50In 2026, the Journal of Australian Studies publishes its 50th volume. To mark this occasion we propose a special issue for release in late 2026. For this volume, we would like to invite scholars to revisit its back issues - perhaps with nostalgia, perhaps with criticism, but always with the purpose of evaluating what Australian Studies has been, what it currently is, and what it can be. We seek articles of that can do one or more of the following: Select a particular article or special issue from the past to speak to from a contemporary perspective Revisit one of your own articles published in JAS to critically revise, update - or perhaps redact past scholarship Scholarly reflections of editorial experiences with the journal focused on characterising “Australian Studies” at the time Critical personal reflections Debates and disputes in Australian studies (on the pages and off of JAS ) A critical history of/commentary on JAS and its relationship to the field of Australian Studies more broadly Critical reviews of key themes the journal has covered (or not covered) over its history Critical reviews of the role of disciplines and disciplinarity within the interdisciplinary formation of Australian Studies We also welcome other proposals and suggestions. Please note that we are open to a wide range of lengths and formats in this context, as appropriate to the form of your contribution, and we invite contributors to specify a nominal word count in their proposal, noting that this cannot exceed 8000 words (inclusive of footnotes). We invite all contributors to provide a 300-500 word abstract proposal for their article by 30 March 2026 . This is to allow us to identify and remedy any potential overlaps, and to identify peer reviewers in advance. Outcomes and feedback on abstracts will be provided by 3 April at the latest. Please submit your abstracts to: journalofaustralianstudies@gmail.com with the subject line: Attn: JAS at 50 Special Issue.
Initial manuscripts are due in ScholarOne by 17 July 2026 ; however, we welcome early submissions. All manuscripts will be peer reviewed. In the spirit of collaboration, we ask that contributors to the special issue also assist with peer reviewing other contributions. After revisions based on the peer review are made, manuscripts will undergo an editorial review, after which they may be returned for further revisions. After this round of editorial revisions, the manuscripts will then be forwarded to our copyeditor by no later than 28 August. Final manuscripts (including peer review, revision, copyediting, and revisions after copyediting) are due by 9 October 2026. If you have any questions, please email the Editors: jess.carniel@unisq.edu.au and chris.hay@flinders.edu.au Production timeline at a glance Abstracts: 30 March 2026 Notification of acceptance: 3 April 2026 Initial manuscript submission: 17 July 2026 Peer review and revision process completed by: 28 August 2026 Final manuscripts (including peer review and copyediting) : 9 October 2026 Publication: December 2026
To celebrate our 50th volume, JAS invites you to contribute to a special issue on (the Journal of) Australian Studies at 50.
Please see the CFP below for details - and please circulate it far and wide!
@intlausstudies.bsky.social
#CFP #OzStudies #OzLit #OzHist #auspol #AustralianStudies
