JOURNAL OF VISUAL CULTURE

Scope & Guideline

Advancing Critical Dialogues in Visual Studies

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of JOURNAL OF VISUAL CULTURE with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1470-4129
PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2002 to 2024
AbbreviationJ VIS CULT / J. Vis. Cult.
Frequency3 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2455 TELLER RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320

Aims and Scopes

The Journal of Visual Culture focuses on the intersection of visual studies with various cultural, political, and social phenomena. Its aims extend to exploring how visual culture influences and is influenced by contemporary issues, providing a platform for innovative and critical perspectives.
  1. Interdisciplinary Analysis of Visual Culture:
    The journal emphasizes the examination of visual culture through various lenses, including art, media, and technology, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among fields such as sociology, anthropology, and history.
  2. Focus on Marginalized Voices:
    A consistent theme in the journal is the representation and empowerment of marginalized communities, exploring how visual culture can serve as a medium for resistance and activism.
  3. Critical Engagement with Technology:
    The journal frequently addresses the impact of digital technology on visual culture, including the implications of AI, social media, and virtual reality on perception and representation.
  4. Exploration of Global Perspectives:
    Emphasizing a global outlook, the journal covers visual culture from diverse geographical and cultural contexts, particularly focusing on underrepresented narratives and histories.
  5. Historical and Contemporary Contextualization:
    The journal provides critical insights into both historical and contemporary visual practices, offering a comprehensive understanding of how past movements influence current visual culture.
The Journal of Visual Culture has witnessed the emergence of several new themes in recent years, reflecting contemporary issues and innovations in visual studies. These trends indicate a dynamic engagement with current cultural dialogues.
  1. Intersection of Visual Culture and Activism:
    Recent publications increasingly explore how visual culture acts as a tool for activism, highlighting works that address social justice, environmental issues, and political movements across various contexts.
  2. Hybrid and Digital Practices:
    There is a growing interest in hybrid forms of visual culture that combine traditional media with digital practices, including the use of augmented reality and immersive experiences.
  3. Posthumanism and Non-Human Agency:
    Emerging discussions around posthumanism and the agency of non-human entities in visual culture are gaining traction, examining how technology and the environment interact with human experiences.
  4. Visual Culture in the Context of Global Crises:
    The journal is increasingly addressing visual culture's role in responding to global crises, such as pandemics, climate change, and political upheaval, emphasizing the relevance of visual narratives in these contexts.
  5. Affective and Sensory Engagement:
    There is an emerging focus on affective and sensory experiences in visual culture, exploring how emotions and bodily sensations influence perception and interpretation of visual artifacts.

Declining or Waning

While the Journal of Visual Culture continues to evolve, certain themes have shown signs of decline in recent publications. These waning scopes reflect shifts in scholarly focus or changing cultural contexts.
  1. Traditional Art Criticism:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in articles focused solely on traditional art criticism, as the journal increasingly prioritizes discussions that intersect with broader socio-political contexts.
  2. Eurocentric Perspectives:
    The journal's content has shifted away from Eurocentric viewpoints, with fewer articles centered on Western art narratives, indicating a broader commitment to global and inclusive perspectives.
  3. Static Representations of Identity:
    Themes revolving around static or monolithic representations of identity are less prominent, as the journal increasingly embraces complexity and fluidity in discussions about identity politics.
  4. Conventional Media Forms:
    There is a decline in the analysis of conventional media forms such as print and television, with a growing emphasis on new media and digital platforms that challenge traditional boundaries.
  5. Historical Narratives without Contemporary Relevance:
    Papers that solely focus on historical narratives without linking to contemporary implications or relevance are becoming less frequent, as the journal aims to maintain a dynamic conversation with current visual culture.

Similar Journals

EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY LIFE

Revealing the Art and Ideas of the 18th Century
Publisher: DUKE UNIV PRESSISSN: 0098-2601Frequency: 3 issues/year

EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY LIFE is a prominent academic journal published by DUKE UNIVERSITY PRESS, focusing on the interdisciplinary study of the 18th century through the lenses of Cultural Studies, History, Literature, and the Visual Arts and Performing Arts. With an established history since 1977, this journal serves as a vital platform for scholars and students to publish innovative research and critical discourse, shedding light on the complex social, political, and artistic currents of the 18th century. Despite its current ranking in the lower quartiles according to Scopus, the journal continues to foster scholarly dialogue and contribute to the understanding of this pivotal era in Western history. Its accessible yet scholarly articles make it a valuable resource for researchers, educators, and students alike, facilitating engagement with 18th-century studies from various disciplinary perspectives.

