Launching Safety.Science: An Invitation to the Integrated Safety Community

Abstract

This editorial introduces  Safety.Science as an independent, open-access pilot journal of Integrated Safety (Integraal Veiligheid). The journal aims to provide a modest but reliable meeting place where insights from universities, applied universities, safety regions, industry, government and other partners can be shared in accessible formats.

Keywords: safety; science; journal; integrated; evidence-based; independent

1. Why Integrated Safety needs a shared space

Safety knowledge is widespread but often fragmented across domains such as process safety, cybersecurity, road safety, occupational safety, emergency response and product safety. Yet many of today’s challenges are integrated challenges that cross these boundaries.  Safety.Science aims to offer a small but meaningful meeting place for integrated safety insights.

2. A modest, independent pilot journal

• Modest scale with a limited number of contributions.
• Flexible formats including short notes, conceptual pieces, case reflections and educational materials.
• Accessibility for both English and Dutch submissions.
• Light editorial screening for clarity and relevance.
• Independence from any single organisation.
• Open access for all published work.

3. What kinds of contributions are most valuable?

• Cross-domain analyses linking technical, human, organisational, digital and environmental factors.
• Case reflections from safety regions, first responders, municipalities, industry or infrastructure operators.
• Safety-by-design and integration engineering perspectives.
• Methodological notes (e.g. Safety Cube, Bow-Tie, scenario thinking).
• Insights from energy transition and digitalisation.
• Educational experiences from universities and applied universities.

4. The Netherlands as a living laboratory

The Netherlands provides a rich context for integrated safety through its dense infrastructure, active safety-region structure, applied and research universities, and collaborative culture. Lessons learned here can support international dialogue as well.

5. Supporting a community of practice and learning

The journal aims to support a community of practice and learning where knowledge from different sectors and disciplines can be shared openly in short, structured forms.

6. An open invitation

Professionals from safety regions, emergency services, infrastructure, industry, consultancy, government, applied universities and research universities are warmly invited to contribute.

Submissions may be written in Dutch or English (with an English abstract for Dutch manuscripts).

For submissions or informal enquiries, please contact: m.rajabalinejad@utwente.nl.

Acknowledgements

The author thanks colleagues, practitioners, students and partners who have contributed to the development of Integrated Safety.