/event/IOCSS2026.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please get in touch with iocss2026@mdpi.com.

The International Day of Families is observed on 15 May every year. The Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 with resolution A/RES/47/237 and reflects the importance the international community attaches to families. The International Day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting families.

The theme of the 2026 observance, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing”, underscores how widening inequalities are shaping family life and influencing children’s futures. It calls for stronger investment in integrated, family-oriented policies to reduce disparities and support healthy child development.

In recognition of the International Day of Families, MDPI reaffirms its commitment to advancing high-quality research and protecting the integrity of family-centered studies. Through open access publishing, we support the dissemination of knowledge in the Social Sciences and Humanities—ensuring that critical insights into reducing inequalities and fostering child well-being are accessible to all, and empowering scholars to contribute to the ongoing evolution of equitable family structures and social progress.

Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Pan Wang University of New South Wales, Australia	Prof. Dr. John Bartkowski University of Texas at San Antonio, USA	Ms. Katherine Klee University of Texas at San Antonio, USA
Prof. Dr. Joseph G. Grzywacz San José State University, USA	Dr. Sampson Blair University of Santo Tomas, Philippines	Dr. Sviatlana Karpava University of Cyprus, Cyprus

Free to register for this webinar here!

““Caravans of Care”: Religiosity, Meaning in Life, and Family Functioning in Parental Burnout”
by Wioletta Tuszyńska-Bogucka and Roman Ryszard Szałachowski
Religions 2026, 17(2), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020147

“The Family in the Mirror: Generational Values and Attitudes of the Portuguese Regarding the Family”
by Eduardo Duque and José F. Durán Vázquez
Religions 2025, 16(9), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16091151

“The Long Arm of the Family: Family Role in Partner Selection Among Male Refugees in Germany”
by Irena Kogan, Jana Kuhlemann and Amrei Perleth
Populations 2025, 1(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/populations1020013

“Effect of Intensive Parenting Attitude on Maternal Well-Being and Self-Efficacy Among Japanese Housewives and Part-Time Working Mothers”
by Sonoko Egami
Psychol. Int. 2025, 7(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint7020047

“Fuzzy Non-Payment Risk Management Rooted in Optimized Household Consumption Units”
by Gregorio Izquierdo Llanes and Antonio Salcedo
Risks 2025, 13(4), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/risks13040074

“Barriers and Facilitators in Reaching and Supporting Parents with Intellectual Disabilities”
by Maroesjka Van Nieuwenhuijzen, Sanna Koet and Marcia Lever
Disabilities 2025, 5(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities5020035

“Fathers, Families, and Society: A Two-Decade Systematic Literature Review on the Contexts and Consequences of Paternity and Parental Leave for Fathers”
by Stéfanie André, Nola Cammu and Eline Meuleman
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(3), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14030168

“Contextualised, Not Neoliberalised, Approaches to Families in Five Countries: Quality and Practice”
by Marg Rogers, Fabio Dovigo, Astrid Mus Rasmussen, Khatuna Dolidze and Laura Doan
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(12), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120695

“The Role of Family Functioning in Over-Adaptation and Subjective Well-Being Among Japan’s Youth: The Moderating Effect of Gender Differences and Rumination”
by Mengting Zhang and Hiroshi Utsunomiya
Youth 2024, 4(4), 1787-1799; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth4040113

“Systematic Assessment of Family Service Barriers to Support Youth Engagement with Health and Social Care”
by Jeffrey Waid, Courtney Kutzler and Olivia Tomfohrde
Youth 2024, 4(3), 1364-1373; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth4030086

“Public Policy and Family Economic Stability: Fostering Security in Macroeconomic Instability” Guest Editors: Dr. Dylan Bellisle and Dr. Renada Goldberg Deadline for submissions: 30 September 2026	“Caregiving in Families of Adults with Disabilities” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Tamar Heller and Dr. Sumithra Murthy Deadline for submissions: 30 November 2026
“Family Contexts and STEM Identity Development in Childhood” Guest Editors: Dr. Remy Dou and Dr. Heidi Cian Deadline for submissions: 7 January 2027	“Creating a Robust Spirituality in Family and Relational Life in a Challenging World” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Suzanne Coyle Deadline for submissions: 15 February 2027

MDPI is pleased to announce a special webinar in celebration of International Day of Families on 15 May 2026. This event aims to raise awareness of the vital role families play in society and explore the social, economic, and demographic factors that influence family well-being across the world. It also seeks to highlight the importance of family-oriented policies in promoting equality, supporting child development, and fostering sustainable social progress.

Date: 15 May at 4:00 p.m. CEST | 10:00 p.m. CST Asia | 9:00 a.m. CDT
Webinar ID: 851 6580 3522

Register now for free.

