SSH researchers should be awakened to the vast possibilities and avenues for research based on ICT. The future of science is about multidisciplinary collaboration and applying new technologies. ICT tools for SSH researchers already exist, such as research-oriented social networking sites and tools to support scientific research, to manage labs and data, and to enable better communication. These tools could change the way SSH researchers carry out research, collaborate, disseminate, and evaluate research outputs. The International Conference on Information-communication technologies enhanced Social Sciences and Humanities (ICTeSSH – https://ictessh.uns.ac.rs) is a three-day annual conference where stakeholders come together for an open discussion to talk about the changing research ecosystem in SSH fields in the digital age due to the extremely fast development of ICT. The conference has been organized for the first time in 2020. Although it was initially planned to be organized as a physical event in Amsterdam on June 29-July 01, 2020, the organizers of ICTeSSH 2020 have no choice but to hold the conference as a virtual meeting due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The ICTeSSH 2020 online conference (https://ictessh.uns.ac.rs/ictessh-2020) brought together 456 SSH researchers, computer scientists, informaticians, publishers, librarians, vendors of research ICT tools, and SSH decision-makers from 60 countries from all continents. Figure 1 shows the distribution of ICTeSSH 2020 participants per continents.
Figure 1 Distribution of ICTeSSH 2020 participants per continents
42 speakers from 17 countries talked at the ICTeSSH 2020 conference, including 17 authors of conference papers, 5 respectful keynote speakers, 7 representatives of conference sponsors, 9 representatives of organizers of three pre-conference workshops, and 4 panelists at a panel session. All sessions have been recorded and published at a YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLmpAuvnLCIgh4q5eCJz0ptqq_1pcLqwK, while the conference proceedings has been published at https://www.itm-conferences.org/articles/itmconf/abs/2020/03/contents/contents.html. The ICTeSSH 2020 conference has been free to attend and publish thanks to the conference sponsors (Figure 2).
The best paper presented at ICTeSSH 2020, according to the votes of the conference participants, is the paper entitled “TRIPLE project: building a discovery platform to enhance collaboration” presented by Emilie Blotière. Moreover, an ICTeSSH 2020 virtual quiz has been organized on the second day of the conference, and the winner has been Nicoleta Roxana Dinu. A special issue of the Information journal will be published (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/information/special_issues/ICTeSSH_2020). This special issue will contain extended versions of selected papers presented at the ICTeSSH 2020 Conference. The conference has been organized by Science 2.0 Alliance (http://sci2zero.org). Science 2.0 Alliance is an association of individual members and organizations interested in the research challenges related to Science 2.0, the development of Science 2.0 tools, and its application in research. Science 2.0 presents the new generation of online-based tools for scientists allowing easier data sharing, collaboration, communication, and publishing. The Science 2.0 Alliance will develop and promote Science 2.0 through
Organization and promotion of events (webinars, conferences, workshops, and trainings) about Science 2.0 paradigm and tools
Participation in and promotion of projects for the development of Science 2.0
Creation of a web directory of reliable sources for Science 2.0 paradigm and tools
We want to take this opportunity to express our deep sense of gratitude towards the members of the international program committee, keynote speakers, reviewers, authors, and participants for making this conference a grand success. We would also like to acknowledge the cooperation and support by the team at Easychair conference management system.
We sincerely hope that the research community will be genuinely benefitted by the ICTeSSH 2020 conference. We are looking forward to welcoming you all at the ICTeSSH 2021 virtual conference.