Historia Contemporanea

Unveiling the Past, Shaping the Future
Publisher: UPV-EHU PRESS, SERV EDITORIALISSN: 1130-2402Frequency: 2 issues/year

Historia Contemporanea is a distinguished academic journal published by UPV-EHU PRESS, SERV EDITORIAL, dedicated to the field of contemporary history. With an ISSN of 1130-2402 and an E-ISSN of 2340-0277, this journal has been an open access publication since 1988, ensuring that groundbreaking research is accessible to a global audience. Hailing from Spain, specifically from CAMPUS BIZKAIA, LEIOA E-48940, the journal serves as a pivotal platform for scholars and practitioners alike, featuring high-quality articles that explore significant themes in contemporary history. Recognized for its impact, it achieved a category quartile ranking of Q2 in History for 2023 and is currently positioned in the 53rd percentile among similar journals in the arts and humanities. With yearly converged volumes, including years 2002 through 2024, Historia Contemporanea plays an essential role in advancing historical discourse and fostering academic collaboration across disciplines.

DIACRITICS-A REVIEW OF CONTEMPORARY CRITICISM

Navigating the Complexities of Modern Critique
Publisher: JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV PRESSISSN: 0300-7162Frequency: 4 issues/year

Welcome to DIACRITICS: A Review of Contemporary Criticism, a distinguished journal published by Johns Hopkins University Press, specializing in the interdisciplinary fields of literature and literary theory. With an impressive impact factor that places it in the top quartile of its category, DIACRITICS is recognized for its rigorous scholarship and critical insights, ranking #93 out of 1106 journals in Arts and Humanities Literature and Literary Theory according to Scopus. This journal, which has been continually publishing significant work since its inception, focuses on contemporary literary criticism, engaging scholars, professionals, and students in thoughtful discourse on relevant issues and transformative trends in the field. Although not open access, it provides a rich resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of critical theory and literature. We invite you to explore the innovative perspectives and scholarly contributions that DIACRITICS offers, ensuring a vibrant exchange of ideas and fostering academic excellence.

Discourse-Journal for Theoretical Studies in Media and Culture

Exploring the intersection of theory and society.
Publisher: WAYNE STATE UNIV PRESSISSN: 1522-5321Frequency: 3 issues/year

Discourse: Journal for Theoretical Studies in Media and Culture, published by Wayne State University Press, serves as a vital academic platform dedicated to advancing the theories and critical discussions surrounding the complex interplay of media, culture, and society. With an ISSN of 1522-5321 and an E-ISSN of 1536-1810, this journal aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers, professionals, and students alike. Although not an open-access journal, it provides a wealth of peer-reviewed articles that delve into contemporary issues in media theory and cultural studies, reflective of its commitment to intellectual rigor and scholarly excellence. With its emphasis on innovative perspectives and critical analysis, Discourse is essential for anyone engaged in exploring the implications of media in our cultural landscape, making it a pivotal resource in the field.

Visual Ethnography

Bridging Visual Representation and Cultural Insight
Publisher: UNIV BASILICATAISSN: 2281-1605Frequency: 2 issues/year

Visual Ethnography, published by UNIV BASILICATA, is an innovative academic journal dedicated to the interdisciplinary exploration of visual methodologies within the realms of Anthropology, Communication, and Cultural Studies. With a notable emphasis on visual ethnographic practices, this journal serves as an essential platform for researchers, professionals, and students aiming to bridge the gap between visual representation and cultural analysis. Since its inception in 2012, Visual Ethnography has contributed significantly to the academic discourse, despite its current positioning in the lower quartiles of its field as evidenced by its Scopus rankings. The journal actively engages its audience by providing open access options, ensuring that scholarship in visual culture is available to a wider community. With the academic landscape continually evolving, Visual Ethnography remains a vital resource for those seeking to understand the complexities of culture through a visual lens in the context of today’s globalized society.

Teksty Drugie

Fostering Critical Thought in the Arts and Humanities
Publisher: POLISH ACAD SCIENCES, INST LITERARY RESEARCHISSN: 0867-0633Frequency: 6 issues/year

Teksty Drugie is a premier academic journal dedicated to the field of Literature and Literary Theory, published by the Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Literary Research. With its issuance beginning in 2008 and extending intermittently to 2020, this journal has been a significant contributor to literary scholarship in Poland and beyond. The journal holds a commendable Q2 ranking in its category for 2023, indicating its influential status amongst peers in the Arts and Humanities realm, and an impressive Scopus rank of #736 out of 934 in the Literature and Literary Theory domain, with a 21st percentile ranking. Researchers and students will find this journal invaluable for its rigorous academic standards and insightful contributions to contemporary literary discourse. While traditionally available through subscription, Teksty Drugie remains an essential resource for those engaged in the study of literature, offering critical theoretical perspectives and a forum for scholarly debate. The journal is located at ul. Nowy Świat 72, Pałac Staszica, Room 1, Warszawa 00-330, Poland.

