[ARC Journal] Call for Submissions

Call for Submissions

ARC Journal Religion and Social Communication, Vol. 21, No. 2 (2023)

Theme

Religious Communication and the Technological Future: Prospects, Concerns, and Responses

The release of ChatGPT in November 2022 has generated significant interest in and debates about Artificial Intelligence-powered chatbots among tech companies, innovators, social scientists, and consumers. Along with this groundbreaking innovation, we can expect numerous technological advancements in the coming years that promise to revolutionize human society across multiple levels and in every area of life. The further development and propagation of technologies such as Web 3.0, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), Extended Reality (XR), and Metaverse are expected to fundamentally change the way information is produced, disseminated, and acquired, and also lead to unprecedented decentralization of existing social, political, and religious structures. These developments will significantly impact the nature and perception of truth, religious or otherwise, and have other ethical, moral, and social implications in this new technological future. 

Against this backdrop, the Asian Research Center invites submissions for the Journal Religion and Social Communication in the form of research papers and book reviews related to this theme. Researchers can explore topics such as: 

• the impact of technological advancements on religion, religiosity, and religious practices;
• expected religious trends;
• religious ontologies and the nature of religious thought;
• ramifications for religious communication;
• the status, perception, establishment, and communication of religious truth(s);
• religious prophetic voices to affect the course of technological development;
• the role of religious leaders and communicators in anticipating these developments;
• challenges and opportunities for religion;
• and religion's preparation and religious formation in anticipation of the technological future.

Papers appropriate to this theme should explore future prospects by analyzing current trends in technological development and anticipated realities, going beyond past and present realities. Investigations can employ various approaches such as philosophical, theological, anthropological, sociological, psychological, etc. We welcome submissions from diverse religious perspectives that offer a range of ideas and thoughts related to this shared concern. 

All research articles undergo a double blind (triple per request from author) peer review process. Authors whose papers are selected for publication may also be invited to participate in ARC’s 14th International Roundtable in 2023 (2-3 November), which will have the same theme.

Deadline for submission is 15 July 2023 (Expected publication date is December 2023). Authors may submit an abstract (before the deadline) for a preliminary review before submitting the full paper. Extensions can be granted on a per request basis. 

Please refer to our submission guidelines for details on how to prepare the manuscript: (https://asianresearchcenter.org/about/journal-policies) 

For further details, please email: arcstjohns.bkk@gmail.com.