The RRECQ enthusiastically adds the prestigious Journal of Circular Economy to its collaborators to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

Opportunities for RRECQ Members

With this new collaboration, RRECQ members benefit from an exclusive opportunity: first three submissions from RRECQ members to the journal will be free of charge. Additionally, the journal offers young scholars associated with RRECQ the chance to curate and manage their own special issue, providing them with a platform to showcase their expertise and contribute to the advancement of circular economy knowledge.

Several special issues are in progress. Find out more below.

About the Journal of Circular Economy

The Journal of Circular Economy is an interdisciplinary journal that aims to provide practical advice to businesses, policymakers, and civil society on accelerating the transition towards a more circular economy.

With a global reach, this leading journal brings together esteemed scholars and practitioners who are committed to promoting sustainable practices worldwide.

Members of the editorial board include such well-known figures as :

  • Arnold Tukker (Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University)
  • Jack Barrie (Chatham House)
  • Julian Kirchherr (Copernicus Insitute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University)
  • Michael Lieder (KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm)
  • Patrizia Ghisellini (University Parthenope of Naples)

As well as many others. Discover the complete list.

All the articles are open access and oriented towards practical application. We pay our editors and reviewers, and we aim to offer peer-review that is fast and constructive.

Together, the Journal of Circular Economy and RRECQ strive to accelerate the transition to a circular economy and create a collaborative environment that supports the research endeavors of scholars globally

Special Issues

Circular Economy as a Transdisciplinary Field of Theory and Practice, by Sigurd Sagen Vildåsen & Julian Kirchherr

The transition to a circular economy (CE) system requires new knowledge, which involves transdisciplinary processes that bridge theory and practice. This raises cognitive challenges for researchers and societal stakeholders, such as power balance, insider vs outsider perspective, and values vs facts. CE projects often combine economic interests of industrial actors with social and environmental interests of societal stakeholders, posing tensions and tradeoffs.

This issue aims to create an arena for debate, integrating theory and practice, and enabling societal change and transition for CE. The questions addressed include the skills needed for CE researchers, the different roles they engage in practice, whether CE research should take an active role when conflicting interests arise, whether maintaining a clear divide between outsider scientist and insider practitioner is fruitful, and potential pathways for developing CE researchers that contribute to both theoretical advancements and societal practice.

Beyond the Hype: Practical Implementations of Digital Technologies for a Circular Built Environment, by Meliha Honic, Daniel Hall & Sultan Çetin

The number of review papers discussing the intersection of Circular Economy, digital technologies, and the built environment has increased. However, up to 50% of these articles are considered ‘scholarly bullshit’. This special issue aims to move beyond the hype of circular digital built environment by focusing on tangible examples and their relevance to practice. The focus is on digital technologies and their interrelationship with the circular economy, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, building information modeling, digital platforms, digital twins, material passports, internet of things, and geographic information systems.

Circular Economy Policies for Industrial System Transformation, by Kris Hartley

Promoting a circular economy is crucial for sustainability policy mix, but firms face challenges in fulfilling this role. Current policy levers focus on spot-level issues, but a holistic perspective is needed. This special issue seeks high-level, strategic policy approaches for broad industrial system transformation, addressing macro-level circularity in all aspects of industrial production.

Coming soon, another special issue on the topics of green energy and environmental technology processes for advanced manufacturing. Stay tuned!

The RRECQ is supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec.
Fonds de recherche - Québec