Safety Science serves as an international medium for research in the science and technology of human and industrial safety. It extends from safety of people at work to other spheres, such as transport, energy or infrastructures, as well as every other field of man's hazardous activities.

Safety Science is multidisciplinary. Its contributors and its audience range from social scientists to engineers. The journal covers the physics and engineering of safety; its social, policy and organizational aspects; the assessment, management and communication of risks; the effectiveness of control and management techniques for safety; standardization, legislation, inspection, insurance, costing aspects, human behavior and safety and the like.

Papers addressing the interfaces between technology, people and organizations are especially welcome.

Safety Science will enable academic researchers, engineers and decision-makers in companies, government agencies and international bodies, to augment their information level on the latest trends in the field, from policy-makers and management scientists to engineers.

The journal focuses primarily on original research papers across its whole scope, but also welcomes state-of-the-art review papers and first-hand case histories on accidents and disasters of special significance and discussion papers on hot topics.

Special Issue on HRO-40: High Reliability Organizations: Reflecting on 40 Years of Research and Charting Future Directions
Submission Date: 2025-12-31

Safety Science invites submissions for a forthcoming special issue focused on High Reliability Organizations (HROs). For four decades, HRO research has shaped our understanding of how complex, high-risk systems achieve exceptional safety and performance under uncertainty. This special issue aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of HRO theory and practice—reflecting on past accomplishments, analyzing current methodologies, and forecasting future challenges and innovations within high-stakes environments. We welcome papers that offer new insights, foster critical discussions, and present novel research findings related to the design, management, and sustainability of high-reliability systems. Contributions that revisit foundational HRO principles, assess their relevance in contemporary settings, and propose innovative research directions to advance safety and resilience are highly encouraged.

Guest editors:

Rune Storesund 
Director & Principal Researcher (SafeR3), Kensington, CA, United States

Carl Macrae 
University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom

Peter Martelli 
Suffolk University Sawyer Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Special issue information:

We are particularly interested in manuscripts that address the following themes:

1. Evolution of HRO Theory and Practice: Papers that explore the historical development of HRO principles and their application across various sectors.
2. Case Studies in HRO: Empirical studies that provide insights into the operational success and challenges faced by organizations reputed for their high reliability.
3. Technological Advances and HRO: Discussion on how emerging technologies like AI and IoT are integrated into HRO practices, and their impact on reliability and safety.
4. Cultural and Organizational Dynamics: Analyses that examine the role of organizational culture, leadership, and team dynamics in fostering or hindering high reliability.
5. Policy and Governance in HRO: Research on how legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks influence HRO practices and their effectiveness.
6. Future Directions in HRO Research: Identification of new research areas, including the implications of global trends and economic pressures on HRO strategies.

Manuscript submission information:

The submission portal will be open on 1 June 2025.
Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

You are invited to submit your manuscript at any time before the submission deadline. For any inquiries about the appropriateness of contribution topics, please contact Dr. Rune Storesund via rune@safer3.world.

The journal’s submission platform (Editorial Manager®) is now available for receiving submissions to this Special Issue. Please refer to the Guide for Authors to prepare your manuscript, and select the article type of “VSI: HRO-40” when submitting your manuscript online. Both the Guide for Authors and the submission portal could be found on the Journal Homepage here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/safety-science

All the submissions deemed suitable to be sent for peer review will be reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. Upon its editorial acceptance, your article will go into production immediately. It will be published in the latest regular issue, while be presented on the specific Special Issue webpage simultaneously. In regular issues, Special Issue articles will be clearly marked and branded.

Keywords:

High Reliability Organizations (HROs); Organizational Resilience; Safety-Critical Systems; Risk Management; Human and Organizational Factors (HOFs); Technology and Safety; Leadership and Decision-Making; Regulatory Compliance and Governance; Operational R

Special Issue on Impact of generative artificial intelligence on transportation safety and resilience
Submission Date: 2025-12-31

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has gradually appeared in various industries. In the field of transportation, the rise of GAI is reshaping the safety and resilience of the transportation system. For example, through forecasting technology and intelligent decision-making system, potential risks can be identified in real time, which can give joint mitigation strategies in different transportation departments, including roads, railways, shipping and aviation. By using large amount of data from multiple sources, GAI enables development of new transportation risk assessment technology to improve the accuracy of threat detection, vulnerability analysis and system-wide resilience modeling.

