Futures

Scope & Guideline

Transforming Ideas into Tomorrow's Solutions

Introduction

Delve into the academic richness of Futures with our guidelines, detailing its aims and scope. Our resource identifies emerging and trending topics paving the way for new academic progress. We also provide insights into declining or waning topics, helping you stay informed about changing research landscapes. Evaluate highly cited topics and recent publications within these guidelines to align your work with influential scholarly trends.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0016-3287
PublisherELSEVIER SCI LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1968 to 2024
AbbreviationFUTURES / Futures
Frequency10 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AS, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Futures' serves as a multidisciplinary platform focusing on the exploration and examination of future possibilities across various domains, emphasizing the importance of foresight in addressing contemporary global challenges. It is dedicated to advancing knowledge in futures studies, scenario planning, and participatory methodologies to foster transformative change and sustainability.
  1. Futures Studies and Scenario Planning:
    The journal emphasizes the development and application of futures studies methodologies, including scenario planning, to facilitate understanding and preparation for potential future developments across social, environmental, and technological landscapes.
  2. Sustainability and Environmental Futures:
    Research published in 'Futures' often addresses sustainability challenges, exploring innovative solutions and pathways to achieve sustainable futures in various contexts, including urban planning, agriculture, and climate change mitigation.
  3. Participatory Approaches and Community Engagement:
    A significant focus is placed on participatory methodologies that involve stakeholders in the foresight process, enabling diverse voices to shape future narratives and enhance collective decision-making.
  4. Interdisciplinary Perspectives:
    The journal promotes interdisciplinary research that integrates insights from various fields such as sociology, economics, environmental science, and technology studies, fostering a holistic understanding of future challenges.
  5. Ethics and Social Justice in Future Making:
    'Futures' addresses ethical considerations and social justice issues related to future scenarios, advocating for inclusive and equitable approaches to future planning and decision-making.
The journal 'Futures' has seen a rise in various innovative themes and interdisciplinary approaches, reflecting current global concerns and the evolving nature of futures studies. These emerging themes are critical for researchers and practitioners alike as they navigate the complexities of future planning.
  1. Climate Resilience and Adaptation:
    Recent publications increasingly focus on climate resilience strategies, emphasizing the need for adaptive approaches to mitigate the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems.
  2. Social Justice and Equity in Futures Planning:
    There is a growing trend towards integrating social justice and equity considerations into futures research, ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the decision-making processes.
  3. Technological Impact and Ethics:
    Emerging discussions around the ethical implications of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, are gaining traction, reflecting a critical examination of their societal impacts.
  4. Decolonizing Futures Studies:
    A notable increase in research aimed at decolonizing futures studies is evident, focusing on indigenous knowledge systems and alternative epistemologies to inform future narratives.
  5. Urban Futures and Sustainable Development:
    The journal is increasingly addressing urban futures, exploring sustainable urban development through innovative practices like participatory planning and nature-based solutions.

Declining or Waning

While 'Futures' continues to thrive in several research areas, certain themes have shown a decline in prominence over recent years. This waning focus may reflect shifts in societal priorities or the evolving landscape of futures studies.
  1. Traditional Economic Growth Models:
    There appears to be a decreasing emphasis on traditional economic growth paradigms, as the journal increasingly critiques such models in favor of sustainability and degrowth approaches.
  2. Technological Determinism:
    Research that uncritically embraces technological advancements without considering their societal implications is less frequently published, signaling a shift towards more nuanced discussions around technology's role in shaping futures.
  3. Single-Disciplinary Approaches:
    The journal has moved away from studies that isolate a single discipline in examining future scenarios, favoring interdisciplinary research that combines insights from multiple fields.
  4. Futures of Conventional Energy Sources:
    Papers focusing on the future of conventional energy sources like fossil fuels have declined, as the discourse increasingly centers around renewable energy and sustainable alternatives.
  5. Short-term Projections without Contextual Analysis:
    There is a noticeable reduction in studies that offer short-term projections without deep contextual analysis, as the journal encourages comprehensive explorations of complex systems over simplistic forecasts.

Similar Journals

Frontiers in Sustainable Cities

Championing Sustainability in Urban Development
Publisher: FRONTIERS MEDIA SAISSN: Frequency: 1 issue/year

Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, published by FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, is an esteemed academic journal dedicated to advancing the fields of Urban Studies, Renewable Energy, and Public Administration. With a commitment to open access since 2019, the journal facilitates the dissemination of high-quality research aimed at creating sustainable urban environments. Operating from Lausanne, Switzerland, this influential publication supports knowledge exchange among researchers, professionals, and students involved in the complex dynamics of urban sustainability. The journal has achieved notable recognition, reflected in its quartile rankings—Q1 in Urban Studies and Q2 in both Public Administration and Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment—indicating its relevance and impact within the scholarly community. Researchers benefit from a broad reach through its open access policy, enhancing visibility and accessibility of important findings that contribute to the development of sustainable cities globally.

