South African Review of Sociology

Scope & Guideline

Fostering Scholarly Dialogue on Social Issues

Introduction

Welcome to your portal for understanding South African Review of Sociology, 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
ISSN2152-8586
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2006 to 2024
AbbreviationS AFR REV SOCIOL / S. Afr. Rev. Sociol.
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 Review of Sociology serves as a critical platform for exploring contemporary social issues, with a strong emphasis on the complexities of social relationships and structures in South Africa and beyond. The journal's aims and scope highlight a commitment to addressing pressing sociological themes through diverse methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches.
  1. Social Justice and Inequality:
    The journal focuses on issues of social justice, inequality, and the dynamics of power within various societal contexts, particularly in post-apartheid South Africa.
  2. Migration and Transnationalism:
    Research on migration patterns, experiences of migrant communities, and transnational family structures is a core area, examining how these dynamics shape social identities and community interactions.
  3. Gender Studies and Feminist Theory:
    A significant emphasis is placed on gender relations, feminist theory, and the experiences of women, particularly in the contexts of work, migration, and social struggles.
  4. Decolonization and Indigenous Knowledge:
    The journal explores themes of decolonization, indigenous knowledge systems, and the implications of these frameworks for understanding contemporary social issues.
  5. Health and Well-being:
    Research addressing health-related issues, particularly in the context of public health crises like COVID-19, mental health, and community health practices is a prominent focus.
  6. Cultural Studies and Social Movements:
    Investigating cultural expressions, social movements, and their impacts on society is essential, particularly in relation to resistance and activism in South African contexts.
The South African Review of Sociology has demonstrated a dynamic scope, with emerging themes reflecting current social challenges and scholarly interests. The following bullet points outline these trending and emerging scopes, indicating areas of increasing relevance and exploration.
  1. Post-Pandemic Social Dynamics:
    Research examining the social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding labor, health, and community resilience, has surged, highlighting the need for sociological insights in crisis contexts.
  2. Intersectionality in Social Analysis:
    There is a growing trend towards intersectional approaches that explore the interplay of race, gender, class, and sexuality, reflecting a broader understanding of social identities and power relations.
  3. Digital Sociology and Technology's Impact:
    Emerging themes in digital sociology, including the influence of social media and technology on social interactions and movements, are increasingly prominent in recent publications.
  4. Environmental Sociology and Climate Justice:
    Topics related to environmental issues, climate change activism, and social justice are gaining traction, emphasizing the sociological implications of ecological crises.
  5. Community and Participatory Research:
    There is an increased focus on community-engaged research and participatory methodologies that aim to empower marginalized voices and foster social change.

Declining or Waning

While the South African Review of Sociology has consistently addressed a wide range of sociological topics, certain themes have shown a decline in prominence over recent years. The following bullet points highlight these waning scopes, reflecting shifts in focus or reduced frequency of exploration.
  1. Traditional Family Structures:
    Research on traditional family structures has decreased, with fewer studies focusing solely on conventional family dynamics, indicating a shift towards more complex family forms and relationships.
  2. Rural Sociology:
    While rural issues remain relevant, there has been a notable decline in articles specifically focused on rural sociology, suggesting a pivot towards urban-centric studies that address contemporary challenges.
  3. Historical Sociological Analyses:
    The frequency of historical analyses within sociology, particularly those that do not connect to current societal issues, appears to be waning, as the journal emphasizes more contemporary and applied sociological research.
  4. Economic Sociology Focused on Industrial Relations:
    The focus on traditional industrial relations and economic sociology has decreased, possibly due to a growing interest in the gig economy and informal labor markets rather than established industrial frameworks.
  5. Conventional Masculinity Studies:
    While masculinity remains a topic of interest, conventional studies that do not interrogate intersecting identities or contemporary societal changes are less frequently published.

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