In addition, GAI can significantly enhance operational flexibility by adaptively responding to interruptions caused by natural disasters, accidents or cyber threats. However, this technological progress has also brought great challenges, especially in the field of network security. GAI-driven transportation operations must resist emerging threats to prevent loopholes, which may endanger safety and system integrity from being exploited. Moreover, intelligent algorithm is very important to solve the problem of inefficiency and make the best decision in complex transportation environment.

This special issue aims to explore the influence of GAI on transportation safety and resilience. We welcome original research and review articles to study the potential benefits and risks of adopting GAI in transportation activities. We encourage GAI to contribute to enhancing predictive safety measures, improving operational flexibility, promoting risk management technology and improving the safety and integrity of transportation networks. Through this initiative, we seek to deepen our understanding of GAI’s evolving role in creating a safer, more resilience and adaptable global transportation system.

Guest editors:

Prof. You-Gan Wang
Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Guangdong, China

Prof. Shangce Gao
University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan

Dr. Huida Zhao
Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China

Dr. Chanjuan Liu
Shanghai Customs College, Shanghai, China

Dr. Jinran Wu
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Manuscript submission information:

The submission portal will be open on 1 May 2025.
The submission portal will be closed to further submissions on 31 December 2025.

You are invited to submit your manuscript at any time before the submission deadline. For any inquiries about the appropriateness of contribution topics, please contact Prof. You-Gan Wang via wangyg@gdufe.edu.cn.

The journal’s submission platform (Editorial Manager®) is now available for receiving submissions to this Special Issue. Please refer to the Guide for Authors to prepare your manuscript, and select the article type of “VSI: GAI-transportation safety” when submitting your manuscript online. Both the Guide for Authors and the submission portal could be found on the Journal Homepage here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/safety-science

All the submissions deemed suitable to be sent for peer review will be reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. Upon its editorial acceptance, your article will go into production immediately. It will be published in the latest regular issue, while be presented on the specific Special Issue webpage simultaneously. In regular issues, Special Issue articles will be clearly marked and branded.

Keywords:

Generative Artificial Intelligence
Predictive Analytics and Early Warning
GAI-driven Decision Support System
Transportation Risk Assessment Techniques
Cybersecurity in Transportation Operations
Intelligent Algorithm and Transportation Safety
Operational Resilience in Transportation Activity

Special Issue on STAMP at the Forefront: Exploring New Advancements in System Safety
Submission Date: 2026-02-02

This Special Issue delves into the Systems-Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP), a leading-edge framework for understanding and enhancing safety in complex systems and its tools such as STPA and CAST. With the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence, there's an emerging need for robust systems safety approaches to manage the complexities and potential risks introduced in modern systems. We invite contributions that explore new methodologies, applications, and tools within STAMP, addressing how they can be leveraged to prevent accidents in diverse sectors like aviation, automotive, healthcare, cybersecurity, and the process industry. Emphasizing both theoretical advancements and practical implementations, this collection aims to showcase the latest advancements in system safety, offering insights into STAMP's evolving role in shaping safer future technologies and practices, given the rapid evolution in modern complex systems. Join us in exploring the frontiers of system safety with STAMP.

Guest editors:

Dr. Ioannis Dokas
Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece

Prof. Mikela Chatzimichailidou
University College London, London, United Kingdom

Manuscript submission information:

The special issue will be open for submission on 2 June 2025.​
Submission deadline: 2 February 2026

You are invited to submit your manuscript at any time before the submission deadline. For any inquiries about the appropriateness of contribution topics, please contact Dr. Ioannis Dokas via idokas@civil.duth.gr

Special Issue on Risk and Resilience in Crisis and Emergency Management
Submission Date: 2026-02-15

Guest editors:

Dr. Floris Goerlandt
Associate Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
floris.goerlandt@dal.ca

Dr. Jennie Phillips
Research Director, Media Ecosystem Observatory, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
jennie.phillips@mcgill.ca

Dr. Robert Brown
Senior Research Scientist, Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
robert.brown@mi.mun.ca

Special issue information:

Communities worldwide face a range of vulnerabilities caused by natural hazards including Polar lows, storm surges, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, droughts, and earthquakes. Due to the impacts of climate change, these are often exacerbated and can trigger cascading system-level emergencies. Man-made disasters such as industrial accidents, large-scale transportation accidents, and cyberattacks can similarly lead to infrastructure failures, damage to the built environment, and destruction of natural environments. These in turn can lead to significant socio-economic disruptions, public health emergencies, impacts to ecosystems, and loss of life in urban and rural populations.

