Dear Participants, Friends,

Following the Understanding Plastics Conference 2025, I am currently considering the publication of conference proceedings that would include the papers and communications presented during the event, in addition to the already planned special issue in the Journal of Material Culture.

There will be a clear distinction between these two publication formats:

• The conference proceedings may include contributions in the same form in which they were presented at the conference, with only minor revisions if needed for clarity. The aim of the proceedings is to document and make accessible the full range of communications shared during the event.
• The special issue of the Journal of Material Culture, a high-impact, peer-reviewed journal, will require more demanding, fully developed papers. These submissions should show substantial analytical depth, a solid theoretical and methodological grounding, and must meet the journal’s standards of rigor and originality.

Thus, while the proceedings will reflect the breadth and diversity of the work presented, the special issue will involve a more rigorous and in-depth scholarly contribution.

I kindly ask all participants to let me know by Wednesday, 26 November, whether you intend to submit a text for the proceedings and/or for the special issue. This will allow me to estimate the number of expected contributions and begin planning accordingly.

Further details on submission procedures, deadlines, and formatting guidelines for both publications will follow soon.

Thank you once again for your valuable contributions to the conference and for considering these publication opportunities.

With warm regards,

Maria Elvira

Dear Participants, Colleagues, Friends,

As the Understanding Plastics Conference 2025 comes to an end, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to each of you for your participation, enthusiasm, and generosity throughout the conference and exhibition.

Your contributions, questions, and engagement made the event truly remarkable. The diversity of perspectives and the quality of discussions exceeded all expectations, creating an inspiring atmosphere that reflected the richness and complexity of our shared topic — understanding plastics.

This conference was a wonderful opportunity for us to come together, and I am sincerely grateful to all who helped make it such a memorable experience. It has been a privilege to share these days of dialogue, learning, and exchange with such a dedicated and thoughtful community.

Your energy, collaboration, and presence made this event truly successful, and you played an essential role in making it possible.

I also hope that you have all had a pleasant journey home and are now safely with your families, carrying good memories of your time here.

If you took any photos during the conference or exhibition, I would be very grateful if you could send them to me. I’d love to share a selection with all participants so that we can keep a visual memory of the wonderful moments we spent together.

With warmest regards and heartfelt thanks,
Maria Elvira