WIREDGOV

Call for Papers 
Special Edition on Freedom of Information and Open Government

 Information Polity: The International Journal of Governance and Democracy in the Information Age

Concerns with ‘freedom of information’ have a historical provenance reaching back across the centuries. Today, as Governments throughout the world grapple with declining public trust and disengagement, freedom of information is perceived as delivering new opportunities to strengthen the transparency and accountability of public institutions in ways that could revitalise citizen engagement within the public policy and decision-making processes. What benefits and challenges has freedom of information brought to bear, though, and how have these been manifest in different international and governmental settings? How significant are new information and communication technologies in the effective delivery of freedom of information? Has freedom of information brought new imperatives to bear on the way that information is managed? What is the future for freedom of information in an era of budgetary constraint? Is freedom of information a good thing? How is freedom of information used by citizens and other stakeholders? As public services are increasingly delivered through complex multi-agency networks involving public sector bodies, private sector firms, and third sector organisations should coverage of freedom of information be extended? These questions are illustrative of the issues that contributions may address. Despite the significance of freedom of information there remains a dearth of substantive, relevant scholarly research and critical debate. This call for papers for a Special Edition focussing on a freedom of information and open government to be published in Information Polity: the International Journal of Governance and Democracy in the Information Age will bring together in a one or two volume edition a number of high quality, refereed articles.

Relevant articles from international and comparative perspectives are welcomed from across the social sciences and humanities. Theoretical and polemical articles will be welcome, as well as those deriving from research and practice. The Special Edition will also consider articles that provide robust and critical reviews of the existing freedom of information literature, as well as authoritative, well-researched case studies. Articles that offer strong, critical commentary on the extent to which Internet and Web-based information and communication technologies are shaping freedom of information and open government are highly relevant. It is anticipated that some papers will engage with freedom of information as a broad gauge idea or concept in the style of ‘open government’, while others will adopt a more specific focus and interpretation on ‘freedom of information’ per se.

Articles submitted for consideration must be written in English. Academic articles should normally not exceed 6000 words in length including all footnotes. Case studies will not normally exceed 4000 words. Well regarded by international scholars, Information Polity: the International Journal of Governance and Democracy in the Information Age is a well established journal, now in its 15^th volume. It operates on the basis of double-blind reviewing involving at least two expert reviewers. All papers submitted for consideration in the Special Edition will be subject to this reviewing process.

For further information about the journal and manuscript style guidelines please see http://www.iospress.nl/loadtop/load.php?isbn=15701255 

Timetable

July 2010
Invitations/call for papers

31^st September 2010
Papers received and submitted for review

30^th November 2010
Reviewer comments received and returned to authors

31^st January 2011
Revised papers for review received and re-submitted to reviewers

31^st March 2011
Reviewer comments received. Authors notified of Editorial decision.

30th April 2011
Special Edition to Editor-in-Chief, Information Polity

Publication – Summer edition 2011

Manuscripts for review should be emailed to Dr Eleanor Burt,

Editor Special Edition,

Email: eb19@st-andrews.ac.uk

Tel: 01334 462804

School of Management,
University of St Andrews ,
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9SS