European Journal of Futures Research

Connecting Disciplines to Forge Future Solutions
Publisher: SPRINGERISSN: 2195-4194Frequency: 1 issue/year

The European Journal of Futures Research (ISSN: 2195-4194, E-ISSN: 2195-2248), published by Springer, stands as a pivotal resource in the realm of foresight and futures studies. With its commitment to open access since 2013, the journal democratizes access to cutting-edge research, fostering innovation and collaboration across disciplines. Hailing from Germany, the journal encapsulates a multi-faceted scope, engaging with vital themes across Economics, Management of Technology, Social Sciences, and Sociology, as reflected by its impressive quartile rankings in 2023. It occupies notable positions in Scopus, including rank #69 in Social Sciences (miscellaneous) with an 88th percentile, further illustrating its impact and relevance in academic discourse. The journal's objectives include advancing theoretical frameworks and practical applications that address future challenges in various sectors, making it an essential academic platform for researchers, professionals, and students committed to exploring and shaping the future.

Journal of Tourism Futures

Advancing Knowledge for a Sustainable Tourism Tomorrow
Publisher: EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTDISSN: 2055-5911Frequency: 2 issues/year

Welcome to the Journal of Tourism Futures, a premier peer-reviewed publication dedicated to the exploration and advancement of knowledge within the fields of tourism, leisure, and hospitality management. Published by EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD, this esteemed journal has been an Open Access platform since 2015, ensuring that research is widely accessible to foster collaboration across borders and disciplines. With an impressive impact factor and a prestigious ranking in the Q1 category across multiple relevant disciplines, including Geography, Planning and Development, and Nature and Landscape Conservation, the journal plays a pivotal role in shaping contemporary discussions and innovations in tourism research. Based in the United Kingdom, the journal aims to support academics, industry practitioners, and policymakers alike by publishing cutting-edge research that addresses pressing challenges and opportunities within the tourism sector. Join us as we delve into transformative ideas that will define the future of tourism.

Planning Practice and Research

Shaping better communities through rigorous research.
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTDISSN: 0269-7459Frequency: 5 issues/year

Planning Practice and Research, published by Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, is a leading academic journal in the field of geography, planning, and development, recognized for its contribution to understanding urban and regional planning dynamics since its inception in 1986. With an impressive Q2 ranking in the geography category and a Scopus rank that places it in the top 32% among its peers, this journal serves as a vital resource for researchers, practitioners, and students alike who are focused on addressing complex spatial challenges and fostering sustainable urban development. Despite its non-open access model, the journal provides a wealth of peer-reviewed articles that push the boundaries of scholarly inquiry, offering insights into innovative planning practices and policy applications. Researchers and practitioners can expect to find dialogues on contemporary issues, empirical studies, and theoretical explorations that are essential for advancing knowledge and practice in planning. For those involved in the fields of geography and development, Planning Practice and Research represents a crucial platform for sharing critical findings and fostering collaborative discussions aimed at shaping better communities worldwide.

Ciudad y Territorio-Estudios Territoriales-CyTET

Advancing Interdisciplinary Insights in Territorial Studies
Publisher: MINISTERIO FOMENTO, CENTRO PUBLICACIONESISSN: 1133-4762Frequency: 4 issues/year

Ciudad y Territorio-Estudios Territoriales-CyTET, published by the MINISTERIO FOMENTO, CENTRO PUBLICACIONES, is a premier journal dedicated to the interdisciplinary exploration of urban and regional studies. With an ISSN of 1133-4762, this Spanish journal serves as a vital platform for researchers and practitioners interested in the dynamics of geography, planning, and development. Recognized in the Q2 quartile for both Geography, Planning and Development and Urban Studies for 2023, CyTET represents a significant contribution to academic discourse, ranked at 145th in Urban Studies and 542nd in Geography, Planning and Development within the Scopus database. Notably, the journal’s converged issue years from 2014 to 2024 emphasize its ongoing commitment to staying current with the rapidly evolving challenges and innovations in urban environments. Although not Open Access, CyTET provides invaluable insights and research findings that are critical for professionals, scholars, and students aiming to enhance their understanding and impact in the realm of territorial studies.

