Abstract
It is often argued that technology evolves rapidly, and academic research is ‘behind the curve’, because by the time the research has been undertaken, verified and published, it is out of date. This is especially the case for journals that follow a robust per review process. Nevertheless, researchers are always exploring the latest trends, and embedding them in the concepts and theories of academic thought. As time passes, it is possible to look back over editions of a journal, like Information Polity, to see how trends have emerged. Often these trends involve subtle discourse adjustments driven by commercial and policy interests. So, in recent years we have seen the rise in the number of papers submitted on the topics of ‘smart cities’, ‘big data’, ‘open data’ and most recently ‘AI’. Of course, to make the journal relevant to contemporary issues we are keen to publish manuscripts on these topics, and often do so via the vehicle of special issues. Whilst these trending topics grab attention they sometimes do so at the expense of more mainstream less glamorous but extremely important studies – and Information Polity will always be a home for robust eGovernance research on any relevant topic.
So, what topics are trending now? What can we imagine seeing covered in future submissions to the journal? This, in part, is determined by funding agencies that seek to shape funded research to align with national priorities and global challenges. The following list, sets out some general topics in eGovernance research, it is not a conclusive list, and the topics are not mutually exclusive:
The use of Artificial Intelligence [AI] and Machine Learning [ML] in public policy and service delivery settings. A drive to ensure the ethical and accountable use of AI in public service contexts. The role of governmental technologies and data in addressing climate change and environmental sustainability issues. New and novel forms of data including synthetic data, as well as the merging of digital and biometric data. Using data and digital technologies to facilitate more resilient societal structures. How advances in quantum computing can be utilised for eGovernance purposes. The significance of cybersecurity and a secure digital infrastructure. Automation, robotics and smart manufacturing as relevant to public service contexts Data-driven Governance and how big data and analytics can be used to make more informed policy decisions, improve public service delivery, and engage with citizens. Digital Democracy and ensuring transparency in governmental decision-making processes. How digital technologies can contribute to national priorities relating to social inequality and justice. Education and training and reskilling of the public service workforce to take account of innovations in new digital technology and its potential uses. Evolving citizen-state interactions in a digitised society. How to regulate emerging technologies when their outcome and impacts are uncertain.
These topics reflect a growing focus on advanced digital technologies, their interaction with existing societal structures, and some of the most pressing challenges facing modern states today. They also offer up lots of opportunities for eGovernance research, which we hope to see published in Information Polity. The perspectives and academic depth represented by the scholarly community that publishes in our journal has a lot to offer in conceptualising and comprehending these trends, and in understanding and researching their consequences and impacts.
Also trending at the moment, is the journal Information Polity itself. Since the publication of an impact factor in 2023, the submission of manuscripts has gone up by over 100%. This has resulted in an increase in desk rejections and also increased workloads for the Associate Editors and Reviewers. Our most recent impact factor, for 2025, has risen by over a third to 1.8. This is still a modest figure, but the speed of change is significant. Given the trends in eGovernment listed above we can only imagine that our journal will be an important avenue for the publication of contemporary research on these matters.