Cambridge University Press - Network Science | Political Networks: Theory, Methods, and Applications

The open-access journal Network Science (published by Cambridge University Press) is collaborating with the 2026 Political Networks Conference (held at the University of Manchester from August 4–7, 2026). The call for papers for this special collection runs from August 7, 2026, to November 13, 2026.

Posted Oct 31, 2026

By Amahury J. L. Díaz

2 min read

Introduction

The peer-reviewed, open access journal Network Science (Cambridge University Press) is collaborating with the 2026 Political Networks Conference, which took place at the University of Manchester on 4-7 August. This will result in Special Collection (virtual special issue) of articles entitled Political Networks: New Trends & Directions.

This Special Collection aims to showcase how network analysis can illuminate fundamental questions across political research. The collection will emphasize methodological innovation and empirical contribution, featuring research that demonstrates the unique analytical leverage provided by relational approaches to political phenomena. Rather than focusing on isolated political actors or institutional attributes, these studies will reveal how structural positions, relational patterns, and network dynamics shape political outcomes across diverse contexts - from individual behavior and organizational collaboration to systemic processes of conflict and cooperation. By bringing together a network lens with substantive political questions, this collection will demonstrate the continuing evolution of network science as a tool for understanding complex political systems. The diversity of approaches and applications represented we aim to publish in this collection - spanning behavioral analysis, institutional studies, and digital politics - will illustrate the broad applicability of network perspectives to political inquiry while contributing novel insights that advance both network science and political science scholarship.

We encourage submissions by authors interested in featuring their research in the collection. Network Science is indexed in Web of Science (2025 Impact Factor: 1.6; Q2 in Social Science - Interdisciplinary) and Scopus (2025 CiteScore: 2.4; Q2 in Social Sciences: Sociology and Political Science).

Domains

We invite submissions that apply relational methods to deepen our understanding of political dynamics, particularly those that leverage contemporary innovations in network analysis methods and data gathering techniques. Submissions may cover various domains, with a particular focus on:

Conflict and Cooperation: Studies of alliance formation, diplomatic networks, or patterns of conflict and collaboration within and between political systems.
Digital and Hybrid Networks: Research on how technological platforms, algorithms, and digital networks interact with traditional political structures and processes.
Electoral and Legislative Processes: Network approaches to understanding campaign dynamics, legislative behavior, coalition formation, and representational relationships.
Institutional and Organizational Networks: Analysis of networks among political institutions, interest groups, bureaucratic agencies, or other organizational actors that influence policy processes.
Political Behavior and Public Opinion: Research examining how social networks shape individual political attitudes, participation, and decision-making across various social environments.

Timetable

The 2026 Political Networks Conference took place on August 4-7, 2026. To allow sufficient time for interested authors to incorporate changes after the conference, the submission deadline for the Special Collection is: November 13, 2026

Authors not participating in the conference are also able to submit to the Special Collection.

Network Science publishes on a continuous basis, so articles are published as soon as they are ready after acceptance. Earlier submissions therefore stand a better chance of earlier publication. All articles will be assembled into a specially curated collection dedicated to Political Networks: Theory, Methods and Applications and will be cited in an editorial written after the collection’s completion.