To effectively prepare for, mitigate, and respond to crises and emergencies, developing analytical approaches, information systems, and decision support tools is a critical activity at the interface between science, technology, policy, and practice. 

This special issue aims to bolster the research on risk and resilience in crisis and emergency management. Of special interest are advances in models to support decisions at varying time scales, information systems, and decision support tools, as are proposals for integrative frameworks to enhance risk and resilience of communities. Theoretical and empirical research focusing on social and human aspects relating to such models, systems, and/or tools is furthermore welcome, as is work on understanding the practical work of planners, professional and volunteer responders, and policy makers. Community perceptions and social cohesion (including factors of trust, polarization, and toxicity) related to information systems, including the opportunities for and challenges with social and legacy media, information system dynamics and information pathways, and risks of and mitigation strategies to address disinformation, are also of interest. Throughout the special issue, research bridging the gap between theory and practice is especially welcomed.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

•  Modelling and simulation for crisis and emergency management
•  Analyses of risks to and mitigation measures for the protection of critical infrastructures and coastal communities, especially climate change related risks
•  Decision Support Tools for preparing for, mitigating, or responding to natural or man-made disasters
•  Information technology solutions for crisis and emergency management
•  Frameworks for risk and resilience in crisis and emergency management
•  Usability, human factors, and social aspects of ICT for crisis and emergency management
•  Case studies and empirical work to understand practical work of planners, responders, and policy makers
•  Threats and malicious actors: security in crisis and emergency management
•  Social media, trust, and disinformation in crisis and emergency management
•  Information ecosystem structures, dynamics, and impacts on social vulnerability, social cohesion, and risk

Manuscript submission information:

Submission portal opens: July 15, 2025
Full paper submission deadline: February 15, 2026

The special issue is supported by the International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (ISCRAM) 2025, which was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from May 18 to 21, 2025 (Full information about the conference: https://www.iscram2025.com/). Selected high-quality papers presented at the conference will be recommended for submission to this Special Issue.

Conference participation is NOT a prerequisite for journal submission. Authors should submit their full manuscripts via the Safety Science online submission system (Editorial Manager) and indicate that the paper is submitted for consideration for publication in this special issue. When choosing Manuscript “Article Type” during the submission procedure, click “VSI: Crisis and Emergency Management”, otherwise your submission will be handled as a regular manuscript.

Special Issue on Interdisciplinary Approaches to Electric Micromobility Safety
Submission Date: 2026-02-28

Guest editors:

A/Prof Milad Haghani
Associate Professor of Urban Resilience, The University of Melbourne, Australia
Email: milad.haghani@unimelb.edu.au

A/Prof Ben Beck
Associate Professor, Monash University, Australia
Email: ben.beck@monash.edu

Dr Zahra Shahhoseini
Research Fellow, Monash University, Australia
Email: zahra.shahhoseini@monash.edu

Dr Khashayar Kazemzadeh
Lecturer, The University of Manchester, The United Kingdom
Email: khashayar.kazemzadeh@manchester.ac.uk

Special issue information:

The rapid growth of electric micromobility — including e-scooters, e-bikes, and related lightweight electric vehicles — has introduced both opportunities and challenges for urban mobility systems. These modes offer affordable, sustainable, and flexible transport options for short-distance travel, yet they also pose emerging safety risks to users, pedestrians, and other road participants. In particular, early research and incident data suggest that certain demographic groups — including children, older adults, and first-time users — may face disproportionate risks, often in environments not originally designed for their safe operation.

