South African Geographical Journal

Scope & Guideline

Shaping policy through rigorous geographical research.

Introduction

Welcome to your portal for understanding South African Geographical Journal, featuring guidelines for its aims and scope. Our guidelines cover trending and emerging topics, identifying the forefront of research. Additionally, we track declining topics, offering insights into areas experiencing reduced scholarly attention. Key highlights include highly cited topics and recently published papers, curated within these guidelines to assist you in navigating influential academic dialogues.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0373-6245
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1931 to 1932, from 1934 to 1936, from 1938 to 2024
AbbreviationS AFR GEOGR J / S. Afr. Geogr. J.
Frequency4 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

The South African Geographical Journal focuses on a wide range of geographical and environmental issues pertinent to South Africa and the broader African context. Its main aims and scopes emphasize interdisciplinary research that combines theoretical approaches with practical applications to address contemporary challenges in geography, environmental science, and social issues.
  1. Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies:
    Research focusing on climate change impacts, adaptation strategies, and resilience, particularly in the context of vulnerable communities and ecosystems in South Africa.
  2. Spatial Analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS):
    Utilization of spatial data and GIS methodologies to analyze various geographical phenomena, including urban development, environmental changes, and resource management.
  3. Sustainable Development and Environmental Management:
    Exploration of sustainable practices in urban planning, natural resource management, and community engagement to enhance resilience and environmental quality.
  4. Socioeconomic Dynamics and Urban Studies:
    Examination of urbanization processes, inequalities, and the socio-economic factors influencing communities within South African cities and towns.
  5. Natural Resource Management and Conservation:
    Investigating the management of natural resources, including water, land, and biodiversity, with an emphasis on conservation strategies and ecological sustainability.
  6. Cultural Geography and Community Perspectives:
    Analysis of cultural landscapes, local narratives, and community engagement in geographical and environmental issues, reflecting diverse perspectives in South Africa.
The South African Geographical Journal has seen a notable shift towards emerging themes that reflect the current socio-environmental landscape and the pressing challenges faced by communities. These trending areas highlight the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues and innovative research methodologies.
  1. Climate Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction:
    An increasing focus on climate resilience, particularly in the context of disaster risk reduction strategies, showcasing the need for adaptive measures in response to climate change impacts.
  2. Urbanization and Informal Settlements:
    A surge in research examining the dynamics of urbanization, particularly the challenges and opportunities associated with informal settlements in South African cities.
  3. Health and Wellbeing in Urban Contexts:
    Emerging studies that explore the intersection of health, wellbeing, and urban environments, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic impacts.
  4. Remote Sensing and Technological Applications:
    Growing interest in utilizing remote sensing technologies and spatial analysis tools to address environmental issues, land use changes, and resource management.
  5. Social Justice and Environmental Equity:
    An increased emphasis on social justice issues related to environmental management and resource allocation, reflecting a broader discourse on equity and community engagement.

Declining or Waning

While the journal maintains a robust focus on various geographical themes, certain areas have seen a decline in prominence over recent years. These waning scopes reflect shifting research priorities and emerging challenges faced by the discipline.
  1. Traditional Land Use Studies:
    Research focusing solely on traditional land use practices has diminished, possibly due to increasing interest in integrated approaches that consider socio-economic and environmental factors.
  2. Historical Geographical Analysis:
    There appears to be a decline in papers centered on historical geography, as contemporary studies increasingly prioritize current issues such as climate change and urbanization.
  3. Rural Geography:
    Although rural studies remain important, there is a noticeable decrease in publications specifically addressing rural geography, with more emphasis shifting towards urban-centric research.
  4. Geopolitics and Globalization:
    The focus on geopolitics and globalization has waned, as researchers seem to be concentrating more on local and regional issues rather than broader geopolitical analyses.
  5. Conventional Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA):
    Research specifically focused on conventional EIAs is becoming less prominent, likely due to the evolving methodologies and frameworks that integrate community perspectives and participatory approaches.

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