A New Phase in the Consolidation of the UERGS Electronic Scientific Journal

Abstract

Since its inception in 2015, the Revista Eletrônica Científica da UERGS (UERGS
Electronic Scientific Journal) has established itself as an interdisciplinary forum for
scientific dissemination, anchored in the principles of open access, editorial ethics, and
a commitment to social transformation. Throughout its trajectory, the journal has
achieved significant milestones, such as its indexing in the DOAJ (Directory of Open
Access Journals) in 2021 and its recognition on the CAPES "Plataforma Sucupira."
These achievements have enhanced its visibility and credibility within the national
academic landscape. It is currently indexed in 13 national and international databases,
including DOAJ, Latindex, Diadorim, and Sumários.org, among others. This reflects the

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editorial team's continuous effort to ensure quality, transparency, and scientific
relevance. Through an update to the Open Journal System (OJS), it was possible to
translate and make the website available with interfaces also in English and Spanish.
Another improvement was the change in publication frequency, from quarterly to
continuous publication.
On August 1, 2025, the journal entered a new phase under the leadership of Prof. Dr.
Irene Teresinha Santos Garcia, who has assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief. A Full
Professor in the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Universidade Federal do Rio
Grande do Sul (UFRGS), she earned an undergraduate degree in Industrial Chemistry,
a Master’s degree in Chemistry, and a Ph.D. in Materials Science, all from UFRGS. She
completed postdoctoral research in Germany at the Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg. Her
research focuses on the physical chemistry of interfaces, surface characterization, and
colloidal systems. Professor Garcia participated in the establishment of the Graduate
Program in Chemistry at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas and is an active faculty
member in the Graduate Programs in Chemistry and Materials Science at UFRGS.
Professor Garcia served the journal from 2020 to 2023, first as Executive Editor and
subsequently as Associate Editor. In these roles, she dedicated significant effort to the
journal's indexing processes, particularly for inclusion in the DOAJ and the Capes "Portal
de Periódicos" (Journal Portal). She played an instrumental role in organizing the Special
Issue on Exact Sciences and Engineering, published in December 2022 (Vol. 8, No. 3).
This issue compiled articles from diverse fields such as Computer Science, Process
Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Mathematics, and Physics, all aligned with
the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the contemporary demands of
society and industry. Between 2023 and 2025, she served as the Head of the
Department of Physical Chemistry at UFRGS.
Since assuming the role of Editor-in-Chief, Professor Garcia has intensified efforts to
diversify the journal's editorial board, promoting greater representation regarding areas
of expertise, gender, and the regional backgrounds of its members. This initiative
reinforces the commitment and social mission of the Universidade Estadual do Rio
Grande do Sul (UERGS) to the democratization of knowledge, fostering a scientific
journal that is pluralistic, inclusive, and responsive to the contemporary challenges of
academic production.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Prof. Dr. Biane de Castro, the outgoing Editor-in-
Chief, for her dedication and leadership of the journal in recent years. We celebrate her

continued contributions in this new and promising phase. With renewed enthusiasm, we
invite authors, reviewers, and readers to join us in this vital journey of strengthening
open, pluralistic, and transformative science. The Revista Eletrônica Científica da
UERGS reaffirms its purpose as a distinguished forum for excellence, inclusion, and
innovation.