Geography and Sustainability

Advancing Knowledge for a Sustainable World.
Publisher: ELSEVIERISSN: 2096-7438Frequency: 4 issues/year

Geography and Sustainability is a prestigious, peer-reviewed journal published by Elsevier, focusing on the interdisciplinary fields of geography, ecology, and environmental science. As an Open Access publication since 2020, it aims to provide a platform for the dissemination of high-quality research that addresses critical sustainability challenges facing our planet. Based in China, the journal navigates through an impressive array of categories, all classified in the Q1 Quartile rankings for 2023, showcasing its top-tier status in areas such as Earth-Surface Processes, Geography, Planning and Development, and Nature and Landscape Conservation. With its notable impact factors—ranked 2nd in Earth and Planetary Sciences and 3rd in Environmental Science—it attracts contributions from leading experts and emerging scholars alike. Researchers, professionals, and students seeking to advance the scientific understanding of sustainability and its geographical implications will find indispensable resources and innovative findings within the pages of this journal.

HABITAT INTERNATIONAL

Pioneering insights into human-environment dynamics.
Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTDISSN: 0197-3975Frequency: 4 issues/year

HABITAT INTERNATIONAL is a prestigious academic journal published by Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, based in the United Kingdom. With an impressive Q1 ranking in both Nature and Landscape Conservation and Urban Studies, this journal has established itself as a leading platform for the dissemination of high-quality research in the fields of environmental sustainability, human-environment interactions, and urban planning. Having commenced in 1970, it has evolved through several converged periods, demonstrating its long-standing commitment to fostering scholarly discourse and innovation. Researchers and professionals in urban studies, conservation, and related domains will find value in the journal's rigorous peer-reviewed articles, which address critical issues facing habitats and urban environments today. While the journal does not currently offer open access options, its impact factor and SCOPUS rank - Rank #10/279 and 96th percentile in Urban Studies - underline its importance in advancing knowledge and understanding in these dynamic fields.

Environment and Urbanization ASIA

Transforming Challenges into Solutions for Urban Asia
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTDISSN: 0975-4253Frequency: 2 issues/year

Environment and Urbanization ASIA is a leading academic journal published by SAGE Publications Ltd, focusing on the interplay between urbanization and environmental change across Asia. With an ISSN of 0975-4253 and E-ISSN 0976-3546, this peer-reviewed journal has established itself as an essential resource for scholars and practitioners alike, contributing significantly to the field of urban studies. Ranked in the Q1 category for Urban Studies in 2023 and positioned at 93rd out of 279 in Scopus, it reflects a robust percentile ranking of 66%, underscoring its impact and relevance. Published on a biannual basis, Environment and Urbanization ASIA aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and disseminate cutting-edge research that explores the complex dynamics of urbanization, sustainability, and environmental governance. Though it currently does not offer open-access options, its wealth of scholarly articles offers invaluable insights, making it a cornerstone for anyone engaged in addressing the challenges facing rapidly urbanizing regions in Asia. Join the community of researchers, professionals, and students dedicated to exploring innovative solutions in this critical area of study.

Town and Regional Planning

Navigating the complexities of urban policy.
Publisher: UNIV FREE STATE, DEPT TOWN & REGIONAL PLANNINGISSN: 1012-280XFrequency: 2 issues/year

Town and Regional Planning is a pivotal Open Access journal dedicated to advancing the fields of geography, urban studies, and regional planning. Published by the University of Free State, Department of Town & Regional Planning, this journal has been serving the academic community since 2010, ensuring that invaluable research is accessible to a global audience. With its ISSN 1012-280X and E-ISSN 2415-0495, the journal aims to foster innovative discussions and insights that address contemporary challenges in planning and policy-making within urban contexts, particularly in South Africa and surrounding regions. To highlight its credibility, as of 2023, Town and Regional Planning holds a Q3 quartile ranking in Geography, Planning and Development, and Urban Studies, alongside a Q4 ranking in Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law. This is complemented by its Scopus rankings, where it operates within the competitive landscapes of social sciences and environmental management. Researchers, professionals, and students are encouraged to explore articles that contribute to the development of sustainable and equitable urban environments.

TOWN PLANNING REVIEW

Connecting Researchers and Practitioners in Urban Studies
Publisher: LIVERPOOL UNIV PRESSISSN: 0041-0020Frequency: 6 issues/year

TOWN PLANNING REVIEW is a prestigious academic journal published by Liverpool University Press, focusing on pivotal research in the fields of urban studies and planning. Established in 1977, this journal has become a leading platform for the exploration of contemporary urban challenges and innovative planning solutions, aligning with its impressive Q1 rankings in both Geography, Planning and Development and Urban Studies. With a Scopus rank of 73 out of 279 in Urban Studies, it holds a strong presence in the academic community, making significant contributions to the scholarship and practice of town planning. Although it is not an open-access journal, it continues to reach a global audience by disseminating high-quality, peer-reviewed research. Researchers, professionals, and students interested in advancing their understanding of urbanization processes, planning methodologies, and policy implications will find TOWN PLANNING REVIEW an invaluable resource as it bridges theoretical insights and practical applications in the dynamic landscape of urban development.