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Journals in Social sciences

The Social Sciences collection forms a definitive resource for those entering, researching, or teaching in any of the many disciplines making up this interdisciplinary area of study. Written by experts and researchers from both Academic and Commercial domains, titles offer global scope and perspectives.

Key subject areas include: Library and Information Science; Transportation; Urban Studies; Geography, Planning, and Development; Security; Emergency Management.

  • Environmental Science & Policy

    • ISSN: 1462-9011
    Environmental Science & Policy advances research in the intersections between environmental science, policy and society. The journal invites scholarship within this broad thematic that fits with one or more of the following four focal areas: Studies of the relationship between the production and use of knowledge in decision making; Studies of the relation between science and other forms of environmental knowledge, including practical, local and indigenous knowledge; Analyses of decision making practices in government, civil society, and businesses and the ways that they engage environmental knowledge; or Studies that present actionable environmental research with a clear description of how it responds to specific policy directives and the pathways by which this research is informing (or could inform) decision-making. Research can address a wide number of environmental issues, such as climate change, food systems, biodiversity loss, human and ecological well-being, resource use- and extraction, land use change, and sustainability more generally. The journal aspires to achieve an appropriate balance between perspectives from the global North as well as the global South and welcomes discussions of (environmental) justice, equity and inclusion. The journal is particularly interested in cutting edge developments in inter- and transdisciplinary work on co-production; arts-based research; integrated nexus and landscape approaches; the trade-offs and synergies between environmental issues and policies; innovations in integrated assessment, monitoring and evaluation; and transitions and transformative change.Editorial Policy: Submitted articles can offer empirical analysis and can also advance new theory, conceptual frameworks or other innovations. To be considered for publication, articles should fit with the aims and scope of the journal. This means that they should address the relation between environmental science and knowledge, policy and society. To be considered, environmental research articles must go beyond simply stating potential societal and policy relevance. Submitted articles should be of international relevance and well embedded in relevant scholarly conversations and debates, and they should consider the scholarship that has been published in the journal. They should provide a compelling objective and specify how they advance the state of the knowledge beyond the current state of the art. In-depth case studies or local issues may be considered if articles clearly and sufficiently articulate their wider international significance.The journal will consider the following article types: research papers, reviews, perspectives, and letters to the editor. Authors are kindly requested not to contact the Editors-in-Chief for submission approval. Before submitting, please review the journal’s aims, scope, and author guidelines to confirm that your manuscript is appropriate. If it aligns, you are welcome to submit directly through the journal’s system. We regret that email queries seeking submission permission cannot be answered.
  • Urban Climate

    • ISSN: 2212-0955
    Urban climate serves the scientific and decision-making communities with the publication of research on theory, science, and applications relevant to identifying and describing, explaining and predicting urban climatic conditions and change. The journal considers research in the fields of meteorology, geography, demography, social science, economics, engineering, environmental science and political, as it relates to climate smart, sustainable and resilient cities. Targeted towards both disciplinary and interdisciplinary audiences, this journal publishes original research papers, comprehensive review articles, book reviews, and short communications on topics including, but not limited to, the following:Urban weather and climate:The study of the physics, dynamics, and chemistry of the interactions of the Earth’s atmosphere and the urban built environment, and how they affect the urban environment including human populations. Urban canopy and boundary layerUrban heat island effectsCoastal floodingUrban energy budgetImpact of urban meteorology, materials, and form on urban energy useUrban hydrologic cycleUrban-coastal interactionsFeedback... between air quality, local climate and global climate changeUrban impact on precipitationUrban microclimate and weather eventsUrban environmental pollution:The study of the causes, effects and dynamics of urban pollution as they relate to the urban built environment and impacts on and from the urban climate. Emissions and chemistryUrban air qualityAerosol formation and dynamicsLarge-scale pollution from urban agglomerationsEmerge... preparednessIndoor and outdoor environmentPopulatio... exposure and health impactsUrban vegetation impacts and green citiesUrban adaptation to climate change:The study of the urban physical, social, economic and governance processes of adapting cities and urban areas to climate change both in preventive and protective terms. Urban vulnerability to climate hazards and climate changeUrban infrastructure system adaptation Urban adaptation policies, strategies & governance Urban mitigation to climate change: The study of urban technologies, behaviors and social and natural processes that help to reduce the flow of heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere from cities. Urban GHG sources and drivers of climate changeUrban technologies for reducing climate changeUrban mitigation policies, strategies & governance Urban economic and social dynamics and climate:Uses of the tools of social science and economics to study urban activities and their vulnerabilities and contributions to adaptation to urban climate and their contributions to impacts on urban climate. Urban climate impacts and environmental justiceUrban climate and public healthUrban transportation systems and climate Urban materials, energy consumption, and healthPoverty, gender and vulnerability in urban areasUrban governance, institutions and innovation and climateUrban human bioclimatology and thermal comfortIntegrated urban systems and services for climate smart and sustainable cities Urban hydrology and climate The study of the alteration of natural hydrologic regimes within cities that affect discharge patterns including infiltration and runoff, evapotranspiration, direct water discharges via wastewater, and increased water withdrawals and water transfers and either increase vulnerability or contribute to urban climate. Urban hydrology and climateClimate and residential use of water supplyWater use, vegetation and climate Urban ecology and climate The study of urban ecosystems as they create vulnerability or support adaptation to urban climate or contribute to climate change.Urban vegetation and climate Green roofs and urban climate Green infrastructure and urban climate
  • Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability

