AOSIS calls on all authors to participate in Jàmbá‘s 2026 special collection, Transforming community disaster resilience with AI and Knowledge Systems, that will be published in the open-access scholarly journal. Submit your latest research for consideration, contribute to the open-access content available to everyone, and share your expertise with a wider audience.

Timeline:

• Online full manuscript submission open: 28 February 2026
• Online full manuscript submission closes: 30 April 2026
• Expected publication date: 30 September 2026

Jàmbá 2026 special collection: Transforming community disaster resilience with AI and Knowledge Systems

In addition, the special issue will include current practices, case studies, and best practices in academic libraries globally, and it serves as a platform for the latest AI advancements in disaster management.

The multi-disciplinary issue targets scholars, environmental science specialists and researchers in information and knowledge management across multiple disciplines not limited to library science, data science, informatics, disaster and risk management, education, and IT. It offers insight for policymakers, specialists, and academics focused on disaster management in 21st-century academic libraries.

As climate change intensifies the frequency of social problems associated with heat waves, water disasters and fires, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) become indispensable tools for the prevention and reduction of disasters by using early warning systems and through enhancing disaster resilience. The application of technologies strengthens the capacity to mitigate adverse impacts on ecosystems and communities through advanced computational methodologies. Digital disaster management systems improve prediction accuracy to reduce the occurrence and impact of disasters.

Therefore, the special issue seeks to contribute to scholarship, as it will explore AI/ML (Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning) applications, challenges, and ethics in climate-induced disasters, including thermal, aquatic, pyric, and climatic events, while inviting experts to examine AI’s role in disaster management.

Recommended topics

• Disaster risk management in information science
• Technology applications and disaster management
• AI and disaster management: Risk Mapping, Modelling, and Forecasting
• Contingency planning and disasters
• Detection and mitigation
• Disaster Logistics management
• Big data and disaster management
• Governance, ethical engagement, and data sovereignty: Disaster Policy making
• Open platforms, dashboards, and decision-support tools
• Trends in disaster management: Innovations including case studies, good practices, and scenario planning globally.

Submission guidance:

The author guidelines include information about the types of articles received for publication and preparing a manuscript for submission. Read the full submissions guidelines.

Submission procedure:

When submitting your manuscript to the journal, choose ‘Transforming community disaster resilience with AI and Knowledge Systems’ as the article type. You can access the submission portal on the journal’s website after logging in with your personal credentials. For further information on the submission process, visit the journal procedure page.

All submissions will undergo an anonymous review process to guarantee high scientific quality and relevance to the subject. The Editor-in-Chief will make the final decision on acceptance, revision, or rejection based on the feedback from the reviewers.

We will be happy to provide you with any assistance during the submission and application process. Kindly enquire at submissions@jamba.org.za.

All submissions and inquiries should be directed to the attention of the guest editors:

• Dr Busisiwe Nelisiwe Tshabalala, North-West University, neli.tshabalala@nwu.ac.za
• Prof Mashilo Modiba, University of South Africa, modibmt@unisa.ac.za

We would be honoured to receive a positive reply from you and look forward to receiving your manuscript.