This special issue aims to consolidate and advance interdisciplinary research on the safety, risk, and governance of electric micromobility. We invite submissions that explore both systemic and user-level factors contributing to incidents, evaluate policy and infrastructure responses, and propose solutions grounded in empirical evidence. We also encourage consideration of whole-of-system approaches that capture the dynamic interactions between vehicles, infrastructure, policy, technology, human behaviour and the broader urban context in relation to micromobility. Contributions from safety science, transport engineering, urban design, human factors, behavioural science, injury epidemiology, public health, systems science, mobility justice and legal-regulatory studies are all welcome. Case studies, modelling work, empirical analyses, naturalistic studies, simulation and virtual reality studies, regulatory evaluations, and safety investigations will all be considered.

Potential topics include (but are not limited to):

• Epidemiology of injuries and fatalities associated with electric micromobility
• Disproportionate risks to vulnerable groups (e.g., children, older adults,)
• Helmet use, speed, visibility, and other behavioural risk factors
• Infrastructure design, spatial conflict, and safe route planning
• International comparisons of legal frameworks, regulatory gaps and enforcement
• Data gaps and methodological approaches to micromobility injury surveillance
• Evaluation of safety interventions and policies
• Risk communication, user education, and safety awareness campaigns
• Safety-by-design in micromobility vehicle engineering
• Integration of micromobility into broader Vision Zero or Safe Systems strategies
• Linking micromobility safety with public health and climate goals

Manuscript submission information:

Submission portal opens: 20 August 2025
Submission deadline: 28 February 2026

Special Issue on Emerging Safety Research Trends in Healthcare in the Digital Age
Submission Date: 2026-02-28

In recent years, healthcare systems have undergone significant transformations, driven by the pressures of global emergences and the rapid integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and telemedicine. Alongside these technological advances, long-standing challenges like chronic staff shortages and limited financial resources continue to strain healthcare systems, creating new areas of inquiry around safety, efficiency, and quality of care.

These changes and developments have sparked new research questions about safety in healthcare settings, highlighting the urgent need for further investigation. Emerging themes, like the implications of artificial intelligence and telemedicine, now require attention. For example, how can artificial intelligence and big data improve safety performance, optimize workforce planning, and reduce burnout among healthcare professionals or alternatively what are the potential risks or pitfalls? How can telemedicine be effectively integrated to expand access to care while ensuring patient safety?

Additionally, it is essential to revisit traditional safety issues in light of these new evolving dynamics. Aligned with the “Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age” campaign (2023-2025) promoted by EU-OSHA, this Special Issue aims to explore these critical challenges and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on enhancing safety within healthcare systems amidst the evolving landscape.

We invite researchers and practitioners to submit original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, bibliometric studies to map emerging research directions, and case studies that examine pressing challenges and new opportunities in ensuring safety in healthcare systems amidst these transformative changes.

Guest editors:

Assoc. Prof. Matteo Curcuruto
European University of Rome, Italy

Prof. Tal Katz-Navon
Reichman University Arison School of Business, Israel

Prof. James I. Morgan
Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom

Dr. Valentina Sommovigo
University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy

Dr. Chiara Bernuzzi
University of Milan, Italy

Prof. Ernesto Greco
European University of Rome, Italy

Special issue information:

Submission may cover a range of topics, including but not limited to: 

1. Innovative Healthcare Technologies for Patient Safety

- What are the potential patient safety risks associated with the use of telemedicine and digital health tools, and how can these risks be effectively minimized? 
 - How can telemedicine be effectively integrated into healthcare systems to ensure equitable and safe care, especially for vulnerable populations (e.g., elderly, rural communities)?
- How do communication challenges in telemedicine consultations impact diagnostic accuracy, treatment decisions, and patient outcomes, and how can these barriers be overcome? 
 - What strategies can be developed to safeguard telehealth platforms from cybersecurity threats, ensuring the protection of sensitive patient data and privacy?

2. Innovation and Technology to Enhance Safety in Healthcare 

- What role can artificial intelligence and machine learning play in enhancing patient safety and reducing human error in clinical settings? 
 - What are the safety concerns associated with emerging technologies like robotic surgery, automated medication dispensing systems, and remote monitoring devices? How can these risks be effectively managed to ensure patient safety?
- How can big data improve information sharing and support more informed and safer clinical decision-making?
- How can simulation-based training and virtual reality tools be used to enhance the training of healthcare workers and improve patient safety outcomes?