    • ISSN: 1877-3435
    Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability aims to define the new innovative sustainability science discipline by integrating perspectives from the natural and the social sciences on human-environment interactions and management challenges across regional and global systems. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability thus emphasizes interdisciplinary sustainability research approaches, the solutions it provides and their dissemination and application.Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability aims to stimulate scientifically grounded, interdisciplinary, multi-faceted debate, synthesis and exchange of ideas. Additionally, Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability will continue to publish papers on strategic research plans and key findings of leading global-change research networks, it thus serves as an invaluable source of current peer-reviewed and synthesized information for researchers, lecturers, teachers, practitioners, policy makers and students.Most of the issues published by the journal are invited Special Issues addressing current themes around major global-change systems and problems, the emerging new transdisciplinary sustainability science, sustainability governance and transformation, environmental change assessments, international initiatives, as well as more philosophical reflection on approaches to sustainability challenges. Once a year, we publish an Open Issue, which offers an opportunity for authors working on diverse topics to submit an abstract for consideration. In collaboration with the International Science Council (ISC), COSUST also includes a section dedicated to the 'State of Knowledge on Social Transformations to Sustainability', which consist of original or existing peer-reviewed papers, reviewing knowledge on various dimensions of social transformations to sustainability and drawing out implications for research, practice or policy (https://www.journal... of Special Issues and Guest Editors: We welcome proposals for Special Issues consisting of (1) an overview of the theme, and a motivation why it is timely and innovative, and justifies publication in the journal; (2) a list of proposed topics and names of selected authors. As the journal is international, we aim to commission a mixture of nationalities and disciplines with consideration to gender and regions less covered, but obviously the quality of authors and their review is paramount. Proposals that where possible have the first and second choices of authors (with contact details where possible); (3) a short, two-line, description of the intended scope of each review.Working with the Editors of the journal, Guest Editors, who are major authorities in the field, are responsible for inviting authors, reviewing and organizing themes within a special issue.Please contact your Editorial Manager by email if you have any questions, Ms. Alison Langestraat a.langestraat@elsevi... articles: Authors write short review and/or synthesis articles supported by recent literature in which they present recent developments in their subject and emerging topics, emphasizing the aspects that, in their opinion, are most important. In addition, they provide short annotations to the papers that they consider to be most interesting from all those published in their topic over the previous year.
  • Global Environmental Change

