Transactions of The Royal Society of South Africa: Special Issue Outline

OUTLINE:

Research into stress is implicitly interdisciplinary addressing the profound changes elicited by “good” and “bad” stressful conditions on the genetic and environmental fabric of our planet. The special issue “Stress: From Molecules to Society” seeks to provide a platform for researchers from diverse fields to come together and exchange insights into the impact of stress, spanning from molecular mechanisms to societal implications.

By focusing on this broad context, the special issue aims to:

1. Bridge disciplinary boundaries:
Stress research encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including molecular and developmental biology, medicine, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, social work, public health and environmental science. This special issue serves as a forum for scholars across these fields to collaborate and share their expertise, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.

2. Explore multifaceted perspectives:
Stress manifests differently at the molecular, individual, and societal levels. By bringing together research from these different perspectives, the special issue aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of stress and its complex interplay with biological, psychosocial, and environmental factors.

3. Address pressing challenges:
Stress-related conditions related to anxiety and depression, chronic diseases, the ageing process and the rapidly changing climate, pose significant challenges to individuals and societies worldwide. This special issue aims to address these challenges by featuring cutting-edge research on the etiology and treatment of stress-related conditions, as well as strategies for stress prevention and resilience building.

4. Address molecular mechanisms:
Many stress proteins or so-called heat shock proteins (HSPs) serve as molecular chaperones and play an important role in maintaining cellular proteostasis through the integration of protein folding and degradation pathways. HSPs are also linked to a range of non-communicable human disorders (e.g., cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disease, neurodegeneration, muscular dystrophies, and chronic heart failure) and infectious diseases (e.g., viral, microbial, and parasitic infections including malaria and trypanosomiasis), as well as mediating adaption of organisms to climate change. Contributions to this special issue will provide new insights into the mechanism of action of HSPs, deepen our understanding of their biological role in health, disease and adaption, and reveal novel HSP-based remedial opportunities.

5. Inform policy and practice:
By integrating research from diverse disciplines, the special issue seeks to inform policy-making and clinical practice in the fields of medicine, health and allied health, public health, mental health, social welfare and environmental science. By highlighting the societal implications of stress research, the special issue aims to contribute to the development of evidence-based interventions and policies aimed at reducing stress and promoting well-being at the individual and societal levels.

Overall, the special issue “Stress: From Molecules to Society” aims to advance our understanding of stress and its impact across different levels of analysis, from molecules to society, and to foster collaboration and innovation in stress research.

GUEST EDITORS:

Emeritus Professor Gregory L. Blatch, The University of Notre Dame Australia

Professor Adrienne L. Edkins, Rhodes University, South Africa

DATES:

Submission deadline: End of June 2024.

Deadlines for peer -review, revisions, and completion of proofs: End of Dec 2024.

Publication of Special issue: First issue of 2025.

ARTICLE PROCESSING CHARGES (APC):

The APC will be waived for the special issue for up to 3 months, meaning that the APC will be waived for any articles submitted within the first 3 months of the submission period (March-June 2024).