3. Addressing Staff Shortages with Emerging Technologies 

- How can artificial intelligence and machine learning be leveraged to alleviate the burden of staff shortages? 
 - In what ways can telemedicine reduce the strain on healthcare systems by enabling remote consultations, thus optimizing resource allocation and improving access to care for underserved populations? 
 - Can big data analytics be used to predict staffing needs and optimize workforce planning to ensure patient safety and high-quality care across healthcare settings? 
- Can digital platforms reduce burnout among healthcare workers by automating routine tasks and improving workflow efficiency?

4. Occupational and Work Implications of Telemedicine Use Among Healthcare Professionals 

- What occupational health risks do healthcare professionals face with the growing reliance on telemedicine, and how can these risks be mitigated to ensure their well-being? 
- How can healthcare professionals effectively adapt their clinical skills for the virtual care environment? 
- What training is essential for healthcare workers to master telemedicine technologies and ensure high-quality care delivery? 
- What core skills are essential for healthcare professionals to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients through telemedicine, and how can these skills be developed to maintain trust and communication effectiveness in telemedicine?
- What role can digital platforms play in reducing burnout among healthcare professionals by automating routine tasks, providing remote support, and enhancing work efficiency?
- How can healthcare institutions support their staff with mental health and well-being resources tailored to the unique demands of telemedicine?

5. Developing a Safety Culture in Healthcare Settings through Innovation and Technology

- How can artificial intelligence and machine learning support the development of a robust safety culture by identifying patterns in safety incidents and predicting potential risks before they occur? 
- In what ways can leadership and management utilize digital tools, such as dashboards and real-time data analytics, to drive the adoption of safety practices and reinforce a culture of safety within healthcare teams? 
- What challenges hinder the reporting of safety incidents, and how can technology-driven solutions—such as anonymous digital reporting platforms—encourage more open communication and foster a culture of transparency? 
- How can continuous learning systems, enhanced by simulation-based training and virtual reality tools, be used to improve safety practices, provide real-time feedback, and promote accountability among healthcare professionals?

6. Financial Sustainability through Emerging Technologies 

- How can emerging technologies, such as telemedicine and innovative medical devices, help reduce costs without compromising care quality? 
- What are the financial models for sustaining telemedicine initiatives in the long term, and how can they be optimized to ensure quality care?
- How can healthcare providers use big data to make informed financial decisions that align with safety and quality standards? 
- How can digital platforms and intelligent algorithms enhance the training, recruitment, and retention of healthcare professionals in resource-limited environments? 

7. Emerging Challenges of Aggression in Healthcare

- What new challenges does aggression in virtual consultations pose for healthcare providers, and how can technology-driven tools help detect and manage these behaviors? 
- How can healthcare institutions leverage digital platforms to better equip their staff to manage increased aggression, offering tailored training programs, virtual simulations, and mental health support through telehealth services?
- How can interdisciplinary teams (psychologists, security experts, healthcare professionals) work together, using advanced data analysis and technology, to develop effective protocols for managing and preventing aggression?

Manuscript submission information:

Submission portal will be open on 1 May 2025.
Submission deadline: 28 February 2026

You are invited to submit your manuscript at any time before the submission deadline. For any inquiries about the appropriateness of contribution topics, please contact Prof. Matteo Curcuruto via Matteo.Curcuruto@unier.it and Prof. Tal Katz-Navon via katzt@runi.ac.il.

The journal’s submission platform (Editorial Manager®) is now available for receiving submissions to this Special Issue. Please refer to the Guide for Authors to prepare your manuscript, and select the article type of “VSI: Emergent Research Trends in Healthcare” when submitting your manuscript online. Both the Guide for Authors and the submission portal could be found on the Journal Homepage here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/safety-science

All the submissions deemed suitable to be sent for peer review will be reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. Upon its editorial acceptance, your article will go into production immediately. It will be published in the latest regular issue, while be presented on the specific Special Issue webpage simultaneously. In regular issues, Special Issue articles will be clearly marked and branded.

Keywords:

Patient Safety, Telemedicine, Remote Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Big Data, Digital Transformation, Healthcare Innovation, Aggression in Digital Health, Emerging Healthcare Technology