The scientific journal "InpAkta", which will address social and political issues of social impact, was presented at the Durango Fair

At the event held on December 10 at the Durango Fair, the zero issue of the journal InpAkta was presented: InpAkta: Inpaktu Sozialerako Ikerlanen Akta – Journal of Research for Social Impact. Four representatives of the journal’s editorial team participated in the presentation: Ugo Mayor, Ikerbasque researcher at the University of the Basque Country; Orkestra de Deusto senior researcher Miren Estensoro; Arantza del Pozo, Director of Speech and Natural Language Processing Technologies at Vicomtech; and IKER group researcher Urtzi Etxebarri.

Social impact issues to be discussed

In the presentation at the Durango Fair, they explained the genesis of the journal, its objectives and the main characteristics of the publication. InpAkta: Inpaktu Sozialerako Ikerlanen Akta – Journal of Research for Social Impact has its origins in post-pandemic reflections, which saw the emergence of a need to scientifically address issues of high social impact and of society’s interest in research and science in addressing issues that affect us all. This scientific journal, which will feature evidence-based research that will deal with a wide variety of topics, was created to carry out this essential work of connection between society and the world of research. The journal will address five main areas: Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Territorial Organization, and Technology. The publication will also include studies from different specific areas within these main areas, provided that these works have a social impact on our territory and/or society.

In the opinion of the promoters, social impact can occur at two different times: during the research process itself or after the research process. In addition, the impact can occur at different levels: there can be impact on citizens and/or on institutions that make up society such as those involved in education, care, transport, culture and health, or on the various decision-making bodies, public or private, that determine public policy.

Two publications a year, in Basque and English

The journal InpAkta will publish two issues a year beginning in 2025. As is usual in this type of scientific publication, at least two researchers who are experts in the specific area of the research work will review each article. The journal already has an editorial committee of 50 professionals who will lead the process. InpAkta will be an open access journal, i.e., access to the published content will be free of charge over the Internet. Research or review papers may be submitted in Basque or English. In addition, together with the scientific articles, an informative summary of each of the research works will be published; this work will be carried out in collaboration with the Elhuyar Foundation. These abstracts will be aimed at a wider audience and at agents outside academia. Abstracts will be available in the three official languages of our territory.

As a sample of the research works that will be published by the journal, issue zero presented in Durango includes 20 articles, 17 written in English and 3 in Basque. Should funding be obtained, the promoters aim to publish all articles in English and Basque in each of the issues, providing Basque researchers the opportunity to carry out research in Basque without losing the reach of publications written in English. The call for submissions for the first issue will open on March 1, 2024.

Collaboration of 22 entities

InpAkta has been through a long process of creation. The promoters of the project have been very satisfied with the journal’s reception, as it has brought together the main academic institutions not only from both sides of the border but also from abroad and has won the support of institutions and researchers from different areas of knowledge. To date, there are 22 entities that promote the InpAkta project:

• University of the Basque Country
• Mondragon University
• University of Pau and the Adour Region
• University of Navarra
• Public University of Navarra
• University of Deusto
• CNRS IKER-UMR 5478
• Agirre Lehendakari Center
• Arantzazulab
• Telesforo Monzon eLab
• Orkestra-Basque Institute of Competitiveness
• University of Bordeaux
• Bordeaux Montaigne University
• Basque Research and Technology Alliance
• Aditech
• Elhuyar Foundation
• Basque Studies Society
• Center for Basque Studies – Reno
• Basque Studies Program, Boise State University
• Basque Summer University
• Cenarrusa Foundation for Basque Culture
• Basque Sociolinguistics Cluster

Official presentations in Pamplona, Bilbao and Bayonne

The journal InpAkta will be presented at institutions three times in February, 2024. The first event, which will take place on February 5, will be in Pamplona, and will be attended by Ramón Gonzalo García, Rector of the Public University of Navarra (Universidad Pública de Navarra, UPNA); María J. Iraburu, Rector of the University of Navarra; and Diego Garrido, Director of the Aditech Foundation, coordinator of the R+D+I network of Navarra. On February 7, in Bayonne, representatives of the University of Bordeaux, Pau and the Adour Region and of Bordeaux Montaigne University (pending confirmation) will participate in the presentation of the journal together with IKER Research Center Director Urtzi Etxeberria. Finally, on February 8, University of the Basque Country Rector Eva Ferreira, University of Deusto Rector Juan José Etxeberria, and Mondragon University Rector Vicente Atxa will participate in an event to be held at the Bizkaia Aretoa in Bilbao.