Program

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

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

Webinar Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Pan Wang, Associate Professor, Chinese and Asian Studies, Deputy Education Convenor, HAL;
• Prof. Dr. John Bartkowski, Department of Sociology and Demography, University of Texas at San Antonio; San Antonio, Texas, United States;
• Ms. Katherine Klee, Lead Evaluator, Bartkowski & Associates Research Team; San Antonio, Texas, United States;
• Prof. Dr. Joseph G. Grzywacz, Associate Dean of Research, College of Health and Human Sciences, San Jose State University;
• Dr. Sampson Blair, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines;
• Dr. Sviatlana Karpava, Associate Professor, Chinese and Asian Studies, Deputy Education Convenor, HA Department of English Studies, University of Cyprus, Cyprus.

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

Conference: The Ninth Annual Conference of the European Academy of Religion (EuARe 2026)
Organization: The European Academy of Religion
Date: 30 June–3 July 2026
Place: LUISS—Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli, Rome, Italy

MDPI journals will be attending EuARe 2026 as exhibitors. This meeting will be held in Rome, Italy, from 30 June to 3 July 2026.

The European Academy of Religion (EuARe) is a research initiative launched under the high patronage of the European Parliament, offering an exchange platform to scholars, universities, centers, research infrastructures, scientific journals and publishers from Europe and surrounding regions.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Religions;
• Histories;
• Arts;
• Culture;
• Humanities;
• Humans;
• Social Sciences;
• World;
• Genealogy.

If you will be attending this conference, please feel free to start a 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://www.europeanacademyofreligion.org/euare2026.

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

We are pleased to present the MDPI Academic Publishing Workshop, organized in collaboration with Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi. This joint initiative underscores a shared vision for fostering interdisciplinary research that addresses pressing global sustainability issues through creative methodologies, cross-sector partnerships, and impactful solutions.

Rooted in a shared dedication to researcher development, this workshop is designed to support the academic community at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi. Attendees will gain insights into current trends in sustainability, open access publishing, and direct interaction with journal editors and publishing experts. With a special focus on early-career researchers and innovators, the session aims to equip participants with practical skills to elevate the reach of their research and cultivate lasting international collaborations.

Date: 12 May 2026
Time: 9:00–12:00 p.m.
Location: Lecture 3, Faculty of Liberal Arts
Language: Thai
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TG88QNG

Chair

Supit Boonlab is an Assistant Professor and serves as the Vice Dean for research development, and academic services at the Faculty of Liberal Arts. She earned her PhD degree in public administration. She specializes in public administration, leadership, and public policy, focusing on local governance, education management, and digital citizenship. Her significant contributions include developing structural equation models for policy and education systems, advancing digital-era learning frameworks, and promoting sustainable community and governance innovations in Thailand.

MDPI Speakers:
	Dr. Krit Inthajak obtained his PhD in engineering and technology from Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University. He joined MDPI in March 2020 as an Assistant Editor for Molecules. He was appointed as a Section Managing Editor in 2021 and worked as a Group Leader from 2021 to 2024. He is now one of MDPI’s Regional Journal Relations Specialists for the Asia–Pacific region.
	Dr. Juthathip Poofery holds a PhD in biochemistry from the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. She began working at MDPI in 2021 as an Assistant Editor for Medicina and advanced to the position of Section Managing Editor in 2022. Since 2023, Dr. Poofery has been serving as the Group Leader of the “Medical Science” Section, where she oversees editorial operations and contributes to the advancement of research in the field.
	Ms. Hathaipat Kittirojana obtained her master’s degree in food science and biotechnology from Teesside University. She joined MDPI in December 2020 as an Assistant Editor for the Journal of Imaging. She was appointed as a Section Managing Editor in March 2023 and a Regional Journal Relations Specialist for the Asia–Pacific region in July 2024.
	Dr. Siriporn Tantiwatcharothai obtained her PhD in applied chemistry from the Faculty of Science, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. She joined MDPI in December 2022 as an Assistant Editor for Catalysts. In 2024, she was promoted to Section Managing Editor, and as of April 2025, she has been serving as the Chief Section Managing Editor. And she is currently one of MDPI’s Regional Journal Relations Specialists for the Asia–Pacific region.

MDPI will be attending the 76th Annual ICA Conference (ICA 2026), held from 4 to 8 June 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. Under the theme of “Communication and Inequalities in Context”, this flagship global gathering brings together communication scholars, practitioners, and students to critically examine how communication intersects with inequality across diverse social, cultural, and geographical settings.

ICA 2026 will address deep societal divisions and persistent interpersonal, institutional, and structural inequalities that shape modern life, exploring how unequal access to political, economic, social, and communication resources will drive global disparities. The conference will also discuss inequalities within communication research itself, such as gender gaps in publication, language barriers for non-English-speaking scholars, the under-representation of Global South knowledge, and ongoing calls to de-Westernize the field.

As one of the world’s largest academic events in communication studies, ICA 2026 will offer a vital platform for sharing cutting-edge research, fostering international collaboration, and advancing more equitable and inclusive scholarship.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Journalism and Media;
• Societies;
• Social Sciences;
• Publications;
• Genealogy;
• Languages.

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.