    • ISSN: 0959-3780
    Global Environmental Change is a peer-reviewed international journal publishing high-quality, theoretically grounded, and empirically rigorous research on the human and policy dimensions of global environmental change.We examine environmental change as a biophysical, socially produced, and politically mediated process, shaped by institutions, governance arrangements, power relations, knowledge systems, and social inequalities. Environmental change refers to changes in earth systems and environments, including climate, atmospheres, land systems, biodiversity, water, coasts, oceans, and urban environments. They are driven by human activities and natural processes, are often experienced locally, but are linked to and have consequences at multiple spatial, temporal and socio-political scales. Therefore, our global focus refers not only to geographic extent, but to processes that connect local and place-based dynamics to broader regional, national, and international systems.ScopeSubmiss... should have a significant social science contribution. This entails analysing environmental change through social science frameworks, including (but not limited to) governance studies, institutional analysis, political economy, political ecology, justice frameworks, and decision sciences, as well as modelling that interrogates assumptions, values, and societal implications. We publish scholarship in geography, political science, sociology, anthropology, STS, development studies, complex system science, climate and environmental sciences, resource management, economics, public health, socio-environmental psychology, environmental humanities, and other domains relevant to the human and policy dimensions of global environmental change.We welcome qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and spatial research, driven by social or policy research questions. We prioritise work that advances social science theory and methodology, engages critically with policy, practice, and institutional processes, addresses justice and inequality, and links local dynamics to broader systemic, societal, and/or global transformations.Area... of InterestWe publish research on the social drivers, consequences, and governance of environmental change across domains including:Climate mitigation and adaptationBiodiversi... and ecosystem governanceLand use and land cover changeFood systems and agrarian transitionsWater, coasts, and oceansUrban environmental changeIndigenous, intersectional, and decolonial knowledges Energy transitions Environmental health and wellbeing
  • Design Studies

    • ISSN: 0142-694X
    Design Studies The Interdisciplinary Journal of Design ResearchMission Our mission at Design Studies is to foster contemporary discourse and discoveries in the field of design. We commit to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries and champion inclusivity in academic contributions. We welcome submissions from a diverse spectrum of individuals and perspectives globally. We invite an engaged community of authors to advance design through research, scholarship and creative practice.Aims Design Studies is a leading international academic journal dedicated to the comprehensive examination and discourse of design.The editorial aim is to publish work that is relevant to a broad audience of researchers, educators, and practitioners. We welcome original scholarly research papers concerned with the process, perspectives and outcomes of designing in all its application areas. Insights into the process of design from experimental or empirical research, the design of objects, environments, and systems and their impacts on society and the environment, and critical theory and analysis should galvanize thought leadership and community.Design Studies fills a unique niche among design publications of its type by publishing articles that strike a balance between theoretical and practical modes of inquiry, to produce critical understandings of design practice and its effects in society through the following distinctive aims.Foster Interdisciplinary Design Discussions: Create a space for interdisciplinary discussions on fundamental design elements, including process, cognition, and philosophy, while emphasising research, theory, and innovative outcomes.Explore Design's Theoretical Evolution: Assess the history and future of design by examining its development and contributing to future practices, focusing on rigorous research approachesCritically Analyse Design Practices: Encourage critical evaluations of design methodologies and outcomes, including ethical, social, and environmental considerations.Embra... Diverse Design Contexts: Examine design within various cultural, socio-economic, organisational and political settings, highlighting its impact on social change, sustainability, and community empowerment.Expand the Design Conversation: Welcome a wide range of contributions, including practical case studies, theoretical explorations, and methodological critiques, to engage in a comprehensive design discourse.Scope Design Studies seeks to expand the boundaries of design knowledge and practice. We invite authors to submit papers that not only challenge traditional norms and methodologies but also promote a forward-thinking and inclusive dialogue within the design community. Our scope encompasses a wide range of design domains, including but not limited to engineering design, industrial design, product design, systems design, innovation, and current design thinking paradigms within the overarching research context.Design Studies welcomes articles on a wide range of topic areas across design's core facets centred on the main aims of the journal.Design Theory • Design Process • Philosophy of Design • Design Conceptualisations and Perspectives • Design ThinkingDesign Research and Methodology • Design Research Methods • Interdisciplinary Design Research • Co-DesignDesign Practice • Practice-led Design Research • Design Innovation • Design JusticeDesign Education • Design Pedagogy • Design Teaching and Learning • Design DialogueDesign Impact • Human Factors in Design • Design Manufacturing and Materials • Product Engineering • Design Sustainability
  • Space Policy

    • ISSN: 0265-9646
    Space Policy is an international, interdisciplinary journal that publishes peer-reviewed research on space policy that draws from the fields of public policy, public administration, international relations, economics, history, security studies, development studies, political science, and ethics. The journal delivers impactful, scholarly work that increases our understanding of past policy decisions, informs future decisions and programs, and shapes the development of space activities in their political, economic, industrial, legal, cultural, and social contexts.Alongside full-length papers, which are subject to a double-blind peer review system, the journal publishes case studies and short reports and invited debate series on salient policy topics. This provides policymakers and practitioners with both evidence-based analysis and different viewpoints to help inform and shape the future of humanity’s space activities. Views expressed in the journal are not necessarily those of the editors or members of the editorial board.