Leisure Studies

Scope & Guideline

Connecting Theory and Practice in Leisure Dynamics

Introduction

Welcome to the Leisure Studies 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 Leisure Studies, 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.
LanguageMulti-Language
ISSN0261-4367
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1981 to 2024
AbbreviationLEISURE STUD / Leis. Stud.
Frequency6 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

Leisure Studies aims to investigate the multifaceted nature of leisure, its impact on individuals and communities, and its connections to broader societal issues. The journal embraces interdisciplinary approaches, drawing from sociology, psychology, cultural studies, and public policy to explore how leisure practices shape and are shaped by social dynamics.
  1. Interdisciplinary Research on Leisure:
    The journal promotes research that integrates various disciplines to understand leisure practices, their meanings, and their societal implications.
  2. Focus on Social Justice and Inequality:
    There is a consistent emphasis on examining leisure through the lenses of social justice, equity, and the impact of inequalities on leisure access and experiences.
  3. Cultural and Community Perspectives:
    Leisure Studies often explores how cultural contexts and community dynamics influence leisure activities and their significance to identity and belonging.
  4. Health and Well-being:
    The journal publishes research that investigates the relationship between leisure activities and health outcomes, including mental health, well-being, and quality of life.
  5. Sustainability and Environmental Awareness:
    Recent publications reflect a growing interest in the sustainability of leisure practices, particularly in relation to the environment and community engagement.
  6. Technology and Leisure:
    The journal examines the role of technology in shaping leisure experiences, including the implications of digital leisure and virtual communities.
  7. Historical and Ethnographic Approaches:
    A notable aspect of the journal is its commitment to historical and ethnographic methodologies that provide deep insights into leisure practices across different cultures and time periods.
Recent publications in Leisure Studies reflect emerging trends that indicate a shift towards more complex and socially relevant themes in leisure research. These trends highlight the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues and societal changes.
  1. Leisure and Social Activism:
    There is a growing trend towards exploring leisure as a form of social activism, emphasizing how leisure practices can challenge social norms and promote community engagement.
  2. Impact of COVID-19 on Leisure:
    The pandemic's influence on leisure behaviors, including changes in participation, access, and mental health outcomes, has emerged as a significant area of research.
  3. Diversity and Inclusion in Leisure:
    Recent themes focus on the experiences of marginalized groups within leisure contexts, examining issues of representation, access, and identity.
  4. Digital and Virtual Leisure:
    An increase in research on digital leisure and virtual experiences is evident, reflecting the changing landscape of leisure activities in a technology-driven society.
  5. Environmental Sustainability in Leisure Practices:
    Emerging discussions center around the sustainability of leisure activities and their environmental impacts, highlighting the relationship between leisure and ecological awareness.
  6. Intersectionality in Leisure Studies:
    There is a noticeable trend towards employing intersectional frameworks to understand how various identities (e.g., race, gender, class) intersect within leisure contexts.
  7. Mental Health and Leisure:
    Research linking leisure activities to mental health outcomes is on the rise, emphasizing the importance of leisure for psychological well-being and resilience.

Declining or Waning

While Leisure Studies continues to explore a wide range of themes, certain areas of focus appear to be declining in prominence. This may indicate a shift in the journal's research priorities or a response to evolving societal interests.
  1. Traditional Sports and Leisure:
    Research centered solely on traditional sports and their leisure aspects seems to be less frequent, possibly overshadowed by broader cultural and social considerations.
  2. Static Leisure Models:
    There is a noticeable decline in papers that apply static models of leisure participation without considering dynamic social factors, indicating a shift towards more nuanced and contextual analyses.
  3. Leisure for Economic Growth:
    Themes emphasizing leisure primarily as a driver for economic growth or tourism development are becoming less prominent, as the focus shifts towards social and cultural dimensions.
  4. Individualistic Leisure Experiences:
    Papers that solely explore individual leisure experiences in isolation are decreasing, with a greater emphasis now placed on community and relational aspects of leisure.

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