CRITICAL SOCIAL POLICY

Scope & Guideline

Elevating voices in critical social policy research.

Introduction

Welcome to the CRITICAL SOCIAL POLICY information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of CRITICAL SOCIAL POLICY, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0261-0183
PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1981 to 2024
AbbreviationCRIT SOC POLICY / Crit. Soc. Policy
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 1SP, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

CRITICAL SOCIAL POLICY focuses on the intersections of social policy, social justice, and critical theory, emphasizing the analysis of power dynamics, inequalities, and the lived experiences of marginalized communities. The journal aims to foster dialogue that critiques prevailing social policies and proposes alternatives grounded in social justice principles.
  1. Critical Analysis of Social Policies:
    The journal examines social policies through a critical lens, exploring how these policies impact marginalized communities and contribute to systemic inequalities.
  2. Intersectional Approaches:
    It emphasizes the importance of intersectionality in understanding social issues, particularly how various forms of discrimination such as race, class, gender, and sexuality interact within social policy frameworks.
  3. Focus on Marginalized Communities:
    The journal prioritizes research that highlights the experiences and challenges faced by marginalized groups, advocating for their voices in policy discussions.
  4. Methodological Diversity:
    Utilizing a range of methodologies, including qualitative, quantitative, and participatory approaches, the journal encourages innovative research that can inform practice and policy.
  5. Emphasis on Global Perspectives:
    CRITICAL SOCIAL POLICY also engages with global issues, addressing how local policies are influenced by global economic and political dynamics.
Recent publications in CRITICAL SOCIAL POLICY indicate a shift towards emerging themes that reflect contemporary social challenges and evolving academic discourse. These trends are significant for researchers interested in the future of social policy analysis.
  1. Racial and Ethnic Inequalities:
    There is an increasing focus on racialized experiences within social policy, particularly in relation to migration, asylum, and the impacts of systemic racism on policy effectiveness.
  2. Mental Health and Social Justice:
    Emerging themes highlight the intersection of mental health and social justice, exploring how mental health policies can perpetuate inequalities and how they can be reformed to be more inclusive.
  3. Environmental Justice:
    Research linking social policy with environmental issues is on the rise, emphasizing the importance of eco-social policies and their implications for marginalized communities.
  4. Digitalization and Social Exclusion:
    The impact of digitalization on social welfare and policy is becoming a prominent theme, particularly concerning how technology can both aid and hinder access to social services.
  5. Participatory and Community-Based Approaches:
    There is a growing trend towards participatory methods in social research, advocating for community engagement in policy-making processes as a means to empower marginalized voices.

Declining or Waning

While CRITICAL SOCIAL POLICY has maintained a robust focus on various critical themes, certain areas appear to be waning in prominence based on recent publications. This shift may reflect broader changes in social discourse or evolving research priorities.
  1. Traditional Welfare Models:
    There seems to be a decline in the exploration of traditional welfare models and frameworks, as recent publications focus more on critiques of neoliberalism and the impacts of austerity.
  2. Homogeneous Gender Studies:
    Research that approaches gender issues from a binary perspective is less frequent, indicating a shift towards more nuanced discussions that encompass diverse gender identities and experiences.
  3. Historical Social Policy Analysis:
    There is a noticeable reduction in papers that focus solely on historical analyses of social policy, as current research trends lean more towards contemporary issues and immediate impacts.
  4. Single-Factor Analyses:
    Research that isolates single factors in examining social issues (such as only focusing on economic factors without considering social or political contexts) is becoming less common as interdisciplinary approaches gain prominence.

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