Visual Anthropology

Scope & Guideline

Transforming Perspectives in Cultural Studies

Introduction

Welcome to the Visual Anthropology 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 Visual Anthropology, 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.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0894-9468
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1987 to 2001, from 2003 to 2024
AbbreviationVIS ANTHROPOL / Vis. Anthropol.
Frequency5 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

Visual Anthropology focuses on the intersection of visual culture and anthropological research, employing a diverse range of methodologies to explore how visual media shapes cultural narratives and identities. The journal aims to advance the understanding of visual practices and their implications for anthropological inquiry.
  1. Visual Ethnography:
    The journal emphasizes the use of visual methods in ethnographic research, exploring how imagery can convey complex cultural meanings and social realities.
  2. Cultural Representation:
    A core focus is on how different cultures are represented through visual media, examining the power dynamics inherent in these representations.
  3. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    Visual Anthropology encourages interdisciplinary studies, merging insights from anthropology, art history, film studies, and media studies to enrich visual analysis.
  4. Digital and Multimedia Narratives:
    The journal explores contemporary digital practices, including social media and digital storytelling, and their impact on cultural expression and ethnographic documentation.
  5. Material Culture:
    Research on the material aspects of culture, including photography, craft, and performance, is prevalent, highlighting the relationship between materials and cultural practices.
Recent publications in Visual Anthropology reveal emerging themes that reflect current societal issues and advancements in visual technology. These trends highlight the journal's responsiveness to contemporary cultural phenomena and the evolving nature of visual studies.
  1. Digital Ethnography:
    A significant increase in research utilizing digital platforms for ethnographic inquiry is evident, reflecting the growing importance of online cultures and communities.
  2. Activism and Visuality:
    There is a rising trend in exploring the intersection of visual culture and social activism, particularly how imagery is used to advocate for social justice and human rights.
  3. Cultural Memory and Trauma:
    Themes surrounding visual representations of cultural memory, particularly in contexts of trauma and conflict, are gaining traction, highlighting the role of visuals in collective remembrance.
  4. Intersectionality in Visual Culture:
    Emerging studies are increasingly addressing intersectionality within visual narratives, focusing on how various identities (gender, race, class) are represented and experienced visually.
  5. Augmented and Virtual Reality:
    Research on augmented and virtual reality as tools for ethnographic exploration is on the rise, pushing the boundaries of how anthropologists engage with and present cultural experiences.

Declining or Waning

While Visual Anthropology continues to thrive in various areas, certain themes have seen a decline in prominence over recent years. These waning scopes may reflect broader shifts in research interests or the evolving landscape of visual culture.
  1. Traditional Ethnographic Film:
    There has been a noticeable decline in studies focused exclusively on traditional ethnographic filmmaking, as the field shifts towards more diverse and contemporary visual practices.
  2. Static Visual Analysis:
    Research concentrating solely on static images, such as traditional photography, is becoming less frequent, with a growing emphasis on dynamic and interactive visual forms.
  3. Historical Representation:
    Themes centered on historical representations and archival studies appear to be waning, possibly as the focus shifts towards contemporary issues and real-time visual cultures.
  4. Single-Country Studies:
    There is a decline in papers that focus narrowly on single-country case studies, as researchers increasingly adopt comparative and transnational perspectives.
  5. Textual Analysis of Visual Media:
    The approach of analyzing visual media primarily through textual frameworks is decreasing, as more scholars advocate for multimodal and sensory methodologies.

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