Abstract
This article recommends seven key journals in science and technology ethics, covering engineering, medicine, AI, and nanotechnology, with expanded sections on environmental and neuroethics. Each journal’s research scope, impact factor, open-access policy, and website links are provided to aid scholarly research and submissions.
Top 7 Academic Journals in Science and Technology Ethics (Expanded Edition)
Overview
Science and technology ethics encompass moral issues in research, medicine, engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), and other fields. With growing environmental crises and advancements in neuroscience, environmental ethics and neuroethics have emerged as critical subfields. This article recommends seven leading journals, covering traditional tech ethics as well as these specialized areas, providing details on their scope, open-access policies, and access links.
1. Science and Engineering Ethics
Journal Overview
Published by Springer, this journal focuses on research integrity and engineering ethics, addressing moral challenges in AI, gene editing, and other emerging technologies.
Key Research Areas
- Research misconduct, data fabrication
- Ethical issues in autonomous vehicles, nuclear safety
- Responsible innovation in synthetic biology
Access Information
- Website: Springer Link
- Impact Factor: ~2.5 | Frequency: Bimonthly
- Open Access: Hybrid (APC €2390)
2. Journal of Medical Ethics (JME)
Journal Overview
A leading medical ethics journal by BMJ, covering clinical practice, biotech ethics, and public health policy debates.
Key Research Areas
- Ethical dilemmas in CRISPR gene editing
- Fair vaccine distribution
- Transparency in AI-assisted diagnostics
Access Information
- Website: BMJ Journals
- Impact Factor: ~4.1 | Frequency: Monthly
- Open Access: Hybrid (APC £2000)
3. Ethics and Information Technology
Journal Overview
Examines ethical interactions between IT and society, particularly algorithmic bias, data privacy, and AI governance.
Key Research Areas
- Ethical concerns in facial recognition
- Social media manipulation
- Moral risks of blockchain technology
Access Information
- Website: Springer Link
- Impact Factor: ~3.0 | Frequency: Quarterly
- Open Access: Hybrid (APC €2200)
4. NanoEthics
Journal Overview
Explores ethical implications of nanotechnology in health, environment, and military applications, emphasizing governance and public engagement.
Key Research Areas
- Ethical limits of nanomedicine
- Environmental impact of nanomaterials
- Security risks of military nanotech
Access Information
- Website: Springer Link
- Impact Factor: ~1.8 | Frequency: Semiannual
- Open Access: Hybrid (APC €1990)
5. AI & Society
Journal Overview
Critically examines AI’s societal impact from a humanities perspective, including algorithmic justice, robot rights, and global AI policies.
Key Research Areas
- Labor market disruptions from automation
- Ethical limits of emotional AI
- Non-Western frameworks for AI ethics
Access Information
- Website: Springer Link
- Impact Factor: ~2.9 | Frequency: Bimonthly
- Open Access: Hybrid (APC €2490)
6. Environmental Ethics
Journal Overview
(New Addition) A flagship journal in environmental ethics, analyzing ecological values and human responsibility through philosophy and ecology.
Key Research Areas
- Climate change ethics
- Animal rights and ecological justice
- Critiques of sustainability policies
Access Information
- Website: Philosophy Documentation Center
- Impact Factor: ~1.2 | Frequency: Quarterly
- Open Access: Partial OA (APC $1500)
7. Neuroethics
Journal Overview
(New Addition) Focuses on ethical challenges in neuroscience and neurotechnology, such as brain-computer interfaces and cognitive enhancement.
Key Research Areas
- Ethical debates on deep brain stimulation
- Moral boundaries of memory editing
- Privacy of neural data
Access Information
- Website: Springer Link
- Impact Factor: ~2.3 | Frequency: 3 issues/year
- Open Access: Hybrid (APC €2100)
Summary
| Journal Name | Primary Focus | Impact Factor | Open Access Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science and Engineering Ethics | General tech ethics | ~2.5 | Hybrid (€2390) |
| Journal of Medical Ethics | Medical/bioethics | ~4.1 | Hybrid (£2000) |
| Ethics and Information Technology | Digital ethics | ~3.0 | Hybrid (€2200) |
| NanoEthics | Nanotech ethics | ~1.8 | Hybrid (€1990) |
| AI & Society | AI & societal critique | ~2.9 | Hybrid (€2490) |
| Environmental Ethics | Environmental ethics | ~1.2 | Partial OA ($1500) |
| Neuroethics | Neurotech ethics | ~2.3 | Hybrid (€2100) |
Submission Tips:
- High-impact picks: JME (medical ethics), AI & Society (AI ethics)
- Emerging fields: Neuroethics, Environmental Ethics
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