University of Tampere

Finland

Lessons from the European Journal of

Cultural Studies Pertti Alasuutari

University of Tampere

University of Tampere

Finland

Frequency: QuarterlyISSN: 1367-5494eISSN: 1460-3551Months of Distribution: February - May - August - NovemberCurrent Volume: 11Current Issue: 2

Editors: Pertti Alasuutari, University of

Tampere, FinlandAnn Gray, Lincoln University,

UKJoke Hermes, InHolland

University, The NetherlandsPublisher: Sage

University of Tampere

Finland

Aims and Scope• An international journal based in Europe• Promotes a conception of cultural studies

rooted in lived experience• Adopts a broad-ranging view of cultural studies• The journal is interdisciplinary• It engages in critical discussions on power

relations concerning gender, class, sexual preference, ethnicity and other macro or micro sites of political struggle

University of Tampere

Finland

Aims and Scope Explained

• International, not a journal of European cultural studies or European studies

• You need to address a truly international readership:– Tie in your research with a theoretical or

methodological point or show how your case has truly international relevance

University of Tampere

Finland

The Kind of Papers We Wish to Publish

• From the ‘Birmingham school’ to an international cross‑disciplinary intellectual movement – Yet we are not interested in publishing any

kind of studies of culture

• Analyses of cultural products is a way of approaching contemporary culture and society, but we expect links with wider society

University of Tampere

Finland

The Kind of Papers We Wish to Publish

• Papers concentrating on social and cultural theory are also welcome– However, we are not interested in papers

analyzing what a classic or a prominent theorist has said or where their ideas originate

• We are in favour of theorizing drawing on empirical observations and in well‑theorized empirical case‑study research

University of Tampere

Finland

The Kind of Papers We Wish to Publish

• No preference for any particular methods– However, we are in favour of innovative

research

• The journal is not a place for reporting on findings from for instance social surveys, even if they deal with cultural factors as independent variables

University of Tampere

Finland

Lessons and hints• Methodological rigour is rare and always

welcome• A clear question and a well-founded answer is

the key point– It also helps in a clear organization of the paper

• The review process– based on voluntary work, takes its time– Intersubjective at best, it is not a plea court– Be grateful for the feedback even when the paper is

rejected