REVUE FRANCAISE D ETUDES AMERICAINES

Bridging American Contexts with Global Perspectives
Publisher: ASSOC FRANCAISE ETUDES AMERISSN: 0397-7870Frequency: 4 issues/year

REVUE FRANCAISE D ETUDES AMERICAINES is a distinguished academic journal published by the ASSOCIATION FRANCAISE D ETUDES AMERICAINES, dedicated to the exploration of American studies from a multicultural and interdisciplinary perspective. Since its inception in 1990, this journal has provided a platform for scholarly debate and research, laying the groundwork for critical examinations of various aspects of American culture, politics, and society. Although currently classified in the lower quartiles (Q4) across several categories—Arts and Humanities, Cultural Studies, and Sociology and Political Science—its commitment to enriching academic discourse makes it a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals alike. The journal lacks an open-access option, but its informative content remains vital for anyone involved in the study of American influences globally. By bridging the gap between American context and global frameworks, REVUE FRANCAISE D ETUDES AMERICAINES plays a pivotal role in fostering international understanding of American studies.

SituArte

Fostering Critical Discourse in Latin American Culture
Publisher: UNIV ZULIA-VENEZUELAISSN: 1856-7134Frequency: 2 issues/year

SituArte is an esteemed academic journal published by UNIV ZULIA-VENEZUELA, focusing on the interdisciplinary fields of art, culture, and social sciences, particularly within the Latin American context. With its ISSN 1856-7134 and E-ISSN 2542-3231, SituArte endeavors to foster critical discourse and promote innovative research that explores the dynamic interplay between visual culture and societal impacts. Although this journal does not currently offer open access options, it remains a vital resource for researchers, professionals, and students seeking to contribute to the evolving conversations in these disciplines. Situated in Maracaibo, Venezuela, SituArte emphasizes regional perspectives while engaging with global trends, making it an essential platform for disseminating scholarly work that challenges conventional paradigms and enriches the academic community.

Visual Studies

Connecting disciplines to enrich visual studies.
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTDISSN: 1472-586XFrequency: 5 issues/year

Visual Studies, published by Taylor & Francis Ltd, is a leading international journal that serves as a vital platform for interdisciplinary scholarship in the fields of visual arts, cultural studies, and anthropology. Established in 2002 and continuing strong through 2024, it holds impressive rankings including Q1 in Cultural Studies and Visual Arts and Performing Arts, as well as Q2 in Anthropology, reflecting its significant impact and prestige within these disciplines. With a robust Scopus ranking placing it in the 89th percentile for Visual Arts and Performing Arts, this journal does not only publish original research but also fosters rich dialogues on visual culture, representation, and critical theory. Although it is not open access, researchers, practitioners, and students alike can benefit from its rigorous peer-reviewed content, which contributes to advancing knowledge and understanding of visual phenomena. Located in the United Kingdom, Visual Studies continues to shape the conversations surrounding visual practices and their societal implications.

CAMERA OBSCURA

Challenging Norms Through the Lens of Gender Studies
Publisher: DUKE UNIV PRESSISSN: 0270-5346Frequency: 3 issues/year

CAMERA OBSCURA, an esteemed journal published by DUKE UNIVERSITY PRESS, serves as a vital platform at the intersection of Visual Arts and Gender Studies. With its ISSN 0270-5346 and E-ISSN 1529-1510, this journal has been an influential contributor to critical discussions in cultural theory and visual culture from 2002 to 2024. Notably categorized in the Q4 quartile for Gender Studies and Q2 for Visual Arts and Performing Arts in 2023, CAMERA OBSCURA boasts a Scopus rank that reflects its growing impact within the academic community. Although currently not offered as an open-access publication, its rigorous peer-reviewed content remains crucial for researchers, professionals, and students alike, facilitating a deeper understanding of how visual representation shapes and is shaped by societal constructs. Set in the heart of the United States, the journal's commitment to exploring the complexities of gendered visuality emphasizes its importance within contemporary scholarship in these vibrant fields.