Special Issue - From Collections to Communities: Rethinking Cultural Hubs as Agents of Social Impact

From Collections to Communities: Rethinking Cultural Hubs as Agents of Social Impact

The European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy invites researchers and practitioners to submit original contributions to the Special Issue “From Collections to Communities: Rethinking Cultural Hubs as Agents of Social Impact.”

Cultural hubs are increasingly expected to go beyond preservation and exhibition and to act as active platforms for social innovation, inclusion, territorial development, and community well-being. Museums, cultural centres, archives and creative hubs are now asked to demonstrate not only cultural value, but also measurable social impact, accountability and sustainability.

This Special Issue seeks papers that critically analyse how cultural hubs are transforming into community-oriented institutions, and how this transformation can be governed, evaluated, and supported through appropriate managerial, accounting, digital and policy tools.

We welcome theoretical, empirical and applied research addressing, among others, the following themes:

• Cultural hubs and social inclusion

• Public vs. private governance and community engagement

• Culture as a catalyst for community development

• Digital engagement and hybrid outreach

• Evaluating long-term impact and sustainability

• Cultural hubs as drivers of social innovation and territorial regeneration

• Accountability, circularity and community well-being

• The evolving role of cultural hubs in sustainable development

• Measuring and communicating social impact

Submissions may focus on any type of cultural hub (museums, heritage institutions, creative hubs, community spaces, foundations, or hybrid organisations) and from any geographical context. Both comparative and in-depth case studies, as well as methodological and conceptual contributions, are encouraged.

All submitted papers will be considered for the Fast-Track Special Issue of EJSICE and for presentation at the international workshop “From Collections to Communities”, to be held at the University of Turin. The workshop provides a space for scholarly discussion, feedback and refinement prior to final journal publication.

Manuscripts should be submitted via the EJSICE online platform, selecting
“Special Issue: From Collections to Communities.”

Submission link: https://ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice
Information: socialimpact.management@unito.it